Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of gases in a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, in an internal combustion engine, is provided with a housing defining a gas treatment chamber. At least one gas filtering medium is disposed in the treatment chamber, and the gases from the engine crankcase are passed through the gas filtering medium in the treatment chamber, before the gases are routed into the air intake portion of the engine. In addition, the gases, after passage through the gas filtering medium, are passed through an ionization device.

Abstract: A method for hot docking and hot undocking a portable computer and a docking station. The portable computer and docking station are physically coupled via a shared PCI bus and an expansion connector. Varying length pins in the expansion connector generate docking and undocking handshaking signals used by microcontrollers in the portable computer and docking station. The portable computer and docking station are functionally connected via low onresistance switches located in the portable computer. Following a docking event, closure of the switches connects the portion of the shared PCI bus in the docking station with the PCI bus in the portable computer. When the switches are open, the PCI busses are functionally isolated. Both the portable computer and the docking station also include a local arbiter for arbitrating and granting bus control requests from devices coupled to the shared PCI bus.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of gases in a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, in an internal combustion engine, is provided with a housing defining a gas treatment chamber. At least one gas filtering medium is disposed in the chamber, and the gases from the engine crankcase are passed through the gas filtering medium in the chamber, before the gases are routed into the air intake portion of the engine. In addition, the gases, after passage through the gas filtering medium, are passed through an ionization device.

Abstract: A manually operable fluid dispensing system having a fluid dispenser connected to a fluid source by flexible tubing. The dispensing system provides a supply fluid path from the source of fluid to the dispenser and a recirculation fluid path from the dispenser to the source of fluid. A dispenser mount is rigidly attached to a support surface for releasably holding the dispenser, and the dispenser mount supports the dispenser in a fixed position for dispensing fluid therefrom. In addition, the dispenser can be removed from the mount for dispensing fluid at a remote location. A manually operable trigger is pivotally connected to the dispensing valve and has a quiescent position which closes the dispensing valve. When in the quiescent position, a trigger handle extends over an exterior portion of the dispenser body in a generally forward direction toward the dispensing outlet and forms an included angle with the dispenser body.

Abstract: An arbitration scheme for a computer system having multiple arbiters for arbitrating access to a plurality of buses. In the preferred embodiment, a computer system is divided into a detachable laptop portion and an expansion base unit coupled through a shared PCI bus. Each of the two portions of the computer system includes separate PCI arbitration circuitry for arbitrating requests for the PCI bus from potential PCI and ISA bus masters. Included within the laptop portion of the computer system is a top level arbiter that determines whether the PCI arbiter in the laptop or expansion base unit has access to the PCI bus. Either PCI arbiter normally must receive a grant from the top level arbiter before it runs a cycle. While the laptop computer is docked, the top level arbiter selects between the PCI arbiters on an essentially time multiplexed basis. While the expansion base and laptop computer are undocked, the top level arbiter grants bus access to the laptop PCI arbiter.

Abstract: An apparatus handles long latency interrupt signals in a computer which posts I/O write operations. The apparatus includes a posting buffer for posting write operations and circuitry for ensuring that End-of-Interrupt (EOI) write operations (and other interrupt controller directed I/O operations) are properly synchronized to prevent false interrupts from reaching the processor. Upon receipt of the EOI write operation, the apparatus verifies that the posting buffer is empty before it imposes a pre-determined delay to ensure sufficient time for the cleared the interrupt signal to be transmitted over the interrupt serial bus. Next, the apparatus checks the interrupt serial bus for activities. If the interrupt serial bus is idle, the EOI write operation is issued to the interrupt controller. Alternatively, the apparatus waits until the serial bus becomes inactive for two back-to-back cycles before allowing the EOI write operation to be issued to the interrupt controller.

Abstract: A method for hot docking and hot undocking a portable computer and a docking station. The portable computer and docking station are physically coupled via a shared PCI bus and an expansion connector. Varying length pins in the expansion connector generate docking and undocking handshaking signals used by microcontrollers in the portable computer and docking station. The portable computer and docking station are functionally connected via low on-resistance switches located in the portable computer. Following a docking event, closure of the switches connects the portion of the shared PCI bus in the docking station with the PCI bus in the portable computer. When the switches are open, the PCI busses are functionally isolated. Both the portable computer and the docking station also include a local arbiter for arbitrating and granting bus control requests from devices coupled to the shared PCI bus.

Abstract: A water purifier which produces ultrapure water from a variety of feed sources. The feed source water may be potable tap, distilled, deionized, or water treated by reverse osmosis. The water is passed through a first purification media (30) and then through a chamber (34) where it is exposed to ultraviolet light in the presence of titanium dioxide. The water is then passed through a second purification media (38) to a dispensing valve (40). Operating the dispensing valve (40) provides ultrapure water from the purifier having a specific resistance of at least 18.0 megohm-cm and a TOC count of less than one ppb.

Abstract: A computer system having an expansion base for docking a portable portion of the computer system includes a bridge circuit for adaptively decoding addresses on a bus based on the docking status. Both the expansion base and the portable portion include the bridge circuit for passing cycles from a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus to an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus. The bridge includes internal devices and configuration registers for controlling the decoding. Bus cycles intended for internal devices and external devices connected to each respective ISA bus of the bridge circuits are positively decoded. Cycles not positively decoded and claimed are subtractively decoded by one of the bridge circuits depending on the docking status.

Abstract: A dispenser (20), including a plunger (24) and cylinder (26) connected to a dispenser body (28), a flow control valve (54) is rotatably mounted in the dispenser body (28) and has a valve fluid path (92, 106, 108) connected between the cylinder (26) and a control valve outlet (109). Advancing the plunger (24) when the valve (54) is in a first, recirculate position pushes liquid from the cylinder (26), through a return path (112) and back into the bottle (22). Advancing the plunger (24) when the flow control valve (54) is in a second, dispense position delivers liquid from the cylinder (26) out through a dispensing orifice (120).

Abstract: A computer system having an expansion base for docking a portable portion of the computer system includes a bridge circuit for adaptively decoding addresses on a bus based on the docking status. Both the expansion base and the portable portion include the bridge circuit for passing cycles from a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus to an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus. The bridge includes internal devices and configuration registers for controlling the decoding. Bus cycles intended for internal devices and external devices connected to each respective ISA bus of the bridge circuits are positively decoded. Cycles not positively decoded and claimed are subtractively decoded by one of the bridge circuits depending on the docking status.

Abstract: An air induction system for an internal combustion engine featuring a throttle body and air cleaner assembly vibrationally isolated from the engine by a resilient air transmitting zip tube interconnecting the throttle body with the engine air intake manifold. The zip tube flexes to isolate the throttle body from engine vibrations and oscillations thereby eliminating a cause of throttle body fractures or looseness from its mounting. Furthermore, with such isolation, the throttle body can be readily formed from plastics and provide long service life. With the throttle body isolated, engine generated throttle pedal vibration is eliminated. Additionally with the remote location, throttle body and throttle plate coking and icing from recirculating exhaust gases is obviated. The throttle body and air cleaner assembly is supplied as a unit to augment vehicle assembly.

Abstract: A dual-master data storage interface is disclosed which flexibly configures and connects data storage drives in the portable computer to optimize performance when the portable computer is operating in a stand-alone mode and to optimize accessibility to additional data storage drives when the portable computer is docked with an expansion unit. When the portable computer operates as a stand-alone unit (i.e., not docked to the expansion unit), each drive on the portable is configured to operate as a master drive to optimize performance. When the portable computer docks with the expansion unit, the first channel on the portable computer is connected via switches to both drives of the portable computer, while the second channel on the portable computer is disconnected. Further, the first data storage drive is configured as a master and the second data storage drive is configured as a slave drive on the portable computer side.

Abstract: A power management circuit for managing low power modes in a computer system, which implements four power modes, from highest power consumption to lowest power consumption: RUN mode, SLEEP mode, IDLE mode, and STANDBY mode. The computer system includes a PCI bus and an ISA bus, with a CPU-PCI bridge to connect the host bus and the PCI bus and a PCI-ISA bridge to connect the PCI bus and the ISA bus. The power management circuit transitions from SLEEP mode to IDLE mode by first determining if the CPU-PCI bridge is parked on the PCI bus and if it is in SLEEP mode. The power management circuit then waits for one refresh period and for all internal queues to empty before checking again to determine if the CPU-PCI bridge is still parked on the PCI bus and if it is still in SLEEP mode. If true, the CPU-PCI bridge transitions to IDLE mode. The power management circuit also performs low power refresh cycles when it is in IDLE or STANDBY mode.

Abstract: A shared keyboard and system ROM uses a single ROM for both the keyboard and the system operating system information (BIOS). The shared ROM is never simultaneously used for both of these functions. At initial boot-up, the system processor executes from the shared ROM to copy the system BIOS information to the system Random Access Memory DRAM. Once this copying has been completed, the shared ROM then is used by the keyboard subsystem. Different address ranges are employed in the shared ROM for the keyboard information and for the system BIOS.

Abstract: A water purifier for supplying high purity water with a low total organic carbon content. The purifier includes removable cartridges that contain a series of organic and ion exchange purification media. Special couplings are used to permit the cartridges to be easily and quickly connected to and removed from the water purifier. In addition, the cartridges contain a check valve to minimize water drainage from the cartridge when the cartridge is removed. Selected water purifier components are constructed of fluorinated polyethylene.

Abstract: A water purifier for supplying high purity water with a low total organic carbon content. The purifier includes removable cartridges that contain a series of organic and ion exchange purification media. Special couplings are used to permit the cartridges to be easily and quickly connected to and removed from the water purifier. In addition, the cartridges contain a check valve to minimize water drainage from the cartridge when the cartridge is removed. Selected water purifier components are constructed of fluorinated polyethylene.

Abstract: An improved internal combustion engine of the desmodromic type having a novel connection between the valve stem and the rocker arm assembly. The connection includes a shell which captures a pin which has an enlarged opening which surrounds the valve stem. As the valve end of the rocker arm assembly moves through an arcuate motion, the pin within the shell slides within the shell which, in turn, is tightly affixed to a valve stem. The valve is forced to close either by a spring or a second cam.

Abstract: A friction steering drive system for electric fishing motors of the type customarily used in trolling. These trolling motors commonly have the motor-propeller assembly supported at the lower end of a motor tube that is held by a swivel bracket secured to the mounting assembly of the boat. To steer the boat, the motor-propeller assembly is turned by actuating a steering drive motor that turns the motor tube through a gear train and a friction drive connection between the steering gear and the motor tube.