Abstract: A thermal processing system for processing work pieces such as silicon wafers for photovoltaic cells. The system include a firing furnace comprised of upper and lower banks for microzones having infrared lamps in each microzone. The microzone are lined with or formed of a reflective insulative material. Some embodiments of the system of the invention can be used as or in a continuous infrared furnace of oven having a drying, burn-off and firing zone.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is used to attach a plurality of wedge-shaped glass filter segments on a first side to a hub during the color ring build portion of the color wheel fabrication process. A strong adhesive, such as epoxy, is then used to adhere a second side of the filter segments directly to a turning surface of a motor, completing the color wheel fabrication. The epoxy is cured if necessary. The pressure sensitive adhesive can temporarily align the plurality of color filter segments in an alignment. The adhesive between the filter segments and the turning surface can then permanently bond the color filter segments in the alignment.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway defined by a surrounding structure. An elevator car and counterweight are located in the hoistway, and a drive motor is located between the elevator car and a sidewall of the hoistway. The drive motor drivingly couples and suspends the elevator car and counterweight via at least one flat rope or belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for in vitro diagnosis and follow-up of vaginal bacterial flora status in relation to the presence of bacterial vaginosis, and for monitoring its treatment where applicable, wherein the presence of bacterial vaginosis or failure of on-going treatment is determined if the concentrations of specific sequences present in a single copy in the DNA of the bacteria Atopobium vaginae and Gardnerella vaginalis in the DNA extracted from a vaginal discharge specimen from a patient are such that at least one of the following two conditions a) and b) are met: a) the concentration Ca of said DNA fragment of Atopobium vaginae is greater than or equal to 108 copies/mL, and b) the concentration Cg of said DNA fragment of Gardnerella vaginalis is greater than or equal to 109 copies/mL.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is used to attach a plurality of wedge-shaped glass filter segments on a first side to a hub during the color ring build portion of the color wheel fabrication process. A strong adhesive, such as epoxy, is then used to adhere a second side of the filter segments directly to a turning surface of a motor, completing the color wheel fabrication. The epoxy is cured if necessary. The pressure sensitive adhesive can temporarily align the plurality of color filter segments in an alignment. The adhesive between the filter segments and the turning surface can then permanently bond the color filter segments in the alignment.

Abstract: A multi channel video engine (10) for accepting, dividing, modifying and recombining light to project an image. A housing (12) encloses an optical assembly (28) having a dichroic mirror assembly (58) and a color cube (60). A plurality of LCD assemblies (30) accept light from the dichroic mirror assembly (58), modifies it, and reflects it to the color cube (60). A lens assembly (16) is affixed to a bulkhead (24) of the housing (12) using a lens cradle (14) and lens retainer (18). An output prism (54) aligns light onto a second plane (70) to coincide with an optical axis (72) of the lens assembly (16).

Abstract: A magnetic chuck (10) for temporarily holding an LCD imager (14) to a convergence device (12) during an alignment or convergence operation. A substrate (16) of the imager (14) is made of a magnetically permeable material. A knob (38) turns an armature assembly (22) such that in an on position 10b a second magnetic flux path (46b) is allowed to permeate the substrate 16 thereby holding the imager (14) to a grip face 18 of the magnetic chuck (10). When the knob (28) is rotated to shunt flux through a first magnetic flux path (49a) through a pair of steel grip shoes (20), then the imager (14) is released form the grip face (18).

Abstract: An improved imager assembly (10) having an imager subassembly (11) with an LCD device (14) mounted on a substrate (12) with a connector ribbon electrically and mechanically attached thereto. An improved mounting frame (20) has a plurality of mounting screw holes (36). A plurality of stress reducing recesses (28) prevent stress from being transferred though an isolation border (26) of the mounting frame (20) to the LCD device (14). An image mask (22) is affixed to the mounting frame (20) by an adhesive (24) and the adhesive (24) is further used to affix the mounting frame (20) to the imager subassembly (11).

Abstract: A convergence device 10 for assembly an LCD imaging device 14 to a fixed housing 12. The convergence device 10 has a frame 25 with a plurality of retention arms 26 protruding therefrom. Each of the retention arms 26 has a retention barb 27 for hooking behind a retention land 28 on the imaging device 14. The imaging device 14 has a retainer 18 with a plurality of preload flexures 24 for providing some outward pressure on the frame 15 of the convergence device 10. After the imaging device 14 is positioned on the fixed housing 12, an adhesive 30 is applied to a housing adhesive gap 32 and to a plurality of imager fixing adhesive gaps 34 to hold the convergence device 10 in place relative to the fixed housing 12 and further to hold the imaging device 14 in place relative to the convergence device 10.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus (10) for adjusting the field lens (14) with respect to an LCD imager (13). The field lens (14) may be mounted off center and/or may be only a segment of a complete lens. Guide fingers (20) on an assembly housing (18) fit within guide slots (26) of a field lens mount (16) to prevent relative rotation thereof. The field lens (14) is secured within the field lens mount (16). An internally threaded ring (22) mates with external threads (23) on the field lens mount (16) to move the field lens mount (16) in or out relative to the imager (13). A retainer (28) has preload flexures (30) which press against posts (32) on the field lens mount (16) for providing preload tension thereon. Adjustment teeth (24) on the outside of the threaded ring (22) provide a means for rotating the threaded ring (22).

Abstract: An oven compartment in an oven for subjecting items to a selected heating sequence having a compartment container with a transport opening therein to permit selectively entering such items adjacent to first plenum structure at a perforated surface to allow providing heating fluid thereon. The first plenum structure has a material mass and a specific heat such that a rate of change of temperature of that structure exceeds one degree Centigrade per second for a selected maximum temperature differential between heating fluid and any entered items positioned adjacent to the perforated surface at selected heating fluid pressures at that perforated surface. A method for heating such items with a heating fluid previously heated by a heater, to an extent determined by operating a heater control, directed onto such items is based on obtaining a control representation of a selected set of values for the heater control versus time based on a heating specification for a selected kind of item to be heated.

Abstract: An oven compartment in an oven for subjecting items to a selected heating sequence having a compartment container with a transport opening therein to permit selectively entering such items adjacent to first plenum structure at a perforated surface to allow providing heating fluid thereon. The first plenum structure has a material mass and a specific heat such that a rate of change of temperature of that structure exceeds one degree Centigrade per second for a selected maximum temperature differential between heating fluid and any entered items positioned adjacent to the perforated surface at selected heating fluid pressures at that perforated surface. A method for heating such items with a heating fluid previously heated by a heater, to an extent determined by operating a heater control, directed onto such items is based on obtaining a control representation of a selected set of values for the heater control versus time based on a heating specification for a selected kind of item to be heated.

Abstract: An improved imager assembly (10) having an imager subassembly (11) with an LCD device (14) mounted on a substrate (12) with a connector ribbon electrically and mechanically attached thereto. An improved mounting frame (20) has a plurality of mounting screw holes (36). A plurality of stress reducing recesses (28) prevent stress from being transferred though an isolation border (26) of the mounting frame (20) to the LCD device (14). An image mask (22) is affixed to the mounting frame (20) by an adhesive (24) and the adhesive (24) is further used to affix the mounting frame (20) to the imager subassembly (11).

Abstract: A magnetic chuck (10) for temporarily holding an LCD imager (14) to a convergence device (12) during an alignment or convergence operation. A substrate (16) of the imager (14) is made of a magnetically permeable material. A knob (38) turns an armature assembly (22) such that in an on position 10b a second magnetic flux path (46b) is allowed to permeate the substrate 16 thereby holding the imager (14) to a grip face 18 of the magnetic chuck (10). When the knob (28) is rotated to shunt flux through a first magnetic flux path (49a) through a pair of steel grip shoes (20), then the imager (14) is released form the grip face (18).

Abstract: A convergence device 10 for assembly an LCD imaging device 14 to a fixed housing 12. The convergence device 10 has a frame 25 with a plurality of retention arms 26 protruding therefrom. Each of the retention arms 26 has a retention barb 27 for hooking behind a retention land 28 on the imaging device 14. The imaging device 14 has a retainer 18 with a plurality of preload flexures 24 for providing some outward pressure on the frame 15 of the convergence device 10. After the imaging device 14 is positioned on the fixed housing 12, an adhesive 30 is applied to a housing adhesive gap 32 and to a plurality of imager fixing adhesive gaps 34 to hold the convergence device 10 in place relative to the fixed housing 12 and further to hold the imaging device 14 in place relative to the convergence device 10.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus (10) for adjusting the field lens (14) with respect to an LCD imager (13). The field lens (14) may be mounted off center and/or may be only a segment of a complete lens. Guide fingers (20) on an assembly housing (18) fit within guide slots (26) of a field lens mount (16) to prevent relative rotation thereof. The field lens (14) is secured within the field lens mount (16). An internally threaded ring (22) mates with external threads (23) on the field lens mount (16) to move the field lens mount (16) in or out relative to the imager (13). A retainer (28) has preload flexures (30) which press against posts (32) on the field lens mount (16) for providing preload tension thereon. Adjustment teeth (24) on the outside of the threaded ring (22) provide a means for rotating the threaded ring (22).

Abstract: A multi channel video engine (10) for accepting, dividing, modifying and recombining light to project an image. A housing (12) encloses an optical assembly (28) having a dichroic mirror assembly (58) and a color cube (60). A plurality of LCD assemblies (30) accept light from the dichroic mirror assembly (58), modifies it, and reflects it to the color cube (60). A lens assembly (16) is affixed to a bulkhead (24) of the housing (12) using a lens cradle (14) and lens retainer (18). An output prism (54) aligns light onto a second plane (70) to coincide with an optical axis (72) of the lens assembly (16).

Abstract: A mechanical convergence fixture apparatus (10) having an LCD frame assembly (12) which is positioned in relation to a projector chassis (14) using an alignment assembly (12) which is positioned in relation to a projector chassis (14) using an alignment assembly (16). The LCD frame assembly (12) has a micro LCD (24) rigidly affixed thereto and a field lens (32) adjustably affixed thereto. A vacuum chuck (40) holds the LCD frame assembly (12) on the alignment assembly (16) while the LCD frame assembly (12) is positioned. A drop of adhesive (62) is then placed on each of a plurality of locating studs (18) and a like plurality of locating holes (20) to affix the LCD frame assembly (12) in position on the chassis (14). The alignment assembly (16) is then detached from the LCD frame assembly (12) to be reused.

Abstract: A multi channel video engine (10) for accepting, dividing, modifying and recombining light to project an image. A housing (12) encloses an optical assembly (28) having a dichroic mirror assembly (58) and a color cube (60). A plurality of LCD assemblies (30) accept light from the dichroic mirror assembly (58), modifies it, and reflects it to the color cube (60). A lens assembly (16) is affixed to a bulkhead (24) of the housing (12) using a lens cradle (14) and lens retainer (18). An output prism (54) aligns light onto a second plane (70) to coincide with an optical axis (72) of the lens assembly (16).

Abstract: An LCD assembly (10) having an LCD device mounted on a substrate (12) with a flex cable and connector assembly (14) electrically and mechanically attached thereto. A mounting border (16) has a plurality of border screw holes (40) isolated from a main body (30) of the mounting border (16) by a plurality of stress relief slots (34) such that the main body (39) connects to the border screw holes (40) only through a plurality of land areas (44). An aperture mask 18 is interposed between a LCD subassembly (28) and a frame (20). The frame (20) has a lens receptor (42) for accepting a field lens (22) secured in a lens mount. Mounting screws (26) secure the mounting border (16) to the frame (20).