Abstract: A rotary cone rock bit, comprises a bit body including a plurality of legs extending therefrom, each of the legs having an outer surface that includes a leading surface and a trailing surface, a roller cone rotatably supported on each of the legs, a bearing system between each cone and the leg on which it is supported, and a lubricant reservoir in fluid communication with the bearing system. The reservoir can be provided with a wear resistant plug, if desired. In the present bit, the reservoir has at least one opening positioned in either the leg's leading surface, trailing surface, center surface, shoulder surface or some combination of these. Alternatively, the reservoir can be formed inside the bit body, preferably by means of a canister, which can be provided with venting means as desired.

Abstract: A front transaxle device provided to a multi-wheel-driving vehicle comprises an input shaft for receiving power, a pair of left and right front axles supported in the front transaxle device, a differential connecting the left and right front axles differentially, a pinion shaft, a clutch device which engages the pinion shaft with the input shaft and disengages, a rotary object which intervenes between the differential and the pinion shaft, and a brake device which brakes the rotary object. The brake device comprises a piston which can be moved hydraulically, friction objects which engage with each other by the force of the piston, and a mechanism which acts so as to make a constant stroke of the piston from a position when the piston starts moving to a position when the friction objects start engaging with each other regardless of abrasive reduction of the friction objects.

Abstract: The occurrence of degradation and damage to a fuel cell when power supply to accessories for driving the fuel cell is stopped, is prevented. Respective collision judgment sections read in an acceleration signal output from corresponding acceleration sensors and judge if the acceleration signal is greater than a predetermined first threshold acceleration, and if the judgment result is “YES”, close a hydrogen control valve. They then judge if the acceleration signal exceeds a predetermined second threshold acceleration greater than the first threshold acceleration, and if the judgment result is “YES”, stop power supply from a power storage unit to an air compressor for driving the fuel cell.

Abstract: A driving apparatus having a shaft structure that reduces a load on shaft support means caused by downsizing and high speed rotation of a motor and enhances durability of the motor. The driving apparatus includes an electric motor, an electric motor shaft, first and second shaft support means for supporting the electric motor shaft, a counter drive gear on the electric motor shaft, and a counter driven gear to be meshed with the counter drive gear. Output of the electric motor is transmitted to wheels through both of the gears. The counter drive gear is disposed at a position closer to one of the shaft support means, a helix angle is set in a direction in which a thrust force S acts toward the second shaft support means which is farther from the gear.

Abstract: A cooling system for a fuel cell and a fuel cell powered vehicle are disclosed. The cooling system and the fuel cell powered vehicle have a primary circulation passage adapted to circulate primary coolant for cooling the fuel cell, and a secondary circulation passage adapted to circulate secondary coolant for cooling a heat generating source including at least an electric vehicle motor. The primary coolant and the secondary coolant are driven by primary and secondary circulation pumps that are circulated by a single common drive motor, with the primary coolant being cooled with the secondary coolant in a common heat exchanger.

Abstract: A bearing system for a first vehicle part, e.g., a driver's cab of a truck, on a second vehicle part, e.g., a vehicle frame, the first vehicle part being movable from a first position relative to the second vehicle part into a second position, includes a shaft about which the first vehicle part is rotatable from the first position relative to the second vehicle part into the second position, a first flexible bearing element disposed in a first shaft section of the shaft and a second flexible bearing element disposed in a second shaft section of the shaft. The first vehicle part is supported on the shaft in the first shaft section via a first supporting element and in the second shaft section via the flexible second bearing element. The shaft is supported in its first shaft section on the second vehicle part via the first flexible bearing element and in its second shaft section via a second supporting element.

Abstract: An engine of a motorcycle includes a cylinder block and a cylinder head inclined forward on an upper front portion of a crankcase of the engine in an engine installed state. The crankcase comprises a plurality of vertical case sections comprising an upper case section, a middle case section and a lower case section, and the crankshaft is pivotally supported at a mating portion between the upper case section and the middle case section and a transmission shaft is pivotally supported at a mating portion between the middle case section and the lower case section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a speaker unit comprising a diaphragm of 0.5 to 10 mm thick aromatic polycarbonate with a density of 0.03 to 0.6 g/cm3, and a mechanism for driving the diaphragm. The aromatic polycarbonate used for the diaphragm is preferably derived from bisphenol with a viscosity average molecular weight of 25,000 to 70,000. The invention further provides a speaker system comprising such a speaker unit attached to a cabinet and a method for manufacturing the speaker diaphragm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardable fiber blend which forms a moldable fiber batt, the blend comprising fibers having a modulus of 550 g/denier or more with fibers of a thermoplastic polymer wherein the high modulus polymer fibers are all uncrimped fibers or a mixture of crimped and uncrimped fibers. The moldable batt is useful in making speaker cones.

Abstract: A fiber body includes a collection of fibers containing thermoplastic resin as the main component and an energy consuming component, such as a piezoelectric material for converting and consuming external mechanical energy of sound and vibration. The energy is converted into electrical energy, which in turn, is converted and consumed into and as heat by means of the electrical resistance of the resin.

Abstract: Microperforated polymeric films and sound absorbers using such films are provided. The microperforated polymeric films may be relatively thin and flexible and may further include holes having a narrowest diameter less than the film thickness and a widest diameter greater than the narrowest diameter. The microperforated polymeric films of a sound absorber may also have relatively large free span portions, which, in certain embodiments, may vibrate in response to incident sound waves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a muffler in which a helicoil member is installed in each conduit, through which refrigerant gas flows from or into an expansion chamber during reciprocating movements of a piston in a cylinder. The helicoil member has diverse twisted angles and diverse twisted shapes, and serves to divide pulsation of noise, generated during the reciprocating movements of the piston, into pulsation of different phases, and then to merge the divided pulsation together, while allowing the refrigerant gas to have the form of a vortex flow. As pulsation of noise generated during an operation of sucking refrigerant gas pass along different travel paths defined by the helicoil member, a mutual interference occurs between the pulsation respectively emerging from the travel paths of the helicoil member. Therefore, an increased offset effect for the pulsation of noise is obtained, which maximizes a noise attenuation effect.

Abstract: A portable suction device for removing liquid from an engine includes a plastic tank including a pump aperture for enabling removal of air or gases from the tank and a receiving aperture for receiving a liquid or gas from an engine. The suction device includes a pump apparatus for creating a negative pressure in the plastic tank. The pump apparatus includes a metal cylindrical tube, a plastic piston surrounded by the cylindrical tube, a metal piston rod having an end secured to the piston and a pump handle secured to the other end of the piston rod. A plastic support bracket supports a first end of the cylindrical tube adjacent the pump handle by securing the tube to a protrusion at a top end of the tank. A pump support cap receives the second end of the cylindrical tube for securing the tube at the pump aperture of the plastic tank. Due to the arrangement of the cylindrical tube above the plastic tank, the cylindrical tube functions as a portable suction device handle for carrying the plastic tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oil supply device for a closed reciprocating compressor, and more particularly to an oil supply device for a closed reciprocating compressor to minimize a movement of an oil scum and increase pumping amount during an oil supply by improving a structure of an end portion of the oil supply device installed at an end portion of a rotary axis 23, thereby minimizing a friction noise. it is an object of the present invention to improve the structure of an end portion of an oil supply device 40 and generates a magnetic field between a stator 21 and a rotor 22 that rotates a rotary axis 23 by being applied a power.

Abstract: An improved elastic motor is disclosed having a constant torque characteristic. The motor utilizes a reel with elastic stretched to its maximum tension. Each unit length of the elastic is allowed to relax back to its normal state while generating work in a process that will continue until the wheel is fully unwound. The present invention will ease design of mobile devices and the like by providing a power source having a predictable and stable output characteristic.

Abstract: An improved magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which effectively provides a smooth transition, without a sharp break in the damper force/velocity curve, between very low damping forces near zero damper velocity to higher damping forces at higher piston velocities while maintaining desirable maximum force levels. The damper includes a piston assembly, including a magnet assembly and a flow gap extending through the piston assembly to permit fluid flow between the chambers. The force/velocity optimization feature includes at least one groove open to the flow gap, formed in a non-magnetic portion of the piston and positioned in series with a part of the flow gap in a magnetic circuit generated by the magnet assembly and dimensioned/sized to permit fluid flowing the passage to experience a magnetorheological effect less than a magnetorheological effect experienced by fluid flowing through the flow gap but not through the groove.

Abstract: A dynamic damper is provided comprising a tubular mass member 11, a pair of elastic joining regions 13 of a tubular shape having an inner diameter smaller than that of the mass member 11, arranged coaxially, and spaced by a specific distance outwardly from the axial ends of the mass member 11, and a pair of elastic arm regions 14 shape of a tubular, each arm region arranged to join throughout the circumference between one axial end of the mass member and one of the paired joining regions 13. A boundary 15 of the inner surface between the elastic joining region and the elastic arm region 14 is located on the outside of the axial ends of the mass member 11. The elastic arm region 14 is sloped and arranged in a funnel-like shape which becomes wider from the boundary 15 towards the axial ends of the mass member 11. The boundary 15 is shaped to an edge of which the curvature radius is not larger than 1 mm.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device, especially a hydrodynamic torque converter, includes a pump impeller installed in a housing, a turbine impeller having a turbine shell connected nonrotatably to a turbine hub, and possibly a stator. The turbine hub consists of several individually manufactured parts such as a sheet-metal parts, and the turbine shell is designed and mounted on the turbine hub so that it assumes some of the functions of the turbine hub, such as the sealing and guide functions.

Abstract: The object is to provide a small-sized automatic operating apparatus for a friction clutch. In an automatic operating apparatus 1 for a friction clutch in which the rotation of a motor 2 is reduced by a reduction mechanism 3 to rotate a crank 4, thereby axially moving an output rod 6 for connecting and disconnecting a friction clutch, a spring type accumulator 7 provided immovably on the casing 8 is connected with a crank 4 through a link 5. During connection of the friction clutch, the accumulator 7 accumulates the force received through the crank 4 and the link 5 from the output rod 6 axially moving in the direction of the arrow ‘a’ by receiving the pushing force of a piston rod in a hydraulic cylinder. During disconnection of the friction clutch, the accumulator 7 releases the accumulated force through the link 5 into the crank 4, thereby aiding the axial movement of the output rod 6 in the direction of the arrow ‘b’.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a plurality of automotive body styles along an assembly line. The apparatus includes a plurality of antler nests, at least one antler nest for each automotive body style to be processed on the assembly line. Each antler nest is transported along the assembly line by a carriage. An exchanging station is provided to exchange one antler nest for another. The antler nests can be exchanged while a rate of production on the assembly line is maintained.

Abstract: A parts feeder for an automated robotic selection system has a hopper with an integral hopper conveyor for transporting parts to a chute integral with a frame. A feed conveyor transports parts from the chute to a tilting pan which alternately dumps parts received from the feed conveyor to first and second return conveyors. The first and second return conveyors alternately move the parts into the operating range of a robotic arm whereupon the robotic arm selects and picks a part to be reoriented as desired. Parts not picked by the robotic arm are recycled back to the chute where they will be thereafter transported by the feed conveyor to the parts pan. A parts sensor is provided to detect the quantity of parts held within the chute to determine if more parts need to be supplied from the hopper to the parts feeder.

Abstract: An electronic component feeding apparatus conveys chip components intermittently by moving a belt. This apparatus has a motion changing mechanism for changing an input motion for moving the belt to an unequal speed motion having a low initial speed and for transmitting the changed unequal speed motion to a belt moving mechanism. This motion changing mechanism has a cam member having a cam face of a predetermined shape and a cam contact member in contact with the cam face, and performs the motion change by a relative movement between the cam member and the cam contact member. An unequal speed motion (accelerated motion) after being changed by the motion changing mechanism is transmitted to the belt moving mechanism, whereby an initial speed when the belt is moved is decreased.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes first and second groups of fins which are spaced along the conveying direction to provide spaces sufficient to hold packs therein. The fins in each group are divided into first and second sets. The first and second fin groups are mounted to first and second conveyor chain pairs, respectively, and moved through pack loading and unloading stations. Stepping motors drive the first and second chain pairs independently. A controller causes a fin set after being loaded or unloaded to be forwarded to the unloading or loading station at a speed higher than the speed at which the fin sets move through the loading station.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor for conveying loose grain in different directions, comprising a bucket having: an opening leading to the interior of the bucket; and a dead space constituting part of the interior at the rear, the space not filled with loose grain when grain is loaded from above to or beyond the level of the opening, its volume being larger than the filled volume immediately below the opening. The conveyor does not spill the loose grain even when the angle of the bucket is changed.

Abstract: In the case of an inner book conveying channel having mutually adjustable lateral guides and having a height-adjustable inner book support, on which inner books are fed in an upright position while being laterally supported, for operationally reliable conveying of very thin inner books an inner book support (2) is provided with bottom lateral guides (9), which are preferably arranged on either side and height-adjustable jointly with the inner book support (2), and with middle lateral guides (12), which are positioned between the bottom lateral guides (9) and top lateral guides (11). Said middle lateral guides are freely displaceable along vertical guides and by virtue of height adjustment of the inner book support (2) are liftable by the bottom lateral guides (9) into a vertically offset position.

Abstract: A continuous treatment apparatus is provided that resists thermal shock and treatment gases and correctly transfers treated objects. An urging mechanism 9 that urges a treated object w is adapted to transfer a treated object w by reciprocating rack member 91 using a pinion 92 in separating compartments 6 between treatment chambers 1, 2, 3, and 4. This arrangement eliminates the need to install rack members 91 and pinion 92 in a severe atomsphere.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically loading and unloading piece goods of different shapes, consistencies and masses in a permanently installed conveying system. The relevant piece goods are picked up automatically by a remote controlled apparatus, by the piece goods being gripped by friction by the apparatus and moved onto a pick-up platform belonging to the apparatus. Moreover, the piece goods, after being picked up on the pick-up platform, are secured by force and/or shape against slipping off or falling down until they are unloaded, and the loaded goods being put down automatically by the apparatus at the intended location.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt formed of rows of belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods and specially adapted for following a curved conveyor path. The modules include a top, product conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. The belt modules have a plurality of first link ends disposed in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt and a plurality of second link ends disposed in the opposite direction. Transverse holes in the link ends are aligned to accommodate a pivot rod. When the link ends of the consecutive rows of side by side modules are intercalated, the pivot rod serves as a hinge pin in a hinged joint between consecutive interlinked rows. To permit the belt to flex sidewise, the openings in the first link ends are slotted longitudinally in the direction of belt travel.

Abstract: By treating potable water at a temperature of at least 250° C. (482° F.) and at a pressure of at least 4 Mpa (570 psia), can produce pyrogen-free water using treatment times of 0.05 to 5 seconds or less. The addition of an oxidant, in the form of a gas, a liquid, or a solid, further decreases the required treatment time to less than 0.05 second. The reduction in equipment size achieved with this rapid treatment time allows the utilization of treatment units small enough to be easily transported to remote locations or installed in the restricted space environment existing in ships and submarines.

Abstract: A process for distillative separation of pure (meth)acrylic acid from mixtures which comprise (meth)acrylic acid and dimers and oligomers of (meth)acrylic acid and are essentially free from aldehydes and from components whose boiling point is lower than that of (meth)acrylic acid, using a distillation apparatus which has a thin-film evaporator, a condenser and a connection which contains a baffle device and links the thin-film evaporator and the condenser.

Abstract: A (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane is isolated and purified to a high purity by distilling a reaction solution containing the (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane in a thin-layer distillation device at a temperature of 90-160° C. and a vacuum of 1-15 mmHg. The resulting alkoxysilane product does not give rise to the quality problem that the product will gradually whiten during storage owing to contact with air. The occurrence of self-polymerization of the alkoxysilane is restrained.

Abstract: A new method for design and scale-up of photocatalytic and thermocatalytic processes is disclosed. The method is based on optimizing photoprocess energetics by decoupling of the process energy efficiency from the DRE for target contaminants. The technique is applicable to both low and high-flux photoreactor design and scale-up. The low-flux method is based on the implementation of natural biopolymeric and other low-pressure drop media support for titanium dioxide and other band-gap photocatalysts. The high-flux method is based on the implementation of multifunctional metal oxide aerogels and other media in conjunction with a novel rotating fluidized particle bed reactor.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing carbon nanotubes and/or fullerenes reduces the pressure inside a system to 1.3 Pa or lower, supplies a carboniferous liquid state material to raise the pressure inside the system to at least 1.3 kPa to 93.3 kPa, generates arc discharges, supplies the carboniferous liquid state material in discharge plasma created by the arc discharges, and disintegrates or excites the carboniferous liquid state material, thereby producing the carbon nanotubes and/or the fullerenes. And, the manufacturing apparatus is equipped with at least a pair of electrodes that generate arc discharges into a vacuum chamber to create discharge plasma, a gas supply unit capable of supplying a carrier gas into the vacuum chamber, and a raw material supply unit capable of supplying a carboniferous liquid state material in the discharge plasma through an introduction tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for achieving conformal step coverage on a substrate by ionized metal plasma deposition. A target provides a source of material to be sputtered and ionized by a plasma maintained by a coil. The ionized material is deposited on the substrate that is biased to a negative voltage. A power supply coupled to the target supplies a modulated or time-varying signal thereto during processing. Preferably, the modulated signal includes a negative voltage portion and a positive voltage portion. The negative voltage portion and the positive voltage portion are alternated to cycle between a center-strong sputter step and an edge-strong sputter step. The film quality and uniformity can be controlled by adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the signal, the duration of the positive portion of the signal, the power supplied to each of the support member and the coil, and other process parameters.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an infrared ray detector element utilizing a bolometer thin film having Bi1−xAxMn1O3 (element A being at least one element selected from a rare earth metal or an alkaline earth metal, 0≦x<1) as a main component. The method comprises a step of forming an oxide thin film having a metallic composition of Bi:A:Mn=1−x:X:1 by sputtering at a substrate temperature of equal to or above 100° C. and less than 500° C. within a gas atmosphere of containing oxygen or ozone. The second step is applying a heat treatment to the oxide thin film within a gas atmosphere containing oxygen or ozone to reduce the volume resistivity of the oxide thin film to a level at which an infrared ray detector circuit can operate. Thus, the bolometer having Bi1−xAxMn1O3 as a main component can be functioned as a bolometer and an infrared ray detector element of a high detectivity can be put in mass-production.

Abstract: Substantially transparent electrodes are formed upon a substrate by forming on the substrate, in order, a high index layer, a metallic conductive layer, and a conductive or semi-conductive top layer; and patterning the top layer and the conductive layer, preferably by laser ablation, to form a plurality of discrete electrodes from the metallic conductive layer. Conductors can be attached directly to the top layer, without requiring removal of this layer to expose the metallic conductive layer. The high index layer, conductive layer and top layer can all be formed by sputtering or similar processes which do not require high temperatures, so that plastic substrates can be used. The electrodes can be used, for example, in flat panel displays and in touch screen displays.

Abstract: A target for a magnetron plasma sputter reactor. The target has an annular vault facing the wafer to be sputter coated and has a width of preferably at least 5 cm and an aspect ratio of at least 1:2, preferably 1:1. Various types of magnetic means positioned around the walls of the vault, some of which may rotate along the vault, create a magnetic field in the vault to support a plasma extending over a large volume of the vault from its top to its bottom. The large plasma volume within the vault increases the probability that the sputtered metal atoms will become ionized and be accelerated towards an electrically biased wafer support electrode.

Abstract: A magnetic film forming system which can always apply a magnetic field to a substrate in a constant direction. The magnetic film forming system comprises a vacuum container, a substrate pallet for holding a substrate in the vacuum container and being removable with the substrate held, from the vacuum container, and means for supporting the substrate pallet. Magnetic field generation means are fixed to the substrate pallet for applying a magnetic field to the substrate. When the substrate pallet is removed from the vacuum container, the magnetic field generation means are also taken out together with the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating subatmospheric high plasma densities in the vicinity of a substrate in a work space for use in magnetron sputter deposition aided by ion bombardment of the substrate. Unbalanced flux lines emanating from cylindrical or frusto-conical targets cannot be captured across the work space, because the energizing magnets are cylindrical, and instead converge toward the axis of the apparatus to provide a high flux density, and therefore a high plasma density, in the vicinity of a substrate disposed in this region. The plasma profile and the coating material profile within the work space are both cylindrically symmetrical, resulting in a consistent and predictable coating on substrates.

Abstract: A target and magnetron for a plasma sputter reactor. The target has an annular vault facing the wafer to be sputter coated. Various types of magnetic means positioned around the vault create a magnetic field supporting a plasma extending over a large volume of the vault. An integrated copper via filling process includes a first step of highly ionized sputter deposition of copper, a second step of more neutral, lower-energy sputter deposition of copper to complete the seed layer, and electroplating copper into the hole to complete the metallization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosensor which enables prompt quantification by facilitating introduction of a sample solution even when the amount of the sample solution is small and improving dissolution of reagents. The biosensor comprises an insulating base plate; an electrode system including at least a measuring electrode and a counter electrode formed on the base plate; a cover member integrated into the base plate to form a sample solution supply pathway for supplying a sample solution to the electrode system between the cover member and the base plate; a reaction reagent system including at least an electron mediator and an oxidoreductase; and a carrier supporting at least the electron mediator or the oxidoreductase of the reaction reagent system, wherein the carrier is partially or wholly disposed outside the sample solution supply pathway.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor allowing the concentration of a constituent to be determined and being formed by a tongue of small dimensions including a thin plastic substrate (1) supporting at least two current conducting strips (4, 5) separated by a narrow insulating strip (3) of the substrate (1), said substrate (1) and said strips (4, 5) being covered with a plastic covering (2) into which are cut, at one end an opening (8) allowing portions of strip (4, 5) to appear for connection to an electronic apparatus and at the other end two windows (9a, 9b) separated by a strip (11) of the covering (2), said windows (9a, 9b) delimiting on the strips (4, 5) the useful surfaces of a reference electrode beneath a first window (9b) and a measuring electrode beneath a second window (9a) covered with a specific reactant. It is characterised in that at least the measuring window (9a) has an oblong contour in the direction of the tongue.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for ascertaining a gas concentration of a measuring gas includes an electrochemical element, including a first solid electrolyte body having an electrochemical pump cell and a first and a second electrode, and having a gas compartment which is connected via a gas access opening to the measuring-gas compartment, and in which one of the two electrodes is arranged. The electrochemical element further includes a second solid electrolyte body having an electrochemical sensor cell (Nernst cell) and a third and a fourth electrode. The surface of the first solid electrolyte body faces the measuring-gas compartment, and the gas access opening is covered by a porous protective layer. The electrochemical sensor includes a layer that exhibits a higher density or a lower porosity compared to the protective layer and that is allocated to the porous protective layer.

Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for forming a deposit on the surface of a metallic or conductive surface. The process employs an electrolytic process to deposit a mineral containing coating or film upon a metallic or conductive surface.

Abstract: MEMS structures are provided that compensate for ambient temperature changes, process variations, and the like, and can be employed in many applications. These structures include an active microactuator adapted for thermal actuation to move in response to the active alteration of its temperature. The active microactuator may be further adapted to move in response to ambient temperature changes. These structures also include a temperature compensation element, such as a temperature compensation microactuator or frame, adapted to move in response to ambient temperature changes. The active microactuator and the temperature compensation element move cooperatively in response to ambient temperature changes. Thus, a predefined spatial relationship is maintained between the active microactuator and the associated temperature compensation microactuator over a broad range of ambient temperatures absent active alteration of the temperature of the active microactuator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an electrodeposition or electroetching system. A thin metal film is deposited or etched by electrical current through an electrolytic bath flowing toward and in contact with a target on which the film is disposed. Uniformity of deposition or etching is promoted, particularly at the edge of the target film, by, baffle and shield members through which the bath passes as it flows toward the target. The baffle has a plurality of openings disposed to control the localized current flow across the cross section of the workpiece/wafer. Disposed near the edge of the target, the shield member shapes the potential field and the current line so that it is uniform.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is disclosed, wherein a MEA is provided within a vessel. The MEA includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. The vessel is disposed around the MEA, and defines a first storage area in fluid communication with the first electrode. The MEA defines a second storage region in fluid communication the second electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus for defining patterns electrochemically on conductive materials by forming the patterns as conductive features of a tool, providing insulative properties about the conductive features so the patterns are defined; then providing an immersive medium including an etchant or plating material for defining the pattern on a workpiece, providing an electric direct current so that the immersive medium is concentrated at desired locations defined by the conductive features on the conductive materials; and etching the conductive materials by applying the electric current in a quantity and for an elapsed time to etch or plate patterns in or on the conductive materials.

Abstract: A washing agent dispenser including a washing agent case sized and shaped to hold a solid or solidified washing agent, and means for attachment of the case to a support or a surface, the case enabling collection of a surface sample of the washing agent by means of a washing instrument.