Abstract: Closed loop control apparatus and methods for reducing ripples in an extruded plastic sheet include, for example, a closed loop speed control system having a roll speed sensor, a roll speed controller, and a roll drive. The roll speed sensor is communicatively coupled to the active extruder roll and configured to determine an actual roll speed of the active extruder roll. The roll speed controller is communicatively coupled to the roll speed sensor and utilizes the actual roll speed and desired roll speed to generate a command signal and transmit such signal to the roll drive. The roll drive is communicatively coupled between the roll speed controller and the active extruder roll, and utilizes the command signal to drive the active extruder roll, through its controllers and power electronics.

Abstract: An expandable network constructed from a plurality of identical network fabric cards which uses a plurality of selected row address bits to route connection paths between adjacent columns of interconnecting switches and a software algorithm for implementing a network of any whole number power of 2 rows or ports by assigning numbers of the network switches and attached nodes are described.

Abstract: In a point-to-point multilink bundle coupling two peers over a network, a simultaneous addition of a plurality of links may be performed using Bandwidth Allocation Protocol and Bandwidth Allocation Control Protocol. When one peer desires to add more links to the multilink bundle, a request is sent to the other peer requesting the addition of the links and means for establishing the links, such as telephone numbers. In response, the second peer will respond with a message indicating the number of links the second peer is capable of adding along with the associated means for establishing these links.

Abstract: A cleaning unit used to clean condensates formed during use of a component of a smoking system. The component can be a heating fixture having a cigarette receiving section and a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced apart heating elements located within a can which accumulates the condensates. During a cleaning operation, the heating fixture is fitted within a cavity in the cleaning unit such that the cigarette receiving end of the heating fixture engages an O-ring and the terminal base portion abuts against an indented stop in an interior sidewall of a removable portion of the housing. The cleaning unit includes a water inlet connected to a source of pressurized water such as a faucet and a spray member extends into the cigarette receiving section to spray jets of water against the interior of the can.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a wireless communications system for presenting a calling party name to a mobile station within the wireless communications system. A communications signal is received from a network to initiate a call to a mobile station within the wireless communications system. Next, a determination is made as to whether the mobile station is provisioned to receive calling party names in response to receiving the communications signal. A calling party name is either identified using a database located within the wireless communications system or the calling party name is received as part of the initial call setup signal. Then, the calling party name is sent to the mobile station over the air interface in response to identifying the calling party name.

Abstract: A method for detecting flashback events in gas turbine is disclosed. The method employs periodic reference point checks to determine whether or not flashback damage has occurred. The method relies on the repeatability of exhaust profile and NOx as functions of precise turbine conditions. In combination with experience-based limits, changes in these values are used to determine if a flashback has occurred, even days later.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing between microorganisms having different attributes comprises the steps of: encapsulating one or more cells within a polymeric bead; incubating the cell(s) within the bead in a growth-supporting medium for a time period sufficient for multiplication of viable cells within the bead; then non-invasively physically examining the bead or the adjacent vicinity of the bead for physical characteristics associated with the differing attributes of cells within the bead. Various forms of apparatus for carrying out the process are descried.

Abstract: The Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI) standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is intended for fast, high throughput, point-to-point, unidirectional links. It is to serve high-performance multiprocessor systems. A number of key elements are defined as part of the protocol for SCI. These include: (a) command.old which is a bit in transmitted packets for detecting stale packets to discard; (b) idle.cc which is an idle bit to be inserted between packets for detecting lost packets which toggles when the idle bit has circulated around the ringlet; and (c) idle.ac which is an idle bit which toggles when all operational nodes have had an opportunity to transmit. In addition, SCI contemplates the implementation of a number of different types of resets, including power reset, upon read or apparent loss of power for more than a second and linc reset for clearing circuits but not changing error count registers in the system.

Abstract: The Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI) standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is intended for fast, high throughput, point-to-point, unidirectional links to high-performance multiprocessor systems. A system is provided for routing packets with a plurality of data bits and target identity code bits through a packet routing switching network. The packets are transmitted from source nodes through the switching network to target nodes that are designated by the target identity code bits. Operational rings are used to link output ports of switches of the output stages to input ports of switches of the input stage wherein each operational ring is identified by ring identity code bits associated with the input stage switches of the operational rings and has at least one node which is capable of performing a function with the data. Recirculation rings are used to link output ports of switches of the output stage to input ports of switches of the input stage.

Abstract: The Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI) standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is intended for fast, high throughput, unidirectional links to high-performance multiprocessor systems. Key elements of the protocol for SCI include: (a) a "new/stale" bit which is generated in a data packet for detecting stale packets to discard; (b) an idle.cc which is an idle bit to be inserted between packets for detecting lost packets which toggles when the idle bit has circulated around the ringlet; and (c) a scrubber node in each operational ring of an SCI network which toggles "new/stale" bits from a "new" state to a stale state when they are received at the scrubber node. The "new/stale" bit is also set to a "new" stale bit when a packet is generated in a source node in a first operational ring for transmission to a target node in a second operational ring. A scrubber node is located as the first node of each operational ring of the network. The new/stale" bit and the idle circulation (idle.

Abstract: The Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI) standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is intended for fast, high throughput, point-to-point, unidirectional links to high-performance multiprocessor systems. Key elements of the protocol for SCI are the (a) idle.cc which are idle bits circulation to be inserted between packets transmitted in an SCI network for detecting lost packets which toggles when the idle bit circulation has circulated around the ringlet; and (b) idle.ac, or allocation bit which is a bit in a group of transmitted idle bits which toggles when all operational nodes in an SCI network have had an opportunity to transmit their data packets. All switches accumulate transitions of the allocation bits to a value that is different from the current remembered allocation value on each enabled input port. If the network is out of allocation bit synchronization at a switch when a second transition of allocation bit occurs on an input port of the switch, the transition is ignored.

Abstract: The Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI) standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is intended for fast, high throughput, unidirectional links to high performance microprocessor systems. Key elements of the protocol for SCI include: (a) a "new/stale" bit which is generated in a data packet for detecting stale packets to discard; (b) a scrubber node in each operational ring of an SCI network which toggles "new/stale" bits from a "new" state to a stale state when they are received at the scrubber node. In addition, valid ring identity code bits are used to identify operational rings and target identity code bits are used to identify the intended designated target mode of each packet. Packets are transmitted from input ports to output ports of the switches and through operational rings of the network that are connected until each of the packets reaches a designated target node.

Abstract: Multifunctional blade designs for rotational oscillating cutting include, in one aspect, different cutting teeth segments and cutting agent segments arranged along separate portions of a common cutting edge to carry out various cutting tasks. In another aspect, non-circular cutting blades have separate cutting edge segments, each segment having different cutting teeth or cutting agents. The blade edge may include one portion having grit bonded to the cutting edge to cut hard objects, and another portion having cutting teeth for cutting softer objects. Likewise, the blade edge may include two portions, each having cutting teeth of differing size and pitch to cut differing materials. Another embodiment comprises a triangular blade, the sides of the triangle provided with cutting grit bonded to the edges. Alternatively, at least one side of the triangle may include cutting teeth, so that each side of the triangle is adapted to cut different types of materials.

Abstract: A blank for carrying bottles with an engaging edge has a center panel, a pair of securing panels, a pair of handle panels, an exterior grip support panel and an interior grip support panel. The center panel has a plurality of apertures and access tabs formed therein, and each aperture has an access tab associated therewith. The securing panels have apertures formed therein to match the number of apertures in the center panel. The securing panels also have individual flaps formed therein, and each aperture of the securing panels is associated with an individual flap. When the blank is folded and formed into a carrier, the apertures and access tabs of the center panel and the apertures and individual flaps of the securing panel create a corresponding number of bottle receiving collars. Consequently, when bottles are placed into the carrier, each bottle receiving collar engages the engaging edge of each bottle and supports each bottle during transport.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence which codes for expression of a fusion protein in which a foreign protein or peptide is fused with the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, is disclosed, as well as expression vectors or host cells containing such a molecule. Optionally, the foreign protein or peptide is fused to the enzyme through a cleavable link. Also disclosed is an expression vector having inserted therein a nucleotide sequence capable of being expressed as the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase followed by at least one restriction endonuclease recognition site for insertion of a nucleotide sequence capable of being expressed as a foreign protein or peptide fused to the glutathione-S-transferase.

Abstract: A myringotomy ventilation tube for insertion into an opening in the tympanic membrane comprising(a) a tubular body open at both ends;(b) an outer flange secured to one end of the tubular body and having a rod-like tail member extending outwardly from the flange and adapted to be easily grasped by a medical forceps; and(c) two inner flexurally resilient arms secured to the other end of the tubular body and extending laterally in opposite directions respectively from the tubular body and adapted to be squeezed together to form a longitudinal extension of the tubular body when inserted into the tympanic membrane opening.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for use in the recovery of oil from natural oil-bearing formations such as tar sands by means of thermal energy causing the oil to gravity in the formation into an oil-receiving duct. Oil recovery in relation to installation and operating costs is improved by releasing heat into the formation at the site of the oil-receiving duct. For this purpose a composite heating and oil recovery string is used which is installed along the formation and comprises a tubular casing having oil-entry apertures and, internally of such casing, an oil-receiving duct and a passageway for the circulation of fluid heating medium.

Abstract: A virtual address translator comprises a content addressed memory and a word addressed memory. A task name and subsegment number from a virtual address supplied by a processor are employed as a key word to search a content addressed memory and read out a subsegment descriptor if the key word is matched. The subsegment descriptor includes an absolute base address which is added to a deflection field to obtain an absolute memory address. The memory address is applied to a memory to permit transfer of a word between the processor and the memory. The processor may present any one of several task names depending upon whether the memory reference is made for an instruction or data for the processor, or for an instruction or data for an I/O connected to the processor. Bounds, residency and access privileges are checked using the subsegment descriptor.

Abstract: A virtual address translator comprises a content addressed memory and a word addressed memory. A task name and subsegment number from a virtual address supplied by a processor are employed as a key word to search a content addressed memory and read out a subsegment descriptor if the key word is matched. The subsegment descriptor includes an absolute base address which is added to a deflection field to obtain an absolute memory address. The memory address is applied to a memory to permit transfer of a word between the processor and the memory. The processor may present any one of several task names depending upon whether the memory reference is made for an instruction or data for the processor, or for an instruction or data for an I/O connected to the processor. Bounds, residency and access privileges are checked using the subsegment descriptor.

Abstract: A virtual address translator comprises a content addressed memory and a word addressed memory. A task name and subsegment number from a virtual address supplied by a processor are employed as a key word to search a content addressed memory and read out a subsegment descriptor if the key word is matched. The subsegment descriptor includes an absolute base address which is added to a deflection field to obtain an absolute memory address. The memory address is applied to a memory to permit transfer of a word between the processor and the memory. The processor may present any one of several task names depending upon whether the memory reference is made for an instruction or data for the processor, or for an instruction or data for an I/O connected to the processor. Bounds, residency and access privileges are checked using the subsegment descriptor.