Abstract: In a method of simulating a multi-processor system by running code that simulates the system on a host processor, a SPECULATE and a COMMIT instruction is used to mark an area of memory, shared across several simulated processors, and the code is translated at run time to a form required by the host processor. All instructions are mapped to a native instruction set of the host using two different code dictionaries: all instructions outside a SPECULATE/COMMIT region are mapped to the first of the two code dictionaries. If a SPECULATE instruction is encountered during runtime by a simulator running the code, the instructions are mapped to a native instruction set of the host using the second code dictionary. Within the SPECULATE/COMMIT region are mapped to the native instruction set of the host using a second model that more accurately represents the multi-level memory of the final hardware implementation of the multi-processor system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling bi-directional fluid flow. The apparatus has a pump that operates in a continuous pump cycle having a pressure phase and a vacuum phase. A conduit connects a common pump port to a utility port. An electrically-controlled valve regulates air flow through the conduit. The valve operates between a first position isolating the pump and the utility port, and a second position connecting the pump and the utility port in fluid communication. A detector continuously detects and communicates a signal identifying whether the pump is operating in the pressure or vacuum phase of the pump cycle. A controller uses the detector signal to synchronize actuation of the valve with the pump cycle to generate either continuous positive or continuous negative pressure at the utility port.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a rolled web of material having a plurality of laterally-extending, longitudinally-spaced lines of perforation. The device has a frame for supporting the rolled web such that lengths of the web are removed from the roll in a direction of advancement as the roll rotates. An infeed roller pair is rotatably mounted on the frame. The infeed roller pair provides a nip therebetween for receiving the web from the roll and for moving it forward in the direction of advancement. A pair of delivery rollers is rotatably mounted on the frame in spaced relation with the first pair of rollers. The second pair of rollers receives the web from the first roller pair and provides a nip therebetween for moving the web in the direction of advancement. Motor means drives the infeed roller pair and the delivery roller pair.

Abstract: A power tool that includes a structure; a flywheel coupled to the structure; a driver that is translatable along a driver axis; and a follower assembly having an actuator and an activation arm assembly. The actuator is coupled to the activation arm assembly. The activation arm assembly is coupled to the structure and includes a pinch roller. Actuation of the actuator causes the pinch roller to translate toward and engage the driver to initiate driving engagement between the driver and the flywheel.

Abstract: An ion detector for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising one or more microchannel plates and an anode arranged to receive electrons emitted from the one or more microchannel plates. The anode preferably has a smaller diameter than the microchannel plates and is preferably arranged at a distance of at least 15 mm from the microchannel plates. One or more focusing lenses may be provided intermediate the microchannel plates and the anode. The anode preferably comprises two portions separated by an electrically insulated layer.

Abstract: An area on the surface of a bottle of water/soda or can of soda/beer has a coating providing the ability to scratch one's personal identification onto the bottle with a fingernail, e.g. 1? or 1½? square area on the surface. The area designated for personal identification would be printed on the bottle, in the packaging operation, similar to a scratch-off area which is commonly found on scratch-off lottery tickets. Of course, the present invention is not limited for use on bottles. Containers having a designated area of scratch-off material could be used on a large variety of consumable products including packaged foods, beer, fast foods, tobacco products, over-the-counter drugs and vitamins and virtually any other product where it would be useful to provide user-applied indicia.

Abstract: An area on the label of a bottle of water/soda or can of soda/beer has a coating providing the ability to scratch one's personal identification onto the label with a fingernail, e.g. 1? or 1½? square area on the label. Many or most of the labels are pre-made, pre-printed labels or which may be printed on line in the packaging operation. The area designated for personal identification would be printed on the label, either a pre-made label or one printed in the packaging operation, similar to a scratch-off area which is commonly found on scratch-off lottery tickets. Of course, the present invention is not limited for use on bottles. Labels or containers having a designated area of scratch-off material could be used on a large variety of consumable products including packaged foods, beer, fast foods, tobacco products, over-the-counter drugs and vitamins and virtually any other product where it would be useful to provide user-applied indicia.

Abstract: A glass safety tube with an encapsulating protective safety barrier that contains the glass tube and its contents if the glass tube is fractured. The glass tube has a length L1, an elongate tubular central portion with a diameter D and a length L2, which is less than L1, an open end, and, a closed end portion integrally formed with the central portion and axially extending a distance L3 from the central portion. A first safety barrier envelops the central portion of the glass tube. A second safety barrier envelops the closed end portion of the glass tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of dispensing precise aliquots of cell culture media from a bulk, sterile, flexible container. The apparatus has load cell, a control valve, and a programmable controller. The container suspends from the load cell within the housing. The load cell continuously transmits to the controller an output signal, which represents the force, i.e., weight, of the bag on the load cell. The controller regulates the flow of media from the container by selectively activating the control valve. The controller precisely measures the volume of fluid media dispensed from the container by continuously calculating the change in weight of the container using the load cell output signal.

Abstract: An HDL simulator having an automated interface to compiled or interpreted application code written in a general purpose language. The interface enables the HDL code to have a direct data access to and from the application code. The simulator automatically maps and converts HDL data types to and from programming language data types, such as the arguments of routine calls or direct data accesses. Further, the simulator provides a programming language calling mechanism and automatically does data type mapping of arguments, which enables the HDL to call application code routines compiled with a standard compiler, and enables such routines to call functions in the HDL. The simulator automatically generates wrappers for the interface which automatically map data types for direct data access when the application code is compiled, and can output messages upon the occurrence of calls or returns.

Abstract: A driving tool with a flywheel, a driver, an actuator and a roller that is moveable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. Positioning of the roller in the actuated position forces an engagement surface on the driver into contact with a rotating edge of the flywheel to transfer energy from the flywheel to the driver so that the driver will translate along an axis. The actuator at least partially initiates movement of the roller from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool with a housing with a handle arranged along an axis, a trigger disposed in the housing and configured to operate the hand-held power tool, first and second sets of guide tracks coupled to one of the housing and the trigger and first and second sets of guides coupled to the other. The trigger, which includes a contact surface that is configured to be contacted by a finger of a user of the hand-held power tool, is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The first and second sets of guide tracks guide the first and second sets of guides, respectively, such that movement of the trigger from the extended position to the retracted position causes the contact surface to move in a substantially constant direction having a first directional component and a second directional component, the first directional component being generally perpendicular to the axis of the handle and the second directional component being generally parallel to the axis of the handle.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a power tool having a roller, a driver and a solenoid. The solenoid has a body and a rod and is coupled to the roller so as to be capable of selectively advancing the roller toward the driver. The method includes: locating the roller onto a predetermined portion of the driver; moving the body of the solenoid in a first direction until the occurrence of a first predetermined condition, the first direction being in a direction that causes the roller to be driven toward the driver; after the occurrence of the first predetermined condition, moving the body of the solenoid in a second direction opposite the first direction until the occurrence of a second predetermined condition and thereafter securing the body of the solenoid to inhibit further movement of the body of the solenoid.

Abstract: A hand-held tool with a backbone, a motor assembly that is mounted to the backbone, and a plastic housing. The motor assembly can include a driver and can be selectively actuatable to translate the driver along an axis. The plastic housing can be coupled to the backbone and can shroud at least a portion of the backbone.

Abstract: An article having a first member and a second member that is molded onto the first member. The first member includes an aperture and an interior flange that extends at least partially about the aperture. The interior flange includes a pair of abutting surfaces. The second member is molded onto the interior flange and at least partially fills the aperture. Shrinkage of the second member following its molding onto the interior flange applies a force to the abutting surface that couples the second member to the interior flange. A method for forming an overmolded article is also provided.

Abstract: A method for assembling an activation arm assembly for a power tool, such as a fastening tool or nailer. The method includes the mounting of various components of the activation arm assembly on pivot pins and positioning of a pair of arm members to load a spring that biases one of the arm members relative to another of the arm members.

Abstract: A tool with a driver, a motor, a structure to which the motor is coupled and a return cord assembly. The driver that is translatable along an axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The motor is configured to translate the driver from the returned position to the extended position. The return cord assembly is coupled to the driver and the structure and includes a spring and an elastomeric return cord that are employed to return the driver from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A driving tool, such as a nailer, with a flywheel, a driver and an activation arm assembly that is configured to drive the driver into contact with the flywheel to permit energy to be transmitted between the flywheel and the driver so that the driver will translate along an axis.

Abstract: A tool with a driver and a motor assembly for selectively translating the driver along an axis. The driver has a driver blade and a driver body that is coupled the driver blade. The driver body can be formed of titanium and can include an engagement surface with a plurality of teeth that matingly engage respective teeth that are formed on the edge of a flywheel that is associated with the motor assembly.

Abstract: A tool with a structure, a driver that reciprocates along an axis between a returned position and an extended position and a bumper that is coupled to the structure so as to be disposed between the structure and the driver. The bumper includes a beat piece and a damper.