Abstract: This invention is directed to a gas curtain assembly which comprises at least one structure of substantially vertical tubes on both sides of and supporting a vertical tube, forming an interconnected frame comprising at least one row of apertures for gas or fluid to pass through and forming a curtain of gas or fluid under the vertical portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A system for processing a substrate having solder bumps includes a first region having a first pressure and adapted to receive the substrate for heating; a second region having a second pressure greater than the first pressure and adapted to receive the substrate for cooling; a support member constructed and arranged for supporting the substrate in the first region and the second region, the support member adapted to conductively cool the substrate disposed thereon; and a spray assembly disposed in the second region for providing a cooling spray to the second region and the substrate.

Abstract: A hot object is quenched after heat treatment. A hot gas stream having at least 20% by volume of hydrogen is taken from for example a carburising chamber of a furnace. The gas is cooled by passage through a heat exchanger, and is compressed in a compressor. The compressor has an aftercooler (not shown) to remove heat of compression from the gas. The cooled, compressed gas flows through nozzles into a quenching chamber. The gas leaves the nozzles at a velocity of at least 50 m/s and impinges upon the hot metal object so as to effect its quenching.

Abstract: An article of titanium or a titanium-based alloy, or of zirconium or a zirconium-based alloy is case hardened by heat treatment for at least 12 hours at one or more temperatures in the range of 850° C. to 900° C. and at a pressure in the order of atmospheric pressure in an oxygen diffusion atmosphere. The oxygen diffusion atmosphere comprises a carrier gas such as argon which does not react chemically with the article the said temperature range and molecular oxygen. The concentration of oxygen as the oxygen diffusion atmosphere is in the range of 10 volumes per million to 400 volumes per million.

Abstract: Small hot metal objects such as engineering components are quenched in gas by tumbling them in an upward flow of gas distributed uniformly from a multiplicity of openings 18 in the horizontal floor 4 of a quenching chamber 2. The tumbling is performed for a sufficient period of time for the objects to be quenched to a desired temperature. The quenching chamber 2 has a lower region 8 through which the flow of quenching gas is at an uniform velocity and an upper region 10 in which the velocity of the quenching gas is decreased.

Abstract: A hot meal object is quenched after heat treatment. A hot gas stream comprising at least 20% by volume of hydrogen is taken from for example a carburising chamber (4) of a furnace (2). The gas is cooled by passage through a heat exchanger (16), and is compressed in a compressor (18). The compressor (18) has an aftercooler (not shown) to remove heat of compression from the gas. The cooled, compressed gas flows through nozzles (26) into a quenching chamber (6). The gas leaves the nozzles (26) at a velocity of at least 50 m/s and impinges upon the hot metal object so as to effect its quencing.

Abstract: A method of depositing a solid substance on the surface of the substrate in which the solid substance is dissolved in a solvent to create a first solution. The solid substance is less freely divided prior to dissolution than when deposited on the substrate and the deposition density of the solid substance on the substrate is regulated at least in part by solid substance concentration. The solid substance is insoluble in a liquified gas and the first solution is soluble in the liquified gas. The solvent also is capable of depressing the freezing point of the liquified gas upon expansion of the liquified gas. The first solution is dissolved in the liquified gas to create a second solution having a sufficient concentration of the solvent relative to the liquified gas that solidification of the liquified gas is substantially prevented upon the expansion thereof. Preferably, this concentration of solvent is a minimum to prevent overuse of environmentally hazardous solvents.

Abstract: A system of head rests is disclosed for use by patients convalescing from optical surgery to re-attach a detached retina. In this procedure, a bubble of air is injected into the affected eye, and the patient is instructed to keep his or her head in a face-downward position for eighteen hours a day during a convalescent period in which the air bubble presses the retina against the back wall of the eyeball. A day-time version of the apparatus is adjustable in height and preferably incorporates armrests and a plurality of mirrors so that a person who has his face turned toward the floor may view television or may make eye contact with another person. A night-time version of the apparatus allows a person to lie in a prone position with his or her head supported above and out of contact with the mattress, and preferably includes a viewing window so that a prone patient can read a book placed on the floor.

Abstract: A bracket apparatus having a general U-shaped configuration with spaced front and back plates interconnected by a bottom plate. An angled plate extends upward from the front plate of the bracket. One or more of the hanger bracket apparatus are secured to the support surface. A header joist at the proximal end of the deck to the support surface is supported on the angled plate of the apparatus with a header joist at the opposite, distal end of the deck resting on the ground prior to positioning the deck in its horizontal orientation relative to the vertical support surface. As the distal end of the deck is elevated to orient the deck horizontal relative to the support surface, the header joist at the proximal end of the deck slides downward and is received between the front and back plates of the hanger bracket apparatus secured to the support surface.