Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.

Abstract: An industrial automation controller includes a housing with a forced convection chamber. First and second fans are releasably connected to the housing and are adapted to induce airflow through the forced convection chamber. The first and second fans are each connected to the housing by respective first and second latch systems that each include a primary latch and a secondary latch. The secondary latch imposes a time delay during removal and replacement of a fan to facilitate hot swapping of the fan with a replacement fan. A make-last/break-first contact system is provided for each fan such that the fan is shutdown in a controlled manner prior to removal of the fan from the housing. The controller monitors internal temperature and fan speed. The controller initiates, logs, and reports fault conditions based upon the monitored temperature and/or fan speed. The controller is shut down if the monitored temperature exceeds a select temperature level.

Abstract: A system for applying a first coating composition and a second coating composition is provided herein. The system includes an atomizing applicator and a high transfer efficiency applicator defining a nozzle orifice. The system further includes a substrate assembly comprising a metal-containing substrate and a plastic-containing substrate. The metal-containing substrate is coupled to the plastic-containing substrate. The atomizing applicator is configured to apply the first coating composition to the metal-containing substrate. The high transfer efficiency applicator is configured to expel the second coating composition through the second nozzle orifice to the plastic-containing substrate.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods of printing in the presence of plasma. The apparatus includes a modular print head comprising an inlet module, a plasma module with movable electrode configurations, and a nozzle module. The modular design of the print head allows for printing on and treatment of surfaces in many different applications.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods of printing in the presence of plasma. The apparatus includes a modular print head comprising an inlet module, a plasma module with movable electrode configurations, and a nozzle module. The modular design of the print head allows for printing on and treatment of surfaces in many different applications.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods of printing in the presence of plasma. The apparatus includes a modular print head comprising an inlet module, a plasma module with movable electrode configurations, and a nozzle module. The modular design of the print head allows for printing on and treatment of surfaces in many different applications.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and methods of printing in the presence of plasma. The apparatus includes a modular print head comprising an inlet module, a plasma module with movable electrode configurations, and a nozzle module. The modular design of the print head allows for printing on and treatment of surfaces in many different applications.

Abstract: A method of fabricating the semiconductor wafer processing fixtures for having longer longevity on high stressed film applications such as LPCVD-SiN, silicon carbide and other ceramics than that of non-processed parts. One aspect of the invention includes nitriding, oxidizing, or carbiding a surface layer of a polysilicon part, such as furnaceware, for converting silicon to a silicon compound and its converted surface covers and masks the underlying polycrystalline structure. A plasma immersion ion implantation of a heavy noble gas or carbon, silicon or nitrogen is followed by to form high-energy states creating gettering states adjacent the surface and the ion implanted region serves to anchor production layers such as LPCVD-SiN forming on the polysilicon part. As a result of gettering effect, tightly bonded high stressed film onto a polysilicon part allows the CVD deposition of much thicker films without peeling or cracking as long as the gettering effect remains.

Abstract: A wick applicator assembly for wiping liquid chemical on vegetation, such as weed growth among young field crops, comprises a tractor-mounted elongated bar having a plurality of individual wick stations arranged serially therealong. Each wick station comprises a porous tube individually connected at one end to a common line containing liquid chemical under pressure and at the other end to a common return line for recycling unused liquid to a supply tank. Each tube is covered with a sleeve of fabric material which becomes saturated with liquid seeping from the tube pores for wiping against target vegetation. Adjustable flow restrictors at the inlet and outlet ends of each tube serve to control the saturation level of its sleeve.

Abstract: A recirculating sprayer assembly directs treatment spray streams against a collector means having its lower end extending through an enlarged opening in a reservoir means. A screen means extends between the collector means and the adjoining edge or edges of the reservoir means. Alternatively, a fibrous mat collector is folded over with its free ends positioned within a tray member. A plurality of ports pass the recovered liquid retrieved by the mat into the reservoir as well as limit the admission of foreign particles into the reservoir. At the upper end of the tray, lip surfaces flare outwardly away from the collection plane of the mat to collect loose drops falling from the mat and return them to the tray for passage into the reservoir. In a still further embodiment, a folded-over fibrous mat collector fits into an upper slot opening of a trough-shaped reservoir having upper wall side openings extending generally outwardly from the collection plane of the mat.

Abstract: A recirculating sprayer adapted for mounting on a vehicle is improved for use at increased travel speed and for operation in higher wind conditions by angling the solid spray streams forwardly or rearwardly from a direction transverse to the travel direction. The sprays are employed in criss-cross, opposite pairs, with the spray stream patterns of adjacent pairs of spray nozzles abutting or overlapping one another for full coverage of all upstanding weeds or crops in an area traversed by the sprayer. A series of collector mats or panels may be arranged transverse to the travel direction, with sprays trained thereon for contacting each weed twice in its upstanding position once by each spray of a pair; the weeds may also be contacted once more as they are bent forward to pass beneath the panels and a reservoir thereunder. The collector may also be arranged in panels parallel to the travel direction, for increased ease in negotiating sloping terrain.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling weeds and for treating crops planted in rows has a horizontal frame connected to a transverse, horizontal tool bar of a propelling vehicle by a parallelogram linkage which is maintained in gauged vertical relation to a crop row shoulder surface by a pair of gauge wheels affixed to the frame and rolling along the shoulder surface. A pair of disc blades which may be rotatable if desired are adjustably carried along either side of the crop row shoulder by shafts mounted in the clamps on the frame, the clamps permitting vertical, lateral, and angular positioning of the shafts and disc blades. A pair of spray nozzles may be carried from the rear end of the frame for positioning on either side of the crop row for application of herbicides and other chemicals.

Abstract: A recirculating sprayer adapted for mounting on a vehicle is improved for use at increased travel speed and for operation in higher wind conditions by angling the solid spray streams forwardly or rearwardly from a direction transverse to the travel direction. The sprays are employed in criss-cross, opposite pairs, with the spray stream patterns of adjacent pairs of spray nozzles abutting or overlapping one another for full coverage of all upstanding weeds or crops in an area traversed by the sprayer. A series of collector mats or panels may be arranged transverse to the travel direction, with sprays trained thereon for contacting each weed twice in its upstanding position once by each spray of a pair; the weeds may also be contacted once more as they are bent forward to pass beneath the panels and a reservoir thereunder. The collector may also be arranged in panels parallel to the travel direction, for increased ease in negotiating sloping terrain.