Abstract: A data compression apparatus for performing data compression on input data comprises a quantisation parameter estimation arrangement for deriving an estimated value of a quantisation parameter used in a previous compression/decompression cycle applied to the input data, by detecting rounding effects in data values of at least a subset of the input data; and a parameter selection arrangement, responsive to the quantisation parameter estimation arrangement for selecting a quantisation parameter for use in compression of the input data.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for altering the software of engine controllers. The method comprises determining a version of the current software in the engine controller, identifying one or more data blocks of upgraded software associated with the current software and replacing portions of the current software with the data blocks of upgraded software. The apparatus comprises an interface, a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to determine the version of the current software in the engine controller and replace one or more data blocks of the current software with one or more data blocks of upgraded software stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, comprises steps of providing a non-magnetic substrate for a magnetic medium, the substrate including at least one major surface having a contact start/stop (CSS) or landing zone and a data zone; and forming a pattern of recesses in the substrate surface in said CSS or landing zone by embossing utilizing a stamper having a surface including a negative image pattern of said pattern of recesses. Embodiments of the invention include magnetic media comprising a non-magnetic substrate including at least one major surface having a contact start/stop (CSS) or landing zone and a data zone, said substrate surface in said CSS or landing zone comprising an embossed pattern of recesses. In addition, the data zone of the substrate surface may include an embossed servo pattern formed simultaneously with the embossed pattern of recesses formed in the landing zone.

Abstract: An electrodeposition apparatus for depositing material on a surface of a substrate. The electrodeposition apparatus includes at least one contact for vertically contacting the substrate and providing electrical connection to the substrate. The at least one contact does not scratch the surface of the substrate to be plated. A voltage source is connected to the at least one contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising (a) a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, and (b) at least one auxiliary stabilizer additive selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one) and 1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane. Both multilayer and unitary articles comprising the composition are also provided.

Abstract: An in situ process for preparing chloroadenosine is described, wherein adenosine in a non-aqueous solvent is reacted with a thionyl chloride and a pyridine to form a reaction solution; the non-aqueous solvent is exchanged with a lower alcohol, and a base is added to the reaction solution; and the resulting chloroadenosine is filtered, washed and dried. Additionally, a two-step process for the synthesis of methylthioadenosine using the chloroadenosine prepared in situ is described.

Abstract: An electrical connector system for use with an automobile power control module has been provided, which comprises a plurality of sealed plug assemblies and a header assembly. Each of the sealed plug assemblies includes a cam lever. The header assembly includes a plurality of shrouds for receiving the plurality of sealed plug assemblies. The plurality of shrouds corresponds to the plurality of sealed plug assemblies. Each of the sealed plug assemblies is mated into one of the plurality of shrouds through a movement of said cam lever.

Abstract: A high-bandwidth electrical test probe having a probe contact spring of reduced size and characteristic capacitance is presented. The probe includes a contact spring connected at one end to the input port of a probe circuit. The opposite end of the contact spring enters the a probe socket and a predetermined angle of entry. The probe socket has a bore formed therein which is arranged at a non-zero angle relative to the angle of entry of the contact spring into said probe socket bore, thereby guaranteeing electrical contact with the bore. The design allows the use of a very small contact spring, on the order of tens of mils, thereby reducing the parasitic capacitance of the spring and allowing much higher bandwidths than heretofore achievable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high load process for preparing (meth)acrylic acid from a reactive hydrocarbon using a high reactive hydrocarbon space velocity to provide increased capacity and throughput.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a home object in an object oriented programming (OOP) environment using a locator object capable of locating a home object for a class or a subclass. The locator object supports inheritance for itself, and is capable of locating a home for either an OOP superclass or subclass. By providing a mechanism for locating the home for either the superclass or subclass, preferably in a static manner, client code may be reused with subclasses without having to change code.

Abstract: A pressure-measuring vessel system for microwave assisted chemical processes is disclosed. The vessel system includes a pressure resistant vessel that is otherwise transparent to microwave radiation, a pressure-resistant closure for the mouth of the vessel, with portions of the closure including a pressure resistant synthetic membrane, a pressure transducer external to the vessel, and a tube extending from the transducer, through the membrane and into the vessel for permitting the pressure inside the vessel to be applied against the transducer while the closure and membrane otherwise maintain the pressure resistant characteristics of the vessel.

Abstract: A heat sealable packaging film producing a peelable seal is formed from a blend of 99 to 75 weight percent of a copolyester and 1 to 25 weight percent of an epoxy-containing impact modifying polymer. The copolyester has a diacid component of at least 50 mole percent terephthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof and diol component of about 90 to 35 mole percent ethylene glycol and 10 to 65 mole percent of at least one of diethylene glycol or 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

Abstract: A hydraulic power assembly (10) includes an electric motor (30) disposed on a removable top (26) outside a tank (12) defining a chamber (25). A first pump (32) depends from the removable top (26) and into the chamber (25) and includes a first inlet (34) and a first outlet (35) to deliver fluid to a fluid line (36) and a fluid distribution manifold (38) disposed on the removable top (26). A leakage line (52) extends from the pump (32) and through the removable top (26) and back through the removable top (26) and drains into the chamber (25) for determining if the pump (32) is operating efficiently. A heat exchanger (78) is adjacent the motor (30) for cooling the hydraulic fluid as it is returned into the chamber (25) thereby cooling the fluid in the chamber (25). The tank (12) also includes a liner (74) for reducing the noise of the pump (32).

Abstract: A multi-purpose sheet material comprising an absorbent material and a bonding material in contact with the absorbent material. The bonding material and the absorbent material are thermally bonded so that the bonding material and the absorbent material form an amalgamated layer therebetween. A fluid impermeable material is in contact with the absorbent material. The bonding material has a basis weight in the range of 4 g/m2 to about 100 g/m2 and, the sheet material exhibits a lamination efficiency of at least 10 g/m2.

Abstract: With the proper use of Ultrasound at the most efficient frequency correctly selected for the application will bring success in a myriad of applications for diagnostics. This system is designed to use ultrasound at a selected frequency for leak detection of automobiles on the assembly lines without the interruption of the assembly process and to be non intrusive to the car. With transmission of this proper frequency from inside the vessel and if no orifice is available for the tone to escape the receiver that is tuned to the transmitter will not be excited thus the auto passes. When the tone is detected by the receiver, it will communicate to the A/D converter that will in turn signal the software that will evaluate the signal to determine the fate of the vehicle as in a pass or fail mode depending on the volume of the leak or the location of the leak. The software system will store the data for collective evaluate and also communicate to a central database of multiple locations for management evaluation.

Abstract: An x-ray tube 10 is provided including an anode mounted to a rotatable shaft positioned within a center bore of a stem element, a bearing assembly positioned between the rotatable shaft and the stem element, and at least one liquid metal shunt in thermal communication with both the rotatable shaft and the stem element, located adjacent to the anode between the anode and the bearing assembly, and directing heat generated at the anode away from the bearing assembly by allowing heat to flow from the rotatable shaft into the stem element prior to heat reaching the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A piece of towable baggage that comprises a pack portion, a retractable towing member, and a pair of towing wheels that move between stored and towing positions relative to the pack portion in response to movement of a towing member between retracted and extended positions relative to the pack portion.

Abstract: A power system including a cable drive for adjusting a steering column of an automotive vehicle in response to rotation of a jack screw. A cable transmits torque from a motor-driven output shaft to the jack screw. The cable has terminal portions received in sockets in the output shaft and in the jack screw. The terminal portions and the sockets are square in cross section. An end part of each terminal portion is twisted to cause comers of the terminal portion to interfere with corners of the socket into which it extends to provide substantially a lash-free connection between the terminal portions of the cable and the sockets.

Abstract: A GUI containing a panel along each of its edges is produced within a computer's display. Each of the four panels are always visible and accessible within the GUI and contain items that display or reference network-based information, communication, navigational systems, computer programs, and other items. These items have been assigned to the panels based upon a hierarchal containment system which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, uses the categories “people, places, things, and home” as its first logical grouping of the various items and services a user would seek to utilize within the GUI. This organizational system, and its associated visual representation within the panels, enables the GUI to be displayed and operated within multiple computer devices, even though the designs of those devices may include a wide range of display and control systems.

Abstract: A waste water outlet unit, for a shower tray having a drain opening, comprises a base element which is locatable on the underside of the shower tray to cover the drain opening, and a clamp element which is locatable on the topside of the shower tray and which is engageable with the base element to clamp the base element to the underside of the shower tray. The clamp element has an aperture through which waste water from the shower tray can pass into the base element, and a filter element which is positionable over the aperture and which can be removed to enable access to the interior of the unit while maintaining the engagement between the base and clamp elements.