Abstract: An apparatus can include a first flexible member having first and second ends and a first body extending therebetween, where the first body defines a first passage portion. A second flexible member can have first and second ends and a second body extending therebetween, where the second body defines second and third passage portions. The first end of the first flexible member passes into and through the second passage portion such that the first end extends outside of the second passage portion, and the second end of the first flexible member passes into and through the third passage portion such that the second end extends outside of the third passage portion. The first and second ends of the second flexible member pass into and through the first passage portion to form a self-locking adjustable flexible member construct.

Abstract: Filtration articles and filter elements comprising reversibly stretchable layer filter media are generally provided. The filtration articles and filter elements described herein may be used for various applications, including applications as a respirator or respiratory protective equipment, a medical filter, an indoor air filtration article for HVAC and HEPA applications, a cabin air filter for vehicles, a room air purifier filter, a vacuum cleaner filter, a heavy duty air filter, a hydraulic fluid filter, and a process liquid filtration filter.

Abstract: Device for generating analogue signals comprises a digital-to-analogue converter comprising at least one digital input and one analogue output, a circuit for generating a first clock signal of frequency fs, and a digital register configured so as to receive at the input and to store N bits representative of an analogue output signal of the converter, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1, and for receiving the first clock signal, the register comprising, for each bit, two complementary digital outputs.

Abstract: Device for generating analogue signals comprises a digital-to-analogue converter comprising at least one digital input and one analogue output, a circuit for generating a first clock signal of frequency fs, and a digital register configured so as to receive at the input and to store N bits representative of an analogue output signal of the converter, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1, and for receiving the first clock signal, the register comprising, for each bit, two complementary digital outputs.

Abstract: Improving the multi-site software update for extension switches by automatically assigning extension switches at each data center with a role and then providing state messages between the extension switches to stage software update operations between the various extension switches that are involved. This allows the network administrator to commence the software update process on the extension switches at each data center without waiting for any extension switch to complete operations. The extension switches communicate with each other and the software update process completes automatically, with all extension switches at all data centers updated without further network administrator input.

Abstract: Absorbent composites are provided that include a nonwoven top layer having hydrophilic fibers and an absorbent core layer directly or indirectly attached to the nonwoven top layer, wherein the absorbent core layer comprises a through-air-bonded nonwoven. The absorbent composites may include a combination of (i) a composite-run-off value of less than 50% as determined by ISO 9073-11, (ii) a composite-absorption capacity of at least 600% as determined by ISO 9073, and (iii) a composite-rate of absorption of less than 10 seconds for a 5 ml liquid sample as determined by D824-94. The absorbent composites may include an optional film layer attached to the absorbent core layer.

Abstract: Breathable multilayer films are provided. The multilayer films may include a monolithic core layer comprising a core-layer composition, which includes a core-layer highly breathable polymer and has a core-layer water absorption rate, and at least a first skin layer comprising a first-skin-layer composition, which includes a first-skin-layer highly breathable polymer and has a first-skin-layer water absorption rate. The core-layer water absorption rate may be at least about 10 times larger than first-skin-layer water absorption rate. Laminates including the multilayer films and at least one fibrous layer are also provided.

Abstract: Drainage promoting fabrics having commercial applications (e.g., housewrap) are provided. The drainage promoting fabric, according to certain embodiments of the invention, includes a weather resistive barrier having an outer surface, and a three-dimensional, non-uniform or non-continuous meltblown layer positioned on the outer surface of the weather resistive barrier. The meltblown layer may comprise meltblown shot, meltblown ropes, or both.

Abstract: Improving the multi-site software update for extension switches by automatically assigning extension switches at each data center with a role and then providing state messages between the extension switches to stage software update operations between the various extension switches that are involved. This allows the network administrator to commence the software update process on the extension switches at each data center without waiting for any extension switch to complete operations. The extension switches communicate with each other and the software update process completes automatically, with all extension switches at all data centers updated without further network administrator input.

Abstract: Drainage promoting fabrics having commercial applications (e.g., housewrap) are provided. The drainage promoting fabric, according to certain embodiments of the invention, includes a weather resistive barrier having an outer surface, and a three-dimensional, non-uniform or non-continuous meltblown layer positioned on the outer surface of the weather resistive barrier. The meltblown layer may comprise meltblown shot, meltblown ropes, or both.

Abstract: Amplifier (6) for a wireless receiver, the amplifier comprising a voltage amplifier module having a voltage gain switchable between a first voltage gain value and a second voltage gain value higher than the first gain value, and a resistance module having a resistance switchable between a first resistance value and a second resistance value higher than the first resistance value, an output of the voltage amplifier module being connected to an input of the resistance module, the amplifier further comprising a set of switches configured to set the voltage gain value and the resistance value, the amplifier being operable in:—a nominal mode of operation in which the voltage gain value is set to the second voltage gain value, the resistance value being set to the second resistance value, and—a high linearity mode of operation in which the voltage gain value is set to the first voltage gain value to improve linearity of the amplifier, the resistance value being set to the first resistance value to have the same rat

Abstract: Amplifier (6) for a wireless receiver, the amplifier comprising a voltage amplifier module having a voltage gain switchable between a first voltage gain value and a second voltage gain value higher than the first gain value, and a resistance module having a resistance switchable between a first resistance value and a second resistance value higher than the first resistance value, an output of the voltage amplifier module being connected to an input of the resistance module, the amplifier further comprising a set of switches configured to set the voltage gain value and the resistance value, the amplifier being operable in:—a nominal mode of operation in which the voltage gain value is set to the second voltage gain value, the resistance value being set to the second resistance value, and—a high linearity mode of operation in which the voltage gain value is set to the first voltage gain value to improve linearity of the amplifier, the resistance value being set to the first resistance value to have the same rat

Abstract: An apparatus and method for carbonylating a reactant, including sequestering Group VIII catalyst metal from a process stream which generally has a ppb concentration of the catalyst metal. The process stream is treated with a polymer having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic repeat units to sequester the catalyst from the stream, thus allowing valuable catalyst to be recovered and returned to the reaction mixture. An apparatus provides a resin bed downstream of the light ends column in a carbonylation process. Preferably, spent resin is regenerated with a regenerant composition compatible with the carbonylation reaction mixture so that catalyst metal can be directly recycled and the resin re-used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for carbonylating a reactant, including sequestering Group VIII catalyst metal from a process stream which generally has a ppb concentration of the catalyst metal. The process stream is treated with a polymer having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic repeat units to sequester the catalyst from the stream, thus allowing valuable catalyst to be recovered and returned to the reaction mixture. An apparatus provides a resin bed downstream of the light ends column in a carbonylation process. Preferably, spent resin is regenerated with a regenerant composition compatible with the carbonylation reaction mixture so that catalyst metal can be directly recycled and the resin re-used.

Abstract: The present invention is system and method for providing a self-calibrating pressure sensor. A pressure sensor apparatus comprises a diaphragm, at least one driving element operably coupled to the diaphragm configured to induce deflection in the diaphragm, and at least one strain gauge coupled to the diaphragm. The at least one strain gauge measures the deflection of the diaphragm. Typically, the driving elements will be piezoelectric drivers and will be operably coupled to the diaphragm. A method for evaluating a pressure sensor comprises inducing deflection in a diaphragm, measuring the deflection, determining the frequency-dependent response, calculating mechanical characteristics of the diaphragm from the frequency-dependent response, and calculating a response coefficient for the diaphragm based in part on said mechanical characteristics. The response coefficient is used to evaluate the sensor. The sensor can then be re-calibrated or self-calibrated based on the response coefficient.

Abstract: A servo head capable of verifying at least one timing based pattern printed on media is provided. The servo head includes a magnetic structure having at least one magnetic element arranged and configured to form at least one magnetic gap parallel to the timing based pattern. In one embodiment, the magnetic element is arranged and configured to have a plurality of magnetic gaps being parallel to each other but not co-linear to each other. In the second embodiment, the magnetic element is arranged and configured to have a magnetic gap being parallel to and co-linear to the timing based pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems for data recording and reading for increasing overall tape data storage density, especially for data written in azimuth style. The principles of the invention provide servo formats and systems that allow accurate on track guidance for higher density applications and that are less sensitive to off track error. Preferred embodiments of the invention offer servo formats and systems of the invention that allows positive track and group identification at the beginning, end, and optionally periodically along the length of a tape.

Abstract: Methods and systems for data recording and reading for increasing overall tape data storage density, especially for data written in azimuth style. The principles of the invention provide servo formats and systems that allow accurate on track guidance for higher density applications and that are less sensitive to off track error. Preferred embodiments of the invention offer servo formats and systems of the invention that allows positive track and group identification at the beginning, end, and optionally periodically along the length of a tape.

Abstract: Methods and systems for data recording and reading for increasing overall tape data storage density, especially for data written in azimuth style. The principles of the invention provide servo formats and systems that allow accurate on track guidance for higher density applications and that are less sensitive to off track error. Preferred embodiments of the invention offer servo formats and systems of the invention that allows positive track and group identification at the beginning, end, and optionally periodically along the length of a tape.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head assembly, and method, for connecting a magnetic head within a magnetic tape device such as a tape formatting device. In one example, the assembly includes a mounting device for attachment to the magnetic tape device, and a sub-mount for attaching the magnetic head to the mounting device, the sub-mount having a first end connected with the magnetic head and a second end removably connected with the mounting device. By attaching the head to one end of the sub-mount, the head/sub-mount combination can be removably attached to the mounting device which is (or will be) attached to the magnetic tape device. The sub-mount and mounting device provide an improved level of flexibility for connecting heads to various different magnetic tape devices. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed.