Abstract: An extraction system includes an absorbent framework configured to withstand the harsh environment of a molten salt reactor system and capture fission products found in the molten salt of such systems. The extraction system further includes means for removing the absorbent framework from the flow of molten salt, such that the absorbent framework may be processed to harvest the fission products. The absorbent framework may include a temperature resistant cartridge configured to house an absorbent composition. The present invention contemplates multiple absorbent compositions including metal-organic frameworks with unique structures to provide thermal stability, carbon nanotubes, and absorbent microspheres. The metal-organic frameworks may be synthesized by a variety of techniques to impart particular characteristics advantageous for use in a molten salt reactor system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide for a “factory-calibrated” sensor. In doing so, the systems and methods include predictive prospective modeling of sensor behavior, and also include predictive modeling of physiology. With these two correction factors, a consistent determination of sensitivity can be achieved, thus achieving factory calibration.

Abstract: A memory controller includes a host interface for receiving memory access requests including access addresses, a memory interface for providing memory accesses to a memory system, and an address decoder coupled to the host interface for programmably mapping the access addresses to selected ones of a plurality of regions. The address decoder is programmable to map the access addresses to a first region having a non-power-of-two size using a primary decoder and a secondary decoder each having power-of-two sizes, and providing a first region mapping signal in response. A command queue stores the memory access requests and region mapping signals. An arbiter picks the memory access requests from the command queue based on a plurality of criteria, which are evaluated based in part on the region mapping signals, and provides corresponding memory accesses to the memory interface in response.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for use with a medical imaging device, the patient positioning apparatus comprising a first element and a second element, the first element having a base part and an upper part to engage a knee joint of the patient, the second element comprising a lower leg engagement part to receive a lower leg of the patient to maintain the lower leg in a desired position.

Abstract: A memory controller includes a host interface for receiving memory access requests including access addresses, a memory interface for providing memory accesses to a memory system, and an address decoder coupled to the host interface for programmably mapping the access addresses to selected ones of a plurality of regions. The address decoder is programmable to map the access addresses to a first region having a non-power-of-two size using a primary decoder and a secondary decoder each having power-of-two sizes, and providing a first region mapping signal in response. A command queue stores the memory access requests and region mapping signals. An arbiter picks the memory access requests from the command queue based on a plurality of criteria, which are evaluated based in part on the region mapping signals, and provides corresponding memory accesses to the memory interface in response.

Abstract: An improvement in a vapor recovery line in the form of a vortex shedding flow meter installable within such vapor recovery line to monitor the flow rate of vapor being returned through the vapor recovery line, such flow meter including a housing having an inlet flange with an associated inlet connectable to the upstream portion of the vapor recovery line, an outlet flange with an outlet connectable to the downstream portion of the vapor recovery line, a housing for a passageway extending between the inlet and outlet, with a vortex strut extending into the passageway nearer the outlet to generate shed flow vortices and a transmitter-receiver transducer pair positioned nearer the outlet to subject the shed vortices to a sonic beam to effect modulation thereof, and an electronics package within an electronic housing portion for determining from such modulation the flow rate of the vapor passing through the vapor recovery line.

Abstract: An improvement in a vapor recovery line in the form of a vortex shedding flow meter installable within such vapor recovery line to monitor the flow rate of vapor being returned through the vapor recovery line, such flow meter including a housing having an inlet flange with an associated inlet connectable to the upstream portion of the vapor recovery line, an outlet flange with an outlet connectable to the downstream portion of the vapor recovery line, a housing for a passageway extending between the inlet and outlet, with a vortex strut extending into the passageway nearer the outlet to generate shed flow vortices and a transmitter-receiver transducer pair positioned nearer the outlet to subject the shed vortices to a sonic beam to effect modulation thereof, and an electronics package within an electronic housing portion for determining from such modulation the flow rate of the vapor passing through the vapor recovery line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for employing asynchronous transceivers in synchronous data communications. For example, a 10 Gigabit Ethernet transceiver may be used to support SONET/SDH communications with or without G.709 coding. Such a transceiver is clocked with a recovered clock signal when a received synchronous signal is available and with a locally generated clock when no such remotely generated signal is available.

Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device including a shutter assembly, a control circuit, and a power supply. The control circuit includes a sensing circuit for sensing the occurrence of welding, and a delivery circuit to provide signals to the shutter assembly to cause the shutter assembly to transition to the dark state. The power supply supplying power to the control circuit and the delivery circuit. The power supply including a power regulation circuit, and a solar power supply supplying electrical power to the power regulation circuit and the sensing circuit. The power regulation circuit limiting the voltage of the solar power supply to a predetermined voltage to provide a stable reference voltage.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) may be used in a first mode where boundary scan techniques are used to externally program and/or test devices on the PCB, or a second mode where an internal source programs devices using boundary scan techniques. In one implementation, there is also additional flexibility to include or skip devices in a boundary scan chain and to accommodate non-scan related functions for pins used for scanning. These various modes of operation may be selected by activating and deactivating buffers.

Abstract: A distributed telephone answering system has intelligence distributed to a plurality of workstations. Each workstation may connect to a plurality of long distance telephone networks. Also, each workstation is controlled by a central controller. A central resopurce such as a database of call context information may be accessed by each workstatin. A workstation may support one or more human users.

Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly and a control circuit. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a light state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a sensing circuit, a weld detect circuit, a positive voltage generator, and a negative voltage generator. The sensing circuit senses incident light and provides an output indicative of the incident light. The weld detect circuit receives the output of the sensing circuit, and enables a dark state drive signal to be delivered to the shutter assembly. The positive and negative voltage generators output the dark state drive signal to the shutter assembly to switch the shutter assembly from the light state to the dark state upon enablement by the weld detect circuit. The dark state drive signal includes a high voltage pulse followed by a stable AC waveform. The high voltage pulse is formed by a positive voltage signal and a negative voltage signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of producing a decorative image are provided. The apparatus may include a rotatable platform, an upstanding wall extending around a perimeter of the platform, and an illumination source configured to illuminate the platform. The platform may secure an activity surface, and a motor may be coupled to the platform to rotate the platform. The illumination source may be an ultraviolet illumination source, may emit intermittent illumination, and may be part of a stroboscopic illumination device. A controller may be operatively coupled to the illumination source, and may cause the illumination source to illuminate the rotatable platform at a first strobe rate and at a second strobe rate. The controller may also cause the motor to rotate the platform. The method may include rotating a surface, receiving decorations on the rotating surface, and illuminating the rotating surface with a stroboscopic illumination device.

Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device including a shutter assembly, a light sensing circuit, a control circuit and a power source. The shutter assembly is adjustable to a plurality of shade levels. The phototransistor of the light sensing circuit senses light from a welding arc and provides an output of the light sensing circuit indicative of the shade level at which the shutter assembly should be operated. The phototransistor is configured for surface mount and has an external base connection connected to the base of the phototransistor. The control circuit is configured to receive the output from the light sensing circuit and provide a drive signal to the shutter assembly responsive to said output, drives the shutter assembly to one of said plurality of shade levels.

Abstract: A communication node and corresponding method for processing data communication passing through the node between a first data network and a second data network is described. The method includes detecting an event associated with data communication arriving at the node from the first data network, and determining whether the data communication is to be suspended for service at the node based on the detected event. Suspended data communication is processed based on information in the data communication. Return data communication arriving at the node from the second data network in response to the processed data communication from the first data network is detected. The detected return data communication is allowed to pass through the node without processing the detected return data communication.

Abstract: An agent workstation in a computer-telephony system is controlled to provide a fault tolerance technique. A telephony device driver in the workstation is controlled by a server process in the workstation. A first client process interfaces a controller to the server process. The controller is also interfaced to the server process by a second client process, the second client process serving as an alternate interface between the controller and the server process in the event of failure by the first client process. Control of the server process by the controller is transferred from the first client process to the second client process in the event of failure by the first client process.

Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly adjustable between a clear state and a dark state and a control circuit. The control circuit is provided with a microcontroller, a delivery circuit, a sensing circuit and a weld detect circuit. The microcontroller is switchable between a sleep mode and a wake-up mode. The delivery circuit outputs a dark state drive signal to the shutter assembly to switch the shutter assembly from the clear state to the dark state upon enablement of the delivery circuit. The sensing circuit senses the occurrence of a welding arc and provides an output indicative of the occurrence of the welding arc. The weld detect circuit receives the output of the sensing circuit.

Abstract: A call management technique implemented using a call routing engine is described. The technique of the present invention may be used to advantage to implement dialed number translation techniques in a global system connected to different telephone networks.