Abstract: A push-push (make-break) switch (43) including a thermally operated circuit breaker release is adapted for controlling an electric motor (42). The switch (43) may be employed by itself or used in conjunction with a standard control switch (41) connected to auxiliary contacts (15 and 18) which are normally closed but opened when switch (43) is activated. When switch (43) is momentarily activated, it becomes latched to continue operation of the motor (42) until the motor stalls upon completion of a task. The increased current draw of the motor (42) is sensed by a bi-metalic element (27) whose free end moves to automatically release the switch (43) and disrupt its continuity path. The switch (43) is in a compact, self-contained, design which provides various different operational features. In automotive applications, switch (43) provides convenient express operation of motor operated accessories such as power windows and the like.

Abstract: A variable-frequency I-V measurement system for testing the IC device, such as a GaAs MESFET, has probes for measuring the bias voltage, drain voltage, drain current, and gate signal voltage, a gate signal source, and a computer controller for controlling the gate signal source to provide, in sequence, gate signals varied in waveform, voltage, and frequency, in order to measure the I-V characteristics of the device in response to variable frequency gate signals. Values for maximum drain current (Imax) and percentage drop in Imax at different frquencies are derived and used to predict the RF performance characteristics of the device and to select good wafers early in the fabrication process, as well as for non-destructive testing of frequency dispersion effects on the device.

Abstract: An acoustic ranging apparatus directs a burst of acoustic energy toward an acoustically reflective target object. The time it takes for an echo to return to the ranging apparatus is measured to determine the distance between the ranging apparatus and the object. The echo is received, amplified, and compared with a threshold voltage which decays in time in a manner which simulates the attenuation of acoustic energy as a function of distance travelled in the medium. The attenuation function is substantially simulated over the distance range that the ranging apparatus is intended to accurately measure by means of a simple, low cost first order linear circuit. The ranging apparatus responds only to echoes having a magnitude which exceeds the threshold voltage. Suprious or false echoes, such as those due to reflection of acoustic energy in the side lobes produced by an acoustic energy transducer in the ranging apparatus, are ignored.

Abstract: A method is provided for the fabrication of a photodiode sensitive to blue light. This photodiode has a very flat pn junction (2) in order to achieve a high blue sensitivity. The pn-junction (2) is formed in an n-conducting (100)-oriented silicon monocrystal (1) through implantation of B.sup.+ ions. Subsequently, an upper layer (3) generated during the implantation with relatively low p-doping is eroded through anisotropic etching to extend into a region of a deeper lying layer (4) having a relatively high p.sup.+ -doping. This high p.sup.+ -doping layer is then located to provide high sensitivity of the silicon photodiodes light corresponding to blue in the visual spectrum.

Abstract: A mounting of a substantially spherical lens in a metal tubule, in particular for optoelectronic modules in manufacturable mechanically stable and with low expense. The spherical lens (1) is fastened in the thin-walled metal tubule or in its inner front edge through press-fit in the form of a contracting-down or contracting-on or a springiness.

Abstract: This invention concerns a circuit arrangement for current limiting for a.c. machines with phase gating control by solid-state devices, aimed at achieving a smooth start by arresting the steady decrease in the ignition angles upon the attainment of a predetermined limiting current value. For use with single-phase measurement of the load current, a circuit is provided for measuring the instantaneous value of the magnitude of the load current, such as a threshold-value detector, which is actuated by a single-phase full-wave rectified load current. The output of this threshold-value detector is applied to a monostable digital device.

Abstract: A method for forming a T-gate for a MESFET device comprises a double exposure, double develop process. In a first exposure employing lithography a layer of PMMA is applied first to a substrate and spun to a desired thickness and then baked for a predetermined period. The gate pattern was aligned to the ohmic level and either E-beam written or exposed to deep UV radiation through a quartz mask. The wafer as treated was then spray developed using a mixture of MIBK and alcohol. After coating with a Novolak resist, the same gate mask was either realigned to the Ohmic level and exposed to mid-range UV radiation in the 400 nm range or alternatively E-beam written with a modified gate pattern to eliminate the T at the gate pad. The wafer was then spray developed again, this time using LSI developer. The second photo was overexposed in order to form a large opening through the top of the T while the first photo was underexposed to make the stem of the T as narrow as possible.

Abstract: Conventional turnoff power semiconductor devices each comprise a p-n junction blocking in case of turnoff, one zone of which, lying at the p-n junction, has a high doping gradient. But this produces a low dynamic voltage stability characteristic for the power semiconductor device. To increase the dynamic voltage stability characteristic of the power semiconductor device, it is proposed to provide one zone in the form of a region having at least a width of twenty microns viewed from the p-n junction, wherein a maximum doping gradient dN.sub.2 /dx=5.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-4 and a predetermined basic dopant concentration is present.

Abstract: A projection of a retaining element swivel-mounted inside a base part of a telephone set projects through the region of the cradle for the handset of the telephone set. The projection engages in a recess of the handset. The retaining element is directly connected with the switch bar for the cradle switch, swivel-mounted and under spring tension.

Abstract: Fibrous and gelatinous vegetable matter is liquefied and frozen so as to result in a frozen food composition which is dripless and cohesive when exposed to temperatures above its melting point and which has reduced fat and cholesterol content. A preferred vegetable matter is edible rhubarb leafstalks. Various flavoring agents may be added to the vegetable matter. The frozen food composition closely approximates the characteristics of high grade ice cream. Even closer approximation to ice cream may be obtained by using dairy products as flavoring agents.

Abstract: LED chip arrangements fabricated monolithically on a semiconductor substrate wafer are to be separated from one another by scribing in such a way that they can be properly arrayed to obtain a tight image-dot grid over several LED chip arrangements. The metallization of the back side of the semiconductor substrate wafer is exposed in the area of a prescribed separation track. Prior to the separation, a depression is etched into the back side of the semiconductor substrate wafer.The process according to the invention is particularly useful in the manufacture of high-resolution LED arrays.

Abstract: A bucket type elevator having a head pulley and a boot pulley with a belt entrained about both pulleys is hydraulically driven. The drive mechanism comprises a hydraulic motor mounted in the boot pulley. It is connected, via flexible hydraulic lines, to an electric motor driven pump and fluid source located near ground level outside the boot housing, easily accessible for maintenance and replacement but far enough away from the elevator to avoid risks of explosion from the electrical power source. The elevator also includes a tensioning system for maintaining adequate and uniform tension across the width of the belt and for preventing slippage and miscentering of the belt on the boot pulley.

Abstract: An overhead lighting system for one or more visual display terminals includes one or more luminous elements and a baffle having a series of rails mounted at least partially below the luminous element. The baffle reduces reflections of overhead surfaces, especially the lighting equipment and the ceiling, in the screen of the visual display terminals while economically maintaining comfortable lighting. The overhead lighting system provides greater comfort and productivity of personnel who utilize visual display terminals. It is particularly, but not solely, suited to computer classrooms, stock brokerage firms, or other large areas where one or more visual display terminals are used in an open environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for exciting a piezoelectric crystal resonator has an electric oscillator connected to a double ended tuning fork piezoelectric crystal so that it flexurally vibrates in air at its mechanical resonant frequency. A novel electrode pattern connects the oscillator to the crystal such that changes in humidity do not affect the resonant frequency of the crystal. This arrangement is useful in measuring force, such as weight.

Abstract: A process for purifying sugarcane juices by contacting the juices to be purified in succession with a hydrophobic adsorbent, a supported strong anion exchange material or a hydrophobic adsorbent having anion exchanger groups, an anion exchange resin, and a cation exchange resin. The process may be used to purify low-grade sugar solutions. The process may be used in the sugar industries to obtain sugar syrups, sucrose, aconitic acid, and amino acids.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying surgical clips to tissue includes a self-contained supply of clips and is constructed to apply those clips, one at a time, through movement of the thumb and fingers of one hand. The clips are stored inside a sleeve along the length of the instrument, are fed into jaws at the distal end of the instrument, and are closed about tissue by a camming action produced by moving the jaws relative to the sleeve and camming them shut. An actuating and sequencing section controls feeding and clip deformation, and guarantees that the instrument is operated only in the proper sequence so as to avoid jamming.

Abstract: New unsaturated fatty alcohols of the formula: ##STR1## in which n=2 or 4 are provided and are prepared by the novel process of reacting butadiene with water in the presence of a palladium salt and orthoboric acid, B(OH).sub.3, in a polar aprotic solvent.

Abstract: A method of preparing alkaline difluoromethane sulfonates by reacting an alkali-metal sulfite of the formula M.sub.2 SO.sub.3, in which M represents an alkali-metal of column 1 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, with at least an equimolecular quantity of chlorodifluoromethane in aqueous medium, in an autoclave under autogenous pressure, characterized by the fact that the reaction is carried out in the presence of at least one strong alkali-metal base of the formula M'OH, in which M' represents an alkali-metal of column 1 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: Novel processes are provided for the embedding of microorganisms within a polymer matrix wherein the matrix comprises a polymer gel having a base of at least one polymer selected from the group of polysaccharides, in which said polymer is at least partially cross-linked. The embedded microorganism products are useful in the inoculation of leguminous and non-leguminous plants in order to increase their nitrogen-fixing potential and nutrition, respectively.

Abstract: An illumination system for a workstation having a backwall, a substantially horizontally disposed work surface, and a visual display terminal adapted to be viewed by an operator in a direction substantially perpendicular to the backwall is disclosed. The system provides a backlighting component of illumination as well as task lighting and ambient lighting.