Abstract: A hydraulic unit (1) includes a case (2) having an axially slidable top cap (11) at the rear end thereof. The hydraulic unit further includes a spindle (17) having communicating holes (28) axially formed therein and a column (19) which is inserted into the case. The column of the spindle includes a through-hole (29) formed therein and is rotatably supported by the top cap's closed-end hole (15). A pair of fluid chambers (25) and another pair of fluid chambers (26) are defined between the case and the spindle. The communicating holes (28) are capable of placing the fluid chambers (25) in communication with a bottom surface (16) of the closed-end hole (15) via the through-hole (29) when the fluid pressure in the fluid chambers (25) reaches or exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A kit for a bus bar system for connecting bus bars with connectors of an electric installation device, which avoids the production of special connecting rails, depending on the position of the connecting planes of the bus bars and the connectors of the installation device.

Abstract: An image pickup device and a portable telephone reduced in planar dimension and thickness are provided. The image pickup device includes a circuit board provided with an opening portion and having an interconnection pattern formed of interconnections and an interface region disposed therein, and an image pickup element placed on the circuit board and having a light receiving portion. The interconnection pattern is placed in an outer frame portion on the lateral side of the opening portion, together with land portions as terminals of the respective interconnections, and extends to reach the interface region. At least one of the interconnections is placed between the land portions and the opening portion.

Abstract: A wiring substrate equipped with a rerouted wiring having one end connected to an electronic-part mounting pad for electrically connecting an electronic part and another end connected to an external-connection terminal. In the wiring substrate, a low-elasticity underlayer made of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of a base material of the wiring substrate is disposed between the base material of the wiring substrate and each of the electronic-part mounting pad and the rerouted wiring. A method of manufacturing the wiring substrate and a semiconductor device using the wiring substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layer printed circuit board on which insulation resin layers and circuit pattern layers are alternatively stacked to form multiple layers, including: an insulation resin layer; a circuit pattern formed at the upper surface of the insulation resin layer; a blind via hole formed penetrating the insulation resin layer and the circuit pattern; a plated layer formed at the upper surface of the circuit pattern, at the inner wall face and the bottom of the blind via hole; an inner lead bump pad formed at the surface of the plated layer which is exposed to the lower surface of the insulation resin layer; and an outer lead bump pad formed on the circuit pattern which is formed at the upper surface of the insulation resin layer, whereby the problem of defective attachment of a bump due to a void present in a blind via hole is eliminated.

Abstract: A fixture with movable pawls and positioning walls is attached to a circuit board. An electronic component is inserted into the fixture from its upper side. Since the movable pawls move outward due to their slopes, the electronic component is allowed to fit between the positioning walls. After the fitting of the electronic component, the movable pawls hold the sides of the upper face of the electronic component and the positioning walls are in contact with the peripheral walls of the electronic component. Bumps provided on electrode pads of the electronic component are connected to electrodes on the circuit board. Thus, the electronic component can be mounted using the flip chip technique. In addition, the electronic component can be removed easily by moving the movable pawls even after being mounted.

Abstract: Processing is started (S1), and control of mounting processes is successively executed by mounting program instructions of a storage section (S2). An electronic component is positioned with respect to a mounting head, taken out, and held (S3). The BGA component is positioned through positional detection of a reference mark and inspection, and the correcting is executed by checking the holding posture. Through the inspection using the reference mark as a reference position, the dropout, dislocation, shortage of solder amount of the solder bumps of the component are subjected to quality check (S4). The normal component is moved closer to the mounting position of the printed board on a mounting table by a mounting head (S5). A recognition mark in the target mounting position of the printed board is confirmed and recognized (S6).

Abstract: A method for assembling and delivering a drivepipe to a drill site, the method having the following steps: assembling the drivepipe and driving mechanism at a shoreline assembly station; attaching floatation devices to the drivepipe and floating the drivepipe in the ocean; towing the drivepipe with tow vessels to a drill site; delivering the drivepipe in a horizontal orientation to a drilling vessel at the drill site; attaching a upper end of the drivepipe to the drilling vessel and detaching the tow vessels from the drivepipe; pivoting the drivepipe about its point of attachment to the drilling vessel until the drivepipe is vertically oriented; deactivating the buoyancy function of the floatation devices attached to the drivepipe; removing the floatation devices from the drivepipe; and lowering the drivepipe with a running string from the drilling vessel to the sea bed.

Abstract: A system is provided for drilling and logging of a wellbore formed in an earth formation. The system comprises a drill string provided with an external recess extending in longitudinal direction of the drill string, a fluid passage for flow of drilling fluid from an upper end of the drill string to a lower end thereof, and a port providing fluid communication between the fluid passage and the recess. The system further comprises a logging tool string capable of passing through the fluid passage and from the fluid passage via the port into the recess, and a removable closure element adapted to selectively close the port.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and fluid for drilling or servicing a well in a subterranean formation containing lost circulation zones or depleted, low pressure reservoirs. The fluid comprises an aqueous liquid having dispersed therein a polymer which increases the low shear rate viscosity of the fluid to the extent that the thixotropic index of the fluid is at least about 10 and a surfactant, and wherein the fluid contains less than about 15% by volume of aphrons preferably generated by the turbulence and pressure drop as the fluid exits the drill bit in the vicinity of the formation. The method of drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprises continuously circulating, while drilling, such a drilling fluid.

Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.

Abstract: A weighing scale has a housing (1) that encloses a force transducer (4). A load-transmitting member (9) is connected to the force transducer (4) and passes through an opening to the outside of the housing to transmit the weighing load to the force transducer. An elastic device is interposed between a fixed part that is attached to the housing (1) and a movable part that is attached to the load-transmitting member (9). The elastic device is preferably hollow and controllably expandable and contractible by injecting and removing a fluid through a conduit system (31-43) with a selectively switchable valve device.

Abstract: The flexible section 452 made of rubber or elastomer is molded integrally with the panel body 450 on the forward end side of the guide duct section 451 of the panel body made of resin, and the seal section 461 for tightly closing gap &dgr; between the panel body 450 and the heat exchanger 21 is molded integrally with the panel body 450 on the introduction opening section 460 side in the panel body 450. Due to the foregoing, it is possible to prevent the panel body 450 and the guide duct section 451 from being damaged in the case of a light collision. Therefore, a repair cost, which must be paid by a vehicle owner, is reduced and an increase in the number of parts of the front end structure and an increase in the cost of assembling are suppressed even though gap &dgr; between the panel body 450 and the heat exchanger 21 is tightly closed so that a decrease in the heat radiating capacity (heat exchange capacity) of the heat exchanger 21 can be prevented.

Abstract: An access hatch reinforcement module and a method of assembling an access hatch to an existing engine compartment hood of a vehicle. The access hatch reinforcement module includes a wall engagement component for engagement to the hood outer wall of the engine compartment hood. The access hatch reinforcement module further includes a door engagement component for engagement to a hatch door of the access hatch. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component of the access hatch reinforcement module are directly fixedly engaged to one another by temporary fixed engagements. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component are also indirectly engaged to one another through operational door connecting components such as a hinge component.

Abstract: An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

Abstract: A snowmobile comprises a seat having a soft cushion layer, a more firm boundary layer, and a rigid support structure. Passages are provided between the soft cushion layer and a chamber such that air can be exchanged from within the seat and the chamber depending upon whether the operator is seated on the seat or standing above the seat. When an operator sits on the seat, air is forced out of the seat cushion material and into the chamber. When the operator stands and the seat cushion rebounds, air is provided to the seat from the chamber. The snowmobile also includes a lit trunk. The trunk is lit by a light bulb used for a rear tail light assembly. The light bulb is secured in a mounting plate that is formed of a translucent material that provides a window into the trunk. The light bulb can have an integrally formed socket, which can be translucent as well, to increase the amount of light transmitted into the trunk. The trunk preferably is not the chamber that communicates with the seat.

Abstract: To enable a rider to control in real time the type of ride he desires, a snowmobile is equipped with a suspension system that includes at least one fluid actuated device which can be adjusted in real time to control the relative distance between the body of the snowmobile onto which the rider sits and the frame, or the slide tracks about which the drive belt is mounted. By setting a constant predetermined desirable distance between the body and the slide tracks, or the frame, of the snowmobile, an optimal cushioned ride for the rider is obtained. The control of the fluid actuated device(s) may be effected at any time manually by the rider, or be effected by a feedback system. The snowmobile is also equipped with an ABS system for enhancing the traction of the drive belt on snow and therefore the control of the snowmobile by the rider.

Abstract: A motorcycle comprising a frame having left and right tail supports extending rearward, front and rear wheels coupled to the frame, and a rear fender positioned over the rear wheel and between the tail supports. The rear fender includes left and right flanges positioned adjacent inner surfaces of the left and right tail supports, respectively. In order to provide additional support to the fender, the motorcycle can further include an inner support coupled to an inner surface of the fender. Preferably, the inner support and the fender define a wire path in which wires from a taillight can be routed, thereby protecting the wires. The wire path can be continued by another wire path defined between the fender and a rear housing that has an overlapping portion coupled to the fender.

Abstract: An arrangement (1) is provided for permitting retraction of a vehicle foot pedal, operable on a push rod, in a frontal crash of sufficient magnitude, in which arrangement the push rod (11) is of low ductability material, having a zone of weakness; a rotary member (6) is attached to, and mounted on the blade (2) for free rotation about a pivot (7), by which rotary member the blade (2) is operationally coupled to the plush rod; and displacement means (16) is provided to cause partial rotation of the rotary member (6) upon a frontal impact of sufficient magnitude, to apply a bending moment to the push rod to snap the push rod (11) at its zone of weakness (W), thereby disconnecting the push rod (11) from the blade (2) to permit free blade/pedal movement, and hence to permit retraction away from the feel of the driver.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a vehicle for off-road use with an improved frame, rear suspension, fuel tank, air intake, and four-stroke engine. Preferably, the vehicle has four wheels and a rider sits astride thereon. The frame has twin spars and is formed of aluminum. The frame further includes a removable engine frame. In one embodiment, one spar is used as an oil tank and the other spar is a cooling fluid reservoir. A swing arm pivotally connected to the frame and rotatably supports an axle assembly. The swing arm is connected to the frame by a rear shock that is disposed on the central plane of the vehicle. The frame supports a front body panel that includes an engine, air intake that is high and forward on the vehicle. The fuel tank is configured and dimensioned to be disposed beneath a seat, and has a rear portion with a T-shaped cross-section. The engine of the vehicle has and electronically controlled fuel injectors, and has a forward air intake and a rearward exhaust.

Abstract: A gate-type shift lever device in which a pin is formed at a mounting piece formed at a back wall portion of a base, which pin axially supports a plate switch. Two levers are formed at the plate switch. A shift lever abuts and presses one of the levers during a shift operation from a “D” position to a “4” position. The shift lever abuts and presses another of the levers, during a shift operation from a “2” position to an “L” position. In accordance with rotation of the plate switch due to the pressing forces received by the levers, a holder contact moves transversely. Thus, the shift operations from the “D” position to the “4” position and from the “2” position to the “L” position can be detected.

Abstract: This invention relates to an articulated machine having at least two sections with pivot points between each section, at least two sections of which are steerable. The front section is steered by a human or by a master-control system The trailing steerable section is steered by a slave controller utilizing inputs from sensors. The traction kinking system applies power to the wheels of the trailing machine section to increase or decrease the speed of the trailing section as necessary to decrease the lateral forces on the section, thereby using the traction of the wheels on the pavement to help “kink” the section behind the powered wheels with respect to the section in front of the powered wheels. By reducing these forces, the chance that the wheels will slip to the side is reduced. The system is shown as applied to a dolly and trailer pulled behind a tractor-trailer rig.

Abstract: In a steering device for a vehicle, the movement of a steering actuator driven by operation of an operating member is transmitted to vehicle wheels, in such a manner that the steering angle changes, without the operating member being coupled mechanically to the vehicle wheels. A first target yaw rate is calculated in accordance with the detected vehicle speed and a first steering angle set value, which corresponds to the detected amount of operation and vehicle speed. A second target yaw rate corresponding to the detected lateral acceleration and vehicle speed is calculated. A second steering angle set value, which corresponds to the difference between the detected yaw rate and a target yaw rate, as which the first target yaw rate or the second target yaw rate whichever has the smaller absolute value is taken, is calculated.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the assist steering torque of an electric motor in an electric power steering apparatus has a relay failure detection unit for detecting ON failure which arises in a relay circuit provided between an electric motor driving circuit and a power supply; and a relay failure deal correction unit for loweringly correcting the assist steering torque, at least the maximum value of the assist steering torque, of the electric motor based on a failure detection signal from the relay failure detection unit. Thereby, manual steering by a steering wheel with a heavier steering torque than the torque at the time of a normal mode becomes possible as deal at the time that ON failure arises in a relay circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle including a variable gear ratio steering device and an electric power steering apparatus is disclosed. The variable gear ratio steering device influences on a steering system of the vehicle and varies a ratio of a steering angle of steerable road wheels to a steering wheel angle by driving an electric motor in accordance with a vehicle speed. The electric power steering apparatus influences on the steering system of the vehicle and provides an assist steering wheel torque by driving an electric motor in accordance with a manual steering wheel torque. The vehicle comprises a power supply voltage detector for detecting a voltage of a power supply, and a control unit for controlling the electric motor of said variable gear ratio steering device in accordance with the detected voltage. When the detected voltage decreases to a certain voltage or lower, the control unit brings the variable gear ratio steering device into a slow state and thereafter stops the same.

Abstract: Speaker apparatus for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a trunk. The speaker apparatus comprises a spare wheel carrying a tire that is disposed in the trunk. An enclosure is secured to the spare wheel. A speaker disposed in the interior of the enclosure. A vent hose couples the interior of the enclosure to the passenger compartment. In another embodiment, the enclosure comprises front and rear sections that are secured together and sandwich the spare wheel. In another embodiment, the enclosure is sealed, and two vent hoses are used to couple rear and front waves emanating from the speaker into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A safety line system includes support assemblies which clamp to respective reinforcement bars protruding upward beyond the top surface of a concrete beam. The support assemblies include stanchion assemblies having respective posts that may be selectively pivoted relative to the beam. The support assemblies also preferably include end anchor assemblies that are connected to respective stanchion assemblies by respective chains.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder having rungs of a relatively strong and thin material with integral stand-off projections that allow the ladder to be safely descended and of a cross-section that allows the ladder rungs to nest to a high degree of compactness. The ladder is readily deployed by means of a cover having two sets of temporary fasteners. In an emergency, the ladder is deployed by partially unwrapping the cover to a first state which allows an attaching member to be removed and placed over a window sill. After insuring that narrow fabric supports, which attach the attaching member to the rungs, are not twisted between the attaching member and a top rung of the ladder, the multiple rungs (still wrapped by the cover and secured by a second set of temporary fasteners) are supported using a handle attached to the cover. The handle is then held outside the window and dropped.

Abstract: A scaffold plank comprising an elongate main body having a top wall which defines a central axis and includes a plurality of openings disposed therein along the central axis. Attached to the top wall is an opposed pair of side walls, while attached to at least the top wall and extending between the side walls is a reinforcement structure. The main body is fabricated solely from a plastic material. Additionally, each of the openings is adapted to accommodate a locking pin which allows two or more scaffold planks to be releasably engaged to each other.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid regulating device for use in regulating fluid in a fluid-using device, the fluid regulating device comprising: a receiver, to receive fluid under pressure from an external source, a vent, to vent fluid from the fluid-using device, and a regulator, operatively connected between the receiving means and the fluid-using device, to regulate a pressure of the fluid, wherein, upon fluid being received by the receiving means, the valve assembly directs the fluid to the fluid-using device at the regulated pressure.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for a bicycle capable of applying a higher braking force on the front wheel (3) and a lower braking force on the rear wheel (4) given the same force exerted on the levers (7, 8) controlling the front brake (5) and the rear brake (6) so to prevent early locking of the rear wheel of the bicycle during braking while leaving the cyclist the possibility to separately control the front brake (5) and the rear brake (6).

Abstract: A portable suitcase-type storage case has structural features that enable to stack the case regardless of the surface shape of the bottom and lid casings, without diminishing its pleasing visual appearance of the storage case. A convex-shaped stacking section is provided integrally with the bottom casing at specific locations on a surface of the bottom casing, and a concave-shaped stacking section is provided integrally on a surface of the lid casing at corresponding locations so as to engage with respective convex-shaped stacking sections, in such a way that a radius of curvature of the concave-shaped stacking section is greater than a radius of curvature of the convex-shaped stacking section, and that a center portion of the concave-shaped stacking section is displaced towards outer periphery of the storage case relative to a center portion of the convex-shaped stacking section.

Abstract: A fluid clutch includes a first transmission element and a second transmission element which is rotatable about an axis of rotation with respect to the first transmission element. Torque transmission surfaces of the first and the second transmission elements are located opposite one another in a working fluid region in which torque transmission coupling can be made selectively between the first and the second transmission elements by means of fluid. A valve arrangement can be actuated for selectively making and breaking a fluid flow connection between a fluid storage region and the working fluid region, in order respectively to allow and prevent the ingress of fluid from the fluid storage region into the working fluid region and a braking apparatus can generate a braking force acting on the second transmission element. Two components are movable with respect to one another within a limited range of movement by the transmission of braking force to the second transmission element.

Abstract: A lever apparatus for operating a member comprises: a supporting member; a gear rotatably supported by the supporting member around a rotation shaft and connected to the member; a lever coaxially rotatable with the rotation shaft in a normal direction and in a reverse direction from a neutral position thereof within a predetermined angle; a return spring for returning the lever to the neutral position; a latch rotatably supported by the lever around a latch shaft and transmitting a rotation of the lever to the gear and providing a torque to the gear in the normal direction or in the reverse direction according to the direction of the lever; and an engaging shaft disposed between the latch and the supporting member. The engaging shaft engages the latch with the supporting member when the lever is rotated in the predetermined angle.

Abstract: An axial setting device especially for loading the friction plates of a friction coupling or for fixing the viscous plates of a viscous coupling having two coupling parts which are co-axially supported on a fixed housing and which are rotatable relative to one another. A pump assembly has housing parts that are connected to the one of the coupling parts and whose conveying elements are connected to the other one of the coupling parts in such a way that, when the parts rotate relative to one another, fluid is conveyed in the pump assembly. A reservoir provided for fluid with a variable volume and a pressure chamber is delimited by an axial piston. A fluid connection is made from the reservoir to the pressure chamber via the pump assembly and a pressure line and a fluid connection is made from the pressure chamber to the reservoir via a bypass line with a solenoid valve.

Abstract: A one-way transmission with a resetting function for use in ratchet mechanisms. The resetting spring for the actuating lever is arranged to also takes over the prestressing of the one-way transmission element. The integration of the following switch components is also possible; the shift lever and the one-way transmission element; the shift lever, the one-way transmission element and the resetting spring; the positioning device and the positioning pawls; of the positioning device and actuating button; the actuating button and the resetting element; and the positioning device, the actuating button and the resetting element.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for determining a failure of an electromagnetic clutch, which is capable of properly determining whether or not a failure, a typically a layer short-circuit, has occurred due to a change in a resistance value of a solenoid coil of the electromagnetic clutch. The electromagnetic clutch is configured such that the engagement force thereof is varied according to an amount of current flowing through the coil. An output control value for control of the amount of current is calculated by feedback control such that an actual amount of current actually flowing through the coil becomes equal to a desired amount of current. A predetermined reference control value is stored which defines a standard for the output control value and has a standard relationship with respect to the amount of current. The actual amount of current is detected. The calculated output control value is compared with the predetermined reference control value corresponding to the detected actual amount of current.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product collator for unscrambling scrambled products received at an input point, such as a hopper, and for delivering the unscrambled products to an output point, such as a transfer conveyor. The collator includes an endless conveyor belt made up of a plurality of laterally extending flights. The conveyor belt includes a first, generally upwardly and forwardly extending path and a second, generally rearwardly extending path positioned below the upwardly and forwardly extending path.

Abstract: In a roller conveyor system for carrying out zone control, a conveyed article can be stopped in an approximately constant position without varying the position where the article is stopped in a desired control zone even if the weight of the article varies. In order to syop the article in a predetermined control zone, such stop control is carried out that a motor is decelerated and stopped in a plurality of braking systems depending on the change in the pulse width of a rotational pulse signal to stop the article with high precision in a predetermined stop position.

Abstract: A lane arrangement has pairs of elongated partitions joined in parallel side-by-side disposition by adjustable fasteners to form lanes of adjustable width. The lanes so formed are in turn joined to one another by additional adjustable fasteners to form additional lanes interposed between the first set of lanes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured to be mounted to a conveyor body. The support bracket is preferably formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected at one end to the mounting segment and at another end, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob.

Abstract: A multidirectional switch and an operation unit containing the switch, to be used for controlling an automobile air-conditioner, etc. Respective operating areas of an operation body are positioned at the middle area between push button switches. Therefore, a pressing force applied on an operating area causes a swaying motion with a swaying body and push means of swaying body push two switching contacts at substantially the same time, resulting in the electrical connection/disconnection. The configuration of the present invention eliminates such constituent components as coil spring, supporting pin, etc., yet it provides a inexpensive multidirectional switch that has a superior operational feeling with a less number of constituent components.

Abstract: An integrated connector device includes a cable reel and combined switch systems. It further includes a base shell including: a top wall portion with a central through-hole; an outer sidewall portion extending downwardly from the top wall portion and having first and second lever notches; and first and second partitions respectively provided at a predetermined distance from the outer sidewall portion. The cable reel includes a fixed body and a mobile body. The combined switch systems include a turn indicator-signal system and a lighting system respectively including turn indicator-signal and lighting levers.

Abstract: The push-button switch has a base plate, a circuit membrane, a key cap, a scissors-type linkage and a resilient element. The scissors-type linkage having a first linking bracket and a second linking bracket is disposed between the circuit membrane and the key cap and movable along a specified path. The resilient element is mounted on the scissors-type linkage so as to move the key cap and the scissors-type linkage back to the initial state as the force applied on the key cap is released. The scissors-type linkage is provided with a guiding portion thereon, and the resilient element has a trigger, which is actuated by the guiding portion and used to trigger the switch as the key cap is fully pressed. The resilient element also can be a V-shaped reed connected to the first linking bracket and the second linking bracket, or the resilient element can be a spring connected to the first linking bracket and the second linking bracket.

Abstract: A motor operator for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The motor operator includes a motor drive assembly connected to a mechanical linkage system for driving an energy storage mechanism from a first state of a plurality of states to a second state of a plurality of states. The motor operator also includes an energy release mechanism coupled to the mechanical linkage system for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage mechanism. The mechanical linkage system includes a recharging cam being driven by the motor drive assembly. The recharging cam rotates a drive plate rotatably mounted to the system. A linear carriage is coupled to the drive plate and the linear carriage manipulates an operating handle of a circuit breaker. The recharging cam is disengaged from the drive plate when the energy storage mechanism is compressed into an energy storage state and the drive plate is latched into a position corresponding to the energy stored state.

Abstract: A push button switch of the invention has base rubber having actuator portions, a resin molded portion attached to the base rubber, and a permeable film formed on the surface of the resin molded portion. More preferably, a flange portion of the film is disposed so as to avoid a region just above thick portions such as base plate supported portions of the base rubber. A push button switch capable of preventing peeling of coating or the like and intrusion of water can be therefore provided. A push button switch and a switching device which have satisfactory touch and can be thinned can be provided.

Abstract: A method of repairing opaque defects in lithography masks entails focused ion beam milling in at least two steps. The first step uses a large pixel spacing to form multiple holes in the defect material, with the milled area extending short of the defect material edge. The final step uses a pixel spacing sufficiently close to produce a smooth floor on the milled area, and extends to the edge of the defect. During the second step, an etch enhancing gas such as bromine is preferably used.

Abstract: Microfluidic methods, devices, and systems are provided for monitoring and controlling flow rates in response to one or more marker signals. The marker signals are used to provide an indication of flow rate in the various channels of the devices. Signals obtained from the markers are deconvoluted and used in a feedback loop to make flow rate adjustments.

Abstract: A multi-capillary type electrophoresis analysis apparatus has a sample tray for containing a plurality of samples, wherein part of the sample tray is made from a conductive material. Samples are introduced by applying a high voltage from a high voltage power supply between the sample tray and a coupler in a state in which one-ends of the capillaries are inserted in the samples contained in the sample tray. The apparatus eliminates the necessity of individually inserting electrodes in a plurality of samples contained in the sample tray, thereby making easy works for analysis.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring an electrophoresis gel from a cassette to a carrier includes a tray having a dimension to receive a cassette and a carrier device. The tray has a bottom wall with a surface with channels or recesses formed by projections to reduce contact of an electrophoresis gel with the bottom wall of the tray. The projections are typically pyramid-shaped members extending to a peak having a small surface area to prevent the electrophoresis gel from adhering to the bottom wall. The bottom wall also includes a recessed area to receive the carrier so that the gel can slide easily from the cassette to open jaws of the carrier. A retaining arm extends from a side wall of the tray to hold the jaws of the carrier in an open position while the gel is being positioned between the clamping surfaces of the jaws.