Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for recommending design changes in designing a digital integrated circuit. An analysis of the digital integrated circuit being designed is performed, where the result of such an analysis involves violations being identified and stored. A stored violation, such as a cross-domain, cross-hierarchy and multi-cycle violation, may then be analyzed to identify a root cause of the violation using a rule. Such a rule may be used for triaging various failures in the cross-domain, cross-hierarchy and/or multi-cycle violation of the digital integrated circuit. A design change in the design of the digital integrated circuit may then be recommended based on the identified root cause of the violation. In this manner, the root cause of failures are effectively identified in the design of digital integrated circuits using an offline analysis of cross-domain, cross-hierarchy and/or multi-cycle violations using a rules-based approach.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed reactor system having a gas cooler, with cooling surfaces, downstream of a first cyclone separator, the cooling surfaces are cleaned by introducing sufficient concentration of bed particles into the gas during, or just prior to, cooling, so that the particles mechanically dislodge deposits from, and thereby clean, the cooling surfaces. The particles are then removed downstream of the cooler by a second separator, and the bed particles separated by the second separator may be returned to the fluidized bed reactor at or just before the cooler to again be used to effect cooling. Cleaning may be practiced in spaced time intervals only (e.g. periodically or intermittently), or continuously.

Abstract: Optical telecommunication systems using phase-compensation interferometry wherein receiver units have N interferometer configurations each with a unique path length difference that is identical to a path length difference in one of N interferometer configurations at the corresponding transmitter units. The transmitter and receiver units separately and individually use N+1 arms, one of which serves as a reference common to the other N arms that along with the common reference arm form the N interferometer configurations of the transmitter and receiver units. N phase modulators, one in each of the N paths of the transmission units, are used to apply a separate and individual telecommunication signal (payload) to the portion of the light in that path. These N separate payloads may be of the same or different protocols. These N separate payloads may have the same or different bit rate/second. These N separate payloads may be digital or analog.

Abstract: Optical telecommunications systems use phase compensation interferometry wherein receiver units have interferometer configurations with path length differences identical to path length differences of arms in interferometer configurations at corresponding transmitter units. Faraday rotating mirrors are used to minimize sensitivity to polarization effects. A modified Michelson interferometer structure is used to provide optical signals which convert to electrical signals in a form allowing relatively easy demodulation. A demodulation circuit uses the property whereby two signals have a 90.degree. phase shift.

Abstract: Optical telecommunication systems using phase-compensation interferometry wherein receiver units have N interferometer configurations each with a unique path length difference that is identical to a path length difference in one of N interferometer configurations at the corresponding transmitter units. The transmitter and receiver units separately and individually use N+1 arms, one of which serves as a reference common to the other N arms that along with the common reference arm form the N interferometer configurations of the transmitter and receiver units. N phase modulators, one in each of the N paths of the transmission units, are used to apply a separate and individual telecommunication signal (payload) to the portion of the light in that path. These N separate payloads may be of the same or different protocols. These N separate payloads may have the same or different bit rate/second. These N separate payloads may be digital or analog.

Abstract: Hot flue or process gases are cleaned utilizing an apparatus containing a barrier filter module formed of a monolithic ceramic support structure coated with a thin porous ceramic layer having a pore size of about 0.04-0.5 microns, and a catalyst module formed of a support structure coated with catalyst. The hot flue gases may be associated with a fluidized bed boiler plant, such as a circulating fluidized bed reactor. Gases to be cleaned are passed through the barrier filter module into contact with the thin porous ceramic layer, and then through the catalyst module so that there is a catalytic reaction with the gas.

Abstract: A filter assembly for high temperature gases, such as from a circulating fluidized bed reactor, mounts monolithic ceramic filter elements within an upright vessel so that as the hot gas flows from the top toward the bottom of the vessel the gas passes through the elements with the clean gas discharged through a side wall of the vessel. The particle discharge is provided at the bottom of the vessel. Filter supporting elements within the vessel are cooled by cooling fluid, and pulse cleaning elements are associated with each of the filter elements. Flow directing elements within the vessel typically define a generally conical or pyramidal shaped flow directing surface. The flow directing elements may be refractory material bodies, or funnel shaped thin elements (e.g. of metal capable of withstanding high temperature), and may be mounted so that small amounts of movement are possible to accommodate thermal contraction or expansion.

Abstract: A liquid chromatographic method and apparatus is disclosed which employs an improved pump not requiring driven pistons or sliding seals. The pump comprises at least one length of tubing forming a chamber disposed between first and second check valves, controllable heating means to periodically heat liquid in said chamber effective to pump relatively low volumes of liquid from the chamber at relatively high pressures, means for measuring the pressure developed by the pump, and control means to increase and decrease the amount of heat imparted to the liquid to maintain the pump operation at a controlled pressure setpoint.

Abstract: A liquid chromatographic method and apparatus is disclosed which employs an improved pump not requiring driven pistons or sliding seals. The pump comprises at least one length of tubing forming a chamber disposed between first and second check valves, controllable heating means to periodically heat liquid in said chamber effective to pump relatively low volumes of liquid from the chamber at relatively high pressures, means for measuring the pressure developed by the pump, and control means to increase and decrease the amount of heat imparted to the liquid to maintain the pump operation at a controlled pressure setpoint.

Abstract: A single mode optical fiber is used to detect electrical currents or magnetic fields from a source to a high degree of accuracy. Phase modulation of an optical beam is used to determine the changes of physical properties of a magnetostrictive material which jackets the fiber or around which the fiber is wound. An electromagnetic field, such as that emanating from a high intensity field wire, is measured by the device which acts as a current transformer and meters peak-to-peak electric currents of approximately 10,000 amperes or more with accuracy exceeding 0.1%. The invention structure of the device provides advantages such as operation safety, EMI immune leads, low cost, light weight, and dielectric construction among others.

Abstract: A single fiber optic optical sensor in one segment of a divided interferometer and a remote demodulation interferometer segment associated therewith.

Abstract: A highly sensitive microbend horizontal fiber-optic accelerometer has been conceived, particularly useful in seismological research where minute accelerations must be detected. The device uses a cantilever beam and the compliance of an optical fiber mounted between deforming teeth to act as the springs in the accelerometer's spring-mass system. Acceleration is detected by sensing the changes in the intensity of light propagating through the deformed fiber due to the motion of the mass relative to the case. Accelerations as small as 5 .mu.g at 1 Hz can be detected with a dynamic range of 100 dB.

Abstract: A single fiber optical fiber temperature measuring device is provided for in vivo determination of temperature at a plurality of spaced points. The device includes a fiber optical temperature sensing device having at least first and second optical fiber sensors which optical fiber sensors are positioned at the measurement sites and at least two fiber optical sensors are connected to a divided interferometer associated with an opto-electronic demodulator which has an output signal representing the temperature at the sensed sites. The device also has utility in industrial or chemical temperature sensing applications.

Abstract: A method for crushing metal cans into rectangular blocks or bales wherein cans are fed through a precrusher, which flattens and rips open the cans to drain liquids therefrom and leaves protruding torn tabs and flaps that facilitate bonding of the cans into a self-sustaining bale. The flattened cans are collected in a charging bin until a predetermined weight is reached; then the cans are released into a bale-forming chamber, which is closed by a hinged door forming an initial compression member. A ram then compresses the cans longitudinally in the chamber, the ram having ribs on the compression face to form grooves in the bale for future stack-retaining straps. A sliding door opens the end of the baling chamber for ejection of the formed bale by continued extension of the ram.

Abstract: A force measuring device generally comprising a hollow, three-dimensional container defining interiorly thereof at least one chamber is disclosed. The device includes at least a pair of optical fiber coils with the length of the optical fiber on each of the coils being substantially equal. The pair of coils are mounted on opposite sides of a wall of the hollow container and there are means within the container normally exerting a force on the coil mounted within the container. The system also includes an optical interferometer having a pair of legs with means connecting each of the pair of coils in a leg of the interferometer. Radiant energy emitting means are provided for directing radiant energy into the legs of the interferometer and through the pair of coils and radiant energy detecting means are connected to the interferometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for detecting electric fields by modulating the phase of an optical beam. A length of optical fiber is jacketed with or attached to piezoelectric material that is poled perpendicular to the length of the fiber. An electric field is applied across the piezoelectric element, i.e. in the direction of poling, resulting in a change in the element thickness and a change in the axial dimension, which, in turn, changes the length of the optical fiber. The change in fiber length is accompanied by a smaller change in the refractive index of the fiber. The result is a shift in the optical phase.

Abstract: A shield which keeps light from reaching a subject's eyes. The shield is permeable, but capable of blocking the transmission of light; and it has an adhesive for removably securing it to the user's face. An accessory usable with the mask to extend its useful life by replacing the shield securing adhesive is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mass is attached between light reflective ends of a pair of rectilinearly aligned optic fibers and maintained in such position with the fibers under a slight tension. The pair of fibers comprise a portion of two arms of a Mach Zehnder or Michelson interferometer so that an acceleration along the longitudinal axis of the rectilinearly aligned optic fibers increases the length of one of the pair of fibers and shortens the length of the other, whereby electromagnetic rays traveling in the pair of fibers, travel different distances resulting in a phase shift which phase shift is directly proportional to the force applied to the fibers by the mass and therefore directly proportional to the acceleration. Accelerations in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the fibers cause equal phase shifts in each arm and therefore would not be detected. Thermal expansion of the fibers and acoustical noises should also balance out.

Abstract: A compact can crusher in which used beverage cans and the like are dropped into a chute and are crushed flat between an oscillating crusher plate and a wall of the chute, the crushed cans being dropped through an open lower end of the chute. A drive motor is coupled to the crusher plate to apply maximum thrust at opposite ends of the oscillating stroke, so that cans are effectively flattened to a minimum thickness. In one form spring stored energy adds to the initial crushing action when the most pressure is needed, and provision is made to prevent cans from jamming in the chute and to prevent the mechanism from being jammed by articles which are not readily crushed.