Abstract: A method of processing the surface of a workpiece using an adaptive gas cluster ion beam is disclosed. The invention provides a method of reducing the surface roughness and/or improving the surface smoothing of a workpiece by etching at various etch rates. The workpiece is initially processed with a gas cluster ion beam having an initial etch rate and then the beam is adjusted so that the workpiece is processed with one or more lower etch rates. The advantages are minimum required processing time, minimum remaining roughness of the final surface, and minimum material removal in order to attain a desired level of smoothness.
Abstract: A system and method for mobile platform real-time collection, transmission, and processing of an array of environmental and vehicle-related data in the context of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) network. The system and method provide enhanced in-vehicle data collection, enhanced communications capability between the vehicle and the ITS system, and enhanced ITS implementation functionality to provide real-time incident reporting to ITS users.
Abstract: A melt-mixed blend of plasticized PVC, fluoropolymers, and a compatibilizer having acrylate functionality exhibits good mechanical and dielectric properties and is useful for wiring and cable applications.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 26, 2002
Date of Patent:
September 28, 2004
Assignee:
Teknor Apex Company
Inventors:
Biing-Lin Lee, James L. White, Cheol-Ho Choi, Maryellen Cobb, Raman Patel
Abstract: A non-lethal method and devices for dispersing nuisance birds from a preselected area. Such nuisance birds disrupt many activities such as the steady flow of safely moving aircraft on runways and adjacent thereto, growing crops on farmland, playing golf and the use of the interior of large open buildings. The present method utilizes a series of bright light sources that are positioned adjacent the area from which the birds are to be dispersed. The light sources are activated to produce one or more beams of bright light that are moved in such a manner to produce a pattern of bright light in the vicinity of the birds to be dispersed. This action causes the birds to become sufficiently startled and disoriented so as to disperse these nuisance birds from the area to be cleared.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of deposited thin films for chemical or biological analysis. The invention further relates to the use of these thin films in separation adherence and detection of chemical of biological samples. Applications of these thin films include desorption-ionization mass spectroscopy, electrical contacts for organic thin films and molecules, optical coupling of light energy for analysis, biological materials manipulation, chromatographic separation, head space adsorbance media, media for atomic molecular adsorbance or attachment, and substrates for cell attachment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 19, 2000
Date of Patent:
September 21, 2004
Assignee:
The Penn State Research Foundation
Inventors:
Stephen J. Fonash, Sanghoon Bae, Daniel J. Hayes, Joseph Cuiffi
Abstract: A system and method for detecting contaminants in or on objects, having a movably mounted container for holding objects and having a plurality of perforations and an entrance opening through which objects may be placed into the container. A housing encloses the container and forms a barrier to ambient air. There is a sealable opening for inserting and removing objects from the container. A drive assembly moves the container within the housing to move objects therein for emitting particles which are in or on such object. There is an air stream for moving air through the housing and container to entrain any emitted particles into the air stream and a sensor for sensing contaminants in the air stream and providing a signal when a contaminant is sensed. The container can be a rotatable cage or a vibrating box. In the method, there is a chamber provided which may be sealed with respect to ambient air to create an enclosed atmosphere.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2003
Date of Patent:
September 21, 2004
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Inventors:
Allen M. Jones, Clifford A. Megerle, John T. Swider, Barry Wake
Abstract: A mail processing apparatus, includes an enclosure adapted for receiving deposited mail articles, a depository port adapted for passing deposited mail articles into the enclosure, and a sealing apparatus operatively associated with the depository port and adapted to seal deposited mail articles that pass through the depository port. The sealing apparatus may be a laminator adapted to apply a layer of plastic material to opposing sides of deposited mail articles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 2002
Date of Patent:
September 14, 2004
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Inventors:
Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Louis B. Taylor
Abstract: An optical assembly for architectural illumination which includes a quasi point source surrounded by a collimating ring lens designed to radially project collimated beams. A segmented, off axis, parabolic reflector to collect and reflect light (not gathered by the collimating ring lens) as collimated beams and a ring reflector, the segments of which designed to gather beams from both the collimating ring lens and the off axis reflector and the direct them in substantially the same direction.
Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating and aligning Time Delay Integration (TDI) Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensors. A TDI sensor for linear imaging (line sensor) is calibrated by generating a two dimensional image from the line sensor, analyzing the two dimensional image, and calibrating the line sensor based on the analysis. An alignment correction can then be generated, the correction applied to the line sensor placement and the line sensor re-tested. A calibration system includes means for generating a two dimensional image from the TDI line sensor, means for analyzing the two dimensional image, and means for calibrating the line sensor based on the analysis of the two dimensional image.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 1, 2003
Date of Patent:
August 24, 2004
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Inventors:
Peggi J. Eller, Robert M. Krohn, Douglas N. McMartin, Steven J. Pratt
Abstract: Reflow solder oven gas management system introduces an inert gas into and removes contaminated gas from a reflow oven tunnel (42) at predetermined points (6, 8) to influence the oven tunnel gas flow and to dilute and expel excess oxygen. The contaminated gas is ducted to a flux separation system (34) to be cleaned, for example remove flux vapors, and returned in part to the tunnel (42) for recirculation and with the remainder routed to end baffle boxes (54) for tunnel end pressurization and exhaust. The system has sufficient pressure to supply end baffle boxes (54) with clean gas to create a gas barrier to effectively seal off the tunnel ends from air infiltration or migration into the tunnel making the system insensitive to external pressure and/or temperature variations. The invention also includes alternative embodiments, low flow oxygen bleed valves (72) to maintain low oxygen content in the oven process tunnel.
Abstract: A method and system for performing trade-off studies using multi-parameter choice is disclosed. Candidates, each having one or more criteria associated therewith, are entered into the system via an input interface such as a keyboard. In addition, test rationale may be entered and associated with candidates and criteria to facilitate human comprehension of test data and results. Criteria are weighted using pair-wise comparisons to minimize errors introduced by the judgment of test engineers. Then candidates are evaluated using pair-wise comparison techniques. Sensitivity checks are performed on evaluated criteria. Processed candidates and criteria are then made available to a system operator in formats that are selectable by the operator.
Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for measuring the distribution of cluster ion sizes in a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) and for determining the mass distribution and mass flow of cluster ions in a GCIB processing system without necessitating the rejection of a portion of the beam through magnetic or electrostatic mass analysis. The invention uses time-of-flight measurement to estimate or monitor cluster ion size distribution either before or during processing of a workpiece. The measured information is displayed and incorporated in automated control of a GCIB processing system.
Abstract: A web-based implemented system in which observers may pinpoint locations on a scalable map in order to fix data by latitude and longitude and to collect data describing that location. Also permitted within the system is the selection of non-contiguous groups of geographic data points for analysis. Although not limited thereto, the system may be used to track bird sightings and migration patterns as well as other bird related information and data. The mapping is scalable and can be integrated with a Geographic Information System (GIS), e.g. elevation, vegetation or city maps. Variations over time can be analyzed for a specific point, and pattern movements across points can be tracked.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 31, 2000
Date of Patent:
August 3, 2004
Assignees:
Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., National Audubon Society, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven T. Kelling, Ronald M. Beloin, John W. Fitzpatrick, Frank B. Gill, Roger L. Slothower, Thomas A. Fredericks
Abstract: Systems and methods for the communication and recovery of supplementary data encoded in the primary information transmitted from a source to a receiver for both audio and television transmissions. The method includes modulating a carrier signal with the supplementary data using a spread spectrum approach and demodulating the carrier signal to recover the embedded supplementary data.
Abstract: An imaging system (10) for producing image-representative signals representing information-bearing objects (30) includes a line imager (12) and an arrangement (32) for scanning (34) the object (30) so that image-representative signals are generated. A correction-signal generating arrangement (22) is used in a normalization mode (300) in which, with a white calibration object, each pixel (p1, p2, . . . , p2N) is averaged (A) over the width or length of the object (30). A correction factor is obtained by comparing the averaged value of the pixel over the white object with an ideal value. The correction factor (a) may be multiplicative, in which case it is the factor required to bring the average value to the ideal value, or (b) it may be additive, in which case it is the difference between the average value for that pixel and the ideal value.
Abstract: A germicide and disinfectant composition contains detergent and at least two enzymes adapted to cause lysis in glycoprotein in infectious agents. These germicidal and disinfectant compositions are used in conjunction with prepackaged wipes and kits that allows the user to remove liquid or dried contaminated material without coming into direct contact with the contaminated material.
Abstract: A system and method of precisely adjusting the properties of a device using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) are described. Use of the invention permits the precise removal or addition of small amounts of material without significantly damaging or degrading the performance of the device. The system is capable of adjusting the properties of a single device or multiple devices and the devices may be processed serially, in small groups, or all at once. The system is also capable of delivering a single dose or a variety of doses depending on the amount of material needed to be removed or added to adjust the properties.
Abstract: A mail handling system that imports data from a thickness measurement device regarding the thickness of a substantially flat mail article, counts the number of flat articles deposited on the top surface of the drop pocket, instructs the drop pocket to open to drop a unitary body of flat mail articles when the total stack thickness and/or number of articles exceeds threshold limits. A computer, operably connected to conventional conveyor system having, a drop pocket, a thickness measurement device, and a conveyor, implements the system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 5, 2001
Date of Patent:
June 15, 2004
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Inventors:
Bruce H. Hanson, Michael D. Senger, Bruce A. Williams
Abstract: An ionizing wiper for removing static charge from an insulative surface. The wiper is made of wiping material with a high density of ionizing points being disposed along the surface of the wiper such that the air between the ionizing points and an object is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the object.
Abstract: A drop pocket system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by horizontally receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles, sensing reception of each flat article, engaging each sensed flat article, accelerating each engaged flat article into substantially downward movement, and conveying each flat article with the downward movement into a substantially horizontal orientation and movement.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 2002
Date of Patent:
June 8, 2004
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Inventors:
Edward Engarto, Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Drew D. Havholm