Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapling device comprising a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating. The method comprises contacting a first authentication key protruding from a surgical staple cartridge in actuation contact with the lockout in the surgical stapling device to move the lockout into an intermediate position, contacting a second authentication key protruding from the surgical stapling cartridge distal to the first authentication key into other actuation contact with the lockout in the surgical stapling device to move the lockout from the intermediate position into an unlocked position, and operating the surgical stapling device.

Abstract: A disk array controller detects disk drive power-on-reset events that may cause a disk drive to lose uncommitted write data stored in its cache. When an unexpected disk drive power-on-reset event is detected, the disk array controller may initiate an appropriate corrective action. For example, the disk array controller may initiate a disk drive rebuild operation, or may re-send a set of write commands to the disk drive.

Abstract: A disk array controller detects disk drive power-on-reset events that may cause a disk drive to lose uncommitted write data stored in its cache. When an unexpected disk drive power-on-reset event is detected, the disk array controller may initiate an appropriate corrective action. For example, the disk array controller may initiate a disk drive rebuild operation, or may re-send a set of write commands to the disk drive.

Abstract: A disk array controller reliably detects disk drive power-on-reset events that may cause a disk drive that has uncommitted write data stored in its cache to lose such data. The methods for detecting the power-on-reset events include operating the disk drives in an ATA security mode in which a power-on-reset of a disk drive will cause the drive to enter a locked state in which data transfer commands are aborted; and tracking power cycle count attributes of the disk drives over time. When a disk drive power-on-reset event is detected, the disk array may be efficiently restored to an operational state by re-executing or “replaying” a set of write commands that are cached within the disk array controller. The invention is also applicable to single-disk-drive storage systems.

Abstract: A disk array controller reliably detects disk drive power-on-reset events that may cause a disk drive that has uncommitted write data stored in its cache to lose such data. The methods for detecting the power-on-reset events include operating the disk drives in an ATA security mode in which a power-on-reset of a disk drive will cause the drive to enter a locked state in which data transfer commands are aborted; and tracking power cycle count attributes of the disk drives over time. When a disk drive power-on-reset event is detected, the disk array may be efficiently maintained in an operational state by re-executing or “replaying” a set of write commands that are cached within the disk array controller. The invention is also applicable to single-disk-drive storage systems.

Abstract: A disk array controller reliably detects disk drive power-on-reset events that may cause a disk drive that has uncommitted write data stored in its cache to lose such data. The methods for detecting the power-on-reset events include operating the disk drives in an ATA security mode in which a power-on-reset of a disk drive will cause the drive to enter a locked state in which data transfer commands are aborted; and tracking power cycle count attributes of the disk drives over time. When a disk drive power-on-reset event is detected, the disk array may be efficiently restored to an operational state by re-executing or “replaying” a set of write commands that are cached within the disk array controller. The invention is also applicable to single-disk-drive storage systems.

Abstract: A threaded connection is secured against loosening/unscrewing for columns of carbon and/or graphite electrodes. The electrodes are connected in columns with threaded connection elements, i.e., carbon connecting pins. At least one part has a wedge ramp on the root of the thread winding. When the components of the threaded connection are screwed together, the crests of the thread windings of one part abut with the wedge ramps of the other threaded connection component. A contact line is created, possibly multiple sections of a contact line. When the parts are screwed together, all forces are transferred from one part to the other only via the contact line. In a special case, the contour of the thread winding along whose root the wedge ramp is running is reduced e.g. to a connecting line between two wedge ramps located one above the other in the cross-section.

Abstract: An improved string arrangement for coupling one or more of strings to a sound radiating member, such as a soundboard, is provided having a bridge structure with a rib with a bridge face and a bearing point edge. Associated with each string and disposed at least tangent to the bearing point edge and substantially perpendicular to the bridge face is a first bridge pin. A second and/or third bridge pin may also be provided axially behind the first bridge pin for retaining each string against the bridge face. This invention provides enhanced tone quality by improving sustain and amplitude of fundamental frequencies in a convenient and simple structural arrangement for pianos and other stringed devices.

Abstract: A filter bypass switch for detecting a clogged or restricted flow condition in a filter such as an oil filter, the bypass switch including a housing having a passage extending therein, a plunger slidably positioned in the passage for movement therein, a wall in the housing closing the passage adjacent one end of the plunger, and a biasing member for urging the plunger to move in a predetermined direction relative to the housing wall.

Abstract: An improved vibration-free mounting system for sample cooling and low temperature and precision spectroscopy in which a closed-cycle helium refrigerator mechanism is to be mounted adjacent to a cold test chamber to enable efficient sample cooling. The system includes a first rigid support structure which receives and supports the refrigerator mechanism, and a second rigid support structure independently receiving and supporting a shroud having a cold test chamber for housing test samples on a sample holder. The second support structure is physically isolated from the first structure to prevent the transfer of vibrations therebetween, and the first and second structures are rigidly aligned with one another along a vertical axis. A gas envelope vibration isolating connection is provided between the refrigerator mechanism and the shroud for providing thermal communication for efficient sample cooling.

Abstract: Hardware for performing microcode branching in a central processing unit allows for two different speeds of branches which can be used by microcode and includes flexibility to optionally inhibit the extra lines which enter the pipeline on a branch. A default branch path can be taken for a test result not yet available and can be replaced with a correct branch target during a clock pause if the test result is false. A return address stack is provided with decoupled loading and pushing to accommodate the two branching speeds. Microcode can specify loading the return address stack with a literal or register value to allow vectored branching and return to a desired line after a delayed call.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable asbestos diaphragm is formed by direct coating on the foraminous cathode of an electrolytic cell from an asbestos fiber-particulate polymer slurry, followed by fusion of the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Hardware for performing microcode branching in a central processing unit allows for two different speeds of branches which can be used by microcode and includes flexibility to optionally inhibit the extra lines which enter the pipeline on a branch. A default branch path can be taken for a test result not yet available and can be replaced with a correct branch target during a clock pause if the test result is false. A return address stack is provided with decoupled loading and pushing to accommodate the two branching speeds. Microcode can specify loading the return address stack with a literal or register value to allow vectored and return to a desired line after a delayed call.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing contact lenses and especially hydrophilic (soft) contact lenses comprising contacting a contact lens for a period of time sufficient to sterilize the lens with a substantially isotonic, aqueous composition having a pH between 6-9 comprising about 0.01 to about 0.3 percent by weight of an ene-diol compound such as reductic acid and from about 0.1 to about 25 ppm copper ion.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing contact lenses and especially hydrophilic (soft) contact lenses comprising contacting a contact lens for a period of time sufficient to sterilize the lens with a substantially isotonic, aqueous composition having a pH between 6-9 comprising about 0.01 to about 0.3 percent by weight of an ene-diol compound and from about 0.1 to about 25 ppm copper ion. Preferred ene-diol compounds are dihydroxyfumaric acid and dihydroxymaleic acid.

Abstract: An entry control store in a central processing unit (CPU) is addressed by the next macroinstruction to be executed by the CPU and fetches the microcode for the first line of that macroinstruction. Subsequent lines of microcode for that macroinstruction are fetched from a main control store.

Abstract: Hardware for performing microcode branching in a pipeline central processing unit allows for two different speeds of branches which can be used by microcode and includes flexibility to optionally inhibit lines of microcode which are in the pipeline when a branch has been sensed. A default branch path can be taken for a test result not yet available and can be replaced with a correct branch target during a clock pause if the test result is false. A return address stack is provided with decoupling loading and pushing to accommodate the two branching speeds. The microcode can specify loading the return address stack with a literal or register value to allow vectored branching and return to a desired line after a delayed call.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing contact lenses and especially hydrophilic (soft) contact lenses comprising contacting a contact lens for a period of time sufficient to sterilize the lens with a substantially isotonic, aqueous composition having a pH between about 6-9 comprising about 0.01 to about 0.3 percent by weight of an ene-diol compound and from about 0.1 to about 25 ppm copper ion. Preferred ene-diol compounds are ascorbic acid and dihydroxymaleic acid.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable asbestos diaphragm is formed by direct coating on the foraminous cathode of an electrolytic cell from an asbestos fiber-particulate polymer slurry, followed by fusion of the thermoplastic polymer.