Abstract: An interface module for testing integrated circuits and a method of manufacture are disclosed wherein a planar self supporting diaphragm supports signal paths connected to a pattern of probe contacts extending therefrom which are in registration with a pattern of integrated circuit access pads. The diaphragm is resiliently connected to a planar printed circuit board in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the printed circuit board. A floppy substrate is placed between the printed circuit board and the diaphragm to provide signal paths from the printed circuit board to the self supporting diaphragm.The method includes laser location and drilling of holes to obtain a high density of accurately positioned small diameter holes in the self supporting diaphragm material to thereby accomplish high probe contact density in unlimited pattern arrays.

Abstract: A support for inguinal hernia is disclosed wherein a corset garment having elasticized walls is provided with a pocket or pockets on the inside wall of the portion of the garment that is adjacent the abdomen of a wearer. A plurality of pads are provided for insertion in the pocket or pockets to provide pressure against the underlying inguinal area. The pockets are placed in a location to accommodate the location of a hernia or hernias suffered by a particular user. The number of pads placed in the pocket or pockets is selected to obtain a combined thickness of pads that affords optimum wearer comfort so that the support is thereby customized for the wearer.

Abstract: The method disclosed herein relates to sculpting an image on a wax article such as a candle. The sculpting is done by pressure blasting entrained cutting grit through a mask or a sequence of masks. If a sequence of masks is sued to form the sculpted image, a sequence of colored pigments are entrained in the blast to impart different colors to the part of the image exposed by each mask in the sequence. A wax article of manufacture is produced having a concave sculpted surface with embedded colored cutting grit occupying predetermined portions of the image.

Abstract: A disc replacement prosthesis is described which is placed within the intradiscal space vacated by a removed deteriorated disc, and which affords mobility rather than fusion between adjacent vertebral bodies. The prosthesis also protects remaining discs from deterioration by providing a shock absorbing prosthesis portion. It adheres initially mechanically to the vertebral bodies and adheres through arthrodesis over a period of time.

Abstract: A system is provided for cooling a flexible high energy coaxial cable wherein cooling fluid is circulated along the cable and through a heat exchanger to dissipate the cable heat generated by the high energy transferred by the cable. The cable has inner and outer concentric conductors separated by an inner dielectric layer and surrounded by an outer dielectric layer. Channels in the two dielectric layers provide for the fluid flow along the cable which carries away the heat.

Abstract: A test probe ring for semiconductor devices is disclosed which contains a ground plane layer, an insulating layer and a layer of electrically separate conductors. A centrally located opening in the layered assembly has a plurality of layered fingers carrying the inner ends of the conductors. A pattern of contact bumps on the free ends of the fingers provides a co-planar pattern of conductor contacts which match a pattern of semiconductor device test pads. The fingers and contacts are formed by cutting kerfs between the conductors at the periphery of the centrally located opening.

Abstract: In a regenerable collective protection system the turbine of an air cycle machine is driven by a potion of the clean air output of a pressure swing adsorber bed pair in the system. The beds in the pair are used alternately to cleanse contaminated air. They are then alternately purged of contaminant products. Valves are used to direct these alternate operations. The valve closures cause overpressures in the clean air output. The overpressures are predictable in relation to the valve actuation sequence and are removed by coordinating operation of a surge air bleed valve in the clean air output with valve actuation in the pressure swing adsorber bed pair.

Abstract: A valve seat member in a gate valve has a circular or crescent shaped slot cut on the inside diameter parallel to and underneath the seat surface to create a seat with increased flexibility at areas on the seat surface where high compressive stress during valve operation is observed. As a result galling of the gate is reduced, and valve reliability and life are increased.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which includes two side-by-side planar light sensors. A light stop is spaced from one light sensor in position to stop or shade half of the light sensor surface from a projected light beam when the beam is orthogonal thereto. The other light sensor is completely exposed to the projected light beam. The one light sensor is exposed to more or less of the light beam dependent upon the beam's departure in one direction or the other from orthogonality to the plane of the one light sensor. A ratio of the output from the one light sensor to the output from the other provides beam angle information relative to the plane of the one light sensor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which functions in two distinct yet interrelated modes. In a modeling mode the system provides a customized multi-body model, wherein problem specific functions are created for analysis of complex real-world machines. A preprocessor facilitates the multi-body model description and a symbolic generator then generates model specific code in FORTRAN of some other convenient computer language. The model code is portable and self contained. In a numerical simulation mode actual multi-body system data are combined with the model code, whereby the system is manageable by a user not necessarily familiar with the modeling techniques, but familiar with the multi-body system modeled. Simulation operations by the system produce outputs descriptive of the multi-body system without redundancy, which outputs may then be utilized by the user through a post processor to compute further quantities of interest and to apply visualization to interpret results.

Abstract: A grabber for a wheel clamp of a wheel aligner has a tip including a body shaft with first and second wheel engagement ends. The body shaft includes a circumferential groove formed thereon. A barrel attached to a carrier of the wheel clamp has a bore sized to slidingly receive the body shaft. The bore has a groove formed in its wall. An elastic "O" ring is fitted within the body shaft groove and, when an engagement end of the shaft is inserted in the bore, the "O" ring resiliently retains the shaft within the bore. Alternatively the grabber tip includes first and second cross shafts, each with first and second wheel engagement ends. The first and second cross shafts and body shaft have axes which are mutually perpendicular.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which operates to collect high resolution three-dimensional surface mesh data from mechanical components which are used for component evaluation. The system includes a multidimensionally movable fixture mount for holding the mechanical components. A structured light pattern emitting projector is provided together with an image sensing camera for detecting impingement of the light pattern on the mechanical component and for generating the surface data. A set of software tools analyzes the data to provide numerical or quantitative component analysis and further presents the data in display form to allow intuitive or qualitative analysis for product and process improvement.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system is disclosed which measures the angles between the planes of the wheels on the same side, at the front and diagonally opposite on a four wheel vehicle. The measurements are processed to provide wheel toe, relative wheel plane orientation, front wheel offset and front and rear wheel setback relative to the vehicle frame to assist in damage assessment.

Abstract: The apparatus and method disclosed herein relates to axially aligned electrical contacts which connect a high electrical power pulse forming network to an electrothermal ammunition integrated plasma injector in a combustion augmented plasma gun for launching projectiles thereof. The contacts transfer high energy, intermittent pulses without arcing because structure provides for axially preloading the contacts to reduce contact resistance, for axially stiffening the contacts to eliminate contact bounce and for providing complementary conical contact surfaces to facilitate a high current density transfer.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to apparatus and method for finding the orientation of a steering pivot axis for a wheel in a pair of steerable wheels in a vehicle suspension system, wherein arbitrary steering directions are imparted to the wheels and measurements are taken of the steering directions and the other steerable wheel alignment characteristics of interest. The measurements are transmitted to a computer which serves to calculate caster, steering axis inclination and the orientation of the steering pivot axis relative to a defined three dimensional alignment coordinate system.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to an alignment system and method which provides improved accuracy measurement of vehicle wheel alignment characteristics, guidance for an operator through known yet obscure adjustment procedures, an interface between system alignment sensors and the system controller which provides efficient handling of system generated data and system inputs and outputs, and live measurements and display of all alignment quantities so that interdependent changes between adjustable alignment quantities are observable.

Abstract: A force sensing apparatus and method in a vehicle wheel balancer is disclosed which in one embodiment includes use of a voltage controlled oscillator connected to drive a piezoelectric crystal at an oscillation frequency which is compared in phase to a frequency generated by the wheel balancer spin shaft encoder. When unbalance force imposed changes occur in the crystal oscillation frequency, an unbalance output is provided by the comparison which contains the unbalance force magnitude and angular orientation information. The unbalance output is processed to provide operator indications for facilitating application of counterweights to the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a detection system for a profile line on an observed body which uses a linear array of sequentially energized energy beam emitters to project beams toward the body. Reflections of the beams are detected by a linear array of energy beam receivers which monitor wedge shaped sectors within a field of view. The known sequence of beam projection and the known sector of reception of reflected beams are used to identify points in space on the profile line.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to a wheel service machine, such as a wheel balancer, which provides audible output for guiding an operator to measured positions on a vehicle wheel assembly where corrective operations must be performed, such as the application of wheel assembly unbalance compensation weights.

Abstract: A combination tire and rim assembly match mounting, match grinding and balancing machine has a load roller for contacting the mounted tire periphery with a predetermined force. The displacement of the roller provides a measure of tire radial runout and either a vision system or mechanical probes provide a measure of rim radial runout. A controller operates to calculate the least square best fit between the tire and the rim and to control the match grinding to provide improvement in the tire and rim assembly operating vibration characteristics.