Abstract: A multi-stage automatic transmission comprising a drive shaft (AN), a double planetary front mounted gear set (VS), a main gear set (HS) which is embodied as a coupled planetary gear set comprising at least three non-coupled input elements and an output element, in addition to six switch elements (A to F). Engagement of the six switch elements (A to F) takes place in pairs thereby enabling at least eight forward gears to be shifted. One element of the front mounted gear set (VS) is determined on a housing (GG). The second and the sixth shift element (B, F) form a component which is arranged on the side of the front mounted gear set (VS) which is oriented away from the main gear set (HS) and is arranged in an at least partially axial manner, between the front mounted gear set (VS) and a housing wall (GW), which is secured to the gear housing and which extends in a radial manner.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a pipeline and a method of operating the pipeline. Each stage of the pipeline is triggered by one or more triggering events and are individually, and selectively, stalled by a stall signal. For each stage a stall signal, delayed with respect to the stall signal of a downstream stage, is generated and used to select whether the pipeline stage in question is triggered. A data valid signal propagating with valid data adds further selection, such that only stages with valid data are stalled.

Abstract: A method for transporting inventory items includes moving a mobile drive unit to a first point within a workspace. The first point is a location of an inventory holder. The method further includes docking the mobile drive unit with the inventory holder and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to a second point within the workspace. The second point is associated with conveyance equipment. The method further includes moving the inventory holder to a third point within the workspace using the conveyance equipment.

Abstract: A printing machine has at least one printing unit on which a web of material, which is to be imprinted, is imprinted by offset printing in a variable cut length. A folder is mounted downstream, in the direction of travel of the printed web, of the at least one printing unit. The folder may be located directly or indirectly from the at least one printing unit and has a variable cut length.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system with microprojections for disrupting a body surface to an individual. At least some of the microprojections form groups in a microprojection array. There are repeated units of such groups in the microprojection array.

Abstract: A method of identifying a valid version of a data value and voting on separate instances of the data value is described. A processor receives an instance of the data value generated by one processor and a transmitted version of that generated instance transmitted by another processor and compares the received values to validate them. The processor further determines an agreed version of the data value from a comparison of the validated instances. As a result a simple and robust voting system is provided.

Abstract: A solenoid plunger for use in solenoid driven multi-line embossing systems is constructed of magnetic steel laminations that are attached to a center block which is machined to mount a solenoid shaft and anti-rotate pins. The laminations are attached to the center block with screws and vacuum epoxy glued for a very high cycle life. The laminated steel construction dramatically reduces eddy currents, which allows the magnetic field to rise and fall much more quickly than a conventional steel plunger. It also increases the magnetic force in the solenoid. This reduction in solenoid plunger eddy currents and increase of magnetic force in the solenoid structure itself operates to increase embosser throughput. The laminated steel construction further reduces embosser solenoid heating which also contributes to improved embossing control.

Abstract: A system, method, and program storage device implementing the method, for integrating data in a database management system, wherein the method comprises grouping data sources and replicas of the data sources that provide analogous data into a common logical domain; writing application queries against the common logical domain; selecting a correct set of replicas of the data sources and a query-execution strategy for combining a content of the correct set of replicas of the data sources in order to answer the application queries according to query-cost-based optimization; selecting a correct set of data sources according to run-time constraints; shielding the application queries from changes to the data sources by dynamically binding the application queries against the correct sets of data sources and replicas of the data sources; and processing the application queries by generating an optimum query result based on the steps of grouping and shielding.

Abstract: A track system for a ground engaging vehicle such as a tractor is provided. Track systems shown include the ability to maintain existing gear ratios and vehicle speed when interchanging wheels with track systems as described above. Embodiments shown also exhibit improved support of the track system in relation to a vehicle axle that reduces stress problems associated with the axle or related components. Another feature includes pivoting the track system in a way that prevents the track system from rotating 360 degrees around the axle when large obstacles are encountered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the phase fraction of a fluid collected downhole is shown comprising an x-ray generator, a filter, a sample cell, and a radiation detector. The filter produces a radiation spectrum with a high energy portion and a low energy portion. Filtered radiation is passed through a sample fluid and the resulting attenuated radiation signal is used in calculating the phase fractions of oil, water, and gas in the sample fluid. In one embodiment, a second reference radiation detector measures the radiation directly from the x-ray generator and this measurement is used in normalizing the fraction result. The ratio of the high energy signal to low energy signal of the reference detector is used in controlling the input voltage of the x-ray generator thus ensuring a stable spectrum.

Abstract: Wireless communication is to be enabled between hearing units of small construction, especially between hearing aids with an increased data rate. To this end it is provided in accordance with the invention that the hearing unit is fitted with a transceiver which has an inductive receiving device and a digital wideband pulse transmitter. Two such hearing units can then communicate wirelessly with one another with the help of a communication station which is structurally separate from the hearing units and with which a message can be transmitted from the one to the other of the hearing units. The digital wideband pulse transmitter can be implemented in a structurally small manner in the hearing unit and with low power consumption.

Abstract: A method of preparing documents for the transmission of secure information comprises the steps of preparing a first laminar element (13; 37) with a peripheral region (15) separable from a central region (14), printing the secure information on the central region (14) of the first laminar element (13; 37), or on a central region (19) of a second laminar element (12; 36), positioning the two laminar elements (13; 37, 12; 36) in face-to-face relation, with the face of the element bearing the information facing the said other element, and securing the element together around the peripheral regions.

Abstract: Stents and methods of using stents are provided. Stents of the invention provide external support structure for a blood vessel segment disposed within, wherein the stents are capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. The stent may be formed of a knitted or braided mesh formed so as to provide the needed compliance properties. A venous graft with the stent and a vein segment disposed within is provided, wherein graft is capable of mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. Methods of selecting stents for downsizing and methods of using the stents of the invention in downsizing and smoothening are provided. Methods of replacing a section of an artery with a venous graft including a stent of the invention are provided. Methods of reducing intimal hyperplasia in implanted vein segment in a venous graft using stents of the invention are provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for the precise dispensation of small volumes of liquids are presented. A fluid microdispenser comprises a liquid-filled tube, an actuator coupled to the tube, and a tip at one end of the tube. When the actuator applies an actuation pressure, a precise volume of liquid is ejected from the orifice of the tip. The orifice is manufactured to control the volume of liquid ejected by each actuation and, therefore, may have a diameter smaller than that of the liquid-filled tube. The invention comprises systems, methods, and devices so that the inner diameter of the liquid-filled tube is decreased (tapered) to that of the orifice so as to maximize transmission to the orifice of the pressure generated by the actuation stimulus. This enables the volume of liquid ejected by each stimulus to be reproducibly controlled by the amplitude of the actuation stimulus.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system with microprojections for disrupting a body surface to an individual. At least some of the microprojections have a depression for increasing drug loading by a drug coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for satellite tracking by use of an antenna assembly having a master antenna for receiving and transmitting first satellite signals to and from a first satellite called master antenna satellite in a first frequency band, and a slave antenna for receiving second satellite signals from a second satellite called slave antenna satellite in a second satellite band, where the master and slave antennas have physical bore-sight axes which can be arranged at different directions in relation to each other. The method of the invention includes a master antenna search routine and a slave antenna search routine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of risperidone (chemical name: 3-[2-[4-(6-fluoro-1,2-benzisoxazole-3-yl)-1piperidmyl]ethyl-2-methyl-6,7,8,9-terahydro-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidine-4-one) of the formula (I) by reacting 3-(2-chloroethyl)-2-methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidine-4-one of the formula (II) and 6-fluoro-3-(4-piperidinyl)-1,2-benzisoxazole of the formula (III), in which the reaction is carried out in dry methanol solvent under pressure, at a temperature between 65 and 90° C., the product is recovered by using a methanol/water mixture of specified ratio and if desired is recrystallized from an alcohol.

Abstract: A technique using a new diaphragm structure and support design is provided herein for microphones or structure designs for pressure sensing. The structure includes a set of capacitive structures. The capacitive structure has a combination of a diaphragm structure, a back plate structure and a surrounding micro-structure for fixing the diaphragm. After the diaphragm structure has deformed due to a pressure load, a gap between the back plate and the diaphragm is changed accordingly, and variation occurs in the capacitance value between the two parallel plates. By using the principle of the effect of capacitance value variation, the capacitive sensor causes the capacitance value to vary with the change in the sound, thus accomplishing the object of measuring.

Abstract: An installation tool for a wire thread insert having an inner surface with an inner helical thread, and an outer surface with an outer helical thread, the installation tool including: an elongate body (1) having a passage (3) extending there through between opposing ends thereof; a mandrel (5) supported within said passage and movable parallel to and rotatable about an elongate axis of the passage (3), the mandrel having a threaded portion (15) at one end thereof upon which a said wire thread insert can be threaded; wherein a delivery nozzle (21) having a threaded discharge port (17) is provided at one end of the tool for engaging the outer helical thread of a said wire thread insert, at least the delivery nozzle (21) being formed of a self-lubricating material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for improving the physical properties of cellulose fiber-containing material/PVC composites comprising adding to said composites an effective amount of at least one compatibilizer comprising an organometallic zirconium compound. The preferred organometallic zirconium compound is cyclo[dineopentyl(diallyl)]pyrophosphato dineopentyl(diallyl)zirconate. Articles of manufacture comprising such composites are also disclosed.