Abstract: Fixtures including supports for holding various components are disclosed. The fixtures may include a first member including two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another, and at least two supports extending between each of the two opposing side rails. The at least two supports may contact removable features formed on the component. The fixture may also include a second member contacting the first member. The second member may include two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another. The two opposing side rails of the second member may be positioned on and may contact the two opposing side rails of the first member. The second member may also include at least one support extending between the two opposing side rails of the second member. The at least one support may contact removable features formed on the component.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tool guide for a tool that shapes a workpiece. The tool guide may include a body having a contact surface configured to contact a surface of a workpiece, a tool holder positioned within the body and configured to hold a machining tool having a tool bit, the tool holder holding the machining tool in a predetermined orientation relative to the workpiece, a guide element attached to the body configured to engage a surface feature of the workpiece, and an upper opening and a lower opening in the body configured to allow the tool bit to extend beyond the contact surface and operate to remove a portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fixture for supporting a body in an oven includes a plurality of support ribs to support the body, and a support element to support and connect the plurality of support ribs. Each support rib has a length, a width, a thickness, and a first end. The length extends from the support element to the first end, and the width extends perpendicular to the length. The length varies across the width of at least one support rib. In another embodiment, a fixture for supporting a body in an oven includes a plurality of connected support ribs to support the body. Each support rib is spaced from at least one other support rib. The length differs for at least a first support rib of the plurality of support ribs with respect to at least a second support rib of the plurality of support ribs.

Abstract: Fixtures including supports for holding various components are disclosed. The fixtures may include a first member including two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another, and at least two supports extending between each of the two opposing side rails. The at least two supports may contact removable features formed on the component. The fixture may also include a second member contacting the first member. The second member may include two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another. The two opposing side rails of the second member may be positioned on and may contact the two opposing side rails of the first member. The second member may also include at least one support extending between the two opposing side rails of the second member. The at least one support may contact removable features formed on the component.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tool guide for a tool that shapes a workpiece. The tool guide may include a body having a contact surface configured to contact a surface of a workpiece, a tool holder positioned within the body and configured to hold a machining tool having a tool bit, the tool holder holding the machining tool in a predetermined orientation relative to the workpiece, a guide element attached to the body configured to engage a surface feature of the workpiece, and an upper opening and a lower opening in the body configured to allow the tool bit to extend beyond the contact surface and operate to remove a portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include an apparatus for forming an object. Various particular embodiments include an object forming apparatus including: at least two reservoirs for storing material components; a mixing device having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the mixing device being fluidly connected to the at least two reservoirs; and a die fluidly connected to the outlet of the mixing device, the die including an object manifold, wherein the mixing device and the die are a single unit detachable from the at least two reservoirs.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include a method for combining slurry components to form a solid object. Various particular embodiments include a method including: combining a first slurry component with a second slurry component to form a homogenized slurry, wherein the first slurry component includes: a catalyst, and a vinyl binder, and wherein the second slurry component includes: a siloxane binder, and wherein at least one of the first slurry component and the second slurry component includes a particulate composition; introducing the homogenized slurry into a die; and curing the homogenized slurry in the die to form the solid object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fixture for supporting a body in an oven includes a plurality of support ribs to support the body, and a support element to support and connect the plurality of support ribs. Each support rib has a length, a width, a thickness, and a first end. The length extends from the support element to the first end, and the width extends perpendicular to the length. The length varies across the width of at least one support rib. In another embodiment, a fixture for supporting a body in an oven includes a plurality of connected support ribs to support the body. Each support rib is spaced from at least one other support rib. The length differs for at least a first support rib of the plurality of support ribs with respect to at least a second support rib of the plurality of support ribs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a part includes placing a die mold and a part substance in a heating zone of a microwave heating apparatus, and subjecting the die to microwave radiation. The die mold supports at least a portion of the part substance and includes a first dopant, which has a greater microwave radiation heating susceptibility than the die mold. In another embodiment, a die mold material includes a plastic and a dopant, the dopant having a greater microwave radiation heating susceptibility than the plastic. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a part includes placing a part substance in a microwave radiation heating zone, and subjecting the part substance to microwave radiation to heat the dopant. The part substance includes a dopant, the dopant having a first microwave radiation heating susceptibility greater than a second microwave radiation heating susceptibility of the part substance.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for hermetically encapsulating one or more optoelectronic device, such as a light emitting device or a photovoltaic device. The apparatus comprises a base and a carriage movable along the base. The carriage comprises a roller. The apparatus further comprises a vacuum platen coupled with the base and a tensioner coupled with the base. The tensioner comprises a support member that projects orthogonally above a plane of the vacuum platen.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately picking and placing one or more optoelectronic devices for vacuum lamination of materials in a way that minimizes stress to the materials.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus for an energy storage cell is presently disclosed. The terminal apparatus includes a terminal body with a peripheral edge extending substantially around a perimeter of the terminal body such that the terminal body is configured to be secured to a cell housing to retain an electrochemical cell in the cell housing, a terminal connector extending from the peripheral edge forming a first terminal for an energy storage cell, a sealable vacuum port extending through the terminal body, and an aperture in the terminal body configured to receive a second terminal of the energy storage cell. A method of manufacturing an energy storage cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for hermetically encapsulating one or more optoelectronic device, such as a light emitting device or a photovoltaic device. The apparatus comprises a base and a carriage movable along the base. The carriage comprises a roller. The apparatus further comprises a vacuum platen coupled with the base and a tensioner coupled with the base. The tensioner comprises a support member that projects orthogonally above a plane of the vacuum platen.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately picking and placing one or more optoelectronic devices for vacuum lamination of materials in a way that minimizes stress to the materials.

Abstract: A generally planar, flexible light source assembly or OLED device includes a generally planar, flexible light emitting member having opposite first and second surfaces. An impermeable backsheet is disposed along the first surface of the light emitting surface and includes a conductive portion and an opening through the backsheet. A conductive tab or cover is received over the opening, and an insulator is disposed between the tab cover and the opening to mitigate the risk of electrical contact between the components. The insulator can be precut washer-like members or an applied insulating material situated between the conductive components of the light source assembly that pose a potential for shorting. Using tabs with burr-free edges also mitigates against the risk of electrical shorting.

Abstract: A generally planar, flexible light source assembly or OLED device includes a generally planar, flexible light emitting member having opposite first and second surfaces. An impermeable backsheet is disposed along the first surface of the light emitting surface and includes a conductive portion and an opening through the backsheet. A conductive tab or cover is received over the opening, and an insulator is disposed between the tab cover and the opening to mitigate the risk of electrical contact between the components. The insulator can be precut washer-like members or an applied insulating material situated between the conductive components of the light source assembly that pose a potential for shorting. Using tabs with burr-free edges also mitigates against the risk of electrical shorting.