1-65. (canceled)
66. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning the submerged bottom surface of a pool or tank, said apparatus being in fluid communication with a pressurized stream of water discharged from a discharge outlet and said apparatus being propelled by the discharge of a water jet, the apparatus comprising:
a directional discharge conduit in fluid communication with the pressurized stream of water discharged from the discharge outlet, the discharge conduit having at least one discharge opening through which the water jet is directionally discharged from the apparatus; and
a water jet valve located between the discharge outlet and the at least one discharge opening in the discharge conduit, the water jet valve being operable between first and second discharge positions to direct the water jet in generally opposite directions,
whereby the pressurized water stream discharged from the discharge outlet undergoes only one right-angle change of direction after entering the apparatus and before being discharged from the apparatus to move over the bottom surface of the pool in a direction that is determined by the position of the water jet valve.
67. The apparatus of claim 66 in which the discharge outlet is in fluid communication with a housing adapter on the apparatus for connection to a pump that is external to the apparatus.
68. The apparatus of claim 67 in which the housing adapter connects to the external pump by a flexible hose.
69. The apparatus of claim 68 in which the pressurized stream of water is diverted from the water circulation system of the pool from an inlet to the pool.
70. The apparatus of claim 66 in which the pressurized stream of water is delivered via an inlet to the pool.
71. The apparatus of claim 66 in which the discharge conduit has at least two longitudinal discharge openings, each of which discharge openings is located at opposite ends of the discharge conduit and which create a longitudinal force vector in the water jet discharged from said openings.
72. The apparatus of claim 66 in which there are at least two opposing longitudinal discharge openings, each of which discharge openings are located at the end of the discharge conduit and creates a longitudinal force vector in the water jet discharged from said opposing openings.
73. The apparatus of claim 66 in which opposing end portions of the discharge conduit are upwardly inclined from the horizontal to create a downward vertical force vector and a longitudinal force vector in the water jet discharged from the opposing openings.
74. The apparatus of claim 71 in which the water jet valve comprises at least one deflector member moveable between a first operating position and a second operating position, whereby movement of the deflector member from the first position to the second position effects the movement of water from one to the other of the at least two discharge openings.
75. The apparatus of claim 74 where the deflector member comprises a flap valve assembly mounted on the interior of the discharge conduit between the longitudinal discharge openings and in fluid communication with the water discharge outlet, said flap valve assembly comprising control means for alternating the flow of water from the discharge outlet to one or the other of the at least two directional discharge openings.
76. The apparatus of claim 66 where the water jet valve is operable between the first and second discharge positions in response to an interruption of the pressurized water stream from the discharge outlet.
77. The apparatus of claim 76 in which the flap valve assembly control means comprises a pivotally-mounted flap member and a plurality of bias-mounted flap positioning members mounted on the interior of the discharge conduit, said positioning members being responsive to the force of water flowing through said valve assembly.
78. The apparatus of claim 72 which further comprises an intermediate conduit that intersects the directional discharge conduit opposite the flap valve assembly, the intermediate fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the discharge outlet and the directional discharge conduit.
79. The apparatus of claim 78 which further comprises at least one vertical discharge outlet proximate the pivotally mounted end of the flap member.
80. The apparatus of claim 79 which further comprises vertical discharge flow control means associated with the at least one vertical discharge outlet for varying the volume of water passing through the vertical discharge outlet.
81. The apparatus of claim 80 in which the flow control means is manually adjustable.
82. The apparatus of claim 72 in which the direction of discharge of the water is changed by directional control means that is responsive to the proximity of the apparatus to a side wall of the pool being cleaned.
83. The apparatus of claim 81 in which the directional control means is joined by a mechanical linkage to at least one external sensor extending in the direction of movement of the apparatus.
84. The apparatus of claim 83 in which at least one of the sensors is slidably mounted for movement in a plane that is parallel to the base of the apparatus and extends beyond the periphery of the apparatus in the direction of movement to contact a side wall of the pool as the apparatus approaches the side wall.
85. The apparatus of claim 84 in which the mechanical linkage comprises means for translating a sliding movement of a least one of the sensors into a rotational movement, and thereby reverse the direction of the water discharged from the discharge conduit.
86. The apparatus of claim 82 in which the directional control means is selected from the group consisting of (a) an infrared light source, an infrared light sensor and a circuit associated with the sensor to receive and transmit a signal from the sensor to the directional control means, whereby infrared light reflected from an adjacent pool side wall detected by the sensor causes the apparatus to reverse direction; (b) a magnetic sensor and a circuit associated with the sensor to receive and transmit a signal from the sensor to the directional control means, whereby a variation in the movement of the magnetic member detected by the sensor causes the apparatus to change direction; and (c) a mercury switch and an associated circuit to receive and transmit a signal from the mercury switch to the directional control means, whereby a change in the orientation of the apparatus that activates the mercury switch produces a signal that causes the apparatus to change direction.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A mass data storage system, comprising:
a controller for issuing and receiving signals to carry out memory operations;
a motherboard comprising at least one first connector and providing signal pathways for establish a ring from the controller via each of the at least one first connector and back to the controller; and
at least one non-volatile memory module comprising a second connector electrically connected to a chain of non-volatile memory devices, wherein mating of the second connector with a given one of the at least one first connector causes the chain of non-volatile memory devices to be inserted into the ring, thereby to allow the controller to carry out the memory operations on the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
2. The mass data storage system defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one first connector comprises a plurality of first connectors and wherein the at least one non-volatile memory module comprises a plurality of non-volatile memory modules.
3. The mass data storage system defined in claim 1, wherein the motherboard comprises at least one third connector and provides signal pathways for establishing a second ring from the controller via each of the at least one third connector and back to the controller.
4. The mass data storage system defined in claim 3, wherein mating of the second connector with a given one of the at least one third connector causes the chain of non-volatile memory devices to be inserted into the second ring, thereby to allow the controller to carry out the memory operations on the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
5. The mass data storage system defined in claim 3, wherein the at least one first connector comprises a plurality of first connectors and wherein the at least one non-volatile memory module comprises a plurality of non-volatile memory modules.
6. The mass data storage system defined in claim 1, wherein a particular one of the at least one non-volatile memory module is an expansion module comprising a connection portion and a memory portion attachable to and detachable from the connection portion, the memory portion comprising the chain of non-volatile memory devices of the particular one of the at least one non-volatile memory module, the connection portion comprising the second connector of the particular one of the at least one non-volatile memory module.
7. The mass data storage system defined in claim 6, wherein the memory portion comprises at least one memory sub-module, and wherein the chain of non-volatile memory devices of the particular one of the at least one non-volatile memory module is distributed over the at least one memory sub-module.
8. The mass data storage system defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one memory sub-module comprises a plurality of memory sub-modules.
9. The mass data storage system defined in claim 8, wherein each of the memory sub-modules is independently matable with the expansion portion.
10. The mass data storage system defined in claim 1, wherein the second connector and the given one of the at least one first connector are configured to provide rigid support for said non-volatile memory module when said mating occurs.
11. The mass data storage system defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to carry out the memory operations based on instructions received from a memory control hub that interfaces with a processing unit.
12. The mass data storage system defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is mounted on the motherboard.
13. A non-volatile memory module, comprising:
a chain of non-volatile memory devices;
a plurality of electrical conductors for carrying input signals received at the module to the chain and for carrying output signals to be released from the module, at least some of the output signals being versions of corresponding ones of the input signals that have been propagated by the chain; and
a dual-faced connector providing an external interface for the electrical conductors, the connector being configured to releasably mate with a corresponding connector of a motherboard providing electrical contact with a controller for carrying out memory operations on the non-volatile memory devices in the chain;
wherein the electrical conductors carrying the input signals are disposed on a first face of the connector and wherein the electrical conductors carrying the output signals are disposed on a second, opposite face of the connector in respective alignment with the electrical conductors carrying the input signals.
14. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 13, wherein the non-volatile memory module is an in-line memory module.
15. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 13, wherein the non-volatile memory module comprises a printed circuit board on which said non-volatile memory devices are mounted.
16. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board has at least three edges circumscribing the first and second opposing faces, wherein the connector is disposed substantially along a central portion of one of the edges.
17. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 16, wherein the chain comprises a first non-volatile memory device, a last non-volatile memory device and at least one intermediate non-volatile memory device, all serially interconnected, wherein the first non-volatile memory device and the last non-volatile memory device are disposed closer to a center of said printed circuit board than any of the intermediate non-volatile memory devices.
18. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 16, wherein the central portion of said one of the edges provides rigid support for the non-volatile memory module when the connector of the non-volatile memory module is mated with the corresponding connector of the motherboard.
19. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 13, wherein the chain comprises a first non-volatile memory device, a last non-volatile memory device and at least one intermediate non-volatile memory device, all serially interconnected, wherein the first non-volatile memory device and the last non-volatile memory device are disposed closer to said connector than any of the intermediate non-volatile memory devices.
20. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 19, wherein said at least some of the output signals are supplied by the last memory device and wherein said corresponding ones of the input signals are supplied to the first non-volatile memory device.
21. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 20, wherein said corresponding ones of the input signals include a command strobe signal and a data strobe signal.
22. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 21, wherein said corresponding ones of the input signals further include a clock signal for controlling operation of the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
23. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 20, wherein the input signals further include a serial input signal for providing information to a target non-volatile memory device in the chain via the first non-volatile memory device in the chain.
24. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 20, wherein the output signals further include a serial output signal carrying information from a target non-volatile memory device in the chain via the last non-volatile memory device in the chain.
25. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 20, wherein the input signals further include first signals distributed in parallel to the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
26. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 25, wherein said first signals are further electrically connected in parallel to corresponding ones of the output signals.
27. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 26, wherein said first signals include a clock signal for controlling operation of the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
28. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board has at least three edges circumscribing the first and second opposing faces, wherein the connector includes (i) a first portion disposed along a first one of the edges in proximity to a second one of the edges and (ii) a second portion disposed along a third one of the edges in proximity to a fourth one of the edges, wherein the first one of the edges is identical to either the third one of the edges or the fourth one of the edges, all other ones of the edges being different.
29. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 28, wherein the first one of the edges is identical to the third one of the edges.
30. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 28, wherein the first one of the edges is identical to the fourth one of the edges.
31. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 28, wherein the chain comprises a first non-volatile memory device, a last non-volatile memory device and at least one intermediate non-volatile memory device, all serially interconnected, wherein the first non-volatile memory device and the last non-volatile memory device are disposed closer to the second one of the edges than any of the intermediate non-volatile memory devices.
32. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 28, wherein regions of said first one of the edges comprising said first and second portions of the connector provide rigid support for the non-volatile memory module when the connector of the non-volatile memory module is mated with the corresponding connector of the motherboard.
33. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 28, wherein the chain comprises a first non-volatile memory device, a last non-volatile memory device and at least one intermediate non-volatile memory device, all serially interconnected, wherein the first non-volatile memory device and the last non-volatile memory device are disposed closer to said first portion of the connector than any of the intermediate non-volatile memory devices.
34. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 28, wherein first ones of the electrical conductors are disposed on the first portion of the connector and second ones of the electrical conductors are disposed on the second portion of the connector.
35. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 34, wherein said at least some of the output signals are supplied by the last memory device and wherein said corresponding ones of the input signals are supplied to the first non-volatile memory device.
36. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 35, wherein said at least some of the output signals and said corresponding ones of the input signals are carried by said first ones of the electrical conductors.
37. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 36, wherein said corresponding ones of the input signals include a command strobe signal and a data strobe signal.
38. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 37, wherein said corresponding ones of the input signals further include a clock signal for controlling operation of the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
39. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 35, wherein the input signals further include a serial input signal for providing information to a target non-volatile memory device in the chain via the first non-volatile memory device in the chain.
40. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 35, wherein the output signals further include a serial output signal carrying information from a target non-volatile memory device in the chain via the last non-volatile memory device in the chain.
41. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 35, wherein the input signals further include first signals distributed in parallel to the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
42. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 41, wherein said first signals are further electrically connected in parallel to corresponding ones of the output signals.
43. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 42, wherein said first signals and said corresponding ones of the output signals are carried by said second ones of the electrical conductors.
44. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 43, wherein said first signals include a clock signal for controlling operation of the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
45. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 13, wherein the chain of non-volatile memory devices comprises a first set of non-volatile memory devices mounted on the first face and a second set of non-volatile memory devices mounted on the second face.
46. The non-volatile memory module defined in claim 13, wherein the chain of non-volatile memory devices comprises a first row of non-volatile memory devices mounted on the first face and a second row of non-volatile memory devices mounted on the first face, the first and second rows being parallel to one another.
47. A computing device comprising:
an inputoutput interface;
a main memory storing instructions;
at least one processor for executing computing operations based on instructions stored in the main memory; and
a mass data storage system electrically connected to the at least one processor, the mass data storage system comprising:
a controller for carrying out memory operations based on signals received from the at least one processor;
a motherboard comprising at least one first connector and providing signal pathways for establish a ring from the controller via each of the at least one first connector and back to the controller; and
at least one non-volatile memory module comprising a second connector electrically connected to a chain of non-volatile memory devices, wherein mating of the second connector with a given one of the at least one first connector causes the chain of non-volatile memory devices to be inserted into the ring, thereby to allow the controller to carry out the memory operations on the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.
48. A server, comprising:
a network interface to enable communication with at least one client over a network;
a processing portion capable of executing at least one application and servicing requests received from said at least one client; and
a mass data storage system electrically connected to the processing portion, the mass data storage system comprising:
a controller for carrying out memory operations based on signals received from the processing portion;
a motherboard comprising at least one first connector and providing signal pathways for establish a ring from the controller via each of the at least one first connector and back to the controller; and
at least one non-volatile memory module comprising a second connector electrically connected to a chain of non-volatile memory devices, wherein mating of the second connector with a given one of the at least one first connector causes the chain of non-volatile memory devices to be inserted into the ring, thereby to allow the controller to carry out the memory operations on the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.