Abstract: A method of reprogramming a field device in a process control network using the standard communications protocol for the network, and a reprogrammable field device in the process control network adapted for being reprogrammed using the standard communications protocol for the network. The method and device of the present invention use the standard communications protocol to transmit the downloaded code to the field device and store the downloaded code in the field device while the device is enabled to perform process control. Once the new code is downloaded and stored in the field device, the field device is disabled from performing process control, reprogrammed to execute the downloaded code, and reenabled to perform process control.

Abstract: An intelligent gain controller (IGC) for an on-frequency repeater includes a broadband gain controller (GC) for amplifying a broadband radio frequency (RF) signal within a broadband signal path of the repeater. A narrowband receiver isolates a narrowband signal within the broadband RF signal. A processor determines a power level of the narrowband signal, and controls the gain of the broadband GC in accordance with the determined power level.

Abstract: An intro-aortic balloon catheter system and method for determining cardiac output with the system including a distal end for insertion into an aorta and a proximal end opposed to the distal end, a balloon portion in proximity to the distal end which repeatedly expands and contracts so as to assist the pumping action of the heart, a catheter tube connected to the balloon portion with the catheter tube having a lumen introducing a pressurized gas into the balloon portion and leading the pressurized gas out from the balloon portion and a temperature sensor attached to the catheter tube and being electrically coupled to a connector at the proximal end of the catheter tube.

Abstract: A system for allowing a two word jump instruction to be executed in the same number of cycles as a single word jump instruction, thereby allowing a processor system to increase memory space without reducing performance. A first address bus is coupled to the linearized program memory for sending addresses of instructions to be fetched to a linearized program memory. A pointer is coupled to the first address bus for storing an address location of a current instruction in the linearized program memory to be fetched and for placing the address location of the current instruction to be fetched on the first address bus. A second address bus is provided and has one end coupled to the output of the program memory and a second end coupled to the first address bus.

Abstract: An intro-aortic balloon catheter system and method for determining cardiac output with the system including a distal end for insertion into an aorta and a proximal end opposed to the distal end, a balloon portion in proximity to the distal end which repeatedly expands and contracts so as to assist the pumping action of the heart, a catheter tube connected to the balloon portion with the catheter tube having a lumen introducing a pressurized gas into the balloon portion and leading the pressurized gas out from the balloon portion and a temperature sensor attached to the catheter tube and being electrically coupled to a connector at the proximal end of the catheter tube.

Abstract: A flexible coaxial cable comprises a core including at least one inner conductor and a closed cell foam dielectric surrounding the inner conductor. The flexible coaxial cable also includes a tubular metallic sheath closely surrounding and preferably bonded to the core. The closed cell foam dielectric is a low density polyolefin foam and possesses improved electrical properties over conventional foam dielectrics. The coaxial cable has a velocity of propagation of greater than 90 percent of the speed of light but still maintains high flexibility and bending characteristics.

Abstract: A system for allowing a two word jump instruction to be executed in the same number of cycles as a single word jump instruction, thereby allowing a processor system to increase memory space without reducing performance. A first address bus is coupled to the linearized program memory for sending addresses of instructions to be fetched to a linearized program memory. A pointer is coupled to the first address bus for storing an address location of a current instruction in the linearized program memory to be fetched and for placing the address location of the current instruction to be fetched on the first address bus. A second address bus is provided and has one end coupled to the output of the program memory and a second end coupled to the first address bus.

Abstract: A system for allowing a two word instruction to be executed in a single cycle thereby allowing a processor system to increase memory space without reducing performance. A first address bus is coupled to the linearized program memory for sending addresses of instructions to be fetched to a linearized program memory. A pointer is coupled to the first address bus for storing an address location of a current instruction in the linearized program memory to be fetched and for placing the address location of the current instruction to be fetched on the first address bus. A second address bus is provided and has one end coupled to the output of the program memory and a second end coupled to the first address bus. The second address bus is used for placing an address of an operand of a second word of the two word instruction onto the first address bus after an address of an operand of a first word of the two word instruction has been placed on the first address bus.

Abstract: An intro-aortic balloon catheter system and method for determining cardiac output with the system including a distal end for insertion into an aorta and a proximal end opposed to the distal end, a balloon portion in proximity to the distal end which repeatedly expands and contracts so as to assist the pumping action of the heart, a catheter tube connected to the balloon portion with the catheter tube having a lumen introducing a pressurized gas into the balloon portion and leading the pressurized gas out from the balloon portion and a temperature sensor attached to the catheter tube and being electrically coupled to a connector at the proximal end of the catheter tube.

Abstract: A flexible coaxial cable includes a core including at least one inner conductor and a closed cell foam dielectric surrounding the inner conductor. The flexible coaxial cable also includes a tubular metallic sheath closely surrounding and preferably bonded to the core. The closed cell foam dielectric is a low density polyolefin foam and possesses improved electrical properties over conventional foam dielectrics. The coaxial cable has a velocity of propagation of greater than 90 percent of the speed of light but still maintains high flexibility and bending characteristics.

Abstract: Segmented cutting tools such core drill bits and diamond saw blades can be made more efficient by hardening a portion of the sides of each of the segments.

Abstract: A television control system for controlling different models of hospital televisions, has an input device for receiving an input from a person, and a controller for interfacing with hospital televisions. The controller generates control signal clusters reflective of the input, and the clusters include a plurality of sequentially-generated, individual control signals for specific operational functions of a plurality of different models of hospital televisions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulating mechanism for a gas water heater designed to increase the efficiency thereof. The device comprises a blanket formed of a pair of arcuate, adjacent panel members having top and bottom edges with a pair of opposing side edges therebetween. Adjacent side edges of the panel members are hingedly joined with the opposing side edges being selectively attachable to form a cylindrical blanket that encases a water heater storage reservoir. A piping system is disposed within each panel member for circulating waste gas therethrough. An exhaust duct is disposed on the top surface of a water heater outer shell and is in communication with the interior thereof. A hinged baffle divides the duct into an upper and lower chamber both of which are in communication with the piping system.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to minimize the efforts required to integrate a new communication media and network service into an operating system. These and other objects are accomplished by implementing the link control protocol layer as an operating system service multiplexing a set of network protocol connections to a set of communication media connections routing messages between respective connections. The LCP function is isolated by a set of network interfaces and a set of communication media interfaces. The invention allows the NCP and datagram support to be independent of the LCP support so long as the NCP and datagram implementations conform to the interfaces provided by the LCP operating system service that allow exchanges of state information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coaxial cable having greatly improved mechanical and electrical properties derived from a foamed dielectric having a dielectric constant in the range of 1.32 to 1.1, such cable being provided by a novel method of coating a center conductor of the cable with a dielectric with an extruded cellular polyolefin base composition which has been rendered cellular by the direct injection of a blowing agent in a liquid form into the polymer during an extrusion process. Also disclosed is an apparatus and a method of continuous wire electropolishing and pre-coating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coaxial cable having greatly improved mechanical and electrical properties derived from a foamed dielectric having a dielectric constant in the range of 1.32 to 1.1, a density between 0.1 and 0.29 grams per cubic centimeter, said foamed dielectric having dispersed throughout it undecomposed particles of a nucleating agent such cable being provided by a novel method of coating a center conductor of the cable with a dielectric with an extruded cellular polyolefin base composition which has been rendered cellular by the direct injection of a blowing agent in a liquid form into the polymer during an extrusion process.