Abstract: An oil control device inhibits the flow of oil along a shaft (8) rotating about an axis. The oil control device comprises an annular body (19) for rotation with said shaft (8) and includes a first face (30) extending generally radially from said axis. A second radially outer circumferential surface (40) is provided, extending generally axially. An oil slinging groove (32) extends into said body (19) and has a mouth (37) defined between a first circumferentially extending rim (38) and a second circumferentially extending rim (39). The second rim (39) is spaced both radially and axially from the first rim (38). The groove (32) is defined at least in part by a wall (34) which meets the first rim (38) at an acute angle to a radial plane. The groove (32) is also defined at least in part by a wall (35) which meets the second rim (39) at an acute angle to the direction of the axis.

Abstract: A round of negotiation for an item is initiated between a plurality of bidders at a plurality of client nodes and a host processing node. A price bid for the item is received from each of the plurality of bidders. At least one negotiation parameter is received from at least one of the plurality of bidders. The negotiation parameter is associated with the item. A total cost value is determined based on an active negotiation term, the price bid, and the negotiation parameter for each of the plurality of bidders.

Abstract: Inter-Symbol Interference is measured in fibre-optic communications systems by using the statistically balanced nature of the data being communicated and correlating a received data signal with a time-delayed version of the data signal to obtain an error signal. The error signal drives an adaptive equaliser to achieve channel equalisation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic rockdrill (99) comprising: a housing, including an air supply inlet for receiving compressed air, and a cylinder (50), connected to the air supply inlet by a set of air passages; an impact piston (14), at least part of which is reciprocable within the cylinder (50); and air-flow control means for controlling the supply of compressed air from the air supply inlet to the cylinder (50); the rockdrill (99) including at least one pair of corresponding contact surfaces at which relatively-moving parts contact one another; and the rockdrill being characterized by including at least one water supply inlet and water paths connected to the water supply inlet(s) and configured so as in operation to convey water to a drilling tool so as to flush a hole being drilled and to supply water to wet the aforesaid contact surfaces.

Abstract: In the field of optical communications, a number of techniques are known for channel equalisation. However, these techniques are, for various different technical and/or economic reasons, unsuitable for application in relation to optical communications at a data rate of 10 Gbps. Consequently, the present invention provides a dithered linear search algorithm adapted to change tap weights (45, 75) of a filter (15) in accordance with a heuristic tap modification scheme.

Abstract: A first file is received in a first format. The first format is determined. A converter is selected based on the first format. Using the converter, the first file is translated to at least one second file. The second file has a second format.

Abstract: A first file is received. The first file has a first format. The first file includes information associated with an item. The information is extracted from the first file.

Abstract: A round of negotiation for an item is initiated between a plurality of bidders at a plurality of client nodes and a host processing node. A price bid for the item is received from each of the plurality of bidders. At least one negotiation parameter is received from at least one of the plurality of bidders. The negotiation parameter is associated with the item. A total cost value is determined based on an active negotiation term, the price bid, and the negotiation parameter for each of the plurality of bidders.

Abstract: A quantity of an item referenced within a multilevel bill of material (BOM) is determined. A price bid for the item is received into an application framework from a supplier. The price bid is associated with the item. The cost of the multilevel BOM is determined based on the quantity of the item and the price bid.

Abstract: A data rate determination apparatus includes an edge detection and clock generation circuit for receiving an input bit stream. The edge detection and clock generation circuit generates a pulse for each edge detected in the input bit stream. The pulses are passed to a programmable re-triggerable monostable multivibrator circuit coupled to a binary counter, which counts how many pulses are received within a time period determined by the number of pulses received at a rate higher than a predetermined rate. The binary counter is coupled to a Gray code counter coupled to a processing unit. The processing unit uses different counts that are accumulated over different sampling periods with different predetermined rates to establish statistical data, which can be compared to known data for different data rate standards or formats.