Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive integrated circuit. The various embodiments include a plurality of heterogeneous computational elements coupled to an interconnection network. The plurality of heterogeneous computational elements include corresponding computational elements having fixed and differing architectures, such as fixed architectures for different functions such as memory, addition, multiplication, complex multiplication, subtraction, configuration, reconfiguration, control, input, output, and field programmability. In response to configuration information, the interconnection network is operative in real time to configure and reconfigure the plurality of heterogeneous computational elements for a plurality of different functional modes, including linear algorithmic operations, non-linear algorithmic operations, finite state machine operations, memory operations, and bit-level manipulations.

Abstract: A reconfigurable bit-manipulation node is disclosed. The node includes an execution unit configured to perform a number of bit-oriented functions and a control unit configured to control the execution unit to allow one of the bit-oriented functions to be performed. The execution unit includes a number of elements interconnected with one another to allow the bit-oriented functions to be performed. The elements include a programmable butterfly unit, a number of non-programmable butterfly units, a number of data path elements, a look-up table memory, and a reorder memory. The execution unit is capable of engaging in one of a number of operating modes to perform the bit-oriented functions. The operating modes include a programmable mode and a number of fixed operating modes including Viterbi decoding, turbo decoding and variable length encoding and decoding. The data path elements include a programmable shifter and a programmable combiner.

Abstract: A reconfigurable bit-manipulation node is disclosed. The node includes an execution unit configured to perform a number of bit-oriented functions and a control unit configured to control the execution unit to allow one of the bit-oriented functions to be performed. The execution unit includes a number of elements interconnected with one another to allow the bit-oriented functions to be performed. The elements include a programmable butterfly unit, a number of non-programmable butterfly units, a number of data path elements, a look-up table memory, and a reorder memory. The execution unit is capable of engaging in one of a number of operating modes to perform the bit-oriented functions. The operating modes include a programmable mode and a number of fixed operating modes including Viterbi decoding, turbo decoding and variable length encoding and decoding. The data path elements include a programmable shifter and a programmable combiner.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new category of integrated circuitry and a new methodology for adaptive or reconfigurable computing. The preferred IC embodiment includes a plurality of heterogeneous computational elements coupled to an interconnection network. The plurality of heterogeneous computational elements include corresponding computational elements having fixed and differing architectures, such as fixed architectures for different functions such as memory, addition, multiplication, complex multiplication, subtraction, configuration, reconfiguration, control, input, output, and field programmability. In response to configuration information, the interconnection network is operative in real-time to configure and reconfigure the plurality of heterogeneous computational elements for a plurality of different functional modes, including linear algorithmic operations, non-linear algorithmic operations, finite state machine operations, memory operations, and bit-level manipulations.

Abstract: A top hat furnace especially adapted for annealing steel sheet metal using a protective gas includes a protective top surrounding the batches of sheet steel metal. A cooling top is arranged above the protective top forming an intermediate space. The cooling top has a cover and a lid. The cover of the cooling top has a plurality of air nozzles so that cooling air impacts the protective top in the form of jets. At least one fan produces a flow of cooling air in the intermediate space. The distance between the air nozzles increases from the bottom of the cover towards it upper end. The distance between the nozzles is from four to twelve times greater than is the diameter of each nozzle. The cooling lid is also provided with a plurality of air nozzles. The distance between the nozzles in the cooling lid is from four to seven times greater than is the diameter of each of these nozzles.

Abstract: Annealing is performed in the annealing chamber (2) of the annealing furnace (1) under a protective gas atmosphere. A partial-stream cleaning device (3) for the protective gas is connected to the annealing chamber. The protective gas can be cooled, the condensate forming from water vapour and rolling oil residues is then separated and/or undesirable gas components are removed by adsorption. Once the cleaning process has been running for so long that the protective gas essentially no longer contains any rolling oil residues, the protective gas may be passed through a hot reaction chamber (4) in which oxygen is removed from it so that the dew point drops and easily oxidised alloying components of the annealing charge are protected against oxidation.

Abstract: Fresh gas is blown into the ring-shaped space between the annealing charge and the hood as an upwardly directed high-speed jet (9) at a velocity of approximately 80 m/s. The gas mixture which forms is evacuated through a gas outlet (10) arranged in the pedestal and diametrically opposite to the gas inlet. At a volume flow rate of about 130 m.sup.3 /s, rinsing takes about 6 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for annealing metal parts, in particular sheets, in an annealing chamber of an industrial furnace under a protective-gas atmosphere, wherein the annealing comprises a heating phase, a soaking phase and a cooling phase. The annealing chamber is purged during the heating phase with hydrogen or gas rich in hydrogen until the protective gas predominantly contains hydrogen. According to the present invention a purging with an inert gas is performed towards the end of the heating phase to reduce the percentage of hydrogen in the protective gas so that the formation of carbon-containing breakdown products is largely avoided. This prevents the formation of annealing edges during the soaking phase. Towards the end of the soaking phase, a purging with hydrogen or gas rich in hydrogen is performed until the protective gas predominantly contains hydrogen and carbon-containing deposits can be removed.

Abstract: Device for testing the Shore-hardness of rubber-like (elastomer) bodies, particularly rubber/metal parts, comprising a measuring head with a movable penetrator which can be positioned onto the surface of the rubber-like body, a rotatable circular plate, mounting elements which hold said rubber-like bodies, which are arranged at the circumference of the circular plate, an adjustable holding arrangement for the measuring head, and an actuating device for the measuring head.