Abstract: We make particulates, especially magnetic Fe—Co alloys having high magnetic permeability, of controlled dimensions, especially those having a narrow thickness size distribution centered around a median or target thickness in the range of about 0.1-1.0 &mgr;m, using electrodeposition typically on a smooth (polished) titanium cathode. Our preferred continuous process uses a rotating drum cathode inside a fixed anode to grow flakes and to produce them automatically by inherent instability in the deposited film. The drum preferably rotates about a substantially vertical axis. The particulates shed (slough off) into the electrolyte (because of mismatch between the cathode surface and the plated metal or alloy at the molecular level) where they are separated in a magnetic separator or other suitable device. If the flakes are soft iron or iron-cobalt alloys, the drum generally is titanium or titanium alloy.

Abstract: A water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a nucleophile, and an activating agent, under conditions sufficient to form the composition. Also, a water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a modifying compound, a nucleophile and an activating agent under conditions sufficient to form the composition.

Abstract: The flooding capacity of a fractionation tray (2) is increased by the addition of at least one layer of low surface area grids (3) above the inlet to the downcomers (6,12) located on the tray (2). The grids (3) extend upward for a distance equal to one to four times the depth of the downcomers. The grids may rest upon the top edge of the downcomers or on the tray decking between the top portions of the downcomer sidewalls.

Abstract: A proximity sensor system includes a sensor matrix array having a characteristic capacitance on horizontal and vertical conductors connected to sensor pads. The capacitance changes as a function of the proximity of an object or objects to the sensor matrix. The change in capacitance of each node in both the X and Y directions of the matrix due to the approach of an object is converted to a set of voltages in the X and Y directions. These voltages are processed by digital circuitry to develop electrical signals representative of the centroid of the profile of the object, i.e, its position in the X and Y dimensions. Noise reduction and background level setting techniques inherently available in the architecture are employed.

Abstract: An extended V.8bis command sequence enables a DTE to configure a DCE for alternative configurations and for independent V.8bis protocol negotiations. The DCE can be configured by sending it an AT command sequence as part of an initialization string. In this way, legacy applications can use the full capabilities of modems without rewriting the legacy application code.

Abstract: A water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a nucleophile, and an activating agent, under conditions sufficient to form the composition. Also, a water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a modifying compound, a nucleophile and an activating agent under conditions sufficient to form the composition.

Abstract: A controller is provided, for use in a processing system containing a plurality of processors operable to communicate with a plurality of I/O devices, for directing a first I/O request issued by a first selected one of the plurality of processors to a targeted one of the I/O devices. The controller device comprises a counter for counting a number of retries associated with the first I/O request and comparison circuitry for comparing a count value in the counter with a first predetermined limit, wherein the controller, in response to a determination that the count value in the counter exceeds the first predetermined limit, blocks all other I/O requests issued by the plurality of processors from being directed to the targeted I/O device.

Abstract: A fastener includes a composite body and a metal coupling attached to the body. The metal coupling includes an attachment structure to connect the fastener to an external structure.An assembly of components includes a first metallic component having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, a second non-metallic component having a second coefficient of thermal expansion different from the first thermal expansion and having a groove that receives a fastener that extends between the groove and the second component, the fastener slidably engaging the groove to accommodate relative expansion between the components.

Abstract: A multiprocessor computing apparatus that includes a mechanism for favoring at least one processor over another processor to achieve more equitable access to cached data. Logic for detecting when, for example, a remote and a local processor are attempting to access data from the cache of another local processor is disclosed. Logic that provides an advantage to the remote processor in a manner that achieves fairer access among the various processors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fastener body comprises a head and a shank fabricated from a composite material. The head has at least one side which extends beyond the side of the shank and has two other sides coplanar with the shank.A fastener for engaging a liner has perpendicular lengthwise and widthwise reference axes and a head and a shank, with the shank extending in a first lengthwise direction away from the head, the head further having at least one extension that extends in the widthwise direction beyond the shank for engaging the liner, wherein substantially all lengthwise directed load components transmitted from the liner to the head are transmitted through the extension.

Abstract: A proximity sensor system includes a sensor matrix array having a characteristic capacitance on horizontal and vertical conductors connected to sensor pads. The capacitance changes as a function of the proximity of an object or objects to the sensor matrix. The change in capacitance of each node in both the X and Y directions of the matrix due to the approach of an object is converted to a set of voltages in the X and Y directions. These voltages are processed by digital circuitry to develop electrical signals representative of the centroid of the profile of the object, i.e, its position in the X and Y dimensions. Noise reduction and background level setting techniques inherently available in the architecture are employed.

Abstract: A proximity sensor system includes a sensor matrix array having a characteristic capacitance between horizontal and vertical conductors connected to sensor pads. The capacitance changes as a function of the proximity of an object or objects to the sensor matrix. The change in capacitance of each node in both the X and Y directions of the matrix due to the approach of an object is converted to a set of voltages in the X and Y directions. These voltages are processed by analog circuitry to develop electrical signals representative of the centroid of the profile of the object, i.e, its position in the X and Y dimensions. The profile of position may also be integrated to provide Z-axis (pressure) information.

Abstract: Sonochemistry permits extremely rapid cooling to form nanoscale amorphous metal particles. If magnetic, these particles are valuable for magnetic recording media, manufacture of permanent magnets, and other uses. The nanoscale particles agglomerate, however, which limits their utility for these magnetic applications. To keep the particles isolated, we extract the particles from the n-alkane reaction solvent in a polar solvent and cast the extracted particles with a polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: Sononochemistry permits extremely rapid cooling to produce nanoscale particles. If magnetic, these particles are valuable for magnetic recording media, manufacture of permanent magnets, and other uses. In the present invention, we sonicate neat metal carbonyl to produce particles which we separate, generally magnetically, from the metal carbonyl, thereby making the production process as simple as possible and continuous.

Abstract: A water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a nucleophile, and an activating agent, under conditions sufficient to form the composition. Also, a water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a modifying compound, a nucleophile and an activating agent under conditions sufficient to form the composition.

Abstract: A kinematic arrangement of an automatic transmission includes three simple planetary gear units having certain elements fixed to other elements mutually, a one-way coupling for holding the ring gear of the first gear unit against rotation, brakes for holding the carrier of the third gear unit and the sun gears of the second and third gear units against rotation on the transmission housing, two friction clutches arranged in parallel between the input shaft and the sun gears of the second and third planetary gear units, a brake band for holding the ring gear of the third gear unit and carrier of the second gear unit against rotation, and a friction clutch for holding the sun gear of the first gear unit against rotation.

Abstract: A rigid frame that is positioned around the skull to define a multi-dimensional coordinate system. Multiple arms are coupled together with a support ring to increase the overall stiffness of the frame. The arms and the support ring are made from a plastic material that makes the frame appear transparent in CT and MRI images. Receptors provide a mounting base upon which the frame is repeatedly attached and detached from the skull at the same reproducible reference location. Each receptor is mounted to the skull with a screw that inserts through a rear end. A drill assembly and attachment assembly are used to secure the receptors in the skull.

Abstract: A synchronizer circuit which bypasses synchronous clock signals or maintains synchronicity of synchronous clock signals without degrading system performance. The synchronizer circuit includes a synchronizer having first and second clock signal inputs. A switching circuit couples to the first clock signal and to the output of the synchronizer. The synchronizer circuit is preferably programmable, and includes a control circuit which determines whether the first and second frequencies are synchronous or asynchronous, which causes the switching circuit to select the synchronizer output when the first and second frequencies are asynchronous, and which causes the switching circuit to select the first clock signal when the first and second frequencies are synchronous.

Abstract: High capacity, low cost fractionation trays are formed from a number of adjacent triangular (v-shaped) downcomer modules. The trays are free of the horizontal perforated decking surface of conventional trays. The downcomer modules have perforations only in a bottom region for liquid passage and in an upper region for vapor passage, with the central portion of the two inclined downcomer sidewalls being imperforate. The difference in elevation between the bottom region and upper region is considerably larger than a ripple tray. A layer of packing material may be provided close to or adjacent the bottom surface of the tray.

Abstract: A proximity sensor system includes a sensor matrix array having a characteristic capacitance between horizontal and vertical conductors connected to sensor pads. The capacitance changes as a function of the proximity of an object or objects to the sensor matrix. The change in capacitance of each node in both the X and Y directions of the matrix due to the approach of an object is converted to a set of voltages in the X and Y directions. These voltages are processed by analog circuitry to develop electrical signals representative of the centroid of the profile of the object, i.e, its position in the X and Y dimensions. The profile of position may also be integrated to provide Z-axis (pressure) information.