Abstract: A table (10) for an operating room providing a cantilevered over-patient instrument surface (12) that can be swiveled away from the operating field without moving the base (20) of the table. The instrument surface may have two levels (38, 40) with a variable degree of overlap between the levels to form an instrument surface of a desired area. The instrument surface may further have a curved edge (44) so that the proximity of the instrument surface to the operating field does not change as the instrument surface is rotated relative to its base. A sterile drape (60) covers the instrument surface and extends downward to be attached around the table support structure (14). The drape may be formed of two sections (62, 64) having overlapping tail portions (68, 70, 72, 74). The base may include a footpad (24) for a nurse (26) working at the table.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus (27) for a locomotive dynamic brake resistor grid stack (22) including a flow directing diffuser (24). The flow directing diffuser includes at least one turning vane member (26) disposed at an angle to the flow stream axis for directing a portion of the cooling air from a high velocity area of the air stream into a lower velocity area of the air stream. The flow directing diffuser may include an annular ring-shaped turning vane member (28) for directing high velocity air into a center low velocity area. The flow directing diffuser may further include a V-shaped turning vane member (32) associated with each corner (34) of the surrounding duct (36) for directing high velocity air into each corner low velocity area. Air is supplied to the duct 36 housing the flow directing diffuser by a mixed flow fan (54).

Abstract: A connector and associated method for interconnecting a plurality of adjacent paired wire terminations on a standard 110 style punch down wiring block for a telephone system. The connector includes two isolated conductors disposed along the length of the connector body and a plurality of pins connected to the respective conductors and extending away from the body. The pins are adapted for insertion into respective 110 style punch down block terminations when the connector is installed in a connected position on the wiring block, thereby connecting in parallel a plurality of telephones hard-wired to the adjacent paired wire terminations. The connector may be formed to have one or more break points disposed between respective pairs of the pins for easy breaking/cutting of the connector to a desired length for interconnecting a predetermined number of telephones.

Abstract: A system and method of metrology (10) whereby a three dimensional shape profile is defined (16) for a surface feature on a substrate by applying (38) a transform function F(x) to an image intensity map I(x,y) obtained (40) by inspecting the substrate with a scanning electron microscope (12). The transform function F(x) is developed (34) by correlating the image intensity map of a first wafer (18) to a height vector (32) obtained by inspecting the first wafer with a more accurate metrology tool, for example a stylus nanoprofilometer (14). A simple ratio-based transform may be used to develop F(x). An asymmetric multiple parameter characterization of the three dimensional shape profile may be developed (74) by plotting critical space and width dimensions (SL, SR, W1, WR) from a vertical axis (C—C) as a function of height of the feature.

Abstract: A microelectronic device (24) is formed by plating a layer of material (36) to fill a cavity (28) formed in a substrate (26). The layer of material has a plurality of regions (42, 44, 46) with respective chemical compositions formed by varying the chemical composition of the plating solution as the layer of material is being deposited. In this manner, expensive additives necessary to achieve desired properties within the cavity may be omitted from the region (46) of overfill that will be removed by a later planarization process.

Abstract: A system (40) and method for remotely monitoring the operating status of railroad grade crossing warning equipment. A sensor (46) generates a signal (48) responsive to the operation of a grade crossing annunciator (42). In one embodiment, the annunciator may be a bell or speaker horn (92) and the sensor may be an accelerometer (99) mechanically coupled to the bell. A wayside controller (52) uses the signal as input for developing information (70) indicative of the operating status of the annunciator. A communications link (74) transmits the information to a location remote from the grade crossing. A system controller (78) located at the remote location may diagnose the information to direct a maintenance center (82) and/or operations center (86) in response to an indication of degraded performance of the annunciator. The communications link may include the Internet and may be used for two-way communication between the remote location and the grade crossing location (22).

Abstract: An improved polishing pad (22) for use in a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) operation as part of a semiconductor device fabrication process. The polishing pad is formed of a plurality of particles of abrasive material (24) disposed in a matrix material (26). The abrasive particles may be a stiff inorganic material coated with a coupling agent, and the matrix material may be a polymeric material such as polyurethane. As the polishing pad wears through repeated polishing operations, the newly exposed polishing surface will contain fresh abrasive particles and will exhibit the same polishing properties as the original surface, thereby providing consistent polishing performance throughout the life of the pad without the need for conditioning operations. In one embodiment the distribution of particles of abrasive material per unit volume of matrix material may vary from one portion (23) of the pad to another (25).

Abstract: In-line process control for 120 nm and 100 nm lithography using the installed scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipment base. A virtual three-dimensional representation of a photoresist feature is developed by applying a transform function to SEM intensity data representing the feature. The transform function correlates highly accurate height vector data, such as provided by a stylus nanoprofilometer or scatterometer, with the highly precise intensity data from the SEM. A multiple parameter characterization of at least one critical dimension of the virtual feature is compared to an acceptance pattern template, with the results being used to control a downstream etch process or an upstream lithography process. A multiple parameter characteristic of a three dimensional representation of the resulting post-etch final feature may be compared to device performance data to further refine the acceptance pattern template.

Abstract: An integrated metrology and lithography/etch system and method (10) for micro-electronics device manufacturing. A process control neural network (30) is used to develop an estimated process control parameter (32) for controlling an etching process (28). The process control neural network is responsive to a multi-parameter characterization of a patterned resist feature MPC(PR) (16) developed on a substrate. The process control parameter is used as a feed-forward control for the etching process to develop an actual final mask feature. A multi-parameter characterization of the actual final mask feature MPC(HM) (36) is used as an input to a training neural network (40) for mapping to an ideal process control parameter. The ideal process control parameter is compared to the estimated control parameter to develop an error parameter (46), which is then used to train the process control neural network.

Abstract: A method of comparing parts by comparing metadata representing the part topologies to identify identical or near identical parts. Metadata representing the geometry of a plurality of parts is compiled into a database. Corresponding metadata of a subject part may be determined and compared to the metadata stored in the database. The metadata may include values representing the volume, surface area, and principal moments of inertia of the parts. The metadata may additionally contain values representing the location of the cross-sectional center of gravity with respect to the point of intersection of the principal moments, for each of the planes of the principal moments, thereby allowing mirrored parts to be differentiated. The comparison of complex parts may be performed by comparing as few as five metadata values using simple database management tools.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus (10) and method for a turbocharged internal combustion engine (12). The combustion air (16) exiting a turbocharger (18) is passed over an air-to-water intercooler (40) then over an air-to-air intercooler (42) for heat exchange with liquid coolant and with ambient air (32) respectively. During periods of low ambient air temperature, the combustion air may be directed through a bypass duct (80) around the air-to-air intercooler, and further, may be heated by the coolant in the air-to-water intercooler. A multi-speed fan (44) and/or shutters (48) may be used to control the flow of ambient air across the air-to-air intercooler. A cooling duct (68) provides a flow of ambient air to the fan motor (46) during periods of operation when the flow of ambient air over the air-to-air heat exchanger is restricted by the shutters. Coolant exiting a subcooler (28) has the lowest temperature in the system and is directed to a lube oil cooler (34) for engine lubricant cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus (40,60) for aligning a rail conditioning system, such as a sanding system or a compressed air snow removal system of a locomotive. A source of light (50,70) is removeably and unmovingly attached to a conduit (44,62) of the rail conditioning system to direct a beam of light (53) toward a rail (46) to verify a location of impingement (56) of a spray of rail conditioning material (45,66). The source of light may be a battery operated laser pointer, and it may be attached to a fixture (48,72) that is removeably secured to the conduit. The fixture may be attached over an outlet nozzle (42,62) of the conduit, or it may be threaded onto the conduit in place of the nozzle when the nozzle is removed for cleaning and inspection.

Abstract: A traction motor speed sensor support arrangement (30). A proximity sensor (34) is mounted within a housing (32) having a sensor support portion (44) cantilevered from a base portion (40). Dowel pins (60) extending from the base portion (40) position the sensor (34) at a predetermined locative relative to a rotating wheel (56) within the motor (10). A wire (50) leading from sensor (34) is formed in a rolling U (68) to accommodate movement of the motor (10) relative to the locomotive (52). The wire (50) is terminated at a connector (36) including a back shell portion (74) containing a stress-relieving loop (80) formed in wire (50). The natural frequency of the housing (32) is controlled to be greater than a predetermined value associated with the natural frequency of the motor operation.

Abstract: A method of treating skin including the application of a treatment gas to a surface of the skin and simultaneous neuro-muscular stimulation of the skin. The increased blood flow resulting from the neuro-muscular stimulation improves the effectiveness of the treatment gas. A medicine may be applied to the skin along with the treatment gas and the temperature of the treatment gas may be controlled to achieve a desired therapy. In one embodiment, a wound is treated by stimulating neuro-muscular activity near the wound while simultaneously applying an antibiotic and oxygen gas to the wound at a first warm temperature and then at a second cool temperature. The treatment gas applicator used to deliver the oxygen to the wound may further be used to provide repeatable measurements of the size of the wound over time. Other beneficial skin effects, such as hair growth and age retardation, may be achieved by applying specific treatment gases and medicines simultaneously with neuro-muscular stimulation.

Abstract: A process (100) for forming a metal interconnect (102) in a semiconductor device (82) using a photoresist layer (20) having a thickness (T) of no more than 0.66 microns without forming a notch in the side (30) of the interconnect. A reactive ion etching process (118) used to remove portions of a metal layer (16) to form the interconnect includes a burst etch step (108) wherein a first high flow rate (48) of passivation gas is delivered, followed by a main metal etch step (110) wherein the flow rate of passivation gas is reduced to a second lower value.

Abstract: A portable roof anchor having a slidably adjustable beam member is supported at a pivot location near a line support end and at an opposed end by a rotatably attached self-leveling counterweights. A line wrapped onto the beam member may be used as a handle for carrying the beam member to a roof top, then used to support a person or equipment over a side of the building. The counterweights have a relatively small top cross-section and a relatively large bottom cross-section so that, for any given amount of weight, a relatively large bottom surface area and a relatively tall height from the rooftop will be provided. A handle is provided near a line-deployed center-of-gravity so that the roof anchor assembly may be easily maneuvered, while the line remains over the side of the building, with one hand on the handle and a second hand cradled underneath the beam member.

Abstract: A character animation system translates high-level commands from an external application into motions and deformations of a character model. The character animations are (1) composed in real-time from a sequence of basic actions and expressions, (2) calculated based on the desired end position and orientation of a hand or other body part, or (3) are generated randomly to simulate natural fidgets of the human body. In each case, the character animation system assures (1) that each action blends naturally with the succeeding action, (2) that collisions between body parts are avoided, and (3) that facial expressions are coordinated in parallel with the actions.

Abstract: An adjustable support member for attaching fluorescent lamps to a light strip fixture body. The adjustable support member is easily adjusted to accommodate fixture bodies having a variety of widths, thereby simplifying the upgrading of existing light fixtures to use more energy efficient bulbs. The support member includes a generally planar support body having a pair of channels formed thereon, and a pair of angle brackets which may be slid into the respective channels to a desired width. The angle brackets are held at a desired width by the ratchet/pawl effect of mating detents formed on the support body and the angle brackets. The channels are formed by stamping generally L-shaped channel members integral with the support body material. A reflector having a center ridge is formed to have a mounting tab by cutting a generally U-shaped opening along the center ridge. The mounting tab is then easily flattened for attachment to the support body for installing the reflector as part of the fixture upgrade.

Abstract: A method for data exchange with a mobile asset including the step of comparing the quality of the communication link to a predetermined value prior to initiating the communication. Polling of a fleet of mobile assets may be scheduled by considering a map of the communication link quality along the route of the mobile assets. An optimal packet size may be selected for the data transfer by considering the quality of the communication link.

Abstract: A projectile having a plurality of micro electromechanical (MEMS) devices disposed about the axis of flight for active control of the trajectory of the projectile. The MEMS devices each form an integral control surface/actuator. Control circuitry installed within the projectile housing includes both rotation and lateral acceleration sensors. Flap portions of the MEMS devices are extended into the air stream flowing over the projectile in response to the rate of rotation of the projectile, thereby forming a standing wave of flaps operable to impart a lateral force on the projectile. MEMS devices utilizing an electrostatically controllable rolling flap portion provide a large range of motion while consuming a small amount of power. The MEMS devices may be arranged in longitudinal strips along an ogive portion of the projectile. Packaging concepts for projectiles as small as a 30 caliber bullet are described.