Abstract: A system for a diesel engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, comprising a turbocharger coupled between the intake and exhaust manifolds of the engine; a low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system with a first end coupled to the exhaust manifold downstream of the turbocharger and a second end coupled to the intake manifold upstream of the turbocharger, said low pressure exhaust gas recirculation having a first valve coupled thereto for regulating flow; a high pressure exhaust gas recirculation system with a first end coupled to the exhaust manifold upstream of the turbocharger and a second end coupled to the intake manifold downstream of the turbocharger, said high pressure exhaust gas recirculation having a second valve coupled thereto for regulating flow; a first mass airflow sensor coupled in the engine intake manifold upstream of said second end of said low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system; a second mass airflow sensor coupled in the engine intake manifold downstream of said

Abstract: A cooling system (200) for a computer system (100) includes a housing (220) and a thermoelectric module (240) in the housing. The housing is hermetically connected to a computer case (120). The thermoelectric module comprises a cold side (242) and a hot side (244) when subject to an electric voltage. A first fan (300) is for blowing hot air generated by a CPU (50) in the computer case to the cold side of the thermoelectric module. A second fan (400) is for blowing cold air from the cold side of the thermoelectric module to the CPU. A first heat sink (250) is mounted to the cold side of the thermoelectric module. A second heat sink (260) is mounted to the hot side of the thermoelectric module.

Abstract: A high power thermoelectric controller system is disclosed, capable of operating multiple thermoelectric cooler (TEC) devices, each with a maximum power demand greater than 200 watts. The controller system utilizes interleaved triggering of multiple pulse width modulated power conversion circuits in order to minimize switching transient currents. In another aspect, the system incorporates a novel combination of a PWM controller circuit and H-bridge switching network into a single circuit that reduces the number of components needed to provide closed-loop proportional control of multiple TEC devices in a temperature control system.

Abstract: Various improvements can be made to the manner in which LNG is regasified. Specifically, geothermal heat from ground water (or another geothermally-heated fluid) is extracted from a subterranean aquifer (subterranean chamber) and used as a source of heat (possibly with other heat sources) to provide efficient and effective LNG regasification with minimal environmental impact. The cool ground water (fluid) that results from LNG regasification process is returned to the subterranean aquifer (subterranean chamber), where it is heated indirectly by geothermal heat produced by the core of the earth. In the preferred embodiment, the LNG regasification process is designed such that the geothermal heat produced by the core of the earth counterbalances the heat removed from the ground water (fluid) in heating the LNG during vaporization, which avoids significant changes to the normal temperature of the ground water (fluid) held in the subterranean aquifer (subterranean chamber).

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for cooling filled food containers having hot contents includes spraying a coolant onto the containers. As the hot contents cool, the flow rate of coolant is decreased. The coolant is at least about 40° F. cooler than the initial average temperature of the hot contents. In one embodiment, the temperature of the spent coolant typically does not vary more than about 6° F.

Abstract: Between two heat exchangers of a first heat exchanger unit 41 and a second heat exchanger unit 42 included in an indoor heat exchanger 40, an opening 80 is arranged for introducing indoor air sucked from an air inlet 321 into an indoor blower 50 without being heat-exchanged. At the opening 80, a damper 91 is arranged for adjusting the opening rate of the opening 80, which is driven by a predetermined driving member 92. During a cooling cycle running of a freezing cycle, the opening rate of the opening 80 and/or the devices included in the freezing cycle such as a compressor, blower and expansion valve are controlled alone or in combination so that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 40 is lower than a dew point temperature of the indoor air.

Abstract: A unitary air conditioner includes a thermostat for generating an operation signal, an outdoor equipment operated according to an operation signal of the thermostat, an indoor equipment whose indoor fan is driven according to an operation signal of the thermostat, and an indoor fan control unit for increasing air volume after the indoor fan is driven at a rated air volume. After being driven at a rated air volume, the indoor fan is driven at an air volume higher than the rated air volume, thereby realizing a power saving operation with good energy efficiency.

Abstract: A variable capacity air conditioner compressor is controlled by setting a car target indoor temperature; sensing car indoor and outdoor temperatures and solar radiation with sensors at predetermined car positions; calculating a vent target discharge temperature using the target temperature, sensed car temperatures and solar radiation; calculating a target evaporator temperature and blower voltage based on target discharge temperature; calculating a control duty based on the target evaporator temperature; calculating target evaporator temperature and blower voltage change rates; determining whether or not the compressor comes under a sudden variable condition based on the control duty, and target evaporator temperature and blower voltage change rates; and setting a control duty change rate maximum value to an accelerative slew rate greater than and equal to a basic slew rate when sudden and not sudden variable conditions are respectively determined.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for removing heat from an engine compartment in a motor vehicle where heat generated by operation of a heat engine (12) that propels the vehicle tends to collect. Engine heat is collected in a thermofluid in a reservoir forming an evaporator (14) where the thermofluid absorbs heat sufficient to evaporate it. The vapor naturally migrates to a condenser (22) that is cooled sufficiently to condense the vapor back to liquid phase. The liquid falls by gravity back to the condenser.

Abstract: Described herein is a desiccant air-conditioning system which is characterized in that the system is equipped with an introducing route where process air is introduced into a geothermal heat exchanger, a supplying route where the process air which is cooled by the geothermal heat exchanger is introduced into a space to be air-conditioned and a desiccant wheel which is placed in an extending manner over both of the introducing route and the supplying route and, when the desiccant wheel is rotated so that each part thereof is successively positioned to said introducing route and supplying route, the process air after cooling is dehumidified by said desiccant wheel and the desiccant wheel is regenerated by the process air before cooling.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for use in atmospheric moisture harvesters are disclosed. In particular, sectored or zoned cooling/condensation surfaces to optimize cooling efficiency are disclosed. In one embodiment, cooling is provided by dual-refrigerant, buffered cooling cells. In another embodiment, cooling is provided by thermoelectric cooling devices. Where thermoelectric cooling devices are used, an airway duct that covers both the cool side and the warm side of the devices can be provided, such that an airflow system that is driven by the difference in density between cooled, de-moisturized air and warmed air is established. Localized temperatures and moisture levels are monitored so that cooling can be adjusted as necessary to provide optimal, most energy-efficient condensation of moisture.

Abstract: Refrigeration apparatus comprising a cold storage compartment, accessible from the outside, and provided internally with a sealed container adapted to accommodate a flexible and compressible receptacle holding a beverage; there are provided pneumatic or air-compression means to generate a selectively controllable pneumatic pressure inside said container, but outside said flexible receptacle, and said sealed container is capable of being opened from the outside by means of a closure applied on a face thereof, wherein said closure is provided with a through-aperture, through which there extends a drawing-off conduit. Whenever a need arises for beverage to be drawn off the receptacle, a pressure increase is triggered inside the sealed container, and said pressure increase will act upon the walls of the internal receptacle so that the latter is caused to collapse and reduce its volume, thereby causing the beverage to be ejected therefrom and, therefore, drawn off.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator/freezer having a control module for more reliably driving a rotatable ice ejector for removing ice bodies from a mold of the ice maker and for refilling mold cavities with water. The control module has an ice ejector drive with a drive coupling that includes a gear wheel and an ejector shaft section, both made of hard plastic material, preferably a polymide resin, for transmitting higher torque to the rotary ice ejector without failure of the plastic drive components. In one embodiment, a drive sleeve on the gear wheel and a drive shaft section have a spline coupling for more effectively distributing driving forces in the drive coupling. In another embodiment, a metallic collar is tightly positioned over the gear wheel sleeve for enhancing torque transmission in the drive coupling.

Abstract: An ice making has an ice making mold with a plurality of ice making cells opened at the bottom, a water tank, water spray nozzles adapted for spraying the water contained in the water tank towards the ice making cells, an ice bin adapted for storage of ice cubes formed in and harvested from the ice making cells, and an inclined plate having water spray openings and recovery openings and mounted between the ice making mold and the water spray nozzles. The ice making cells are each attached to a serpentine evaporator tube, which is cooled by a refrigeration system and also heated by way of electrical pulse energy. The electrical pulse heating of the ice making cells allows ice to be quickly and efficiently harvested from the cells.

Abstract: An air discharge apparatus usable with an air conditioner includes a body formed with a suction opening and a discharge opening, a blowing fan arranged in the body to circulate air, and a partition to separate a suction path defined between the suction opening and the blowing fan from a discharge path defined between the blowing fan and the discharge opening. The partition has a vortex-restraint portion, which protrudes into the discharge path to occupy a portion of a bottom region of the cross sectional area of the discharge path, thereby serving to prevent generation of a vortex of air in the discharge path.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the rapid cooling and atomization of liquid or pasty substances, in particular even relatively small amounts of liquid or pasty substances being able to be cooled and atomized economically. Both process and apparatus are particularly useful in the pharmaceutical industry for preparing injectable microparticles of polymer or lipid matrices suitable for the incorporation of active ingredients.

Abstract: Apparatus for condensing hydrocarbons, such as but not limited to butane and propane, from a stream of natural gas includes as its primary components a pre-cooler assembly, a chiller assembly, a refrigerant compressor/condenser assembly, and separator assembly. In the pre-cooler assembly warm gas entering the apparatus is cooled by counter-current flow heat exchange with cooled natural gas exiting the apparatus. The chiller assembly of the apparatus the hydrocarbon stream is cooled in co-current flow heat exchange with a first refrigerant tube, carrying a first refrigerant which is itself cooled in co-current heat exchange with a second refrigerant tube disposed in coaxial relationship with the first refrigerant tube. Both first and second refrigerant tubes are disposed in coaxial relationship with an outer jacket conveying the gas stream through the chiller assembly. Condensed hydrocarbons are separated from the gas stream in the separator assembly.

Abstract: Ceramics comprising (i) at least one of Nb2O5 or Ta2O5 and (ii) at least two of (a) Al203, (b) REO, or (c) at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2. Embodiments of ceramics according to the present invention can be made, formed as, or converted into optical waveguides, glass beads, articles (e.g., plates), fibers, particles (e.g., abrasive particles), and thin coatings.

Abstract: A method of making a silicon sheet is disclosed. The method includes forming a thin glass sheet at semi-molten state. The glass sheet is exposed, at a semi-molten state, to a voltage across the thickness of the sheet. Impurities are cleaned at the surface, thereby leaving a silicon oxide sheet. The silicon oxide sheet is exposed to a reducing gas at a semi-molten temperature to reduce the oxide. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a float glass comprising the steps of feeding molten glass onto molten metal having a specific gravity greater than the molten glass and contained in a float glass making furnace and flowing the molten glass to the downstream side with the molten glass being floated on the surface of the molten metal, thereby forming the molten glass into a shape of plate. A foreign-substance entrapping metal under its molten state to contact an upper surface of the molten glass on the molten metal, the foreign-substance entrapping metal having a melting point lower than the softening point of the glass and being capable of entrapping either a precipitate which is precipitated on the upper surface of the molten glass or an attachment which is formed thereon.

Abstract: A mold assembly for use in a glassware manufacturing machine comprising two mold members each including a plurality of cooling passages extending vertically therethrough from a lower end face to an upper end face and at least one twisted metal strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a preform cone having desired shape and dimensions, including diameter is provided, wherein said apparatus comprises a box type structure having a coupling means suitably provided on the inner side of upper face for holding one end of the core rod of the soot preform which is required to be subjected to step of cone preparation; a grinding or cutting means suitably provided on the inner side of one of the faces of the box type structure for grinding or cutting the preform end to produce preform cone of desired shape and dimensions including diameter; a suction means suitably provided on inner side of one of the faces of the box type structure for immediate removal of soot particles produced during grinding or cutting of the preform end to produce the preform cone of desired shape and dimensions; and an adjustable rotating means suitably connectable to grinding or cutting means to have simultaneous control of rotation speed and position of the grinding or cutting means with respect t

Abstract: A circularly knit brassiere having a body with a pair of breast-receiving cups formed from a three-ply blank. The three ply blank has a middle ply that knitted using terry loop stitches. A method of circularly knitting a three-ply brassiere blank is provided that includes knitting a middle ply, using terry loop stitches, having a first end and a second end, and knitting a body-contacting ply connected to the second end of the first ply. The method further provides for transferring held loops from the end of the body-contacting ply to the first end of the middle ply to thereby fold the body-contacting-ply inside of the middle ply. The method also includes knitting a torso-encircling welt to the end of the body-contacting ply and transferring held loops from the torso-encircling welt to the first end; and knitting an outer ply to the torso-encircling welt.

Abstract: Provided is a detergent supplying apparatus of a washing machine. The apparatus includes a drawer and drawer caps. The drawer has bleach supplying parts provided with bleach siphon tubes, and softener supplying parts provided with softener siphon tubes. The drawer caps are provided with bleach siphon caps covering the bleach siphon tubes together with softener siphon caps covering the softener siphon tubes.

Abstract: A ground lock fitting comprises: an upper cover comprises a top surface and an upper sidewall, wherein a guiding hole is provided on the top surface and a thread is provided on the upper sidewall; a lower cover comprises a base surface and a lower sidewall, wherein a mounting hole is provided on the base surface; the upper cover is connected with the lower cover to form a chamber in which a locking bar comprising a mainbody and a stopper attached thereunder is disposed; and a magnetized portion is provided on top of the mainbody in which a locking hole is provided. The ground lock fitting is hidden from view, hard to break open and convenient to use such that it can be widely used in rolling shutter gates for stores and the like.

Abstract: A key holder has at least one seat and at least one housing. The seat has a key and a base in which the key is mounted. The housing has at least one chamber to receive the seat, and at least one slot longitudinally defined in a side of the housing. At least one fastener is inserted into the slot and the base so that the key is secured in the base and the base can slide along the slot. The key can be retracted into the key holder for safe storage. The key can be quickly and easily extended out of the key holder for convenient use.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a vehicle door latch, whose basic version contains a locking mechanism (1, 2) with at least one operating lever (3) for the locking mechanism (1, 2) and a motor drive (4, 5, 6, 7) for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2). According to the invention, the motor drive (4, 5, 6, 7) directly acts upon the locking mechanism (1, 2) solely via the operating lever (3).

Abstract: The invention is directed to provide a forming method and a forming apparatus that are, without extending a processing time compared with the conventional practice, capable of sufficiently lubricating a formed object and forming at safety without the lubricant igniting under pressure. In an extruding apparatus, a workpiece is successively transferred to a series of press stages, a conveying unit successively transferring the workpiece is provided with a nozzle for spraying the workpiece with lubricant, and the workpiece and the nozzle are located in fixed relative positions to each other in spraying the workpiece with the lubricant.

Abstract: A coiling machine configured to coil semi-rigid rectangular wires without using a core to wind the wire thereonto, yielding a free-standing coil is described herein. The coiling machine comprises a wire bending mechanism including a wire holding assembly for selectively immobilizing a wire and a wire bending assembly for bending a selected portion of the wire at an angle while the wire is immobilized by the wire holding assembly; a wire feeding mechanism for receiving the wire from a wire drawing mechanism and for feeding a length of the wire to the wire bending mechanism; and a controller coupled to the wire drawing mechanism, wire bending mechanism and wire feeding mechanism to control their operations for sequentially bending the wire at predetermined positions therealong so as to yield a coil of wire.

Abstract: A die apparatus and method for performing a flashless forging operation to manufacture the toothed portion of a steering rack. The die apparatus comprising first and second die members and at least one punch member, each having a forming surface shaped substantially as the obverse of a portion of said toothed portion, and at least a portion of the forming surface of said first die member being shaped substantially as the obverse of the teeth of said rack. Said first and second die members being moveable towards each other to a closed position thereby partially forging said toothed portion from a blank placed in said die apparatus and forming a substantially closed cavity defined by said forming surfaces, said punch member being adapted to move into said cavity, once said die members are in said closed position, thereby completing said forging operation.

Abstract: The ripe melon detector determines the ripeness of opaque fruit including melons by determining the resonant frequency of the melon and correlating the resonant frequency with information of expected frequency for ripe melons. The detector includes a sound transmitting transducer, a transducer for receiving sound from the melon and a control circuit. An operator control causes the control circuit to control the sound transmitting transducer to transmit sound frequencies to the fruit. The control circuit controls the receiving transmitter to receive sound returned from the fruit. The sound frequencies in the received sound are analyzed by comparing them to expected frequencies to provide a determination of the ripeness of the fruit. An indicator system driven by the control circuitry provides an indication of the ripeness of the fruit. The indicator system may include indicator lights, a speaker, or a text display.

Abstract: One surface of a component is obliquely ensonified through a liquid or gaseous first medium with a checking sound beam produced by a transmission/reception transducer for defect investigation of the component. A response sound beam, which is reflected back from the surface to the transmission/reception transducer, is received and its delay time in the medium between the transmission/reception transducer and the surface is evaluated. The delay time in the medium determined in this way is taken into account for localization of a defect within the component.

Abstract: A hydrometric sensor comprises a cable with a conducting core (1) surrounded by a dielectric sheath (2) which is interrupted at a succession of measurement stations (4), provided with a dielectric shield (6) with reduced section around which extends a volume filled with the test material. A portion of the signal enters this cavity, closed by a short circuited conducting ring (10) and which behaves as a resonant cavity in order to reflect a portion of the signal towards the source. The reflected signal is analyzed in order to infer from it the permittivity of the test material filling the cavity and therefore its humidity, as well as its temperature. A possible application is the monitoring of clays for confining used nuclear fuel.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables to determine the cetane number of fuel in a state in which it is actually used for running an internal combustion engine with an improved degree of accuracy. A fuel injection for cetane number determination in which a specified quantity of fuel is injected into a combustion chamber during a compression stroke or expansion stroke, is performed while the internal combustion engine is in a fuel cut state. The cetane number of the fuel is determined based on the time period from a specified time to a time of ignition at which the fuel injected by the fuel injection for cetane number determination is ignited.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evacuating gas from the soil surrounding a leaking gas conduit utilizes non-sparking and static dissipating components to reduce the risk of an explosion. The evacuation of gas from probes in boreholes in the vicinity of the leak is induced solely by a downstream blower where air is mixed with the gas and the gas/air mixture monitored to maintain the gas concentration below potentially explosive levels.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a filter housing having two or more layers of filters. Each layer is preferably spaced apart from each other so as to provide a chamber or gap between them. A port or vent is located within the chamber or gap between the two layers to provide an intermediate path for gas or liquid to flow through one layer of filter or membrane and out the vent or port for integrity testing.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for checking the tightness of a tank system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle by means of overpressure or underpressure, in which a first controllable valve is disposed in a connection between the tank system and an overpressure or underpressure source, and a second controllable valve is disposed in a connection of the tank system with the ambient air in which the leak testing is performed at the end of a phase of operation of the engine, in particular at the end of a travel mode, of a motor vehicle that has the engine, and a demand for shutoff of the engine is executed with a time delay, and at least the steps of the leak testing that generate the overpressure or underpressure are performed within the delay time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ensuring the reliability of technical components, especially of internal combustion engines and the parts thereof, by means of a test program.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for evaluating subsurface earth oil and gas formations. More particularly, methods and systems are provided for determining reservoir properties such as reservoir transmissibilities and average reservoir pressures of a formation layer or multiple layers using fracture-injection/falloff test methods. The methods herein may use pressure falloff data generated by the introduction of an injection fluid at a pressure above the formation fracture pressure in conjunction with a fracture-injection/falloff test model to analyze reservoir properties. The fracture-injection/falloff test model recognizes that a new induced fracture creates additional storage volume in the formation and that a fracture-injection/falloff test in a layer may exhibit variable storage during the pressure falloff, and a change in storage may be observed at hydraulic fracture closure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing different levels of liquids in their respective containers in a liquid-consuming and/or producing instrument system. According to a preferred embodiment, an elongated liquid-sensing probe having axially spaced electrodes adapted to sense liquid at multiple levels is arranged in each container of liquid. A controller, e.g. a suitably programmed microprocessor, operates to selectively poll different pairs of electrodes carried by the probe to determine whether or not the polled electrode pairs are immersed in the contained liquid. Preferably, the polling circuit comprises an electronically-controlled resistor that serves to normalize the level-sensing output signal for liquids of different bulk resistivity.

Abstract: A packaging system in one example comprises an improved mechanical packaging system for a circuit board disposed between housing elements, the improvement comprising an upper housing member having a centrally disposed opening provided therethrough, a unitary electromagnetic shield disposed on at least an upper surface of the circuit board and secured to the circuit board, the unitary electromagnetic shield secured to the upper housing member, such that undesired mechanical vibration modes are substantially reduced.

Abstract: Described is a control unit and an acceleration sensor system, the control unit having an electronic safety switch which, as a function of a signal of an acceleration sensor system, releases output stages for actuating passenger protection means independently of a processor and the processor actuates the output stages as a function of the signal. The safety switch analyzes an integrated acceleration signal.

Abstract: A micro-machined acceleration sensing apparatus includes a piezoelectric substrate that functions as a propagation medium. A diaphragm is configured upon the substrate, wherein the diaphragm is etched to form one or more etched cavities. Sensing elements are formed on the diaphragm, wherein a first sensing element among the sensing elements is located on a top of the diaphragm, a second sensing element among the sensing elements is located on a side of the diaphragm, and a third sensing element among the sensing elements is located at a crystallography different orientation with respect to the first and second sensing elements, such that the substrate, the diaphragm and the plurality of sensing elements comprise a micro-machined acceleration sensing apparatus thereof that is clamped at one end of the substrate to an object under an acceleration and submitted to a force at the free end of the substrate to provide signals indicative of acceleration.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a governor that is small, does not produce wear particles or noise, is low cost, is not affected by differences in attitude, is not affected by magnetism, and has outstanding durability. The governor has a rotor that rotates using energy supplied from an energy storage means through a power transfer means, a wing having wing surfaces perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotor, and disposed movably to an outside circumference side radially to the rotor by means of centrifugal force produced by rotor rotation, a zigzag spring disposed between the rotor and wing for pulling the wing to the inside circumference side radially to the rotor, and an opposing member disposed to the outside circumference of the rotor and having an opposing surface located opposite and separated a predetermined gap from the wing surface when the wing moves to the outside circumference side radially to the rotor.

Abstract: An aperture rotates for ultrasound imaging with an ultrasound transducer responsive to bias for operation, such as cMUTs or electrostrictive crystal transducers. By rotating a bias aperture relative to a time delay aperture, a more isotropic beam profile results. Acoustic energy is transmitted with one arrangement of bias and time delay apertures. The bias and/or time delay apertures are rotated for receiving acoustic energy in response to the transmitted acoustic energy. The two-way convolution of the different aperture positions results in a more isotropic beam profile.

Abstract: This apparatus relates to an improved apparatus and method for sensing fluid differential pressures. The apparatus can be applied in multi-capillary solution viscometers and gel permeation chromatography systems used in the characterization of polymers. A valve is used to alter a flow path in a measurement circuit to reduce or eliminate an undesired fluid output and to accelerate the regeneration of the fluid for analysis of subsequent samples. The apparatus can be usefully applied to all instruments and systems comprising viscometers having two or more capillaries.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensor uses pairs of acoustic transducers to generate quasi-helical acoustic beams reflected multiple times from an inside surface of a pipe. The transducers are arranged so that each two pairs generate counter-rotating beams. When fluid flowing in the pipe has both a rotary and an axial flow component the rotary component adds to the apparent flow rate measured in one rotational direction and subtracts from that measured in the other. Hence, a combination of transit time measurements along the two paths can be used to cancel out the effects of the rotary flow component and yield a measure of the rate of flow along the pipe axis. In some cases multiple probes are used to increase the amount of flowing fluid that is sampled.

Abstract: A sensor attachment structure includes a sound receiving member for receiving an ultrasound, an ultrasonic sensor attached to the sound receiving member. The ultrasonic sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having first and second surfaces opposite to each other and a substrate recess portion recessed from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate so as to form a membrane in the semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, a cap member is located between the sound receiving member and the semiconductor substrate to cover the second surface of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the cap member has a first surface bonded to the sound receiving member, and a second surface that is bonded to the second surface of the semiconductor substrate at an outer periphery section of the membrane while having a gap between the cap member and the membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjustably supporting probes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor support assembly includes a base member adapted to be positioned proximate to and move along a surface of a material, the base member including a first outwardly projecting engagement member and a second outwardly projecting engagement member spaced apart from the first engagement member, and a support member coupled to the base member and including a boss adapted to engage a probe, wherein the first and second engagement members are adapted to engage the surface and to maintain a stand-off distance between the probe and the surface.

Abstract: A device to employ directed centrifugal force for use as rectilinear motion utilizing a novel harmonic motion, oscillating arcing eccentric mass resonator, which flexes about an axis of rotation with limited angular displacement. The stator and rotating oscillator are technically a single mass, in that they are magnetically coupled to provide an elastic tension K and thus produce a natural resonant frequency form, such as a tuning fork. Said eccentric centrifugal mass is also coupled by centripetal magnetic levitation force and thus has no frictional load, therefore. The preferred embodiment uses two sets of like thrusters and like frequency but one set is 90 degrees out of phase with the other set. This arrangement is able to cancel out any recoil force on the vehicle mass. Thrust is amplitude modulated. The oscillating momentum of the mass is amplified for greater thrust at the resonant frequency. The device may be employed for any mode of travel.