Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a non-planar synthetic diamond structure of predetermined shape. A non-planar mandrel surface of the predetermined shape is provided and the mandrel surface is coated with a release substance. Synthetic diamond is deposited on the coating of release substance. The release substance is then activated to effect release of the deposited synthetic diamond structure. In a disclosed embodiment of the method of the invention a dome-shaped hollow mandrel is coated with a metal-containing substance, and synthetic diamond is deposited over the coating using a plasma jet deposition process. The metal containing substance is then heated to release the resultant diamond structure from the mandrel. In a form of the disclosed method, the metal-containing substance is a metal alloy which is highly polished before deposition of synthetic diamond thereon.

Abstract: A multi-layer diamond film is grown by d.c. arc assisted plasma deposition. A series of layers are deposited on each other by periodically back-etching the surface and renucleating during deposition. There may also be deposited a thin layer of non-diamond carbon material between the diamond layers, but no other non-carbon material. Renucleation is controlled by varying the proportion of methane to hydrogen in the feed gases, by temperature cycling of the substrate, or by inducing modal changes in the arc.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an improved circuit and method which utilizes a plurality of generally planar diamond substrate layers. Electronic circuit elements are mounted on each of the substrate layers, and the substrate layers are disposed in a stack. Heat exchange means can be coupled generally at the edges of the substrate layers. In a disclosed embodiment, a multiplicity of generally planar diamond substrate layers and a multiplicity of generally planar spacer boards are provided. Each of the substrate layers has mounted thereon a multiplicity of electronic elements and conductive means for coupling between electronic elements. In general, at least some of the electronic elements on the substrate layers comprise integrated circuit chips. The substrate layers and spacer boards are stacked in alternating fashion so that spacer boards are interleaved between adjacent substrate layers.

Abstract: A synthetic diamond wafer grown by deposition from a plasma has a smooth, substrate side face and a rough, deposition side face. The rough face is coated with a bonding agent which fills the valleys and is finished so that its surface is parallel to the substrate side face to permit photolithographic processing of the wafer. Also disclosed is a multi-wafer laminate of two or more diamond film layers bonded together with an interlayer. Smooth, flat outer faces of the layers are oriented mutually parallel. The inner, bonded faces may be rough. A filler of diamond particles in the bonding agent improves the thermal conductivity of the laminate.

Abstract: A multistage process for the separation and purification of a desired crystalline material by repeated dissolution and recrystallization, wherein crystals and solvent move countercurrent to one another through the stages. A fluid temperature gradient is maintained within each recrystallization unit to make use of convection to facilitate or accelerate concurrent dissolution and recrystallization within a single vessel. Solid recrystallized material is moved from one unit to the next unit. An automated apparatus and a manually operated apparatus for carrying out the process are also described.

Abstract: The use of a conductive reactive braze material, loaded in via holes of a diamond substrate and heated in a suitable temperature range, results in conductive vias with excellent adherence to the via hole in the diamond material. Cracking of the diamond substrate, and loose or lost via elements, are minimized. A form of the disclosure is directed to a method for producing a circuit board having a multiplicity of conductive vias. A generally planar diamond substrate is provided. A multiplicity of via holes are formed through the substrate. The holes are loaded with a conductive reactive braze material. The braze material and the substrate are heated to a temperature which causes the braze material to melt and to react with the inner surface of the via holes and bond thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a bonding tool for use primarily in thermo-compression bonding of electronic circuit components and to a method of making the bonding tool. In one form of the disclosure, a holder is provided and has a substrate mounted at an end thereof. The holder is adapted to receive a heating element. A polycrystalline diamond film is disposed on the substrate, the film preferably being deposited by chemical vapor deposition. In a disclosed embodiment the substrate is a material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline diamond, cemented tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, cubic boron nitride, and tungsten. In a further form of the disclosure, a ceramic substrate is provided which has a favorable thermal conductivity property as well as substantial electrical conductivity sufficient to permit shaping by electrical discharge machining ("EDM").

Abstract: A process for improving the strength of components manufactured from sialon comprising heating and components at a temperature of from about 750.degree. to 950.degree. C. for from about eight to thirty-six hours in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: In a computer system having a configuration which is subject to change, because of failure replacement, updating, or expansion, it is necessary to provide means for loading parameters carrying the present system configuration into the active modules of the system. In this manner, all parallel processors are identified and recognized and depending upon system demands, used because of the parameter loading arrangement of this computer system. Serial lines are provided for loading the parameters into the active modules.

Abstract: A composite metal-ceramic article comprising a metal shaft and a ceramic ball bearing attached thereto. The shaft is tapered in such a manner to reduce the stress exerted on the ball.

Abstract: A spring member is formed of at least two layers metallurgically bonded together uniformly and having significantly different rates of irradiation growth, so that the differential growth of the layers results in increased stress in a predetermined direction. The layers may be of different metals or of similar metals which have been treated to give them different growth rates, such as zircaloy with different tin and oxygen content. Examples of other properties which may be used to obtain differential growth rates for the two layers when they are of material with substantially the same constituents are alpha-beta phase transformation temperature, the annealing temperature, the work history, partial recrystallization, and precipitation hardening.

Abstract: A data processor bus in which information is transferred between agents attached to the bus by issuing request packets that request data from an agent on the bus and reply packets that return data requested by a request packet. A control method mixes request-and-reply packets on the bus by determining the use of a next-bus cycle using arbitration, reply deferral, and specification lines and the state of a grant queue and a pipe queue in accordance with a specified protocol. A request is forced to take the next available bus cycle upon the condition that there is an agent identified in the great queue and the pipeline queue is not full. A reply packet is forced to take the next available bus cycle upon the condition that the pipeline queue is full. A reply packet is forced to take the next available bus cycle upon the condition that the grant queue is empty and the pipeline queue is not empty. Giving requests precedence over replies to allows the pipeline to be kept as full as possible.

Abstract: An advanced boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel design is described that preferentially directs more unvoided water coolant into the upper portion of the fuel assembly. This allows relatively more fuel to be placed in the lower portion of the fuel assembly. This arrangement allows a more nearly optimun moderation of neutrons in the upper portion of the assembly while preserving a higher volume of fuel in the lower portion. In addition to providing a more nearly optimum distribution of water in the assembly, the larger number of fuel rods can be used in the lower portion to reduce the linear heat generation rate (power peaking) in the assembly.

Abstract: The fuel rods located in areas of a nuclear reactor core where water jetting damage to the rods can occur are secured together by a clip, in order to change the mass subject to fretting damage. The change of mass changes the amplitude of the induced fuel rod vibration, thus reducing possible fuel rod fretting and/or damage. To repair such damage, the combination of clip(s) and an inert rod are used to replace a damaged fuel rod.

Abstract: A rotor lamination for a permanent magnet synchronous machine. The rotor lamination can be used for a two, four or eight pole synchronous machine. The orientation of the permanent magnets determines the number of poles of the machine. The lamination can also include openings adapted to contain conductors used to bring a synchronous motor up to synchronous speed as an induction motor.

Abstract: A panelboard bus bar arrangement. The arrangement includes an insulating base pan which is supported upon a steel base pan. The arrangement also includes three bus bars positioned within the insulating base ban and arranged side-by-side in a parallel manner. The distance between the bus bars is maintained relatively small by using an insulating member which shields and insulates the bus bars from each other. The insulating member includes openings which expose only portions of the bus bars, and dividers which separate adjacent openings and increase the cross surface distance between the openings. By increasing the cross surface distance between openings, arcing is inhibited between the openings.

Abstract: A motor operated mechanism for transferring energy to the energy storing mechanism of a circuit breaker of the type which utilizes the energy to close the primary contacts of the circuit breaker. The mechanism includes a motor for driving a cam and follower assembly. The cam and follower assembly cooperate with a linkage to supply rotational motion of an energy delivery shaft, wherein the energy delivery shaft is coupled to the energy storing mechanism of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock for interlocking two circuit breakers such that only one of the circuit breakers is ON at a given time. The interlock is also configured such that it permits both circuit breakers to be OFF at the same time. The interlock includes a pivoting rocker arm and a linkage assembly associated with each breaker, wherein the rocker arm and linkage assemblies cooperate to transfer motion between the tie bars of the circuit breakers.

Abstract: A signal processing system (10) is described which has a processor (12), a random access memory (14) for storage of data, a read-only memory (16) for storage of both coefficients and instructions, and a selective cache memory (18) for storage of instructions that require high performance, and their associated buses. Instructions selected by the program are stored in the selective cache memory during their first call from the read only memory for use later in the program. An address sequencer (50) is described as one form of a control unit for executing the data stored in the selective cache memory. It generates a sequence of addresses repetitively, counts the number of iterations of the sequence of addresses, and informs the controller when a certain number of iterations have been completed. This creates a conditional branch statement in the program of the signal processing system (10).

Abstract: The fuel pellets inside the fuel rods of a boiling water reactor are made with a lower enrichment concentration in the axial radial region and a higher concentration near the peripheral radial region to reduce thermal expansion effects upon sudden rises in temperature of the pellet when the reactor power is abruptly increased by a rapid step-wise withdrawal of a control rod. At least rods immediately adjacent the control rods contain pellets of this type, but additional rods may also be of this construction.