Abstract: A method of minimizing rebuild times within a large-scale data storage system, such as a RAID array by: maintaining a spare disk for a plurality of disks within a disk array; monitoring the plurality of disks for occurrence of one or more pre-failure indicators; maintaining, for each disk, a count of the occurrences of the pre-failure indicators; comparing the count for each disk to a defined threshold value; and copying the first disk and mirroring write operations to the first disk to the spare disk if the count for the first disk exceeds the threshold. The method switches the copying to the spare disk from the first disk to a second disk if the count for the second disk exceeds the count for the first disk. In this manner, certain predictive information can be used to use the spare disk to reduce RAID rebuild times to near instantaneous periods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for predicting failure of a hard disk in a storage system. Embodiments are disclosed that predict failure of at least one hard disk in a storage system having a plurality hard disks. A data center reports to a data collection center than a hard disk has reported an initial non-zero medium error count (NMEC). The data collection center stores historic data of initial NMEC for many hard disks, and subsequent failure of those hard disks. From the historic data, the data collection center can report to the data center a prediction of when a hard disk reporting an initial NMEC may fail. Different models of hard disks fail at different times relative to a reported initial NMEC. The data collection center can track historic hard disk data by manufacturer, model of hard disk, and by model of storage system and thus can predict, by hard disk model, a probability of failure of a hard disk.

Abstract: A signal separation system and a method for automatically selecting a threshold to separate sound sources. The signal separation system calculates a power sequence for a target signal using a target mask, and a power sequence for an interference signal using a complementary mask, based on signals received from a plurality of microphones; applies a nonlinearity to the target signal power sequence and the interference signal power sequence; calculates a correlation coefficient of the nonlinear target signal power sequence and the nonlinear interference signal power sequence; and sets a noise masking threshold that minimizes the correlation coefficient.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes performing first and second exclusive activation checks separately on first and second storage units, respectively, with a node using a software RAID function and activating a RAID disk with the first storage unit and the second storage unit using the software RAID function in response to the first and the second exclusive activation checks indicating that the first and the second storage units, respectively, can be activated as the RAID disk by the node.

Abstract: A signal separation system and a method for automatically selecting a threshold to separate sound sources. The signal separation system calculates a power sequence for a target signal using a target mask, and a power sequence for an interference signal using a complementary mask, based on signals received from a plurality of microphones; applies a nonlinearity to the target signal power sequence and the interference signal power sequence; calculates a correlation coefficient of the nonlinear target signal power sequence and the nonlinear interference signal power sequence; and sets a noise masking threshold that minimizes the correlation coefficient.

Abstract: Fiber, fabric, film, molded or blown article comprising a water- and oil-repellent composition comprising a melt blend of components (a) and (b) in which: (a) comprises a repellency-imparting, fluorochemical composition comprising at least one fluorine-containing aromatic ester oligomer comprising (1) at least two repeat units derived or derivable from the reaction of at least one dicarboxylic acid (or a derivative thereof) and at least one polyol, with the proviso that either the dicarboxylic acid (or derivative) or the polyol (or both) is aromatic or heteroaromatic, and (2) fluorochemical endgroups derived or derivable from the reaction of (i) the dicarboxylic acid (or derivative) and at least one fluorine-containing monoalcohol, or (ii) the polyol and at least one fluorine-containing monocarboxylic acid; and (b) comprises a treatable substrate material; with the proviso that, when the treatable substrate material comprises a mixture of at least two polymers, the mixture is non-stratifying.

Abstract: Fiber, fabric, film, molded or blown article comprising a water- and oil-repellent composition comprising a melt blend of components (a) and (b) in which:

Abstract: A water- and oil-repellent composition comprises (a) a repellency-imparting, fluorochemical composition comprising at least one fluorine-containing aromatic ester oligomer comprising (1) at least two repeat units derived or derivable from the reaction of at least one dicarboxylic acid (or a derivative thereof) and at least one polyol, with the proviso that either the dicarboxylic acid (or derivative) or the polyol (or both) is aromatic or heteroaromatic, and (2) fluorochemical endgroups derived or derivable from the reaction of (i) the dicarboxylic acid (or derivative) and at least one fluorine-containing monoalcohol, or (ii) the polyol and at least one fluorine-containing monocarboxylic acid; and (b) a treatable substrate; with the proviso that, when the treatable substrate comprises a mixture of at least two polymers, the mixture is non-stratifying.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods useful for preparing foam compositions. The compositions and method relate to the production of a foam from a composition containing non-hydrated thickener.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods useful for preparing foam compositions. The compositions and method relate to the production of a foam from a composition containing non-hydrated thickener.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods useful for preparing foam compositions. The compositions and method relate to the production of a foam from a composition containing non-hydrated thickener.

Abstract: This invention provides perfluoro(alkoxycycloalkane) carbonyl fluoride compounds wherein, pendant from the fluorinated ring, are from 2 to 5 perfluoroalkoxy groups having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 to 2, carbon atoms with the proviso that when one or more of the perfluoroalkoxy groups contain from 3 to 4 carbon atoms, there are no more than 3 pendant groups. Also described are amidoamine intermediates prepared from the carbonyl fluoride compounds as precursors for surfactants used in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides aqueous film-forming foamable (AFFF) compositions comprising one or more environmentally-friendly .alpha.-branched fluoroalkylcarbonyl group-containing surfactants.

Abstract: Briefly, in one aspect, the present invention provides compositions of open-chain, .alpha.-branched fluoroalkylcarbonyl fluorides, and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides perfluoro(alkoxycycloalkane) carbonyl fluoride compounds wherein, pendant from the fluorinated ring, are from 2 to 5 perfluoroalkoxy groups having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 to 2, carbon atoms with the proviso that when one or more of the perfluoroalkoxy groups contain from 3 to 4 carbon atoms, there are no more than 3 pendant groups.In yet another aspect, this invention provides aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) compositions comprising one or more perfluoro(alkoxycycloalkane) carbonyl group-containing surfactants and one or more water-soluble fluorine-free surfactants selected from the group consisting of nonionic hydrocarbon-containing surfactants with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value greater than or equal to about 10 and ionic hydrocarbon-containing surfactants having a carbon chain length containing inclusively from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A memory system is implemented by an array of large scale integrated dynamic random access memory elements. The memory elements are of a type that permit data way word storage on a page basis, each page being defined on a row boundary. Discovering that excess power consumption by the memory can result from successive memory operations made back-to-back to different page locations, the present invention provides counter means to count each immediately successive different page memory operations so that, when that count matches a maximum count, memory operations are stalled for a period of time.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of the fluorochemical compound having formulaR.sub.f SO.sub.2 N(CHR.sup.2 --CHR.sup.2 COO.sup.-) R.sup.1 N.sup.+ (R).sub.2 Hwherein R.sub.f is a fluoraliphatic radical containing at least 3 carbon atoms. The synthesis involves reaction of compounds of formula R.sub.f SO.sub.2 N(H)R.sup.1 N(R).sub.2 and CHR.sup.2 .dbd.CH.sup.2 COOH in solution at elevated temperatures. The process can be used to synthesize the fluoroaliphatic amphoteric amino carboxylate surfactant having the formula:C.sub.6 F.sub.13 SO.sub.2 N(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 COO.sup.-) C.sub.3 H.sub.6 N.sup.+ (CH.sub.3).sub.2 Hwhich compound is useful in aqueous film-forming foamable concentrates for extinguishing flammable liquid fires.

Abstract: A method of treating hazardous material or other substrate with an aqueous air foam, comprising the steps of (1) preparing an aqueous solution or dispersion comprising (a) water-soluble polyhydroxy polymer having a plurality of hydrogen-bondable 1,2- and/or 1,3-diol structures capable of complexation with the borate anion, B(OH).sub.4.sup.

Abstract: Fluorochemical oxazolidinone compositions are provided. They are normally solid, water-insoluble, fluoroaliphatic radical-containing 2-oxazolidinone compounds which have one or more 2-oxazolidinone moieties, at least one of which has a monovalent fluoroaliphatic radical bonded to the 5-position carbon atom thereof by an organic linking group.

Abstract: An improved aqueous film-forming foamable concentrate which is particularly useful for extinguishing flammable liquid fires. The preferred formulation contains (a) fluoroaliphatic amphoteric surfactant, preferably a fluorinated aminocarboxylate having a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 perfluoroaliphatic group, (b) fluoroaliphatic anionic surfactant, preferably a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 perfluoroalkane suflonate, and (C) short chain (C.sub.6 to C.sub.10) alkyl ether sufate hydrocarbon surfactant. When the concentrate is diluted with fresh or sea water and aerated, an aqueous film-forming foam is produced which is useful in extinguishing flammable liquid fires such as a fuel fire. The foam quickly spreads a superior vapor-sealing film on the surface of a burning fuel. The film reforms quickly when disturbed. The improved film-forming properties results in quicker and more reliable extinguishment of flammable liquid fires.