Abstract: An arrangement for forming an annular component includes a small diameter clamp for securely retaining a first holding surface of a small diameter end of a preform, a large diameter clamp for securely retaining a second holding surface of a large diameter end of the preform, and a punch having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to a shape of a profile of the annular component. The small diameter clamp and/or the large diameter clamp is configured to clamp the respective small and/or large holding surface, respectively, at an angle other than a slant angle of a main frusto-conical portion of the preform.

Abstract: A method of forming a sector of an annular component such as an inlet cowl/lip skin of a nacelle for an aircraft engine. The method comprising the steps of clamping at least part of a blank along a clamping boundary in a retaining arrangement so as to leave a portion of the blank exposed within the clamping boundary. Moving a punch and/or retaining arrangement radially so that the punch comes in to contact with the exposed portion of the blank and through the main body of the exposed blank thereby drawing the blank onto an external surface of the punch forming the sector from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Activating cooperating forming arrangement for engaging the blank and drawing the blank over the punch forming the sector of the inlet cowl from the leading edge to the inlet edge, the method comprising using a second draw forming tooling arrangement for the cooperating forming arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: A method of forming a sector of an annular component such as an inlet cowl/lip skin of a nacelle for an aircraft engine. The method comprising the steps of clamping at least part of a blank along a clamping boundary in a retaining arrangement so as to leave a portion of the blank exposed within the clamping boundary. Moving a punch and/or retaining arrangement radially so that the punch comes in to contact with the exposed portion of the blank and through the main body of the exposed blank thereby drawing the blank onto an external surface of the punch forming the sector from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Activating cooperating forming arrangement for engaging the blank and drawing the blank over the punch forming the sector of the inlet cowl from the leading edge to the inlet edge, the method comprising using a second draw forming tooling arrangement for the cooperating forming arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback in connection with a capacitive sensing mechanism are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a convex, non-metallic structure arranged so as to maintain physical separation between an activator and the capacitive sensing mechanism until sufficient force is applied by the activator. The structure does not form a part of an electrical circuit comprising the capacitive sensing mechanism.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback in connection with a capacitive sensing mechanism are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a convex, non-metallic structure arranged so as to maintain physical separation between an activation means and the capacitive sensing mechanism until sufficient force is applied by with the activation means. The structure does not form a part of an electrical circuit comprising the capacitive sensing mechanism.

Abstract: The invention features a system and method for installing and configuring a common software load in optical network elements. In brief overview, a configurable hardware abstraction layer (HAL) is interposed between the application software and the drivers in the common software load. With the use of a configurable HAL, network elements embodying the invention can use the same common software load for each type of card. Hence, an installer updating or originally configuring the cards in a plurality of network elements can accommodate all of the cards with the transmission of one software load. Instead of centrally tracking and organizing card specific software loads, the common software load in combination with the HAL manages the installation and upgrading process on the local card level.

Abstract: An electronic reminder, the alert feature of which uses visual and/or audible alert signals, with customizable surface areas. The surface areas include an area onto which a distributor of the reminder can apply information specific to a known end user or user group. A surface area of the housing also permits a purchaser of relatively small quantities of the invention to apply their own promotional information prior to redistribution to their customers. Another area of the housing includes a surface area of such material as to allow the end user to handwrite information associated with the reminding function, such as the storage location and brand name (or product type) of a particular item, or a task. A display device permits a user-defined, reminder-related visual cue (for example, a photograph) to be held in place and displayed.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for parallel processing. One embodiment provides a multiprocessor computer system that includes a first and second node controller, a number of processors being connected to each node controller, a memory connected to each controller, a first input/output system connected to the first node controller, and a communications network connected between the node controllers. The first node controller includes: a crossbar unit to which are connected a memory port, an input/output port, a network port, and a plurality of independent processor ports. A first and a second processor port connected between the crossbar unit and a first subset and a second subset, respectively, of the processors. In some embodiments of the system, the first node controller is fabricated onto a single integrated-circuit chip.