Abstract: A pressure sensing device is configured for measuring water pressure in a soil medium, and includes a sensor housing and a pressure sensor. The sensor housing is adapted with a sensor cavity delimited by an enveloping surface. The sensor housing is provided with a selective passage for water between an outer surface of the sensor housing and the sensor cavity. The pressure sensor is arranged within the sensor cavity for measurement of a water pressure within the sensor cavity. The pressure sensing device includes an antimicrobial substance for preventing microbial gas production in the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A compound leverage hand tool includes a first section having a first handle end and an opposing first jaw portion with a first jaw end, a second section having a second handle end and a link end, and a second jaw portion having a second jaw end and a lever end, the second jaw portion pivotally coupled to the first jaw portion at a first pivot point intermediate the second jaw end and the lever end. The link end is pivotally coupled to the lever end at a second pivot point, and the link end is pivotally coupled to the first section proximate the first jaw portion at a sliding pivot point intermediate the first pivot point and the second pivot point.

Abstract: A cutting tool with double compound leverage includes first and second opposed handle levers having handle ends and pivot ends. One of the handle levers includes a double link with a rearward portion defining the handle end and a forward portion defining the pivot end. First and second opposed blade levers each include a jaw end with a cutting blade and a lever end. The blade levers are each pivotally attached intermediate the jaw end and the lever end at spaced apart pivot points to a transverse coupling element. The pivot ends of the handle levers are pivotally attached to the lever ends of the blade levers. First and second compound linkage pivotally couple the handle levers and the blade levers so as to provide complete opening and closing of the cutting jaws.

Abstract: A self adjusting toggle clamp includes a mounting body, mounting apparatus carried by the mounting body and a clamping link movably attached to the mounting body. An actuating lever having a link element is pivotally coupled to the clamping link and movably coupled to the mounting body by a self adjusting toggle mechanism. The self adjusting toggle mechanism includes a guide carried by the mounting body, a locking element carried by the guide for reciprocal and canting movement, an element pivotally coupled to the link element, and a cam element pivotally coupled to the element and pivotally coupled to the locking element. The cam element is movable between a first condition permitting the locking element to reciprocate along the guide and a second condition bearing against the guide and canting the locking element into frictional engagement with the guide.

Abstract: A compound leverage hand tool includes a first section having a first handle end and an opposing first jaw portion with a first jaw end, a second section having a second handle end and a link end, and a second jaw portion having a second jaw end and a lever end, the second jaw portion pivotally coupled to the first jaw portion at a first pivot point intermediate the second jaw end and the lever end. The link end is pivotally coupled to the lever end at a second pivot point, and the link end is pivotally coupled to the first section proximate the first jaw portion at a sliding pivot point intermediate the first pivot point and the second pivot point.

Abstract: A cutting tool with double compound leverage includes first and second opposed handle levers having handle ends and pivot ends. One of the handle levers includes a double link with a rearward portion defining the handle end and a forward portion defining the pivot end. First and second opposed blade levers each include a jaw end with a cutting blade and a lever end. The blade levers are each pivotally attached intermediate the jaw end and the lever end at spaced apart pivot points to a transverse coupling element. The pivot ends of the handle levers are pivotally attached to the lever ends of the blade levers. First and second compound linkage pivotally couple the handle levers and the blade levers so as to provide complete opening and closing of the cutting jaws.

Abstract: A self adjusting toggle clamp includes a mounting body, mounting apparatus carried by the mounting body and a clamping link movably attached to the mounting body. An actuating lever having a link element is pivotally coupled to the clamping link and movably coupled to the mounting body by a self adjusting toggle mechanism. The self adjusting toggle mechanism includes a guide carried by the mounting body, a locking element carried by the guide for reciprocal and canting movement, an element pivotally coupled to the link element, and a cam element pivotally coupled to the element and pivotally coupled to the locking element. The cam element is movable between a first condition permitting the locking element to reciprocate along the guide and a second condition bearing against the guide and canting the locking element into frictional engagement with the guide.

Abstract: A multi-tube optical fiber cable includes a plurality of optical fiber tubes, each having one or more optical fibers loosely arranged therein. The optical fiber tubes are arranged within an outer jacket, where the tubes are constructed of a polymer having a low Young's constant modulus. A binder is arranged around the plurality of optical fiber tubes, where the binder is substantially flat in shape such that there is no deformation of the tube, when the binder is applied.

Abstract: A multi-tube optical fiber cable includes a plurality of optical fiber tubes, each having one or more optical fibers loosely arranged therein. The optical fiber tubes are arranged within an outer jacket, where the tubes are constructed of a polymer having a low Young's constant modulus. A binder is arranged around the plurality of optical fiber tubes, where the binder is substantially flat in shape such that there is no deformation of the tube, when the binder is applied.

Abstract: A drill bit is made from a shank, lid and blades. Junk slots with higher resistance to flow are provided to force drilling fluid between cutters on adjacent blades to improve cleaning. Blades are canted back, and openings at a high angle are provided to further enhance cleaning. The use of a lid facilitates high angle openings. The cutters may be made of sintered powder metal, and may include polycrystalline inserts. The blades may include a preferential conductive cooling material. The drill bit may include an enlarged hollow chamber and a relatively thin and long peripheral drill bit wall.

Abstract: Self adjusting grooved pliers include a first section having a jaw portion and a channel formed therethrough, adjacent the jaw portion and a second section having a jaw portion and a pivot extending therefrom. The pivot is slidably received in the channel to allow wider or narrower association between the jaw portion of the first section and the jaw portion of the second section. The pivot pivotally couples the first section to the second section for movement between an open position and a gripping position. A plurality of grooves is formed in the first section and a tongue extends from the second section. The tongue is received in one of the plurality of grooves, locking the pivot in position within the channel only upon the first section and the second section reaching the gripping position. A biasing assembly acts on the pivot, urging the pivot upward in the channel toward the jaw portion of the first section.

Abstract: A self-contained line generating device uses a laser diode and a lens to project a fan-shaped beam of visible light. The lens is useful for receiving light and transmitting light in an asymmetrical planar beam. The light is useful for aligning object in a vertical or a horizontal line. The generator also includes a substantially flat face and leveling devices for leveling and orienting the generator onto a flat surface. Retractable pins enable a user to easily mount the line generator onto a wall and align objects.

Abstract: A system and method forward data between processing elements. A first processing element includes an address register that stores a first memory address. A forwarding storage element is coupled to the first processing element. A second processing element, coupled to the forwarding storage element, transmits a second memory address to the forwarding storage element. The forwarding storage transmits the second memory address to the first processing element, and the first processing element compares the second memory address with the first memory address.

Abstract: A protective cover for protecting a read side of an optical disk includes a circumferential frame for receiving and engaging the optical disk and a shield. The frame includes a continuous end wall, an annular base extending radially inwardly from a lower edge of the end wall and a disk engaging element. The shield is transparent and has an inner edge defining a central opening, an outer edge and a generally planar annular surface extending between the outer edge and the inner edge. The shield is carried by an outer surface of the annular base for receiving and covering the read side of the optical disk.

Abstract: A system and method forward data between processing elements. A first processing element includes an address register that stores a first memory address. A forwarding storage element is coupled to the first processing element. A second processing element, coupled to the forwarding storage element, transmits a second memory address to the forwarding storage element. The forwarding storage transmits the second memory address to the first processing element, and the first processing element compares the second memory address with the first memory address.

Abstract: A system and method process data elements with instruction-level parallelism. An instruction buffer holds a first instruction and a second instruction, the first instruction being associated with a first thread, and the second instruction being associated with a second thread. A dependency counter counts satisfaction of dependencies of instructions of the second thread on instructions of the first thread. An instruction control unit is coupled to the instruction buffer and the dependency counter, the instruction control unit increments and decrements the dependency counter according to dependency information included in instructions. An execution switch is coupled to the instruction control unit and the instruction buffer, and the execution switch routes instructions to instruction execution units.