Abstract: A retaining ring can be shaped by machining or lapping the bottom surface of the ring to form a shaped profile in the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the retaining ring can include flat, sloped and curved portions. The lapping can be performed using a machine that dedicated for use in lapping the bottom surface of retaining rings. During the lapping the ring can be permitted to rotate freely about an axis of the ring. The bottom surface of the retaining ring can have curved or flat portions.

Abstract: Gas flow is controlled to a feed gas consuming device depending on whether a contaminant gas is present. In one embodiment, hydrogen gas flow from a hydrogen gas generator to a hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, gas chromatograph or a flame ionization detector, is terminated when there is chemical contaminant breakthrough in the hydrogen gas flow. The apparatus relates to the use of a sensor for detecting a predetermined concentration of a chemical contaminant such as ammonia. In one embodiment the apparatus terminates the gas flow when a concentration of ammonia in the gas flow corresponds to a breakthrough (e.g., approximately in the range of 2.0% or greater). The apparatus prevents the ammonia-contaminated hydrogen from disabling such a hydrogen consuming device that would have otherwise received the contaminated gas flow.

Abstract: An apparatus performs authentication of a remote host and traffic control by analyzing the contents of a digital certificate of the remote host. A switch may be used to control operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Techniques for attaching a retaining ring to a carrier head so that the bottom surface of the retaining ring is orthogonal to a central rotational axis of the carrier head are described.

Abstract: A system and method for providing geographic location information to of at least one fixed reference device in a wireless network, the method comprising: determining a geographic location of the at least one fixed reference device within an image, such as a Geographic Information System (GIS) image, where the GIS image comprises a plurality of pixels each having an absolute geographic location value associated with it, and where the geographic location of the at least one fixed reference device is defined with respect to the absolute position values associated with at least one pixel that is proximal to an image of the at least one fixed reference device within the GIS image; and providing the determined geographic location information to the at least one fixed reference device.

Abstract: A system and method for management of communication links between nodes in a wireless communication network (100). The system and method perform the operations of estimating an expected rate of change in the characteristics pertaining to communication over a communication link in the network (100), and assigning a value associated with the link based on the expected rate of change. The system and method also adjust the rate of change of the value associated with the link based on the condition of the link.

Abstract: An improved operating system and architecture, particularly useful for aircraft, provides a schedule for multiple tasks that ensures that each task has sufficient execution time and does not interfere with any other tasks. In the operating system, each task is scheduled to a deadline monotonic algorithm. The algorithm creates a schedule for the tasks in which the tasks are time partitioned by task, not by task level. The APIs in the operating system are provided by the services. Thus, changing a service, e.g. because of a change in hardware, is facilitated, since the service will provide the proper API.

Abstract: A modular standing frame is described herein. The modular standing frame has a chair module adapted to raise and lower a user between sitting and standing postures without inducing shear between the user and the seat and seat back of the chair module. The chair module may be selectively coupled to one of a glider module adapted to provide walking-type exercise to a standing user, a workstation module that provides a work surface for a sitting or standing user, and a mobility module that allows the standing frame to be moved about by a user much like a wheel chair.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulating valve assembly whereby the flow of the fluid entering the valve is maintained, restricted, or ceased based on the pressure differential between the fluid source and the fluid destination, where the pressure of the fluid at the source is equal to or greater than the fluid destination. The valve assembly is particularly useful for supplying gaseous hydrogen to metal hydride hydrogen storage vessels.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system for separating gas and liquid phases from a mixed phase system is provided. Furthermore, the present invention provides for the reliable separation of liquid and gas phases, regardless of the orientation of the system with respect to a gravitational field, and in low or zero gravity environments. The system of the present invention generally provides a reservoir having a variable volume that is formed from a gas permeable, hydrophobic, microporous, polymer material. Material confined within the reservoir is maintained under pressure, to expel any gases introduced to the interior of the reservoir as part of a mixed phase inlet stream. The liquid phase component of the mixed phase inlet stream may be removed from the reservoir through an outlet located within the reservoir volume.

Abstract: A retaining ring can be shaped by machining or lapping the bottom surface of the ring to form a shaped profile in the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the retaining ring can include flat, sloped and curved portions. The lapping can be performed using a machine that dedicated for use in lapping the bottom surface of retaining rings. During the lapping the ring can be permitted to rotate freely about an axis of the ring. The bottom surface of the retaining ring can have curved or flat portions.

Abstract: A container including a closure, wherein the closure has a tool disposed thereon. The tool may be a rod, a fork, a spoon, a spork, a knife, or any other suitable tool. The container may be used for dispensing condiments or contents other than condiment, and is particularly useful for dispensing viscous fluids.

Abstract: An extender-arm for use in an automobile. The extender-arm includes a handle section, a gripping section, and an extension section connecting the handle section to the gripping section. The handle section includes an actuator for effecting open-and-close movement of a gripper or other device in the gripper section. The handle also includes a socket into which a variety of tools—that may be useful in an automobile or other one environment—may be removably inserted. The extender-arm may include a rechargeable power source for connection with the tools inserted into the socket. The extension section may include an ancillary device such as a cellular phone holding clip, and/or a coin holding structure. Also, a pouch may be provided to store the tools that are removably attachable to the socket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining fuel cell cathode air quality are provided. In particular, the method and the apparatus of the present invention provide air filtration that excludes liquids and solids from a fuel cell enclosure. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell enclosure can withstand being submerged in water, without allowing contaminants to enter the fuel cell enclosure. The depth at which the fuel cell could be submerged is dependant upon the pore size of the filter membrane. The present invention provides a filter having a gas permeable, hydrophobic, microporous polymer film to exclude material detrimental to the operation of the fuel cell. The invention allows a fuel cell apparatus to be provided that is capable of being submerged in water and exposed to environmental contaminants without damage to the fuel cell.

Abstract: The circumference of a shirt's waistline, i.e., the taper, is continuously adjustable through the use of a releasable fastening device having a first portion that is releasably attachable to a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are complementary to one another and are located in one plane of the shirt fabric, on a side away from the wearer. The releasable fastening device is located below the beltline of the trousers worn with the shirt so that it is unnoticeable, and is light weight so as to be unobtrusive. To adjust the taper, the shirt is folded so that at least some extent of one of the first and second portions is positioned on top of the other and releasably fastened thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining fuel cell cathode air quality are provided. In particular, the method and the apparatus of the present invention provide air filtration that excludes liquids and solids from a fuel cell enclosure. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell enclosure can withstand being submerged in water, without allowing contaminants to enter the fuel cell enclosure. The depth at which the fuel cell could be submerged is dependant upon the pore size of the filter membrane. The present invention provides a filter having a gas permeable, hydrophobic, microporous polymer film to exclude material detrimental to the operation of the fuel cell. The invention allows a fuel cell apparatus to be provided that is capable of being submerged in water and exposed to environmental contaminants without damage to the fuel cell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a core application programming interface which is a part of more than one application programming interface are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a class structure in an object based system is arranged to provide application programming interfaces which enable access to a system database. The class structure includes a first set of classes that define a core application programming interface, a second set of classes that define a client application programming interface, and a third set of classes that define a server application programming interface. The second set of classes includes the first set of classes, and the third set of classes includes the second set of classes. In one embodiment, the first set of classes includes interfaces.

Abstract: Gas flow is controlled to a feed gas consuming device depending on whether a contaminant gas is present. In one embodiment, hydrogen gas flow from a hydrogen gas generator to a hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, gas chromatograph or a flame ionization detector, is terminated when there is chemical contaminant breakthrough in the hydrogen gas flow. The apparatus relates to the use of a sensor for detecting a predetermined concentration of a chemical contaminant such as ammonia. In one embodiment the apparatus terminates the gas flow when a concentration of ammonia in the gas flow corresponds to a breakthrough (e.g., approximately in the range of 2.0% or greater). The apparatus prevents the ammonia-contaminated hydrogen from disabling such a hydrogen consuming device that would have otherwise received the contaminated gas flow.

Abstract: A bridge device is located between a user's internal network and an external network such as the internet or other public global computer network. Incoming and/or outgoing network data traffic streams are received into the bridge and processed in the bridge in an effort to prevent malicious or potentially malicious data traffic from reaching the internal network from the external network and/or to prevent malicious or potentially malicious data traffic from reaching the external network from the internal network. The bridge communicates with and is controllable from a remote data center by way of an out-of-band channel such as a dial-up connection or the like. The bridge is configured to contact the remote data center through the out-of-band channel when suspicious and/or potentially malicious activity is detected in the incoming and/or outgoing data streams.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for allocating securely memory resources to a platform-independent device driver is described. In one embodiment, a device driver generates a request for memory allocation in terms of an abstract memory address space. The driver forwards the request to the bus manager. An inner class representation of the bus manager is generated and the identity of the driver is determined. The inner class representation handles the request from the device driver using the same procedures as the bus manager, and appears to the driver as the bus manager itself. Thus, a memory request from a platform-independent device driver can be made in a secure manner.