Abstract: A networked page access and addressing method to generate web pages responsive to requested client requests parses addresses of incoming requests into at least two logical segments: a first likely to represent a category and a second likely to represent a product. By generating hash values for the first segment, it can be compared against hashes in the internal directory to identify a local category corresponding to the represented in the address. If so, a local address can be generated by combining with the second segment with an identifier of that local category. Information from the data record at that local address can used to form a web page responsive to the request.

Abstract: A processor can receive a request for a list of items. The request can include a group identifier and search criteria. The search criteria can be configured to return the list of items. The processor can produce, using the group identifier and in response to the request, a determination about a location of a master key associated with the group identifier. The processor can produce, in response to the master key being in the cache, a lookup key. The lookup key can include the master key, the group identifier, and a form of the search criteria. The processor can produce, using a form of the lookup key, a determination about a location of the list of items. The processor can retrieve, in response to the list of items being in the cache, the list of items from the cache.

Abstract: A networked page access and addressing method to generate web pages responsive to requested client requests parses addresses of incoming requests into at least two logical segments: a first likely to represent a category and a second likely to represent a product. By generating hash values for the first segment, it can be compared against hashes in the internal directory to identify a local category corresponding to the represented in the address. If so, a local address can be generated by combining with the second segment with an identifier of that local category. Information from the data record at that local address can used to form a web page responsive to the request.

Abstract: A processor can receive a request for a list of items. The request can include a group identifier and search criteria. The search criteria can be configured to return the list of items. The processor can produce, using the group identifier and in response to the request, a determination about a location of a master key associated with the group identifier. The processor can produce, in response to the master key being in the cache, a lookup key. The lookup key can include the master key, the group identifier, and a form of the search criteria. The processor can produce, using a form of the lookup key, a determination about a location of the list of items. The processor can retrieve, in response to the list of items being in the cache, the list of items from the cache.

Abstract: A prosthetic bearing element comprises a backing which supports a bearing liner having a bearing surface. The backing is made from a "hard" polymeric material having a minimum hardness value of 55 N/mm.sup.2 and the bearing liner is made from a "soft" elastomeric polyurethane material having a hardness value of 3.0 to 9.0 N/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A method and a circuit are provided for detecting low level ionic currents. An ionization detection voltage is applied to a spark plug and a resulting output voltage signal is sent to a threshold device. The output voltage signal is developed by a low offset operational amplifier. First and second serially connected Zener diodes carry current in a normal diode direction when a spark event occurs and carry current in their Zener breakdown mode upon recovery from the spark event. A second operational amplifier and its associated feedback circuit generate a guard voltage which is applied to the junction of the two Zener diodes. The guard voltage is regulated to track the input voltage to the circuit at the cathode of the first diode. Because the guard voltage is essentially the same as the input voltage, there is no leakage current flow through the first diode.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet module comprises an alternate series of abutting and coaxially aligned first and second superconductive magnet modules. The first magnet module includes a first substrate having opposed first and second faces and a bore filled with a superconductive material extending between the first and second faces. The first face is formed of an electrically conductive material and the second face is formed of an electrically insulating material. A first spiral track of the superconductive material is formed on the first face in electrical and thermal contact with the electrically conductive material. The first spiral track is melt fused to the superconductive material in the bore. The second magnet module includes a second substrate having opposed third and fourth faces. The third face is formed of an electrically conductive material and the fourth face is formed of the electrically insulating material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the granular nature of superconductive materials and devices which includes the steps of: conducting a substantially rectangular current pulse through the superconductive material, maintaining the temperature of the superconductive material at a substantially constant temperature which does not exceed the critical temperature of the superconductive material; determining the amplitude of the current pulse; determining the electrical resistance, R, of the superconductive material resulting from conducting current pulse through the superconductive material; increasing the current until the electrical resistance of the superconductive material becomes saturated; determining the electrical resistance difference, .delta., between the electrical resistance, R, of the saturated superconductive material and a total normal state electrical resistance of the superconductive material; generating a first output signal if .vertline..delta..vertline..ltoreq..epsilon.

Abstract: A compact heater is designed for the deposition of thin films at high temperatures in an oxidizing atmosphere or in vacuum. The heater is designed to accommodate a small-diameter load-lock system in an ultra-high-vacuum deposition chamber, and can operate in 0 to 1 atmosphere of oxygen up to at least 800.degree. C. The compact design allows the heater, including a substantially isothermal substrate holder having the substrate affixed thereto, included temperature sensor and attached main body portion, to be loaded through a load-lock port with about a 2.5 inch inside diameter. Heat is generated resistively, and the substrates are heated directly by thermal conduction. The heater was designed specifically to heat substrates to precisely monitored temperatures during the growth of high-temperature superconducting thin films.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the intragranular and ntergranular critical current of a granular superconductive material, comprising the steps of: 1) conducting a substantially rectangular electronic pulse through the material so as to conduct a current through the material such that when the intergranular critical current of the material is exceeded, any grains present in the material remain in a superconducting state when the current level is below the intragranular critical current; 2) measuring the current through the material while conducting the pulse; 3) measuring a voltage difference across the material while conducting the pulse; 4) determining the intergranular critical current through the material by discerning a non-zero voltage difference across the material and contemporaneously measuring the current; and 5) determining the intragranular critical current through the material by varying the current to discern a current level at which the electrical resistance of the materi

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a vehicle which is both lifted and propelled by air flow. The vehicle comprises an upper deck, a depending peripheral side wall and a flexible, perforated sheet secured beneath the bottom of the side wall, thereby defining an open plenum. A propeller in an air flow directing cowl seats atop the deck and part of the air flow is directed into the plenum and the remainder of the air flow is directed to move the vehicle. The underside of the upper deck disperses air in the plenum. Alternatively, the propeller is part of a duct which directs air into and disperses it around the plenum. The cowl includes an air dam for trapping reverse flowing air. A rudder directs the motion of the vehicle. The plenum narrows in width toward the front and diminishes in height away from the plenum inlet through the upper deck.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides an essentially neutrally buoyant undersea ectronic data communications link. A bundle of continuous synthetic fibers each having a diameter of about ten microns has individualized metallized layers coated to a thickness of about one to three microns and the whole lot is covered by dielectric insulation. The synthetic fibers, aromatic polyamide fibers or graphite fibers, are relatively light-weight yet have high tensile strengths to assure a sufficient load bearing capability for the undersea use and the number of thin metallized coatings provide the electrical data transmission capability without unduly weighting down the cable. The dielectric insulation layer is disposed coaxially outwardly of the coated fibers and optionally is provided with an outer sheath of conductive material for a return path. However in some applications a seawater return path is better.

Abstract: A battery cell and battery are disclosed in which a cathode layer and an de layer are separated by a nonconducting ion permeable membrane and are sandwiched between a pair of conducting polymer layers. The conducting polymer layers and the ion permeable membrane from two distinct compartments in which the cathode and anode of the cell, respectively are positioned. A liquid electrolyte is sealed in each compartment. The ion permeable membrane allows passage through it of selected ions.

Abstract: A plug for a sewer pipe has an inner sleeve with threaded opposite ends. A pair of longitudinally aligned outer sleeves having cylindrical outer surfaces and opposite end edges are slidably mounted on the inner sleeve. An inflatable tube is carried by the outer sleeves, the tube having inner and outer walls as well as end folds. Air valves are fitted to the end folds to admit pressurized air into an air chamber provided within the tube. The threaded opposite ends of the inner sleeve are each fitted with a collar which is engaged by an end closure provided with an inlet port and an outlet port. Removable stoppers normally close each inlet and outlet port. The plug can be inflated within an end of a sewer line to provide a positive leakproof seal against a head of water. Also two of the plugs can be connected together in an assembly which allows a sewer line to be pressure tested.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning sewer and other pipes of accumulated debris has a nozzle on one end of a tubular body and a coupling on the opposite end of the body which enables the apparatus to be connected to a flexible hose leading to a source of pressurized water. A carriage assembly supports the body coaxially within the pipe and this assembly has wheels for primary engagement with the interior of the pipe and also longitudinally extending skids intended to contact the pipe interior should the wheels encounter an obstruction. The carriage assembly is radially adjustable and the nozzle has outwardly and rearwardly directed jets which discharge cleaning and propelling streams of high-pressure water.

Abstract: A change mechanism for a gasoline dispenser or the like for receiving coins or tokens and returning coins as change. A removable coin cartridge having provision for receiving incoming coins and paying out coins as change, and incorporating coin troughs as structural members of the cartridge. An installation configuration for permitting removal of an exhausted cartridge and insertion of a full cartridge at the dispenser, and reloading of cartridges at a remote location.