Abstract: A tube cleaning system and method including a nozzle holder operable to secure nozzles in a nozzle arrangement, the nozzle arrangement corresponding to an arrangement of tubes of a tube bundle, and a nozzle positioning system operable to move the nozzle holder and nozzles secured therein, to cause the nozzles to engage a set of tubes of the tubes of the tube bundle, the nozzles configured to direct cleaning fluid into the set of tubes.

Abstract: A coupler assembly has first and second conductors with first and second dielectric supports extending along a coupling section and supporting the first and second conductors at a support section.

Abstract: A microwave spectroscopy probe has a center conductor between a first ground plane and a second ground plane. A dielectric member has fluid channel between the center conductor and the first ground plane.

Abstract: A microcircuit has a node thereon. A center conductor is electrically connected to the node and the center conductor has a length to minimum radius ratio of at least 50. A method of for providing electrical interconnections in a microcircuit, comprises the steps of depositing conductive bumps on the microcircuit; and aligning and bonding a center conductor to the conductive bumps, the center conductor having a first end and a second end, and the center conductor having a length to minimum radius ratio of at least 50.

Abstract: An interconnection includes a microcircuit package having a slot, and a receiving feature. A bead ring is fitted into the receiving feature. A center conductor extends through a dielectric support disposed in the bead ring and through the slot. The center conductor forms a coaxial transmission structure in cooperation with the bead ring and the dielectric support, and forms a slab line transmission structure in cooperation with the slot.

Abstract: A coaxial connector including an outer conductor, a glass to metal seal (GMS) assembly, and a center conductor, is disclosed. The outer conductor has a tubular shape and defines longitudinal axis. Here, the center conductor and the GMS assembly are coupled before they are placed within the outer conductor. When the GMS assembly is coaxially placed within the outer conductor, the GMS assembly and the outer conductor define a variable gap enclosure. Fusing agent such as solder is placed within the variable gap enclosure. A bead is inserted into the outer conductor surrounding the center conductor and engaging the center conductor at a circumferential slot. The slide-on dielectric bead provides support for the center conductor and maintains the center conductor's position within the outer conductor and its characteristic impedance throughout.

Abstract: A movable support for a coaxial structure, such as a coaxial feed-through, connector, or cable, allows adjusting the height of a center pin of the coaxial structure relative to the surface of a high-frequency planar microcircuit mounted on a base. The height of the center pin is optimized to provide a high-frequency transition between the coaxial transmission structure and a planar transmission structure, such as a stripline structure, on the planar microcircuit. An interference fit between the movable support and base at the operating height provides a high-quality ground contact underneath the center pin.

Abstract: Support structure for high frequency coaxial transmission line. A conductive bead ring is split in two halves longitudinally, containing a relief for excess glass flow and provision for locking the halves together. A glass dielectric surrounds the center conductor, which is tapered from a first larger diameter to a second smaller diameter in the region of the glass dielectric. A fixture for forming the glass to metal seal uses dams to control the positioning of the glass with respect to the taper in the center conductor.

Abstract: A movable support for a coaxial structure, such as a coaxial feed-through, connector, or cable, allows adjusting the height of a center pin of the coaxial structure relative to the surface of a high-frequency planar microcircuit mounted on a base. The height of the center pin is optimized to provide a high-frequency transition between the coaxial transmission structure and a planar transmission structure, such as a stripline structure, on the planar microcircuit. An interference fit between the movable support and base at the operating height provides a high-quality ground contact underneath the center pin.

Abstract: A squeegee blade comprising a base metal core coated with titanium nitride. Preferably, the blade also comprises a nickel coating between the base metal and the titanium nitride. The core blade is provided with an edge with a desired radius of curvature by chemical milling, and then the whole blade is chemically polished or electropolished and optionally nickel plated to produce a very smooth finish. The blade is then coated with titanium nitride to produce a blade with an extremely hard, low-friction surface. A squeegee incorporating the blade can be used, for example, for screen printing solder paste, conductive epoxy, or the like onto printed circuit boards.