Abstract: A method and system are described for preventing flooding of a gas analyzer of the type wherein a pump conveys gas to be analyzed to a sample cell and a filter separates water from the gas flowing to the pump. The presence of excess liquid in the system is sensed by a pressure transducer which decouples the output of the pump from the sample cell and feeds it back to the filter. This results in an increase in pressure in the filter to prevent excess liquid from flooding the gas analyzer. The pressure is so held until the excess liquid passes from the filter system, after which the system returns to normal operation.

Abstract: A method of curing an organic dielectric layer, such as polyimide, used in a multichip module is disclosed. The method comprises heating the uncured polyimide layer to a temperature above its glass transition temperature, and irradiating the layer with a uniform flux of electrons, as in an e-beam apparatus. The process reduces deterioration at the interface between the dielectric films and the metal layers which when high temperature thermal curing is utilized, and reduces the stress of the resulting film. Multiple dielectric layers can be applied in this manner.

Abstract: A multi-tiered litter rack system is described generally comprising a plurality of support masts arranged on one wall of an emergency vehicle. The masts support a plurality of vertically spaced litters in at least two horizontally spaced positions. The masts enclose vertical adjustment screws which are adapted to independently adjust the vertical position of each end of the litters for controlling the tilt of and vertical spacing between the litters. The multi-tiered liter rack system further includes individual motors associated with each of the respective masts which are operatively connected to the vertical adjustment screws for controlling the vertical position and tilt of each of the litters.

Abstract: A handle of a telescopic handle assembly for a baggage cart includes at least a handle seat fixedly connected to an inner tube of the telescopic handle assembly, an actuator rotatably received within a mounting hole of the handle seat, a grip portion formed by an assembly of two grip members with semi-circular peripheries and being fixedly connected to the actuator so that a rotation of the grip portion can rotate the actuator, and an operating block which has at least a portion being forcedly in contact with a portion of the actuator so that a rotation of the actuator can cause a lifting movement of the operating block from a position to a selected position. The operating block is fixedly connected to a locking means for locking the inner tube with an outer tube of the telescopic handle assembly. Once the operating block is lifted to the selected position, the locking of the locking means for locking the inner tube with the outer tube is unlocked.

Abstract: A playpen structure which has a fold base which has first and second X-shaped joint/foot elements, first and second V-shaped joint/foot elements, four long bars and four short bars. Each X-shaped joint/foot element has a foot and first, second, third and fourth arms radially projecting from the foot. The first and second long bars are pivotally linked to the first and second arms of the first X-shaped joint/foot element. The third and fourth long bars are pivotally linked to third and fourth arms of the second X-shaped joint/foot element. The first and second short bars are pivotally linked to the fourth and third arms of the first X-shaped joint/foot element. The third and fourth short bars are pivotally linked to the second and first arms of the second X-shaped joint/foot element. Each V-shaped joint/foot element has a foot and first and second arms radially projecting from the foot. The first short bar is pivotally linked to the first arm of the first V-shaped joint/foot element.

Abstract: A channel coding system comprising apparatuses and methods for encoding and decoding signals is disclosed. The system utilizes an orthonormal basis of numerical sequences for coding an input signal. The orthonormal bases reduce channel interference. A method for generating long basis sequences from the product of shorter sequences is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating chaff from coffee and cocoa beans is designed for use in combination with the hot air blowing base of the common household consumer appliance, the electrical popcorn popper. The method comprises a hopper having an open top, an open bottom mountable over the hot air blowing base of the popper for roasting beans and an exhaust gas outlet, a lid for covering the top and a screen mounted over the exhaust gas outlet. The screen is coated with a material that causes its surface to become electrostatically charged during the bean roasting process. The chaff from the beans becomes separated during the roasting process and then is entrained in the exhaust gases which pass upward from the hot air blowing base for roasting the beans and through the open bottom. The chaff is collected on the electrostatically charged screen and is easily removed after the roasting process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for conveying containers having an annular neck flange, in particular, a guided suspended conveyor chain having support elements each defining a "U" shaped recess having a pair of substantially parallel sides which are oriented transverse to the path of travel of the conveyor chain so that the "U" shaped recess is accessible from the side of the path of travel. The "U" shaped recess is sized to receive the container neck, is sized smaller than the annular neck projection of the container and is further sized so that the substantially parallel sides of the "U" shaped recess extend beyond the container neck of any container received therein so that the container may hang suspended in the "U" shaped recess. In addition, the conveyor chain is designed to be driven by a suitable drive stand to provide mechanical energy to associated container processing apparatus having sprockets adapted to engage the conveyor chain.

Abstract: A metal ion detection and quantification system in which the displacement of a radioactive isotope from a material that binds both the metal ion of interest and the radioactive isotope. The material in question binds the radioactive isotope with less force than the isotope of interest. The extent of release of the radioactive isotope is used to determine the concentration of the metal ion of interest. In one embodiment of the invention, the material used to bind the metal ion and radioactive ion is a protein of the metallothionein class of proteins.

Abstract: A boost-type power factor correction circuit is disclosed in which output voltage of the convertor is proportional to the peak input voltage. To achieve this, the circuit includes a peak rectifier D2, C2 which senses peak input voltage and provides a reference to which the output voltage derived through resistors R3, R4 is compared to give an error signal dependent upon variation from the peak input voltage derived reference. The error signal is used to control a MOSFET switch 120 to provide an output voltage V.sub.out dependent upon the reference.

Abstract: A dosimeter for use in mixed radiation fields is disclosed. The dosimeter consisting of a single element may be used in a photon-neutron field if the energies of the photons and neutrons are known. In a mixed photon-neutron-beta radiation field of unknown energies, a detector having four elements is sufficient to provide an estimate of the exposure. The dosimeter makes use of the high temperature readout from a 6Li doped LiF thermoluminescent detector to provide an estimate of both the neutron and photon exposures.

Abstract: A cooling assembly includes a fin, a fan retained above the fin, and a housing. The fin includes a bottom surface for contacting an upper surface of the integrated circuit and an upper surface from which a plurality of ridges extend, each two adjacent ridges defining a channel therebetween. A plurality of venting openings are formed in a top wall of the hollow housing. A plurality of snapping members project downwardly from two mutually facing side walls of the hollow housing and each of which having a distal flexible snapping end for releasably engaging with an underside of the integrated circuit. A pair of ribs are formed in an upper section of each of two mutually facing inner sides of the side walls of the hollow housing, the distance between opposite ribs being equal to a width of the integrated circuit. A plurality of oblique flexible pieces extend from an inner side of the top wall of the hollow housing.

Abstract: An interconnect structure for connecting an integrated circuit (IC) chip to a supporting substrate is described. The supporting substrate serves to communicate signals between the IC chip and the "outside world," such as other IC chips. In one embodiment, the interconnect structure comprises an interconnect substrate having a first post disposed on one of its surfaces and a second post disposed on another of its surfaces. One post is for contacting the IC chip and the other is for contacting the major substrate. Each post comprises an elongated body having top and bottom ends, with the bottom end being mounted to one of the substrate surfaces and the top end having a substantially flat surface which is substantially co-planer with the substrate surface. The interconnect substrate further comprises a device for de-concentrating the mechanical stain present at one or both of the top and bottom ends of each post.

Abstract: An alloy for brazing ceramics has the following composition, in weight percent: 0.5 to 3% titanium; 0.25 to 2% aluminum, silicon or tin; 2 to 6% copper; balance silver.

Abstract: A board-and-rope exercise assembly includes a curved board made up of an arc-shaped middle portion integrating with two terminal pedals, and two elastic ropes. Each of the ropes is attached to a corresponding one of the pedals. The ropes are pullable in an upper direction, so that an exerciser can exercise his/her limbs by rocking the curved board with his/her legs while pulling the ropes with his/her hands.

Abstract: A circuit for utilizing the magnetizing current in the transformer of a power converter to reset the transformer's core and to provide a zero voltage switching condition on the converter's primary switch is disclosed. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding, the secondary winding being coupled to an output load and a primary switch connected in series between the primary winding and a voltage source. The closing of the primary switch causes energy to be stored in the transformer and the opening of the primary switch causes the energy to be released from the transformer. A transformer flux reversal circuit is used to reverse the direction of the magnetic flux built up in the transformer when the primary switch is opened. A secondary switch is coupled in series with the secondary winding of the transformer and is operated to prevent any loading effects of the load from disrupting the creation of the zero voltage switching condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the voltage applied to a load is taught. The method includes receiving an AC line voltage, generating an operating AC voltage from the AC line voltage and applying this operating AC voltage across the load. A measured signal which is a function of the magnitude of the operating AC voltage is generated, and then averaged to generate an average signal representative of the average value of the measured signal. The operating AC voltage is continually readjusted in response to changes in the average signal. The apparatus implementing this method includes terminal means for receiving an AC line voltage, means for generating an operating AC voltage from the AC line voltage, connector means for applying the operating AC voltage across the load, and voltage detection means for generating a measured signal which is a function of the magnitude of said operating AC voltage.