Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for adding content to a content object stored (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each noncontainer content object is preferably stored as a separate entity in the data repository. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As the user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the user. The system then creates a file object (e.g., a CBO) defining the content object that contains a list or outline of the container and noncontainer entities selected, their identifiers, order and structure. This file object is stored separately in the data repository.

Abstract: A method and arrangement is provided to form a gas-tight joint between an end flange and a tubular rod. The joint is formed via a heat-shrink process to provide an interference fit. The rod is provided with grooves to retain adhesive during the assembly process.

Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for storing content objects (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each noncontainer content object is preferably stored as a separate entity in the data repository. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As content objects are input to the system or as a user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the content objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the input content object or by the user. The system then creates a file object (e.g., a CBO) defining the content object that contains a list or outline of the container and noncontainer entities selected, their identifiers, order and structure.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a portion of a cable network provides a pattern generator, addresser, forward error corrector, and comparator. The system and method is particularly adapted to testing the upstream channel in a cable network. The pattern generator generates a test signal. The addresser addresses the signal to a known server and also instructs the known server to return the test signal to the test system. The forward error corrector corrects errors introduced in the test signal in transmission from the known server to the test system. The comparator then compares the returned test signal to the originally transmitted test signal to determine the performance of the back channel. Preferably, the comparator uses a bit error rate test to determine the performance of the back channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flow verification and validation of mass flow controllers are disclosed. A mass flow controller may be commanded to a specified flow and flow measurement commenced. During an interval, gas is accumulated in a first volume and measurements taken within this volume. The various measurements taken during the interval may then be used to calculate the flow rate. The flow rate, in turn, may be used to determine the accuracy of the mass flow controller relative to a setpoint.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flow verification and validation of mass flow controllers are disclosed. A mass flow controller may be commanded to a specified flow and flow measurement commenced. Gas is accumulated in a first volume and while measurements are taken within this volume. Gas may then flow into a second volume while measurements are taken. The various measurements taken during the two intervals may then be used to calculate the flow rate. The flow rate, in turn, may be used to determine the accuracy of the mass flow controller relative to a setpoint. Additionally, these systems and methods may utilize only one volume to perform flow verification by flowing gas into this volume, taking measurements, and calculating the flow rate based only upon this set of measurements.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing the input and output pins used to interface a fast serial port Ethernet processing system using multiplexing. Using the system of the present invention, four pins can allow a plurality of Ethernet communication paths to be connected to a single processor on a substrate. These four connections include a clocking input as well as a strobe signal which coordinates the multiplexing and identifies the time period for a predetermined source. The physical layer and the processor are each provided with a multiplexor which is controlled by the strobe to select the network to be coupled at any given time. The multiplexor includes a counter which is incremented by the clocking input and reset by the strobe signal.

Abstract: Methods of forming a loop product are provided. One method includes (a) needling polymeric fibers through a substrate to form hook-engageable loop structures of the fibers extending from one surface of the substrate; and then (b) using heat and pressure to locally soften and bond polymer of the fibers directly to the substrate and adjacent fibers, thereby anchoring the loop structures to resist fiber pullout under fastening loads.

Abstract: Loop materials are provided for touch fastening. Some loop materials include a flexible sheet-form substrate, and hook-engageable fibers secured individually and directly to the substrate, the fibers being disposed in discrete fastening regions of the substrate, leaving fiber-free substrate between adjacent fastening regions. Methods of making and using such loop materials are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming loop fastener products. One method includes applying heat and pressure to a carded web in a manner which fuses fibers on a back side of the web, thereby forming a bonded web, and then embossing the bonded web to raise discrete regions of the web, each raised region containing hook-engageable fiber portions that are exposed for engagement on a front side of the web and fused on the back side of the web within the region. Another method includes placing staple fibers on a back side of a substrate; needling the staple fibers through the substrate to form a composite, thereby forming loop structures extending from a front side of the substrate; applying heat and pressure to the composite in a manner which fuses fibers on the back side of the substrate while protecting the loop structures on the front side of the substrate; and embossing the composite.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly (110) for creating communication paths for fluid between a formation (114) and a cased wellbore (116) includes a housing, a detonator and a detonating cord (136). The perforating gun assembly (110) includes one or more substantially axially oriented collections of shaped charges (122, 124, 126) each of which is operably associated with the detonating cord (136). A perforation (152, 154) is formed in the formation (114) as a result of the interaction of jets (141, 142) formed upon the detonation of at least two shaped charges (122, 126) that create a weakened region (148) in the formation (114) followed by the detonation of at least one shaped charge (124) that forms a jet (150) that penetrated through the weakened region (148).

Abstract: A sheet-form loop product includes a flexible paper substrate and a layer of staple fibers disposed on a first side of the substrate, exposed loops of the fibers extending from holes through the substrate to a second side of the substrate, with bases of the loops being anchored on the first side of the substrate. The loops can be fastening loops. The product is formed by needling the fibers through the paper and then bonding the fibers. Examples include loop fastener materials, towels, abrasive scrubbing pads and sanding materials.

Abstract: Loop products are provided that include a carrier sheet having a plurality of holes pierced therethrough, and a layer of fibers disposed on a first side of the carrier sheet, loops of the fibers extending from the holes on a second side of the carrier sheet, bases of the loops being anchored on the first side of the carrier sheet. In some implementations the loop product has an overall weight of less than about 2.0 and wherein the fibers form an overall coverage of at least about 50,000 meters per square meter. In some implementations a majority of the fibers have an individual fiber strength of at least 6 grams and a denier of less than about six.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly (60) for creating communication paths for fluid between a formation (64) and a cased wellbore (66) includes a housing (84), a detonator (86) positioned within the housing (84) and a detonating cord (90) operably associated with the detonator (86). The perforating gun assembly (60) also includes one or more substantially axially oriented collections (92, 94, 96, 98) of shaped charges. Each of the shaped charges in the collections (92, 94, 96, 98) is operably associated with the detonating cord (90). In addition, adjacent shaped charges in each collection (92, 94, 96, 98) of shaped charges are oriented to converge toward one another such that upon detonation, the shaped charges in each collection (92, 94, 96, 98) form jets that interact with one another to create perforation cavities in the formation (64).

Abstract: Stations in a communications network are awakened by matching a pattern received from the communications network with patterns in the stations. When a match occurs, the stations are awakened. The patterns are arranged contiguously on word boundaries. A nibble (4 bits) in a mask word identifies the part of the pattern word to be used in the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with severing tubing, pipe or casing in an oil or gas well, and more particularly with a system and method for making and using a multi-point initiation explosive device that produces an enhanced pressure wave for severing tubing, pipe or casing in an oil or gas well. One embodiment uses at least two opposed initiators to initiate a column of explosive material from opposite ends, thereby generating opposing pressure waves propagating toward a midpoint between the initial initiators and a shaped-charge assembly with a liner located at the midpoint that initiates immediately prior to the arrival of the opposing pressure waves and that is intended to form an initial, fast moving jet to pre-score the target pipe prior to the arrival of the pressure pulse propagating from the initial detonations.

Abstract: The decision to discard or forward a packet is made by a flow control mechanism, upstream from the forwarding engine in the node of a communication network. The forwarding engine includes a switch with mechanism to detect congestion in the switch and return a binary signal B indicating congestion or no congestion. The flow control mechanism uses B and other network related information to generate a probability transmission table against which received packets are tested to determine proactively whether a packet is to be discarded or forwarded.

Abstract: Restoration of a failed link on a network is achieved by reserving a portion of the transmission bandwidth for at least some of the links connecting nodes of the network. The reserved portion of the transmission bandwidth is used for the transmission of traffic diverted from a failed link to provide a restoration path for that diverted traffic thereby enabling a protection path to be determined dynamically. The reserved portion is preferably configured in a block so that contiguous concatenated payloads can be transmitted across the protection bandwidth.

Abstract: An optical transmitter system for supplying a plurality of different wavelength optical radiation components (&lgr;1 to &lgr;n) to a transmission element (2), which, in operation, is connected to the transmitter system for conveying the different wavelength radiation components to a respective receiver (11), is disclosed. The transmitter system comprises means for detecting a loss of a wavelength radiation component at the respective receiver (11) and means (9) for interrupting the supply of the wavelength component in response to a detection of loss of the wavelength component at the receiver. The transmitter system is characterised by timing means (10) capable of providing respective restart times (t1 to tn) which differ one to another for the wavelength radiation components, and means (9) for restarting the supply of the wavelength component, following an interruption, at the restart time provided by the timing means.

Abstract: A network processor useful in network switch apparatus and methods of operating such a processor in which data flow handling and flexibility is enhanced by the cooperation of a plurality of interface processors formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interface processors provide data paths for inbound and outbound data flow and operate under the control of instructions stored in an instruction store formed on the semiconductor substrate.