Abstract: A vacuum pump comprising at least a molecular drag section and a turbo-molecular section, a rotor common to both sections and a stator common to both sections. The turbo-molecular section is positioned wholly within an envelope defined by the molecular drag section.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical device for the measurement of flow rates of fluid through a pipe. The device broadly comprises a narrow frequency light source, an optical delivery system, a collector for light scattered from particles in the fluid, and a photo detector. In a preferred embodiment, the optical delivery system and the collector are contained within the pipe.

Abstract: The system I/O interface and its data structure are designed to minimize the host CPU utilization in driving an adapter. The interface is also designed to reduce the system interference in processing I/O requests. To eliminate the need of using PIO instructions, the command/status blocks for exchanging messages between the system and the adapter reside in the system memory. The data structure is designed to avoid "share write" entries in order to further minimize the overhead of maintaining each coherency when updating an entry in the cache either concurrently or sequentially by both adapter and system CPU. Further, the data structure of the control and status blocks is resided in the system memory. The system CPU uses STORE instruction to prepare control blocks and LOAD instruction to read from completion status blocks; while the adapter will rely on its DMA engine to move data to/from system memory in accessing control/status blocks.

Abstract: A spindle synchronization technique is described which is useful in a disk array subsystem comprising a plurality of disk drives (40,41,42,43) connected by means of serial links (25,26,27,28) to a disk drive controller (20). Data and command information is transmitted over the link in the form of multi-character frames, the flow of which is regulated by special ten bit protocol characters. A SYNC protocol character is defined which is used to synchronize the spindles of the disk drives. This SYNC character is issued by controller to selected ones of the drives over the same link used for the transmission of the command and data information. The SYNC character may be interleaved between the characters of frames being transmitted over the link.

Abstract: A data card connector is provided comprising connector contacts (74) for contacting data card contacts (73) to couple the data card contracts (73) to circuitry. The connector contacts (74) are positioned to contact respective data card contacts (73) when the data card (71) is located in the connector (72) in a first orientation (FIG. 7a), and so that only one data card contact (73b) is contacted by any one of them when the data card (71) is located in the connector (72) in a second orientation, 180 degrees rotated from the first (FIG. 7b).

Abstract: A remote laser pointer system that directs a worker through a situation by a skilled person(servor) controlling the laser pointer from a remotely location. The system can operate over any telephone line or wireless communication that is capable of full duplex communications. The servor can use a video camera and microphone to hear and see the remote location and can control the position of the pointed laser beam with a movable mouse and computer. The worker can wear the camera, microphone and laser pointer on a portable headset.

Abstract: DNA sequences obtained from S. clavuligerus ATCC 27064, recombinant vectors incorporating such sequences and hosts transformed with such vectors are disclosed. The DNA comprises one or more genes coding for one or more enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of penicillin and cephalosporin .beta.-lactams and such enzymes are expressed by hosts into which the recombinant vectors are transformed. The DNA and the enzymes encoded thereby have utility in the preparation of penicillins and cephalosporins, both known and novel, possessing pharmacological, especially antimicrobial, activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel insulin-potentiating hypoglycaemic compounds.

Abstract: A data processing system comprises a host computer connected for the transfer of data to and from a plurality of data storage devices arranged in a string, the host computer including communication means comprising first and second ports connecting to first and second communication links, the first and second communication links being connected respectively to first and second data storage devices of said string. A bypassing means is provided between the first and second ports of the host system and the first and second data storage devices, the bypassing means being comprised of an independent bypass circuit on each of the first and second communication links between each of the first and second ports and the first and second data storage devices, the bypassing means being operable to bypass the host computer by connecting the first and second devices only when both of said independent bypass circuits detect a lack of data transfer on their respective links.

Abstract: An engine of reciprocating piston type includes a cylinder block which defines one or more cylinders and connected to which is a cylinder head closing the cylinders. Each cylinder reciprocably receives a respective piston and is defined by a respective cylinder barrel which is integral with the remainder of the cylinder block only at one or both ends. The remainder of the length of the cylinder barrel is spaced from the remainder of the cylinder block in the radial direction by a gap which constitutes a cooling passage. The wall of the cylinder barrel affords a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder lining over at least a proportion of its length.

Abstract: A netting having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. There is a first part intended to be substantially horizontal in use having at least two portions. The portions are being mutually longitudinally aligned. At least one portion has apertures of a larger size than apertures in at least one other portion. The second part comprises a flap connected or connectable to the first part at or adjacent one edge of the second part and at or adjacent the portion of larger opening size in the first part.

Abstract: An error recovery method for use in an information communication system which comprises a plurality of nodes connected by links. Information is transferred between the nodes in frames of predefined types, including at least a first frame type used to transfer data and a second frame type used for error recovery. Each node has at least a first and a second mode of operation. In the first mode frames of both first and second types are accepted. In the second mode frames of the first type are discarded and only frames of the second type are accepted. A master node which controls error recovery is selected from amongst those nodes which can initiate transfers.

Abstract: A method of producing lyocell fibers by spinning a solution of cellulose in an organic solvent through an air gap and into a spin bath in which there is provided a cross-draught of air in the air gap.

Abstract: A method of producing lyocell fibres by spinning a solution of cellulose in an organic solvent through an air gap and into a spin bath in which there is provided a cross-draught of air in the air gap.

Abstract: Described is a system and method of communicating between first and second nodes connected by a serial link wherein the data is transmitted between the nodes in the form of packets made up of multiple bit frames. Each packet that is correctly received by the second node is acknowledged by means of a pair of multibit frames. These frames may be interleaved among the frames making up any outgoing data packet that is being transmitted by the second node. The technique employed provides unambiguous acknowledgment of each data packet and if a data packet is received incorrectly, the packet is available in a buffer in the first node for resending.

Abstract: A vibrating structure gyroscope has a vibratory resonator having a substantially ring or hoop-like shape structure, an electromagnetic drive for causing the resonator to vibrate, a support structure including a plurality of flexible support beams for supporting the resonator whilst allowing it to vibrate and an electromagnetic sensor for sensing movement of the resonator. The support beams and resonator are made from silicon and the electromagnetic drive and sensor include metal tracks which extend externally along each support beam onto and along respective segments of an outer substantially planar surface of the ring-like resonator. The resonator is substantially planar and means is produced a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the plane of the resonator.

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: Disclosed is an array controller for controlling the transfer of data from a host system to an array of data storage devices, comprising a processor connected via a local bus to a data buffer in which data is staged during said transfer. The array controller is provided with a buffer controller for controlling the operation of the buffer and is further provided with channel hardware for manifesting a plurality of data channels, selectable by the local bus address, over which data is transferred in and out of the data buffer.

Abstract: In a snap connection system in which a shaft is inserted into a tube to a predetermined position, where co-operating surfaces on tube and shaft engage as in a laterally acting wedge. Two axially spaced spring loaded balls on one side of the tube urge the shaft into wedging engagement with the tube when in the pre-determined position. During insertion, a further spring loaded ball on the opposite side of the tube adjacent the wedge apex urges the shaft out of wedging engagement with the tube. A detent in the shaft accommodates this further ball at the predetermined position, locating the shaft axially and permitting wedging. The balls are biased by a spring sleeve and a tang thereon locates the sleeve on the tube. The tang may extend to the tube interior to coact with a detent in the shaft so that unclipping is necessary for disassembly. Alternatively, a spring loaded pin extending through sleeve and tube wall may accomplish the same end.