Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device including a first substrate; a first contact disposed on a first surface of the substrate; a piezoelectric actuator disposed over the first surface of the substrate; a second contact coupled to the actuator and disposed in proximity to the first contact; a gap control mechanism disposed between the substrate and the actuator for limiting movement of the first contact relative to the second contact. In the exemplary embodiment, the gap control mechanism is a gap control stop constructed of dielectric material. In practice, plural stops are used. In the exemplary embodiment, plural thermosonic bonds are used to connect the actuator to the first substrate. A second substrate is disposed over the piezo-electric actuator. The second substrate has wells over the bonds to facilitate application of a bonding tool to the bonds. The gap control mechanism provides consistent height control between a flipped chip and its base substrate without exposing the assembly to high temperatures.

Abstract: An audio monitor system that includes a pair of in-ear monitors, each of which includes a connector and a corresponding detachable cable, is provided. Each connector may include a two pin jack assembly and each detachable cable may include a corresponding two pin plug assembly. Preferably, each plug assembly of each detachable cable includes a hooded member. More preferably, a portion of the hooded member covers a portion of the corresponding connector, thus effectively sealing the plug/connector assembly from contamination. Even more preferably, interlocking members are included on each hooded member and each corresponding connector, the interlocking members preventing accidental decoupling of the cable from the connector. The plug and connector assemblies may include means for insuring that a desired pin polarity is maintained during cable coupling.

Abstract: A method of managing a repeated surface comprising seismic data as one surface is disclosed where a plurality of horizons is analyzed and a determination made as to which of the plurality of horizons comprise a repeated surface. Those horizons which comprise the repeated surface may then be logically connected into a logically connected horizons data set which may then be assigned a common identifier and which may further respond similarly to a single event, e.g. a user action. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An ignition safety system and method. A control circuit is coupled to a warning circuit indicating a safety condition. The control circuit is further coupled to a fuse circuit to control an operation of a motor ignition circuit in response to the safety condition.

Abstract: A multilayer switching assembly for switching high frequency signals has MEMS structures on a ceramic substrate having a top surface 500, a bottom surface and a plurality of insulating layers (510,512,514). The insulating layers are separated by at least a first conductor 502 and a second conductor 504. The first conductor 502 is connected to a ground potential. The second conductor 504 is separated from the first conductor 502 by one of the insulating layers. The second conductor presents a specific impedance (50 ohms) with respect to the first conductor to high frequency signals traveling on the second conductor. 64 MEMS structures (e.g. 540,708,716,718, 720) are mounted on the top surface. Each MEMS has an input, an output, and a control. The input connected to the second conductor. The output is connected to a coplanar waveguide (508) placed on the top surface (500). The control is connected to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical system (MEMS) phase shifter for shifting the phase of a radio frequency (RF) signal. The phase shifter includes a quadrature coupler having an input port, an output port, a first load port and a second load port. A first variable reactance is coupled to the first load port and a second variable reactance is coupled the second load port. Each variable reactance has a plurality of reflecting phase shifting elements each having an associated micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switching element to individually and selectively couple the reflecting phase shifting element to the appropriate load port.

Abstract: A portable and disposable device is provided for processing harvested dermal tissue. The device includes a housing presenting a handle having a gripping surface and a cutting head attached to the handle. A cutting assembly is supported by the cutting head and includes a plurality of spaced cutting blades that are rotatable with respect to the housing. A receptacle is disposed downstream of the cutting assembly and receives the sliced tissue from the cutting blades. The device is thus operable to slice harvested tissue into strips, and further into fine particles, that can be used for transplantation onto a wound site.

Abstract: A dermal tissue harvesting apparatus is provided having a handle attached to a housing. The housing defines a base having a forward base portion spaced apart from a rearward base portion by a slot extending through the base. The forward base portion is offset higher than the rearward base portion. A ramp is provided that supports a cutting blade at an angle relative to the base. The blade defines a cutting edge that extends through the slot. The blade depth can either be fixed on the ramp, or adjustable.

Abstract: The method of the present invention relates to the field of seismic data interpretation for the purpose of locating a surface in a three dimensional volume of seismic data. The present invention applies mathematical gridding to the location of surfaces in a volume.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to enable the direct gene transfer of genetic material into a target cell site (“microseeding”), as a means of obtaining long term expression of native or non-native polypeptides in a host. The apparatus includes a matrix of microneedles that oscillate at a predetermined frequency and receive the genetic material from a delivery system that is integrated with the apparatus.

Abstract: The method of the present invention relates to the field of seismic data interpretation for the purpose of finding natural occurrences of oil and/or gas in a geophysical formation. The invention relates to a method of processing seismic geophysical data to produce time structure volumes. The method of the present invention is capable of displaying the position and orientation of layered rocks in the subsurface of the earth.

Abstract: A process for preparing alkali silicate—polyisocyanate composites without catalyst separation. The process involves blending a catalyst and a polyisocyanate to form a first component, and blending an alkali silicate and water to form a second component. The first and second components are then mixed together to form a reactive mixture that reacts to form a hardened composite. The progression of the reaction proceeds without excessive foaming, high exotherms, or the release of an offensive odor. Sodium silicate—polyisocyanate composites prepared according to the above process, and a process for using the alkali silicate—polyisocyanate composites to consolidate and seal various types of formations in mining, tunneling, and other construction projects are also disclosed. Any void volume which is capable of receiving a flowable precursor of a composite formulation according to the invention prior to its cure is suitable for treatment according to the present invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are catalyst systems useful for providing polyurethane foam products which exhibit low fogging characteristics while possessing favorable overall physical properties when used as interior components of automobiles and other motorized vehicles.

Abstract: A process for preparing alkali silicate-polyisocyanate composites without catalyst separation. The process involves blending a catalyst and a polyisocyanate to form a first component, and blending an alkali silicate and water to form a second component. The first and second components are then mixed together to form a reactive mixture that reacts to form a hardened composite. The progression of the reaction proceeds without excessive foaming, high exotherms, or the release of an offensive odor. Sodium silicate-polyisocyanate composites prepared according to the above process, and a process for using the alkali silicate-polyisocyanate composites to consolidate and seal various types of formations in mining, tunneling, and other construction projects are also disclosed. Any void volume which is capable of receiving a flowable precursor of a composite formulation according to the invention prior to its cure is suitable for treatment according to the present invention.

Abstract: A method for enhancing zero-phase seismic data traces so that subtle geologic features are easier to identify and interpret. In a first embodiment, the method comprises enhancing the amplitudes of at least the peaks and troughs in the zero-phase seismic data traces. This enhancement can be accomplished in a variety of ways. In a second embodiment, the negative second difference is calculated at each sample point along the zero-phase seismic data trace to enhance bends or kinks in the data, as well as peaks and troughs.

Abstract: A process, and the product produced thereby, for preparing a polyurea foam which comprises reacting an aliphatic polyamine having an average functionality from about 2 to about 6 wherein about 55 to about 95 percent of the functional groups are primary amine functional groups and about 5 to about 40 percent of the functional groups are primary or secondary hydroxyl groups with a polyisocyanate in the presence of a blowing agent that comprises water. The use of polyether polyamines having primary hydroxyl groups improves the cross-linking characteristics of the polyurea foam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a containment system for shipping and handling probe card circuit boards. The containment system features a base member equipped with a recessed seating shelf for receiving and supporting the probe card, and a set of fasteners to hold the probe card securely in place. The base also has a second, upper-level, seating shelf to support a cover, and a second set of fasteners to hold the cover in position to seal the base and further secure the probe card in place.

Abstract: A solid state high power microwave amplifier module. The module incorporates a stacked assembly of integrated low temperature cofired ceramic substrates forming a monolithic structure containing all the microwave circuitry required to combine the output power of a large number of monolithic microwave integrated circuit power amplifier chips, a heatsink and a power supply. One substrate defines an input radial power divider circuit for dividing the input signal into input signals for each power amplifier chip. The second substrate includes the power amplifier chips and a radial combiner circuit. The output of the combiner to coupled to an output waveguide in the heatsink. The module is lightweight and small in size, and of high reliability since the number of wire bonds is greatly reduced since most of the microwave circuitry and connections can be formed as part of the integrated structure.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator having an active network and a tuning network that includes a transmission line impedance transformer having a first end coupled to an output circuit of the VCO, and having a selectable effective width that determines the tuning bandwidth of the oscillator. A varactor diode is coupled to the second end of the transformer line, and a bias line is coupled between a tuning port and the varactor diode. The transmission line impedance transformer more particularly includes a main transformer line, a plurality of transmission lines adjacent the main transformer line, and wire bonds for electrically connecting selected ones of the plurality of lines to the main transformer line, whereby connection of selected ones of the transmission lines to the main transformer line increases the effective width of the impedance transformer.

Abstract: A system for controlling the addressing of a memory on a predetermined multi-megabyte decode boundary. An address shifter is coupled between CPU address lines and backplane area bussed address lines. The address shifter is controlled in accordance with the control signal determined by the memory array of largest capacity of all memory arrays. The control signal has different states to control the address shifter to couple different address bit patterns therethrough to the backplane area address bus as a function of the selected control signal state.