Other

The Graver Company

Hewlett-packard Company

The Perkin-elmer Corporation

Mdt Corporation

Microsi, Inc.

General Electric Company

Micron Technology Incorporated

General Foods Limited

Kraft General Foods, Inc.

Johnson Service Company

Stanadyne Automotive Corp.

Ess-help, Inc.

Signature Technologies, Inc.

Michael J O'Brien

Kenneth A Johnson

Charles E Ellis

James V Crivello

Julia L Lee

Ronald Harry Skiff

Ravi Prasad

Gerald J Vogel

Jean E Spence

Leon P Janik

David H Tracy

James B Sullivan

Jeremy Robert Kuehlwein

Cuong T Nguyen

Saul N Katz

David M Tucker

Eli Salem

Daniel Anthony Tucker

Joel B Larner

Mike Incorvaia

Austin Reece Tucker

Stephen T Powers

Steven G Wurzer

Walter Bohler

Jonathan Firooz

Tom Brown

Greg Carr

Gordon F Wallace

Andrew Coetzee

Robert M Carabbio

Julian Dench

Kevin D Knussmann

Thomas C Robbins

Bill Hemsath

A system includes a mixer of a phase interpolator. The mixer includes a dynamic load whose output signal is coupled to a subsequent stage of the phase interpolator. The dynamic load is configured to provide an alternating current (AC) signal to the subsequent stage of the phase interpolator as input clock signals. The mixer further includes a static load whose output signal is coupled to the subsequent stage of the phase interpolator in parallel with the respective output signal line of the dynamic load. The static load configured to provide a direct current (DC) signal to the phase interpolator temporarily in replacement of the respective AC signals to prevent output signals of the subsequent stage of the phase interpolator from being unpredictable.

Phase interpolator for mode transitions

A system provides for strobing or high conspicuity signaling with vehicle hazard and other lights depending upon inputs and parameters.

Control of high visibility vehicle light communication systems

A box style steam methane reformer () has plural sections (), with each section having walls (--) forming an interior cavity () and open ends () that communicate with the interior cavity. Each section has a feedstock supply pipe () and a fuel supply pipe () located along the top wall, as well as a syngas collection pipe () and a flue gas collection duct () located outside of the bottom wall. The pipes and ducts have ends that are aligned with each other to allow the sections to be assembled together. Burners () are in the interior cavity and are connected to the fuel supply pipe. Reactor tubes () extend through the interior cavity. Refractory members () are located in the interior cavity and across a slot. The spacing between the refractory members varies to control the flow of flue gas.

Sectionalized box style steam methane reformer

A firmware controlled device saves status and configuration information in a separate portion of memory that is not affected by a firmware update. In addition, information that may change during a firmware update, and may need to remain constant, is saved in the separate portion of memory that is not affected by a firmware update. In a first example embodiment, a reset process for the firmware controlled device is divided into two portions. In a first portion of the device reset process, the contents of the separate portion of memory are updated, either from firmware or by interaction with other devices. In a second portion of the device reset process, all other reset functions are performed. The first portion of the reset process is performed only during a power-on reset, or in response to an overall system reset. In particular, the first portion of the device reset process is not performed after a firmware update. In the second example embodiment, data that needs to remain constant are copied to the separate portion of memory as part of a firmware update process. Then, as part of a reset process, the device checks to see if a firmware update has occurred. If a firmware update has occurred, the data in the separate portion of memory are copied to the appropriate destinations, and the data in the separate portion of memory are cleared. As a result, for either example embodiment, the contents of the separate portion of memory are not disturbed during or after a firmware update, and a system reboot is not necessary after a device firmware update.

Method of updating firmware without affecting initialization information

A two stage pressure relief valve for releasing a fluid under pressure includes a body having a bore extending from an inlet and terminating in an outlet. A first chamber which communicates with the inlet and a second chamber which communicates with the first chamber and the outlet are provided and are dimensioned such that the cross sectional area of the second chamber is greater than that of the first chamber. An operator seat is disposed within the body and an operator is moveably disposed within the bore and engages the operator seat. The operator includes a blocking surface which blocks at least a portion of the flow of fluid. When the pressure of the fluid exceeds a threshold pressure, the operator is unseated whereby fluid flows at a first flow volume such that at least a portion of the fluid impinges the blocking surface causing the blocking surface to move within the second chamber whereby fluid flows at a second flow volume. The second flow volume being greater than the first flow volume.

Two stage pressure relief valve

Non-volatile write-once memory, is used for storage of variable data. In an example embodiment, segmented flash memory is used, in which individual segments can be erased. At least two segments are used. When a segment is nearly full, or when the segment is corrupted, the latest values are written to a new segment. During initialization, all variables of interest are written into RAM with default values. The flash segment being used is read sequentially from oldest entry to newest entry, and values from flash memory are used to overwrite values (or pointers to values) in RAM. RAM then contains (or points to) the most recent value for every variable. When a new segment is written, the new segment is written using the values from RAM. The method provides for identification of the latest (current) value for each stored item of information, provides for adding new types of data and deleting old types of data, provides for action when a memory segment is full, and provides for recovery from power-failure.

Use of erasable non-volatile memory for storage of changing information

A collapsible spa unit is disclosed including a base and a peripheral wall mounted to and extending above the base. The wall includes a plurality of discrete panels that are releasably interconnected to define an enclosed area. There is a liner that extends across an upper surface of the base and across an inside surface of each panel for holding water within the enclosed area. A conduit having jets is formed through the peripheral wall and the liner for conducting water into the enclosed area of the spa. A suction line is formed through the peripheral wall in the liner for discharging water out of the enclosed area. A pump located outside of the panels, and communicably interconnected with the conduit and suction line, draws water out of the enclosed area through the suction and reintroduces water into the enclosed area through the conduit.

Collapsible spa unit

A process controller disposed to monitor and control a press. The controller monitors an appropriate variable at the press representative of the force produced at the workpiece upon which the press is operating, and compares this force to historical force data associated with the position at which the force was sampled. The historical data is stored in the form of control arrays, where the control arrays are calculated based upon one or more signature arrays stored during satisfactory press operations upon a similar workpiece. The calculation of the control arrays takes into account the deviations in the variables monitored at the press, which may include force and position. While monitoring the press based upon the HIGH and LOW control arrays, each force value is compared to the values in the HIGH and LOW control arrays at the time of sampling. The press controller is configured to monitor and control a high speed press and provides control functions during the particular press cycle in which unacceptable sample is taken.

Method and apparatus for controlling a press

Apparatus and methods for providing memory backup of sterilizer cycle progress in a sterilizer control apparatus are disclosed. The control apparatus includes a microprocessor operable to detect a drop or failure in power from the external source, a RAM for temporary storage of data from the microprocessor, and a clock chip. The clock chip and the RAM receive their power from a backup voltage source which is normally charged by the external power source. The clock chip includes a bit which can be set by receipt of an input signal. A comparator circuit is connected to compare the backup voltage VBAK to the minimum power required for accurately retaining memory in the RAM. When VBAK falls below the minimum required power, the comparator sends a signal to the clock chip to set the bit. After power is restored, the microprocessor checks the bit in the clock, and, if the bit is not set, continues operating the sterilizing cycle from the point at which it was interrupted by the power failure. If the bit is set, the cycle is restarted from the beginning.

Apparatus and method for retaining cycle memory in electronic sterilizer

A method for preparing a positive photoresist substrate composite is provided which can be used in the presence or absence of atmospheric moisture. There is used a major amount of a commercially available resin, such as a novolak, a dissolution inhibitor with thermally labile t-butyl ether or ester groups, and an aryl onium salt.

Method for making a patterned resist substrate composite

A positive photoresist composition is provided which can be used in the presence or absence of atmospheric moisture. There is used a major amount of a commercially available resin, such as a novolak, a dissolution inhibitor with thermally labile t-butyl ether or ester groups, and an aryl onium salt.

Resist compositions comprising a phenolic resin, an acid forming onium

The electronic microprocessor controller of a sterilizer includes a circuit board functionally controlled by software. The software includes a fist user operation mode for normal operation of the sterilizer. A diagnostic operation mode is initiated by insertion of a jumper in the circuit board, and provides for repetitive cycle operation without opening the door, quickly advancing to a cycle phase, without completion of intervening phases, printing of variables not available in the user operation mode, and calibration of the circuitry.

Control means including a diagnostic operating mode for a sterilizer

A method for regenerating the exhausted anion and cation exchange resin in a mixed bed demineralizer which utilizes an interface tank to increase the volume of interface resin that is physically isolated to increase separation efficiencies. An anticipatory interface detection sample flow of cation resin is directed from an intermediate section of the separation vessel through a sample line into the interface tank simultaneously with the transfer of cation resin from the bottom of the separation vessel into a cation regeneration vessel. Upon detection of an interface by the entry of anion resin, or inert material if present, into the sample line, the transfer of cation resin into the cation regeneration tank is terminated. The remaining cation resin from the separation vessel is transferred into the interface tank until an interface is detected by the entry of anion resin, or inert material if present, into the cation transfer line. Upon regeneration of the anion resin and cation, the anion resin is transferred to the cation regeneration vessel and the material in the interface tank is transferred back into the separation vessel.

Regeneration of deep bed condensate polishers

A baffle system is described that significantly reduces media loss caused by turbulence encountered during gas and liquid backwashing of a discrete media filter bed. When positioned about a filter collection trough or outlet, the baffle system deflects rising gas bubbles away from the collection trough and disengages filter media from the backwash liquid.

Baffle assembly for air and water backwash of a media filter

A method for regenerating exhausted anion and cation exchange resins for service in an associated mixed bed demineralizer. The method utilizes a portion of the exhausted anion and cation resins to form buffer zones which reduce cross-contamination between the anion and cation resins during regeneration. Alternatively, a relatively inert material having a specific density intermediate to that of the anion and cation resins can be used to form the buffer zones. The materials which form the buffer zones remain in the regeneration system and are not returned to the service vessels with the regenerated resin. The method includes an improved technique for terminating the transfer of cation resin from a separation vessel.

External regeneration system for mixed bed ion exchangers

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Michael J O'Brien