Abstract: A doctor blade assembly (121) for an image forming device such as a laser printer (100) includes a bracket (622) to which foam (640) is attached providing improved tolerances in the nip formed between the assembly (121) and the doctoring media. The assembly (121) includes a lip (625) which extends under the foam (640) to help secure the foam (640) and reduce the amount of adhesive required to keep the foam (640) attached. The bracket (622) is stamped from a single piece of metal providing a doctor blade assembly (121) with high stiffness that is cost effective to manufacture.

Abstract: A lens has a body (1), reinforcing extensions (3a, 3b) and a clear aperture (9) surrounded on top and bottom by lens body. The lens is suitable for spot scanning. The lens is made of a water absorbing material, such as most polymers, particularly acrylate polymers. Aluminum sheets as vapor barriers are attached on each side of the lens body. This results in excellent resistance to change or distortion in high humidity environments.

Abstract: A joining device 10 for constructing arts and crafts projects. The joining device 10 comprises a stem piece 14 having a first end 11 terminating in a base 18 with threads 20 substantially encircling the base 18, and a second end 13 having a plurality of fins 12 attached thereto. The joining device 10 also comprises an extension 24 with a first end 15 coupled to the stem piece 14 adjacent to the base 18 and a second end 17 having a hinging member 26, 28 thereon. A wall 22 between the base 18 and the extension 24 acts in retaining the joining device 10 firmly against an arts and crafts article 34 near the base 18. Two joining devices 10 secured by their respective hinging members 26, 28 form a joint assembly 25 beneficial in building arts and crafts projects in order to provide for a connection between parts via a hinge 42 and controlled rotation around the hinge 42.

Abstract: A computer (20) adapted to communicate with a measuring apparatus (12) for receiving liquid level measurements and delivering a calibrated fuel quantity output (24) to a readout instrument (14). The computer (20) has an input interface (34) with a first input (22A) for accepting a first liquid level measurement signal from said measuring apparatus (12). A first bias circuit (30A) provides an adjustable offset bias to minimize voltage errors due to input bias current received in the first liquid level measurement signal (26A). Computer(20) also has a calibrating circuit (36) for calibrating the first liquid level measurement signal to provide a calibrated fuel quantity output signal (24) that can be read by readout instrument (14) through output interface (42).

Abstract: A method and system for electronically retrieving door hardware items from a database operably coupled to a search mechanism within a data-processing system. The search mechanism can be operated to retrieve specified door hardware items from the database based on a set of user entered search criteria. Thereafter, more specific data can be electronically retrieved from the database via the search mechanism, in response to further user input. The door hardware items are then displayed in a graphical user interface, in response to retrieval of specified door hardware items from the database. Object fields are also displayed in the graphical user interface, such that each object field is associated with a particular subset of the database. The user is then graphically prompted to select a particular subset of the database by selecting a particular object field, thereby narrowing the scope of the database search with increasing granularity.

Abstract: A fuel quantity transducer (20) suitable for use in a liquid level measurement system (30) uses an AMR device (30) to permit liquid level measurement. A flange (60) is fastened to the inside of a tank (12) and the AMR device (38) on the outside of the tank (12). A support (62) provides a channel shaped piece that is attached to the flange (60) and provides a pivot for a rotor (64). A stop pin (61) is pressed into the support (62) and provides a stop for the rotor (64) at each end of a ninety degree arc. The rotor (64) is a square bar counterbored for a magnet (42) and tapped laterally for a pivot rod. The magnet (42) is placed on the counterbore and retained such that the clearance between the magnet (42) and the flange is small. A float arm (80) is screwed into the axially threaded end of the rotor (64) and secured with a locking jam nut (82).

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell assembly apparatus for receiving an inserted membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The apparatus includes modular features for connecting a plurality of fuel cells into a planar fuel cell “stack” capable of using ambient air to supply oxidant gas and dissipate heat and water vapor. The invention also facilitates convenient removal and replacement of individual cells or MEAs in a stack without disassembly of the entire stack.

Abstract: A printer frame (12) comprising a sheet metal skeleton structure (14) encasing a filler material (54) of castable polymer. The frame (12) is fabricated by joining sheet metal members using slot-and-slot or slot-and-tab junctions to form a sheet metal skeleton. A filler material (54) substance is then applied strategically to cavities (16) and troughs (18) created when the interlocking members are joined. When the filler material (54) hardens, the resulting printer frame (12) provides structural support with improved vibration damping.

Abstract: A fuel level transmitter (10) consisting of two magnetic rotors (14, 16) placed on opposite sides of a non-ferrous wall (26) are arranged so that when the first rotor (14) is turned, the second rotor (16) follows due to the magnetic coupling between the two rotors (14, 16). Torque is produced, in part, as a function of the offset of the poles, magnetic strength and the distance between the rotors (14, 16).

Abstract: A system and method of identifying the source of uplink and downlink interference in a disturbed cell of a wireless telecommunications network. Initially, call events occurring in offending cells are recorded. In conjunction, the disturbance events occurring in the disturbed cell of the telecommunications network are recorded. The recorded call events with recorded disturbance events are then correlated. A distribution of disturbed and offending cells within the telecommunications network as a function of time is computed to obtain a statistical correlation of call events in offending cells and subsequent disturbances resulting in the disturbed cell to identify the possible source of disturbances that caused the sealing of the sealed device with in the disturbed cell.

Abstract: A method of assigning a channel to a service in a wireless communications network based on interferences levels and channel quality. Channels are preassigned and then reassigned using an algorithm that assigns a channel to a service based on uplink interference and channel quality measurements. Reassignment can be achieved in one processing pass, rather than requiring multiple iterations.

Abstract: A printer chassis (12) comprising several sheet metal structural members. The printer chassis (12) is fabricated by joining the sheet metal structural members using tab-and-slot junctions to form a printer chassis (12) for holding printing equipment such as an imaging drum (64) and a printhead (44). Spring tabs (36) are used to allow the printer chassis (12) to be assembled without tools. A spring tab (36) locks into a slot (38) when inserted through the slot (38).

Abstract: A method for reworking integrated circuit (IC) wafers having copper-metallized bond pads covered by deposited layers of a barrier metal and a bondable metal. After identifying the wafers with off-spec metal layers, the wafers are chemically etched using selective etchants consecutively until the metal layers over the bond pads are removed without damaging the copper metallization. Replacement metal layers are finally deposited over the bond pads. Specifically, the bondable metal, such as gold, is selectively removed by a cyclic dithio-oxamine compound, dissolved in tetra-hydro-furane or acetone. The barrier metals, such as nickel and palladium, are removed by a mixture of inorganic and organic oxidizing acids.

Abstract: A wafer-scale assembly apparatus for integrated circuits and method for forming the wafer-scale assembly. A semiconductor wafer including a plurality of circuits is provided with a plurality of metal contact pads as electrical entry and exit ports. A first wafer-scale patterned polymer film carrying solder balls for each of the contact pads on the wafer is positioned opposite the wafer, and the wafer and the film are aligned. The film is brought into contact with the wafer. Radiant energy in the near infrared spectrum is applied to the backside of the wafer, heating the wafer uniformly and rapidly without moving the semiconductor wafer. Thermal energy is transferred through the wafer to the surface of the wafer and into the solder balls, which reflow onto the contact pads, while the thermal stretching of the polymer film is mechanically compensated. The uniformity of the height of the liquid solder balls is controlled either by mechanical stoppers or by the precision linear motion of motors.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating plastic molded thermally enhanced flip chip packages in which the heat spreaders are assembled in strip format is disclosed, including the first step of providing the heat spreader strip. Inclusion of heat spreaders in strip format allows better automation of the molding process using equipment and fabrication technology known in the industry, and provides a cost effective solution to assembly of high density area array packages. The design of heat spreaders include reduced cross section connecting straps which are readily severed and leave only a small plastic to metal interface for ingress of contamination. Further the designs comprehend either embedded or exposed heat spreaders with methods to hold securely during the molding process.

Abstract: A converter with synchronous rectification is driven in such a way so that the reverse currents do not build up and cause damage to or limit the efficiency of the circuit. Negative currents are self-adjusted to a very small percentage of load current, so the converter will not have problems when in parallel with other modules. An auxiliary winding is used to allow an output inductor to drive the secondary side rectifiers thereby limiting their conduction time as reverse currents increase. The primary side conduction times are extended by operation of their anti-diodes so that reverse currents are limited naturally without the use of dedicated load sensing and shutdown circuits.

Abstract: A semiconductor package substrate for assembling an integrated circuit chip operable at fast ramp rate signals and clock rates, comprising an insulating support having a region for attaching said chip; a pattern of electrical interconnections, disposed on said substrate in one metallization level and operable for transmitting waveforms; and a low pass filter for removing unwanted high frequency components from said transmitted waveforms, comprising a network of inductors and capacitors formed within said one metallization level and positioned substantially within said substrate region for chip attachment.

Abstract: A dicing saw blade assembly with parallel blades separated by a spacer and attached to a single spindle on an automated dicing saw, is applicable to precisely separating CSP or MCM devices which have been fabricated on a polymeric substrate. Two parallel cuts are made simultaneously in the scribe streets of the substrate to separate the flip chip devices. The substrates are diced from the bottom side, thereby allowing use of thin blades for separating devices having relatively thick chips, as well as chips with attached heat spreaders.

Abstract: A telecommunications network architecture and method of providing failover operations between mobile switching centers (MSCs). A plurality of MSCs and at least one base station controller (BSC) are connected to an Internet Protocol (IP) network in which transmission paths and control paths are logically separated. The BSC reports to a primary MSC and includes an alternative MSC list identifying at least one backup MSC for the primary MSC. The BSC determines when the primary MSC has failed, and utilizes a control path in the IP network to notify the backup MSC that the BSC has switched its reporting to the backup MSC. The BSC also utilizes a transmission path in the IP network to send mobile station communications from the BSC to the backup MSC. Mobile station location updating requests are sent from the backup MSC to a home location register (HLR). The requests include a new element that informs the HLR that the backup MSC is now serving the mobile station due to a failure of the primary MSC.