A mother-board includes a chipset, a switch, and first and second PCI Express X16 graphics interfaces. The switch has first and second switch circuits. The switch selectively turns on one of the first and second switch circuits according to a control signal. The first PCI Express X16 graphics interface has former eight lanes electrically connected to the chipset, and latter eight lanes selectively electrically connected to the chipset through the first switch circuit. The second PCI Express X16 ...

A prosthetic joint with polycrystalline diamond compact coated interfaces and a method for making the same are disclosed. The prosthetic joint has a diamond layer formed on at least one of the interacting, load-bearing surfaces of the joint. The diamond layer adds resistance to damage from impacts and, when polished, gives the joint a low coefficient of friction, thereby increasing the life of the joint. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the diamond layer is formed of polycrystalli...

Digital data, in the form of serial station bit frames which exclude protocol information, are communicated bidirectionally over a plurality of serial transmission channels to peripheral devices in a digital process control system. Data enters and leaves a process control computer input-output section serially in response to software-generated control signals. Serial-to-parallel station interfaces are located along each channel. Each interface has a multifunctional shift register responding to t...

Data communication between spaced locations is effected by interface assemblies for each location mounted in a light path. Each interface assembly includes light sensitive and/or light emitting elements for extracting and/or adding light portions to a column of light passing along the path. In one form, a typical interface unit includes back-to-back light sensitive devices and light emitting devices on opposite sides of a planar board with light transparent apertures interspersed with these tran...

An interface connects a data processing unit to at least one working stat including data transmitting and receiving devices, such as peripheral devices. The interface includes a transmitter/receiver circuit for a station at the unit and a transmitter/receiver circuit associated with each of the devices. Data are transmitted between the circuit at the unit and the circuit at the device by a pair of transmission lines, whereby data are exchanged between the unit and the devices sequentially, chara...

The present invention relates to a disk storage subsystem with multiple configurable interfaces, characterized in that it comprises at least one interface adapter board (1a, 1b), at least one drawer (4), each comprising a plurality of disks (20), each drawer (4) being connected to an adapter board (1a or 1b) by SCSI disk interfaces (2), a first adapter board (1a or 1b) comprising a switch (11) for modifying the addressing system of the disks (20) of at least one drawer (4), the adapter board or ...

The master cylinder (10) comprises a front or first housing part (12) which is generally U-shaped and a second or rear housing part (14) which is also generally U-shaped, the second housing part (14) being received within an end opening of the first housing part (12). The second housing part (14) has an end opening (16) opposite the first housing part (12) through which a first piston (18) is received. The first piston (18) and a second piston (22) are biased by respective resilient mechanisms (...

An optical interface for data communication that can be manufactured and aligned in a cost effective manner includes an array of optical emitters and an optical receiver are positioned within a predetermined tolerance with reference to each other so as to establish an optical data communication path. To search for and determine which of the emitters of the array achieves the best alignment, the optical emitters are individually energized in a sequence, while monitoring the output signal of the o...

An improved method and apparatus for performing Mass spectrometry, in particular, Liquid chromatography/Mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is disclosed. Controlled generation of individual charged droplets enables the subsequent steps of trapping, desolvation and concentration. Miniaturization is also enabled. In contrast, conventional means of forming Electrosprays are chaotic, generating large numbers of charged droplets simultaneously. Additional flows of gas are provided in a nebulization region to e...

A thermoelectric device with enhanced structured interfaces for improved cooling efficiency is provided. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric device includes a first thermoelement comprising a supetlattice of p-type thermoelectric material and a second thermoelement comprising superlattice of n-type thermoelectric material. The first and second thermoelements are electrically coupled to each other. The first thermoelement is proximate to, without necessarily being in physical contact with, a fi...