Abstract: A controller of a storage system for computer data enables diagnosis of errors and status monitoring of the storage system. The controller is enabled to categorize errors according to severity and to analyze low-level errors so as to trigger a combination of high level error conditions.

Abstract: A variable output inflator (20) for use in inflating an air bag or air cushion comprising: a pressure vessel (22) comprising a thin walled toroidal pressure vessel portion (23) and a cylindrical pressure vessel portion (60) circumscribed by, in physical contact and in fluid communication with the toroidal pressure vessel portion, the cylindrical pressure vessel portion including a rupturable disk (74) and at least one exit port (78) communicable with an air bag; a pyrotechnic member (200a,b) for heating stored inflation gas within the pressure vessel to a pressure level to rupture the rupturable disk, allowing heated inflation gas to exit and fill an adjacently attached air bag.

Abstract: A continuous force, replaceable spring appliance which connects to the orthodontic archwires of the upper and lower jaws and teeth. The replaceable spring fits into a hollow telescoping cylinder assembly by unscrewing end caps. The spring can be made to exert a pushing force, pushing the telescoping cylinders apart as it works, or it can exert a pulling force, pulling the ends of the telescoping cylinders together. The telescoping assembly has end caps that have bars with balls attached. The balls fit into a socket assembly that is screw locked to the archwires. The ball and socket assembly allows a free range of motion, and prevents the appliance from pinching the cheeks and gums or being chewed by the teeth.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator for inflating vehicle air bags includes a first pressure vessel containing a compressed gaseous fuel, and igniter assembly and a second pressure vessel containing a compressed inflator gas. In use, the compressed fuel gas is released into the compressed inflator gas vessel using an igniter assembly for ignition of the gaseous fuel. Ignition of the gaseous fuel in the second pressure vessel causes a pressure and temperature rise which ruptures a burst disk in the second pressure vessel for gas release and inflation of an air bag.

Abstract: A computer system has a backplane including a SCSI (small computer system interface) bus for connecting a host processor to a number of disk drive units. The bus operates in a conventional manner to set up a connection, until the stage where the initiator selects a target. Then backplane control logic intervenes, and isolates all units on the bus other than the initiator and the target. Isolation is achieved by means of a set of bus switches on the backplane, controlled by the backplane control logic. This ensures that data transfer takes place over a simple one-to-one connection, reducing bus capacitance and reflections. The backplane also includes power switches that can be operated to power down any disk unit while it is being hot-swapped, and LEDs to indicate when it is safe to hot-swap a disk unit.

Abstract: A disk drive module is described which externally has the physical and electrical appearance of a single standard 5.25 inch disk drive, but which internally contains five 2.5 inch disk drives and the electronics for operating them as resilient disk array. The disk drives are mounted on printed circuit boards which extend substantially the full length of the module. This provides a high data transfer rate and extremely high data reliability, and because the module has a standard form factor, it can be fitted to all types of system that can accommodate this form factor.