Abstract: A computer implemented interface for interfacing an equipment controller to an equipment manager each arranged to respond to a reproduced text messages according to a first and second protocol, respectively. The interface comprises a number of program modules (502-514) which each receive one or more inputs and produce an output dependent on whether defined conditions are met by the inputs. A number of the outputs of the program modules constitute inputs to other program modules therefore defining a network. A number of the program modules (502-508) are of the type which is responsive to a predefined text in a respective field of an input message to produce an output to a further program module which is responsive to a further predefined text in another field which is valid in a first protocol in the context of the predefined text. The network of program modules produces a series of outputs which represent the information content of the original input message.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet is accessible for ramping within a cryostat by inserting flexible current leads through openings in the cryostat and pushing and twisting these leads inward until connections are made with electrical contacts provided on the superconducting magnet. For each current lead, a permanently installed channel guides the lead as it is pushed through the external opening and extends to make contact with the magnet terminal. The guide channel extends outside of the cryostat and includes an internal or external bend, whereby the overhead space required for the cryostat/magnet assembly may be reduced. After ramping, the leads are withdrawn.

Abstract: A digital video recorder employing standard hard disk arrays employs a caching system to enable continuous video data to be supplied to and provided from the standard disk drives which may not be adapted for continuous data stream operation. The system is implemented as an array of disk drives and includes cache management functions for governing disk read and write operations. A predictor enables the cache to predict disk reads and disk writes and to maintain the cache based on the predictions. Redundancy enables playback in the event of failure of a drive in the array and also provides improved playback data retrieval time.

Abstract: A dynamically paged non-volatile random access video store has a random access memory integrated with a disk drive. The random access memory provides realtime access for recording and playing back video from and to a video source. The disk drive provides a non-volatile backup for the random access memory by transferring data between the disk drive and random access memory automatically, or by command, on a non-realtime basis. The video data accesses and transfers are handled by a microprocessor that interfaces with a controller by which an operator inputs instructions. Multiple channels are accommodated via a channel interface, also controlled by the microprocessor, between external video devices and the random access memory. The disk drive stores a plurality of pages of video data, each page corresponding to the capacity of the random access memory.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for grinding. Based on a vertical shaft impactor, a method is disclosed which provides improved results by allowing materials to be ground in a wet form. The grinding apparatus includes supply lines (171, 172) and inlets (170, 187) which allow material to be supplied in such a form.

Abstract: A MRI cryostat, which contains a superconducting magnet operating in a bath of liquid helium, reduces the boil-off rate of helium by intercepting most of the heat in-leakage by means of a throttle cycle (TC) refrigerator operating at a low side temperature of about 90K. The main heat exchanger for the throttle cycle refrigerator is located within or immediately adjacent to the cryostat housing and delivers cold liquid to a cold heat exchanger that is in thermal contact with an outer radiation shield, support struts, neck tube and electrical leads inside the cryostat. Heat is intercepted by the outer shield from essentially all paths between a 300K ambient and a 4K load temperature, which temperature results from liquid helium boil-off to atmosphere. A second, inner radiation shield at 35K is cooled by gaseous helium that boils from the liquid helium bath. There are no moving parts of the refrigeration system in the cryostat. Thus, vibration, noise and disturbance of the magnetic field are reduced.

Abstract: A digital video recorder employing standard hard disk arrays employs a caching system to enable continuous video data to be supplied to and provided from the standard disk drives which may not be adapted for continuous data stream operation. The system is implemented as an array of disk drives and includes cache management functions for governing disk read and write operations. A predictor enables the cache to predict disk reads and disk writes and to maintain the cache based on the predictions. Redundancy enables playback in the event of failure of a drive in the array and also provides improved playback data retrieval time.

Abstract: A magnetic suspension system and a procedure for operating the system employ a superconducting magnet having a lift coil assembly for developing a magnetic field to interact with the magnetic field of an object to be supported about the superconducting magnet. Smaller and larger magnet coils are provided in the superconducting magnet with counter rotating flow of current to introduce a depression in a potential energy surface above the superconducting magnet, this allowing the object to seek a height at the depression for stably locating the object. The system and methodology employs a set of control coils which are energized to orient and to translate the object to maintain a desired position and orientation. Pairs of the control coils are energized to produce a tilting of the object, as in roll or pitch, or a displacement of the object relative to the vertical axis.