Abstract: A turbine tool design with a number of innovative aspects which may be incorporated into the tool individually or as a group. One aspect relates to improved speed control, based on an elastically deformable governor member disposed within the rotating impeller assembly and having a substantially uniform cross-section. Another aspect relates to a overspeed safety configuration that employs secondary, or “retro”, nozzles that are enabled when the elastically deformable governor member is removed from the impeller assembly. Another aspect relates to routing the motive fluid exhaust through the operator-adjustable throttle assembly. Still another aspect relates to an approach to axially preloading the bearings supporting the rotating shaft of the impeller assembly.

Abstract: A turbine tool design with a number of innovative aspects which may be incorporated into the tool individually or as a group. One aspect relates to improved speed control, based on an elastically deformable governor member disposed within the rotating impeller assembly and having a substantially uniform cross-section. Another aspect relates to a overspeed safety configuration that employs secondary, or “retro”, nozzles that are enabled when the elastically deformable governor member is removed from the impeller assembly. Another aspect relates to routing the motive fluid exhaust through the operator-adjustable throttle assembly. Still another aspect relates to an approach to axially preloading the bearings supporting the rotating shaft of the impeller assembly.

Abstract: A signal transmission system has a number of wave division multiplex optical carriers linking a number of switching units arranged in a closed ring network. The carriers are amplified to compensate for loss and attenuation, but the ring gain of each carrier must be less than unity to prevent unwanted signal oscillation. An automatic gain control arrangement is operative for each optical carrier which is detected as being present at a switching unit, and the gain control is disabled for each carrier which is detected as being absent.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a communication system (300) including one or more communication channels (10), each channel comprising a transmitter unit (20) and a receiver unit (40). Each transmitter unit (20) is connected through an optical fiber link (30) to its associated receiver unit (40). In operation, each receiver unit (20) receives payload data from its associated sending client and adds overhead data to the payload data to generate corresponding aggregate data (600). The aggregate data of each transmitter unit (20) is conveyed through the fiber link (30) to its associated receiver unit (40) which receives the aggregate data, decodes it to separate the payload data from the overhead data and then outputs the payload data to its associated receiving client. The receiver unit (40) interprets the overhead data and uses it for controlling and managing the payload data in the system (300).

Abstract: An input-buffered multipoint switch having input channels and output channels includes multi-level request buffers, a data path multiplexer, and a scheduler. The switch has a distinct multi-level request buffer associated with each input channel and each request buffer has multiple request registers for storing data cell transfer requests of different priorities. The multi-level request registers are linked in parallel to the scheduler to allow arbitration among requests of different input channels and different priority levels. The preferred arbitration process involves generating masks that reflect the output channels required by the same priority level requests. Utilizing masks to arbitrate between multiple requests in an input-buffered switch reduces arbitration cycle time and minimizes HOL blocking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets through a multiport switch involves attaching indicators to packets before the packets are passed through a switch fabric, and then using the indicators to look-up output port vectors after the packets have been passed through the switch fabric. In a preferred embodiment of a 64.times.64 port switch, an 8-bit output channel vector and a 15-bit output port index are attached to a packet and passed through the switch fabric. The 8-bit output channel vector directs the packet to the proper output packet processor(s) and the 15-bit output port index is used to look-up an output port vector that identifies the output port(s) that will receive the packet. The method and system provide low packet overhead and flexible scaling.

Abstract: A plunger assembly for a glassware forming machine is readily convertible between, for example, double and triple gob configurations and between press and blow and blow and blow operation. A framework is provided with a replaceable positioning plate with recesses corresponding to the required number of cylinders, and air connections are provided which, when the cylinders are in position, provide the necessary operating air.