Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing user sessions between a client and a server or server farm can be carried out by a load balancing agent executing on a computer in communication with the client, server or server farm. The load balancing agent can intercept a connection request generated by an application executing on a client and responsively select a server on which to establish a user session. Selecting the server can be based on overbooking a particular server and choosing a server with a predetermined amount of forecasted load. Forecasted load can be determined by summing the current load on a server with a current load calculated by multiplying: the average load on the user sessions hosted by the server; by the number of cached user sessions stored on the server; and by the probability that a cached user session reconnects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing user sessions between a client and a server or server farm can be carried out by a load balancing agent executing on a computer in communication with the client, server or server farm. The load balancing agent can intercept a connection request generated by an application executing on a client and responsively select a server on which to establish a user session. Selecting the server can be based on overbooking a particular server and choosing a server with a predetermined amount of forecasted load. Forecasted load can be determined by summing the current load on a server with a current load calculated by multiplying: the average load on the user sessions hosted by the server; by the number of cached user sessions stored on the server; and by the probability that a cached user session reconnects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing user sessions between a client and a server or server farm can be carried out by a load balancing agent executing on a computer in communication with the client, server or server farm. The load balancing agent can intercept a connection request generated by an application executing on a client and responsively select a server on which to establish a user session. Selecting the server can be based on overbooking a particular server and choosing a server with a predetermined amount of forecasted load. Forecasted load can be determined by summing the current load on a server with a current load calculated by multiplying: the average load on the user sessions hosted by the server; by the number of cached user sessions stored on the server; and by the probability that a cached user session reconnects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing user sessions between a client and a server or server farm can be carried out by a load balancing agent executing on a computer in communication with the client, server or server farm. The load balancing agent can intercept a connection request generated by an application executing on a client and responsively select a server on which to establish a user session. Selecting the server can be based on overbooking a particular server and choosing a server with a predetermined amount of forecasted load. Forecasted load can be determined by summing the current load on a server with a current load calculated by multiplying: the average load on the user sessions hosted by the server; by the number of cached user sessions stored on the server; and by the probability that a cached user session reconnects.

Abstract: A plasma discharge device is provided having features for enhanced thermal management and protection of dielectric materials in the device. The invention generally comprises a plasma confinement chamber constructed at least in part of dielectric materials, with a cooling instrument disposed in contact with the outer dielectric surfaces of the chamber for substantially uniform heat extraction. The cooling instrument may be embedded within an encapsulating material that enhances the uniformity of heat extraction from a dielectric plasma chamber. By improving the uniformity of heat extraction from the dielectric chamber of a plasma discharge device, the invention permits reliable operation of a plasma discharge device at significantly improved power levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for making a coldplate. A first component of, for example copper, is explosion welded to a second component of, for example aluminum. The first metal component has a top surface opposite the second metal component and at least one channel proximate the top surface adapted to carry a cooling fluid. The coldplate can be used as an interior wall for a plasma chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention is a method to construct plasma chambers with improved wall resistance to deterioration. In one embodiment of the invention, a chamber is made of an aluminum alloy having low concentrations of elements that form non-soluble, intermetallic particles to address coating/substrate issues, has swaged-in cooling tubes to reduce thermal stress by improving thermal resistance, and has a plurality of dielectric gaps to decrease ion bombardment.

Abstract: A plasma generation device has a plasma containment vessel comprising integral cast cooling elements. A casting mold is placed over a foundation, leaving at least one surface of the foundation exposed. At least one cooling tube is then placed over the foundation, and a casting material is then poured into the casting mold over the foundation and the cooling tubes. The foundation portion of the assembly is machined and anodized to become an interior and vacuum surface of a plasma chamber with integral cooling elements.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention is a method to create a vacuum seal with extended lifetime to form a dielectric break in a vacuum chamber. The method includes the use of an elastic dielectric seal to form a high vacuum seal. It also includes the use of different means to protect the vacuum seal from direct exposure to the plasma and to reactive gases present inside the plasma chamber. Furthermore, it includes the use of elements to ensure a proper compression of the elastic seal, and to avoid its expansion or contraction when the pressures on both sides of the seal are different.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for making a coldplate. A first component of, for example copper, is explosion welded to a second component of, for example aluminum. The first metal component has a top surface opposite the second metal component and at least one channel proximate the top surface adapted to carry a cooling fluid. The coldplate can be used as an interior wall for a plasma chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for inserting a cooling tube into a metal component to remove heat generated at the surface by flowing fluid through the tube, thereby cooling the metal component. A cooling tube is placed into a groove of a metal component having first and second surfaces, where the width of the groove at the surfaces is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the cooling tube. The metal component also has two ridges: a first ridge on one end of the groove at the first surface of the metal component, and a second ridge on the other end of the groove at the second surface of the metal component. After the cooling tube is placed in the groove of the metal component, the cooling tube is swaged into the groove of the metal component by applying pressure to the first and second ridges until the first ridge, second ridge, and cooling tube are flush with the top surface.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention is a method to create a vacuum seal with extended lifetime to form a dielectric break in a vacuum chamber. The method includes the use of an elastic dielectric seal to form a high vacuum seal. It also includes the use of different means to protect the vacuum seal from direct exposure to the plasma and to reactive gases present inside the plasma chamber. Furthermore, it includes the use of elements to ensure a proper compression of the elastic seal, and to avoid its expansion or contraction when the pressures on both sides of the seal are different.