Abstract: A firing mechanism of an explosively actuated tool for driving a fastener into a substrate includes a cocking rod and sear for entraining the firing pin with the firing pin being releasable on cocking by rotation of the sear. The cocking rod and sear form a structure subject to an axial and rotational bias by a coil spring anchored at one end to the structure and at the opposite end to a mounting which during assembly of the mechanism is rotated to apply torsional loading to the spring and is then locked into a housing of the mechanism in an angular orientation in which torsional loading is maintained in the spring.

Abstract: An explosively actuated tool for driving a fastener into a substrate is of the type in which the tool is mounted to the end of a pole-like handle to permit manipulation and actuation of the tool from a remote position wherein actuation of the tool occurs by pushing the forward end of a barrel of the tool against the substrate using the handle and then pushing on the handle which loads and then releases the firing mechanism of the tool. A lock device is incorporated to prevent “air firing” of the tool by pushing the handle without the forward end of the barrel being pressed against the substrate. The lock device has a lock member which cooperates with the firing pin or firing pin spring support of the firing mechanism to lock one or other of those components unless the lock member is released by a prior displacement caused by retraction of the barrel when its forward end is pressed against the substrate.

Abstract: A dielectric material formed by contacting a low dielectric constant polymer with liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide, under thermodynamic conditions which maintain the carbon dioxide in the liquid or supercritical state, wherein a porous product is formed. Thereupon, thermodynamic conditions are changed to ambient wherein carbon dioxide escapes from the pores and is replaced with air.

Abstract: An explosively actuated tool for driving a fastener into a substrate is mountable to the end of a pole-like handle to permit manipulation and actuation of the tool from a remote position. Actuation of the tool occurs by pushing the forward end of a barrel of the tool against the substrate using the handle and then pushing forwardly the handle which loads and then releases a tiring mechanism of the tool to fire the charge. The tool has a safety lock device for inhibiting loading of the firing mechanism sufficiently to initiate firing unless the tool is orientated upwardly into a vertical or near vertical orientation.

Abstract: In a powder driven fastening tool, a channel is included for feeding a strip of explosive powder cartridges to a firing mechanism. A trigger is included for actuating the firing mechanism, wherein the trigger is movable between a first position and a second position. An advancing lever is pivotally coupled to the tool, the advancing lever having a strip engagement portion for indexing the strip which extends into the channel. An advance link is cammingly engaged with the advancing lever and is operationally associated with the trigger so that the strip engagement portion is in a first position in the channel when the trigger is in the first position and so the strip engagement portion is in a second position when the trigger is in the second position.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed utilizing DCL, a metabolic derivative of loratadine, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and other disorders, while avoiding the concomitant liability of adverse side-effects associated with other non-sedating antihistamines.

Abstract: A process of removing residue from an etched precision surface. In this process the etched precision surface is contacted with a composition which includes liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide and a fluoride-generating species.

Abstract: A composition which includes liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide and an acid having a pKa of less than about 4. The composition is employed in a process of removing residue from a precision surface, such as a semiconductor sample, in which the precision surface is contacted with the composition under thermodynamic conditions consistent with the retention of the liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide in the liquid or supercritical state.

Abstract: A check valve for micro electro mechanical structure devices (MEMS), and in particular pertains to a check valve which is adapted to be employed in connection with micro electro mechanical structure devices which are intended to be employed with supercritical fluids constituting working fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the check valve is equipped with a bypass channel including a freely moveable plug structure which, in the open position of the valve enables the ingress of supercritical fluids under high superatmospheric pressures, and subsequent to the filling of the system, let down to atmospheric pressure, causes the plug to be moved into a permanent valve-closed position.

Abstract: An explosively actuated tool for driving a fastener into a substrate is of the type in which the tool is mounted to the end of a pole-like handle to permit manipulation and actuation of the tool from a remote position wherein actuation of the tool occurs by pushing the forward end of a barrel of the tool against the substrate using the handle and then pushing on the handle which loads and then releases the firing mechanism of the tool. A lock device is incorporated to prevent “air firing” of the tool by pushing the handle without the forward end of the barrel being pressed against the substrate. The lock device has a lock member which cooperates with the firing pin or firing pin spring support of the firing mechanism to lock one or other of those components unless the lock member is released by a prior displacement caused by retraction of the barrel when its forward end is pressed against the substrate.

Abstract: A check valve for micro electro mechanical structure devices (MEMS), and in particular pertains to a check valve which is adapted to be employed in connection with micro electro mechanical structure devices which are intended to be employed with supercritical fluids constituting working fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the check valve is equipped with a bypass channel including a freely moveable plug structure which, in the open position of the valve enables the ingress of supercritical fluids under high superatmospheric pressures, and subsequent to the filling of the system, let down to atmospheric pressure, causes the plug to be moved into a permanent valve-closed position.

Abstract: A firing mechanism of an explosively actuated tool for driving a fastener into a substrate includes a cocking rod and sear for entraining the firing pin with the firing pin being releasable on cocking by rotation of the sear. The cocking rod and sear form a structure subject to an axial and rotational bias by a coil spring anchored at one end to the structure and at the opposite end to a mounting which during assembly of the mechanism is rotated to apply torsional loading to the spring and is then locked into a housing of the mechanism in an angular orientation in which torsional loading is maintained in the spring.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cleaning filters prior to recycling or disposal. In this process and apparatus liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide contacts the plugged pores of a filter under conditions in which carbon dioxide remains in the liquid or supercritical state.

Abstract: A process of removing photoresist, previously subjected to ion implantation, from the surface of a workpiece. The process involves contacting the workpiece with a composition which includes liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide and between about 2% and about 20% of an alkanol having the structural formula CxX2x+1OH, where X is fluorine, hydrogen or mixtures thereof; and x is an integer of 1 to 8, said percentages being by volume, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A process of providing a semiconductor device with electrical interconnection capability wherein a sacrificial material is introduced into topographical features of the semiconductor device prior to chemical mechanical polishing so that debris formed during chemical mechanical polishing is incapable of falling into topographical features present on the semiconductor device. The sacrificial material is thereupon removed by liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A dielectric material formed by contacting a low dielectric constant polymer with liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide, under thermodynamic conditions which maintain the carbon dioxide in the liquid or supercritical state, wherein a porous product is formed. Thereupon, thermodynamic conditions are changed to ambient wherein carbon dioxide escapes from the pores and is replaced with air.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the processing of a precision surface. The process and apparatus includes contacting of a precision surface in a process chamber with liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide in which sonic waves are generated.

Abstract: An electromechanical device having a size no larger than about 10 microns utilizing a working fluid in the high pressure liquid or supercritical fluid state. A process of preparing the electromechanical device involves the introduction of the liquid or supercritical fluid therein which permits the retention of the working fluid in the liquid or supercritical state after introduction.

Abstract: An explosively actuated tool for driving a fastener into a substrate is of indirect acting type having a driving piston mounted within the barrel of the tool for driving the fastener. The tool is a single shot tool which receives an explosive charge, particularly a .22 cal×0.613 ins long unnecked charge capable of generating a piston kinetic energy of at least 260 joule. The piston has a recess in its rear face able to smooth-out sharp pressure spikes and reduce peak pressure generated during combustion of the high powered explosive charge.

Abstract: Fixtures and methods for clamping workpieces in a workplace to enable the optimized exposure thereof to a stream or flow of a supercritical fluid. Provided is a rotatably indexable chuck or locator mounting the workpiece and enabling orientating the latter in specific static pitch position within a high pressure vessel in order to subject the workpiece to a full frontal exposure to the supercritical fluid stream within the vessel. This mounting arrangement facilitates an optimum positioning of the workpiece being processed in the flow path of the supercritical fluid stream while oriented in selectively indexed rotational positions.