Abstract: The training bat of the present invention has a length and weight substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. The training bat is comprised of a barrel section, a handle, and a transition section intermediate to the barrel section and the handle section. The barrel section has a diameter which is smaller than that of a conventional bat. However, the barrel section also includes a weighted member such that the training bat has a weight which is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. The present invention also provides a swing training method which utilizes the training bat described above. The method involves a batter swinging at a baseball with the training bat having the reduced diameter barrel section. Next, the batter swings at the baseball with a conventional bat. That step is followed by the batter swinging at a ball having a smaller diameter such as a golf ball using the training bat and then using the conventional bat.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The system interface has a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, and a global memory. The method includes: providing a backplane having slots adapted to have plugged therein a plurality of printed circuit board. The printed circuit boards include: a plurality of first director boards having the first directors; a plurality of second printed circuit boards having the second directors; a plurality of memory printed circuit boards providing the global memory; a plurality of dummy first director boards having first jumpers; a plurality of dummy second director boards having second jumpers; a plurality of dummy memory boards having third jumpers.

Abstract: A data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The system interface includes: a plurality of first directors coupled to the host computer/server; a plurality of second directors coupled to the bank of disk drives; a cache memory; and a data transfer section coupled to the plurality of first directors, the second directors, and the cache memory. A messaging network is coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data transfer between the host computer and the bank of disk drives in response to messages passing between the directors through the messaging network as such data passes through the memory via the data transfer section. A service processing network is provided for interfacing a plurality of service processing units to the plurality of first and second directors through a plurality of redundant communication channels.

Abstract: An x-ray source assembly (2700) and method of operation are provided having enhanced output stability. The assembly includes an anode (2125) having a source spot upon which electrons (2120) impinge and a control system (2715/2720) for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to an output structure. The control system can maintain the anode source spot location relative to the output structure (2710) notwithstanding a change in one or more operating conditions of the x-ray source assembly. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

Abstract: A rotor adapted for use in a hydrodynamic device comprising a cylindrical screen having a circumferentially continuous apertured zone. The rotor has an axis of rotation and includes a substantially cylindrical outer surface adjacent the cylindrical screen surface. The rotor further includes a plurality of sets of a plurality of adjacent vane members supported above a substantially cylindrical outer surface of a rotor by a plurality of brackets. The rotor has an axis of rotation and is mounted within and co-axial with the cylindrical screen to define an annular screening chamber between the rotor and the screen. The sets are equally spaced apart in a direction circumferential to the rotor axis, and the vane members extend the length of the screening chamber parallel to the rotor axis.

Abstract: A rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and including an outer surface adjacent a screen surface. The rotor also includes a plurality of sets of radially extending, relative to the rotor axis, adjacent vane members attached to the rotor surface, each set including at least four adjacent vane members with equally spaced apart and parallel trailing edges ending in a common plane. The two outermost vane members have leading edges forward of the two most inside vane members, with the leading edges forward of the two most inside vane members being angled toward its next adjacent vane. The height of the two innermost vane members is about half of the height of the two outermost vane members. Each of the outermost vane members is angled relative to the circumferential direction of travel of the rotor by each of the outermost having vane members with a leading edge that is angled relative to its trailing edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence. The method and apparatus are applicable to any fluid, including liquids and gases, having at least one component that emits x-ray fluorescence when exposed to x-rays. The apparatus includes an x-ray source (82) including an x-ray tube (64) having improved heat dissipating properties due to the thermal coupling of the x-ray tube with a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (70, 1150). The x-ray tube also includes means for aligning (100, 2150, 2715) the x-ray tube with the x-ray source housing whereby the orientation of the x-ray beam produced by the x-ray source can be optimized, and stabilized various over operating conditions. The method and apparatus may also include an x-ray detector having a small-area, for example, a PIN-diode type semiconductor x-ray detector (120), that can provide effective x-ray detection at room temperature.

Abstract: The training bat of the present invention has a length and weight substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. The training bat is comprised of a barrel section, a handle, and a transition section intermediate to the barrel section and the handle section. The barrel section has a diameter which is smaller than that of a conventional bat. However, the barrel section also includes a weighted member such that the training bat has a weight which is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat.

Abstract: A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel.

Abstract: A system is provided that may be used to mount mass storage devices so that they may be used in a mass storage system. The mass storage devices may include respective disk storage devices. Each of the disk storage devices may have a respective form factor that may be a respective one of two possible form factors (e.g., low profile or half-height form factor).

Abstract: A method and system for producing a data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The system interface has a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, and a global memory. The method includes: providing a backplane having slots adapted to have plugged therein a plurality of printed circuit board. The printed circuit boards include: a plurality of first director boards having the first directors; a plurality of second printed circuit boards having the second directors; a plurality of memory printed circuit boards providing the global memory; a plurality of dummy first director boards having first jumpers; a plurality of dummy second director boards having second jumpers; a plurality of dummy memory boards having third jumpers.

Abstract: A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel.

Abstract: The golf training club is a golf club which can be any of the standard clubs, including 2-9 irons, pitching wedges, approach wedges (lob), sand wedges, and woods (1, (driver), 2 and 3), wherein the club head size is reduced relative to the standard club head size for that particular club. Other than reducing the club head size, and more particularly the club head face dimensions, in all other respects the club is of standard specifications; i.e., the shaft length, lie and loft angles and club weight should be as close to a standard club specification as possible. A method of using the golf training club includes performing a select number of golf shots with a golf club having reduced club face dimensions of height and width relative to the standard height and width dimensions of a corresponding standard sized golf club and thereafter performing a selected number of golf shots with a corresponding standard sized golf club.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an array of I/O adapter cards to a case, each one of the I/O adapter cards having mounted thereto a mounting bracket having a screw receiving hole and being adapted to be plugged into a motherboard. The apparatus includes an I/O adapter card mounting plate having captive fastening hardware and tips. The plate is adapted to be placed over the mounting bracket as a single piece. The captive hardware is adapted to pass through a first set of screw receiving holes and tips to be inserted into another set of screw receiving holes. The captive hardware is adapted to enable manual fastening of the mounting member to secure the mounting bracket between the mounting plate and the case after the array of I/O adapter cards has been plugged into the motherboard. Each one of the cards has mounted thereto an L-shaped mounting bracket, such bracket having a screw receiving hole therein. The plate is adapted to be placed over a foot of L-shaped brackets as a single piece.

Abstract: The training bat of the present invention has a length and weight substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. The training bat is comprised of a barrel section, a handle, and a transition section intermediate to the barrel section and the handle section. The barrel section has a diameter which is smaller than that of a conventional bat. However, the barrel section also includes a weighted member such that the training bat has a weight which is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat.

Abstract: A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel.

Abstract: A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel.

Abstract: A data storage system wherein a host computer is coupled to a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The interface has a memory with a high address memory section and a low address memory section. A plurality of directors control data transfer between the host computer and the bank of disk drives as such data passes through the memory. A pair of high address busses electrically is connected to the high address memory and a pair of low address busses is electrically connected to the low address memory. Each one of the directors is electrically connected to one of the pair of high address busses and one of the pair of low address busses. A front-end portion of the directors is electrically connected to the host computer and a rear-end portion of the directors is electrically connected to the bank of disk drives.

Abstract: A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel.

Abstract: A cabinet having a plurality of compartments adapted to have disposed in a corresponding one thereof one of a plurality of processing unit modules. Each one of the modules includes a case. The case has a motherboard mounting surface adapted to have mounted thereto one of a plurality of differently configured motherboards, each one of the differently configured motherboards having a different arrangement of a CPU, main memory and I/O adapted cards. The case also has a bulkhead mounting surface adapted to have mounted thereto one of a plurality of differently configured I/O bulkheads, each one of the differently configured bulkheads being configured for a corresponding one of the differently configured motherboards. The case has a fan mounting surface adapted to have mounted thereto one of a plurality of differently configured fan assemblies, each one of the differently configured fan assemblies being configured for a corresponding one of the differently configured motherboards.