Abstract: An improved electrospray ionization (ESI) system source and method is presented including an electrospray ionization source for introducing an ionized molecular sample into a mass spectrometer for analysis. The ESI source is constructed in the configuration of a probe that makes use of a standard 0.5 inch (13 mm) vacuum lock commonly found on conventional mass spectrometers. The ESI probe comprises a desolvation tube, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the desolvation tube, a resistance coil for heating the desolvation tube, a sensor for measuring the temperature of the desolvation tube, a skimmer positioned downstream of the desolvation tube for directing the ions to the lens stack of the mass spectrometer, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the skimmer, a spacer lens positioned upstream of the skimmer for focusing the ions prior to their entering the skimmer, and an evacuable dielectric encasement for housing the components of the probe assembly.

Abstract: A synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine is changeable between a synchronous exercise mode wherein a user's limbs, such as his legs, oppositely reciprocate, and an asynchronous exercise mode wherein the user's limbs move independently. The synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine may comprise a first movable element for accepting a user's limb, and a second movable element for accepting another limb. A load source against which the user can exercise may also be provided. A first drive belt operatively connects the first movable element to the load source, and a second drive belt operatively connects the second movable element to the load source. A quick change mechanism, which may be connected to the first movable element, is releasably engagable with the second drive belt for changing the synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine between the synchronous exercise mode and the asynchronous exercise mode.

Abstract: A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. An actuating member is movably positioned on the drive stud, and the actuating member includes a blade that defines a sliding surface oriented transversely to the locking member to fit within a slot in the locking member and engage a ledge surface of the locking member. Movement of the actuating member along the longitudinal axis of the drive stud in a selected direction causes the ledge surface to slide along the sliding surface to move the locking member from an engaging to a release position.

Abstract: A luminescence amount detecting part detects a weak optical radiation which a transistor in a semiconductor integrated circuit emits owing to a hot carrier effect. An output thereof is image-processed by an image processing part. An information storage part stores information on a transistor width and information on a switching frequency at an execution of a test pattern into each transistor. A switching time calculating part evaluates a switching time of the transistor from respective outputs of the image processing part and the information storage part to output a result. Thus the switching time can be evaluated easily without a electron beam tester whose operation is complicated. A delay time can be evaluated by detecting a luminescence amount which changes depending on a gate voltage, instead of measuring a gate voltage.

Abstract: A self-adjusting shim includes an inner element and an outer element. The outer element defines an internal threaded bore and a projecting tab that limits rotation of the outer element. The inner element includes a threaded outer surface and an inner opening. The threaded outer surface is received in the threaded internal bore such that relative rotation between the inner and outer element results in relative axial movement therebetween. The inner opening includes a torque transmitting feature such as an out-of-round surface or an internally projecting element that is directed radially inwardly so as to couple the inner element to a bolt for rotation.

Abstract: A method and system for mounting decorative wheel covers uses an adaptor or the like for frictionally engaging the outer periphery of one or more standard lug nuts, without affecting the seat of the lug nut to the wheel. The adaptor further includes a threaded member cooperating with apertures in the wheel cover or similar structure for attaching a decorative wheel cover. Specialized bushings may be used with the adaptors to provide a universal mounting system adaptable for use with a plurality of differently-sized lug nuts. Unitary or multiple-piece wheel covers may be used in conjunction with the mounting adaptors provided. Various ways of inhibiting or preventing relative rotation between wheel cover elements and a wheel are provided in the different embodiments.

Abstract: A communications network for processing insurance claims of objects. The communications network including claim terminals and repair terminals, each having a processor, a display monitor, and a mass storage device, for inputting and sending object-identification data, parts graphics images, and images from the claims terminals to the repair terminals through a communications channel. The repair terminals compute repair and replacement estimates and send the estimates to the claim terminal. The object-identification data include information stored in digital form for a multiplicity of objects. The sum of the costs for repairing an object or a part of an object versus the cost for replacing the object or the part of a object is compared. An imaging device may be used for capturing an electronic image in digital form of the damaged object.

Abstract: A locking pliers includes first and second handles. The first handle includes two spaced, parallel plates and a jaw received therebetween. The plates and at least a portion of the jaw are surrounded by a molded plastic element that defines the hand engaging surface of a handle. A similar construction can be used for the second handle. The plates provide rigidity to the handle, while the molded plastic element provides an ergonomically shaped hand engaging surface. The disclosed handles can be adapted for use in other hand tools, including pliers, wire cutters, snips, and the like.

Abstract: A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. The lower end of the locking pin is constructed to engage the tool attachment when the locking pin is positioned in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when the locking pin is moved to a release position. An actuating element is movably positioned on the drive stud, and the actuating element is coupled to the locking pin to move the locking pin from the engaging to the release position as the actuating element moves along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A compact and solid-state mechanical sensor comprises a magnetic layer having magnetostriction and a planar coil for detecting a mechanical property as a change in impedance. The sensitivity of the sensor is improved with heat treatment to relax the internal stress in the magnetic layer. The magnetic layer 12a of 5 .mu.m of thickness is formed on a titanium substrate 11 of 9.4 ppm/.degree.C. thermal expansion coefficient. The magnetic layer comprises an Fe-based amorphous alloy film prepared with a sputtering method, and it has a composition of Fe 74, Cr 4, Si 13 and B 9 (at %), +22 ppm of saturation magnetostriction constant and 8.0 ppm/.degree.C. of thermal expansion coefficient. An insulator layer 13a made of SiO.sub.x of 2 .mu.m of thickness on the magnetic layer 12a, and a planar coil 14 and input/output terminals 15a, 15b made of aluminum of 2 .mu.m of thickness is formed on the insulator layer 13a.

Abstract: An optical scanner having a variable resolution wherein an optical detecting unit controlled by a pixel clock signal generates a discrete signal representing pixels scanned in a region. An analog-to-digital converter converts the signal to a digital signal with a preselected resolution controlled by a sample clock generator. The sample clock generator receives the pixel clock signal, and through a counter and a store, operates an addressed, binary data word which is sent to a register. The register is coupled to a further periodic clock generator that controls reading from the register and provides a clock signal with pulses when the bits of the data word assume a first binary state, and no pulses when the bits assume a second binary state. The clock signal is passed to the analog-to-digital converter as a sample clock signal.

Abstract: A sugar-sweetened chewing gum is provided having enhanced long-term sweetness intensity during chewing, which is provided by the sugar. The sugar included in the chewing gum is at least 60% as sweet as sucrose. Water is provided in a sufficient quantity to dissolve and/or mix with at least some of the sugar. A mildly hydrophilic polymer attractor is provided which attracts the water mixed with sugar and temporarily delays the release of the water mixed with sugar during chewing. Surprisingly, the gum of the invention has enhanced long term flavor release provided by the sugar, without compromising the pleasing initial burst of sweetness, which is also provided by the sugar.

Abstract: A cyclonic power wash system uses high pressure, high temperature water for selectively cleaning large, flat, concrete or asphalt surfaces. The sprayed water is reclaimed by vacuuming it through holes in the bottom of a reclamation ring attached to the underside of the mobile cyclone sprayer, filtering the vacuumed water and returning it to a storage tank for re-use by the system. The filtration tank initially filters out large matter in an inlet trough and smaller matter in a plurality of cascading chambers. A rotary union in the sprayer prevents the water, passing from the inlet of the rotary union to the discharge thereof, from leaking through or around a seal formed by pressing together a pair of hard, durable sealing surfaces, for example, silicon carbide, one of which is non-rotatably slidingly received in an upper recess of the union's fixed housing and the other, affixed to a spindle rotatably received and retained in a lower recess of the housing.

Abstract: The invention is a field-emission element that is fabricated by forming an elevated surface and a base surface on a conductive substrate or a semiconductor substrate by applying a photolithographic process and an etching process, and making these surfaces cross at a step with an acute angle between the two surfaces. The intersection of the elevated surface with the step form a cathode having a radius of curvature of less than 20 nm. A gate electrode formed on the base electrode but insulated therefrom is disposed at a distance less than 1 .mu.m from said cathode by controlling the distance by the thickness of an etching protection mask. The field-emission element enables electrons to be emitted from the cathode when a voltage less than 150V is applied between the cathode and the gate electrode.

Abstract: A mold for a semiconductor package having a port for feeding resin which can be fixed either in an upper mold (1) or a bottom mold (2) corresponding to the location of the flange tip so that the operating rate of the equipment is increased to achieve high productivity.

Abstract: There are provided a data transmitter for sequentially transmitting data to which error correcting codes are added, and a data receiver for returning a retransmission request signal if the received data has errors which cannot be corrected. The data transmitter does not confirm that the retransmission request signal related to the transmitted data is received and data are consecutively transmitted from a FIFO memory in a pipeline fashion while holding the transmitted data in a data latch. The data receiver sequentially stores the received data in the FIFO memory on a receiving end in a pipeline fashion. In the case where the retransmission request signal is transmitted from the data receiver, the data transmitter immediately transmits retransmission data which has been prepared in the data latch.

Abstract: In an apparatus for mounting electronic components, punched out from film carriers to a substrate, there is disclosed an upper die for punching the electronic components through a hole formed in a lower die. A take out nozzle is located under the through hole for sucking the punched out electronic component from the hole in the lower die. A transfer nozzle is provided for receiving the electronic component from the take out nozzle and for transmitting the electronic component to a substrate mounted on a movable table. Before any leadwires of the component are bonded to the electrodes of the substrate, the table is finely positioned to property align the leadwires and the electrodes.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium known by the cultivar name `Faro` is characterized by a signal red flower color, a semi-double flower forum, dark foliage, medium height, large umbel, long pedicel, medium flower response and good heat and rain resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium known by the cultivar name `Morella` is characterized by a crimson red flower color, dark foliage without strong zonation, a semi-double flower form, early flower response and a medium habit.