Abstract: A device for cutting filler material from concrete joints comprises a blate attached to the front of an elongated arm, the elongated arm is pivotably joined to a mounting plate. The elongated arm is limited in its movement by a retention bar located on a front edge of the mounting plate and a spring which biases the elongated arm toward the center of the mounting plate. An attachment lip is provided on the front edge of the mounting plate to assist in securing the mounting plate to a bucket of a power machine such as a front end loader. Bolts extending through the mounting plate and a rear turnbuckle also assist in securing the device to the bucket. Mounting is accomplished by placing the mounting plate in the bucket and hooking the lip around the front edge and under the bottom of the bucket. The rear turnbuckle includes a V-plate that engages the top rear of the bucket along the top rear edge.

Abstract: A plasma etching machine comprises a process chamber defining an interior region and including a bottom wall having an aperture and a block disposed in the aperture and including a longitudinally extending bore. A shaft extends through the bore and includes a spider push rod extending longitudinally therethrough. An internally cooled chuck is coupled to the shaft and disposed in the interior region and cooperates with the shaft to define a chamber. A spider is disposed in the chamber and is coupled to the push rod. A lift mechanism is coupled to the shaft and the push rod so that the spider pushes up on a wafer in response to actuation of the lift mechanism. A wafer clamping mechanism is coupled to the push rod if a mechanical clamp is used. In the case of electrostatic clamp the bias applied to the chuck is coupled with the use of a rotational roller to allow the bias to be applied to the chuck for the duration of the etch process. A RF source is needed for ionization of the gas.

Abstract: A system and method for interprocess communication between concurrently executing, cooperating sequential processes in a digital computer system uses a shared memory queue as a mechanism for message passing and process synchronization. Data to be transferred from a sending process to a receiving process is stored in a queue entry which is visible in the virtual address space of the first process. The queue entry is added to a queue by the sending process directing the processor to execute an enqueue instruction. The receiving process removes the queue entry from the queue by directing the processor to execute a dequeue instruction. The receiving process then has direct access and visibility to the contents of the queue entry without having to copy the data into its virtual address space. Instead of sending data in a queue entry, a sending process may send an event indicator and no data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for endpoint detection for the stripping of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, from a substrate surface. A beam of light is projected onto the substrate surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a control mechanism which determines the proper disposition of the substrate. The control mechanism controls the cessation of the stripping process and may control a substrate-handling device which sequentially transfers substrates to and from a stripping chamber.

Abstract: This invention makes possible substantially continuous flow of uniformly distributed hydrogen and hydrocarbon liquid across a densely packed catalyst bed to fill substantially the entire volume of a reactor vessel by introducing the fluids as alternate annular rings of gas and liquid (i.e. a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon and a hydrogen-containing gas) at a rate insufficient to levitate or ebullate the catalyst bed. Catalyst are selected by density, shape and size at a design feed rate of liquids and gas to prevent ebullation of the packed bed at the design feed rates. Catalysts are selected by measuring bed expansion, such as in a large pilot plant run, with hydrocarbon, hydrogen, and catalyst at the design pressures and flow velocities. The liquid and gas components of the feed flow into the bed in alternate annular rings across the full area of the bed.

Abstract: A network input/output processing system for sending and receiving messages between a large scale computer system and associated communications networks. Executive operating system services provide access to a control table, an input queue, and an output queue stored in the computer system's main memory. A network input/output processor responds to requests by application programs, through a communications program, for receiving input from and sending output to a network, concurrently with requests to communicate with directly attached peripheral devices such as disk drives, tape drives, and printers. The network input/output processor receives initialization, reset, and termination requests via the control table. Requests to receive input are received from the input queue. Input data is stored into buffers as directed by the input request. Requests to send output are received from the output queue. Output data is read from the buffers as directed by the output request.

Abstract: A combined long spine board and vacuum mattress device is disclosed that is designed to extricate, immobilize, and transport accident victims in emergency situations in which potential spinal injury is suspected. The superior extrication features of a rigid board are combined with the improved comfort and immobilization attributes of vacuum splint technology in a single device. Large wing vacuum mattresses that partially enclose the chest to knee region of a patient and small wings used to secure the patient's head are attached to the main vacuum mattress. Vacuum mattresses are airtight, flexible casings containing small beads and air. Evacuating these mattresses creates a semi-rigid bed conforming to the patient's body which immobilizes the patient in relative comfort. The large wings fold under the narrow main vacuum mattress/rigid board to present a narrow profile for extrication maneuvers. The full length rigid board facilitates extrication and transport.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a queue entry containing message data from a queue shared by communicating, sequential processes includes dequeue (DEQ) and dequeue or wait (DEQW) instructions. The dequeue instruction removes a queue entry from the head of the shared queue, thereby providing access to the message data contained in the queue entry to the dequeuing process. The dequeue or wait instruction removes a queue entry from the shared queue if there is one, otherwise it suspends the execution of the dequeuing process until an entry is enqueued to the queue. If an event is selected by the dequeuing process, the dequeuing process is suspended until notification of the event is detected in the shared queue. Execution of the dequeue and dequeue or wait instructions include blocking access to the queue by other processes, updating queue linkages, deactivating processes waiting on entries or events being made to the queue, monitoring interrupts, and validating the appropriate queue data structures.

Abstract: This invention makes possible substantially continuous flow of uniformly distributed hydrogen and hydrocarbon liquid across a densely packed catalyst bed to fill substantially the entire volume of a reactor vessel by introducing the fluids as alternate annular rings of gas and liquid (i.e. a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon and a hydrogen-containing gas) at a rate insufficient to levitate or ebullate the catalyst bed. Catalyst are selected by density, shape and size at a design feed rate of liquids and gas to prevent ebullation of the packed bed at the design feed rates. Catalysts are selected by measuring bed expansion, such as in a large pilot plant run, with hydrocarbon, hydrogen, and catalyst at the design pressures and flow velocities. The liquid and gas components of the feed flow into the bed in alternate annular rings across the full area of the bed.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing real-time, compressed, digital video data from a video library composed of multiple mass storage devices through a digital video data server to large numbers of viewers via distribution networks is provided. The server obtains selected frames of video data for viewer-requested programs from high-speed memory using a buffering strategy, replicates the data via a multi-cast technique for each viewer listed in an assigned synchronization group and forwards the data to each viewer's site where it is decompressed, decoded, and converted for display on a television monitor or computer display. Each viewer maintains interactive control over the transmission of the digital video data.

Abstract: A system and method for interprocess communication between concurrently executing, cooperating sequential processes in a digital computer system uses a shared memory queue as a mechanism for message passing and process synchronization. Data to be transferred from a sending process to a receiving process is stored in a queue entry on the shared memory queue. Hierarchical queuing allows a sending process to collect multiple message segments as entries in a local sub-queue, which is enqueued as a single entity to the shared memory queue when all message segments are present. The receiving process dequeues the sub-queue in one operation, thereby increasing the efficiency of message transfer while preventing the erroneous dequeuing of message segments when multiple receiving processes are waiting on the same shared memory queue. In this manner, the logical maximum size of a message being passed between processes is expanded.

Abstract: This invention makes possible substantially continuous flow of uniformly distributed hydrogen and hydrocarbon liquid across a densely packed catalyst bed to fill substantially the entire volume of a reactor vessel by introducing the fluids as alternate annular rings of gas and liquid (i.e. a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon and a hydrogen-containing gas) at a rate insufficient to levitate or ebullate the catalyst bed. Catalyst are selected by density, shape and size at a design feed rate of liquids and gas to prevent ebullation of the packed bed at the design feed rates. Catalysts are selected by measuring bed expansion, such as in a large pilot plant run, with hydrocarbon, hydrogen, and catalyst at the design pressures and flow velocities. The liquid and gas components of the feed flow into the bed in alternate annular rings across the full area of the bed.

Abstract: This invention makes possible substantially continuous flow of uniformly distributed hydrogen and hydrocarbon liquid across a densely packed catalyst bed to fill substantially the entire volume of a reactor vessel by introducing the fluids as alternate annular rings of gas and liquid at a rate insufficient to levitate the catalyst bed. Catalyst are selected by density, shape and size at a design feed rate of liquids and gas to prevent ebullation of the packed bed at the design feed rates. Catalysts are selected by measuring bed expansion with hydrocarbon, hydrogen, and catalyst at the design pressures and flow velocities. The liquid and gas components of the feed flow into the bed in alternate annular rings across the full area of the bed. At the desired flow rate, such catalyst continually flows in a plug-like manner downwardly through the reactor vessel by introducing fresh catalyst at the top of the catalyst bed by laminarly flowing such catalyst in a liquid stream on a periodic or semicontinuous basis.

Abstract: A method of making a semipermeable composite membrane comprising a discriminating layer formed insitu by interfacial polymerization is disclosed. The method provides for removal of a water immiscible solvent for a reactant in the interfacial polymerization by physical means not requiring a phase change such as a water knife, air knife, roller, or rubber blade. Composite membranes having good flux, good salt rejection, and low levels of remaining organic solvent are obtained.

Abstract: For a heavy hydrocarbonaceous feed, especially good hydrodemetalation and hydrodesulfurization are achieved, as well as MCR reduction, using a catalyst having 5 to 11 percent of its pore volume in the form of macropores, and a surface area greater than 75 m.sup.2 /g. Preferably the catalyst has a peak mesopore diameter greater than 165 .ANG., as determined by mercury porosimetry, and an average mesopore diameter greater than 160 .ANG..

Abstract: Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units are disclosed. These materials when expanded have a volume expansion of at least 60 and maintain that volume expansion for a period of at least 30 minutes under expansion conditions after reaching the volume expansion of 60. Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units and an inhibitor for the monomer(s) and a crosslinker incorporated into the plastic material upon monomer polymerization are also disclosed. Also disclosed are expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units with blowing agents of 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane or mixtures of one or both with 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane or mixtures of at least 30 percent of one or both with other volatile blowing agents.

Abstract: Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units are disclosed. These materials when expanded have a volume expansion of at least 60 and maintain that volume expansion for a period of at least 30 minutes under expansion conditions after reaching the volume expansion of 60. Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units and an inhibitor for the monomer(s) and a crosslinker incorporated into the plastic material upon monomer polymerization are also disclosed. Also disclosed are expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units with blowing agents of 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane or mixtures of one or both with 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane or mixtures of at least 30 percent of one or both with other volatile blowing agents.

Abstract: Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units are disclosed. These materials when expanded have a volume expansion of at least 60 and maintain that volume expansion for a period of at least 30 minutes under expansion conditions after reaching the volume expansion of 60. Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units and an inhibitor for the monomer(s) and a crosslinker incorporated into the plastic material upon monomer polymerization are also disclosed. Also disclosed are expandable and expanded plastic materials having majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units with blowing agents of 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane or mixtures of one or both with 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane or mixtures of at least 30 percent of one or both with other volatile blowing agents.

Abstract: For a heavy hydrocarbonaceous feed, especially good hydrodemetalation and hydrodesulfurization are achieved, as well as MCR reduction, using a catalyst having 5 to 11 percent of its pore volume in the form of macropores, and a surface area greater than 75 m.sup.2 /g. Preferably the catalyst has a peak mesopore diameter greater than 165 .ANG., as determined by mercury porosimetry, and an average mesopore diameter greater than 160 .ANG..

Abstract: Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units are disclosed. These materials when expanded have a volume expansion of at least 60 and maintain that volume expansion for a period of at least 30 minutes under expansion conditions after reaching the volume expansion of 60. Expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units and an inhibitor for the monomer(s) and a crosslinker incorporated into the plastic material upon monomer polymerization are also disclosed. Also disclosed are expandable and expanded plastic materials having a majority of alkyl acrylate monomeric repeat units with blowing agents of 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane or mixtures of one or both with 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane or mixtures of at least 30 percent of one or both with other volatile blowing agents.