Abstract: An illuminator is described which may be used with large inspection areas and which provides a dark field illumination pattern that is spatially uniform, illuminates from consistent angles, has high efficiency, and is smaller than existing solutions. A light pipe has a first end proximate an object to be illuminated and a second end opposite the first end and spaced from the first end. The light pipe also has at least one reflective sidewall. The first end of the light pipe includes an exit aperture and the second end has at least one opening to allow at least one image acquisition device to view the surface therethrough. At least one light source is configured to provide illumination in the light pipe. The object is illuminated by the first end of the light pipe by illumination at a selected elevation angle and substantially all azimuth angles.

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration component configured to calibrate an automatic gain controller (AGC) for use in a tuner configured to isolate a selected channel from a multi-channel broadcast signal, the tuner implemented substantially on two chips, a first chip comprising a radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit adapted for RF processing and a second chip comprising a digital integrated circuit adapted for digital processing is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a water injection system configured to supply water from a pressure regulating valve to a water manifold of a turbine engine. The system also includes a drain valve configured to drain at least a portion of the water from the pressure regulating valve during a start-up period of the water injection system at least until a stable water pressure is achieved downstream of the pressure regulating valve.

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration component configured to calibrate an automatic gain controller (AGC) for use in a tuner configured to isolate a selected channel from a multi-channel broadcast signal, the tuner implemented substantially on two chips, a first chip comprising a radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit adapted for RF processing and a second chip comprising a digital integrated circuit adapted for digital processing is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing the presence or severity of liver fibrosis in an individual by detecting ?2-macroglobulin (?2-MG) in sample from the individual; detecting hyaluronic acid (HA) in a sample from the individual; detecting tissue inhibitor of a metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in a sample from the individual; and diagnosing the presence or severity of liver fibrosis in the individual based on the presence or level of ?-MG, HA and TIMP-1.

Abstract: A synchronized data transfer system including storage processor nodes, a backbone communication switch, multiple titles subdivided into subchunks and distributed across the nodes, a user process executed on a first node, a transfer process executed on a second node, and a management process executed on a management node. The user process sends a timestamped read request to request a corresponding subchunk. The transfer process sends a message to the management process for each received read request, where each message identifies source and destination nodes. The management process broadcasts transmit commands to initiate sequential transmit periods, receives the messages, and selects from among the received messages to ensure that each node sends or receives only one subchunk during each transmit period. The management process sends a transmit request for each selected message, and the transfer process sends a subchunk identified by a transmit request in response to the transmit command.

Abstract: A virtual file system including multiple storage processor nodes including a management node, a backbone switch, a disk drive array, and a virtual file manager executing on the management node. The backbone switch enables communication between the storage processor nodes. The disk drive array is coupled to and distributed across the storage processor nodes and stores multiple titles. Each title is divided into data subchunks which are distributed across the disk drive array in which each subchunk is stored on a disk drive of the disk drive array. The virtual file manager manages storage and access of each subchunk, and manages multiple directory entries including a directory entry for each title. Each directory entry is a list of subchunk location entries in which each subchunk location entry includes a storage processor node identifier, a disk drive identifier, and a logical address for locating and accessing each subchunk of each title.

Abstract: A keyboard and monitor mount assembly includes an extruded body, a slide support, a support arm and a mounting member. The extruded body is adapted to mount to a solder paste inspection machine and includes at least one channel. The slide support is slidable within the channel. The support arm is pivotally attached to the slide support. The mounting member is coupled to an end of the support arm and is adapted to support either a keyboard or a monitor.

Abstract: A keyboard and monitor mount assembly includes an extruded body, a slide support, a support arm and a mounting member. The extruded body is adapted to mount to a solder paste inspection machine and includes at least one channel. The slide support is slidable within the channel. The support arm is pivotally attached to the slide support. The mounting member is coupled to an end of the support arm and is adapted to support either a keyboard or a monitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flywheel resistance mechanism for exercise equipment. The flywheel rotates subject to frictional resistance created by contact between a drag strap and an outer cylindrical surface on the flywheel. The outer cylindrical surface has a surface roughness of between fifteen (15) microinches and one hundred and fifty (150) microinches.

Abstract: A hood for mounting a unidirectional lamp adjacent a window, such as a windshield, of an emergency vehicle and within a passenger compartment of the vehicle for directing light through the window. The lamp includes a housing having a forward portion defining an opening therein, a light source within the housing, and a lamp lens adjacent the forward portion of the housing and covering at least a portion of the opening for directing light from the light source through the opening. The hood comprising a hood body mountable adjacent the window having a rearward end defining a first open port dimensioned for receiving the forward portion of the housing, a forward end defining a second port opposite the first port, and a light pathway between the first and second ports for transmission of a beam of light from the light source through the body. A hood lens is within the body for optically altering the beam of light transmitted along the light pathway.

Abstract: A solid state control circuit for storing a preset pattern and discharging a strobe tube in accordance with the preset pattern. A solid state control circuit has a programmable memory comprising a plurality of selective partitioned memory locations, each for storing a separate preset pattern, each said pattern for producing a series of timing pulses for discharging the strobe tube. For example, the patterns many include one, two or three flashes per cycle, depending on operator selection. A transformer in the "flyback" configuration and current mode control for charging the strobe tube circuitry. The current mode control uses "lossless" current sensing to limit current flows within the circuitry. The intensity of the strobe tube discharge is varied as a function of the ambient light.

Abstract: A sheet metal channel-shaped bracket for supporting an electrical box at a pre-selected height in the wall-framing space between metallic channel-type wall studs affixed to and extending vertically upward from a metallic U-shaped base channel affixed to the floor of a building structure. The bracket has an elongataed channel-shaped member including a main wall and like side walls with the main wall presenting a front surface for mounting an electrical box thereon. The main wall of the bracket includes an extended sections which is folded into a series of portions which form a foot member for the bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling data movement between a peripheral and a data processing system, comprises a memory for storing data, wherein the memory comprises a plurality of memory modules. Each memory module corresponds to an assigned area of a first memory map, the first memory map being duplicated into a plurality of mirrored memory maps. Each mirrored memory map corresponds to a predefined operation, a composite of the first memory map and the plurality of mirrored memory maps forming a total memory space. Each memory location within the total memory space is defined by a unique memory space address. A processor performs a pseudo operation in response to a first control signal from the peripheral indicating data is available for being moved. A logic circuit generates at least one control signal in response to the pseudo operation such that a predetermined data movement operation occurs.

Abstract: In a data protection apparatus for a multiple CPU system having a common or multiported bulk memory, an interface structure is associated with each of the CPU's. The interface structure cooperates with a firmware engine which is, in turn, a part of the interface control means which controls the transfer of data between the common bulk memory apparatus and each of the several CPU's in the system. Signals generated by the individual CPU's indicative of an emergency situation are applied as input signals to the interface structure. The interface structure then translates those signals into an attention flag signal and signals identifying the source or nature of the emergency. The firmware engine then responds to those signals and effects the necessary measures to protect the data relative to the affected CPU.