Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor is provided having an improved current gain cutoff frequency. The heterojunction bipolar transistor includes a graded base layer formed from antimony. The graded base allows the heterojunction bipolar transistor to establish a quasi-electric field to yield an improved cutoff frequency.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for mounting to a stationary housing that contains a rotating shaft is provided. The mechanical seal employs an inboard mounted spacer element to provide axial and radial spacing between a holder and a gland. In addition to providing selected axial and radial spacing, the spacer element promotes or enhances fluid circulation in a process chamber formed between the gland and holder by rotating about the shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation server for providing traffic information, which is useful and has a suitable data amount, to a vehicle navigation device, so as to make the vehicle have a comfortable travel. The server calculates at least one proposed travel based on input data including a current or start position and a destination of the vehicle, and defines a map mesh consisting of mesh units on the proposed travel route. The server extracts traffic information relating to each mesh unit from a traffic information storage device in turn, where traffic information relating to the mesh unit which includes the start or current position is obtained first. The server monitors a total amount of extracted information, and terminates information extraction for the following mesh units when the total amount becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value. The server then sends the traffic information to a vehicle navigation device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal processing of a workpiece reduces the time taken for a processing gas to be purged, or switched, during one or more processing steps for thermal processing systems. The thermal processing system includes a heating chamber in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention. A small-volume workpiece enclosure is disposed about the workpiece. A translation mechanism, e.g., in the form of a positioning assembly, supports the small-volume workpiece enclosure for moving the small-volume workpiece enclosure and the workpiece within the heating chamber. The small-volume workpiece enclosure enables the use of relatively smaller amounts of process (ambient) gases, and decreases the purge time of such gases. The heating chamber can have at least one of a thermal radiation intensity gradient and a temperature gradient for thermally processing the workpiece. The heating chamber can have one or more heating elements disposed about the heating chamber.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage apparatus M stores a liquid hydrogen tank 1, hydrogen filling passage 3 that fills liquid hydrogen in to the liquid hydrogen tank, a degassing passage 4 provided with a relief valve V1 that opens when the pressure of hydrogen gasified in the liquid hydrogen tank reaches a predetermined level, and a hydrogen occlusive tank 2 that accommodates a hydrogen occlusive alloy 21 for storing the gasified hydrogen. When liquid hydrogen is being filled into the liquid hydrogen tank 1, the pressure in the hydrogen occlusive tank 2 is lowered using a duct 51, a cooling fan 52, and a conduit 54 for cooling the hydrogen occlusive tank 2. Accordingly, the filling time is shortened and the fuel efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for translating linear movement into rotational movement in an actuator configuration is provided. For example, a rotary actuator assembly includes a housing having a central bore. A piston is disposed within the housing and is linearly movable along an axis of the central bore. A rolling diaphragm is disposed within the housing and coupled with the piston. A bifurcated linkage having an end flange couples with the piston and the rolling diaphragm. An articulatable coupling further connects the bifurcated linkage with a rotating linkage. A spring button, which can be cone shaped, is disposed within the housing. A compression spring is retained between the end flange of the bifurcated linkage and the spring button, for example, by a threaded rod and nut. The assembly is arranged such that when force is applied to the rolling diaphragm the bifurcated linkage is linearly transported, which results in the pivoting of the rotating linkage about a pivot point.

Abstract: A rodenticidal composition comprises a carrier together with a rodenticidally effective amount of a compound having formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are the same or different halogen selected from F, Cl and Br atoms. The preferred compound is bis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-pyridyl)amine. The compounds of formula (I) are toxic to rodents, particularly rats, and yet have smell and taste acceptable to rodents.