Abstract: A high temperature pressure transducer includes an extended tubular member having an opening from a front to a back surface. The tubular member is preferably fabricated from a metal. At the front end of the tubular member is a ceramic sensor face or tip which basically is a ceramic disk having a curved front surface and having an extending stem and which is inserted into the front opening of the tubular member. The column is of a given length and terminates in a back end. The back end has a predetermined portion which consists of two flat surfaces each on opposite sides. The back end containing the flat surfaces is thinner than the thickness of the column. On these flat surfaces are positioned suitable semiconductor piezoresistors. When a force is applied to the ceramic sensor face, it is transmitted axially through the tube or column where it is received by the sensors positioned on the flats. The sensors produce an output indicative of the force applied.

Abstract: A method for electronically connecting a semiconductor device comprising a substrate having a backside surface and a top surface on which is formed active elements, to an electronic circuit board having at least two electrical contacts connected to sources of different potentials for communicating at least two different signals; the method comprising forming at least two through-wafer via holes on the backside surface of the semiconductor substrate beneath each of the active regions extending therethrough to the top surface; forming a conductive layer of material within each of the via holes extending therethrough, each of the conductive layers formed within the corresponding via holes being electrically separated from one another; the at least two electrical contacts on the circuit board congruently aligned with corresponding conductive layers and associated via holes; and attaching the circuit board to the semiconductor substrate at each of the corresponding electrical contacts and conductive layers so as t

Abstract: A method for improving the determination of tracking and motion analysis information obtained from a set of received data points is presented. The method comprises selecting a determined number of data points for processing, determining at least one cost analysis matrix for each information item included in the selected data points, quantifying each of the at least one cost analysis matrix with regard to a known form; and providing a presentation for each of the quantified matrices. An operator may then discard those presented matrices that provide minimal levels of information and retain those that provide significant levels of information.

Abstract: A computerized method for matching potential clients with professional services providers which meet their personalized criteria and are interested in providing particular services to them including the steps of: presenting a first electronic document including a plurality of data entry devices to the potential clients via a computer network; receiving data entered using the data entry devices, the received data being indicative of the criteria; automatically comparing the received data to data stored in a storage medium to identify one or more suitable professional services providers; automatically generating and transmitting via the computerized network an electronic mail message to the identified one or more service providers, the electronic message including information indicative of a portion of the received data; and, receiving a response from at least one responding one of the one or more identified service providers, and automatically providing information indicative of another portion of the received

Abstract: An apparatus includes a single-mode master-oscillator section and a power amplifier section. The single-mode master-oscillator section includes a waveguide defined by a first end and a second end, the first end including a first distributed Bragg reflector mirror, and the second end including a second distributed Bragg reflector mirror. The single-mode-master-oscillator section also has a first longitudinal axis. The power amplifier section is a broad-contact amplifier coupled to the single-mode-master-oscillator section by a coupling grating that is contained in the waveguide of the single-mode-master-oscillator section. The broad contact amplifier section includes a reflection side, an output side and a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being at an angle approximately (90°−&bgr;) to said first longitudinal axis, &bgr; being in a range between 0° and approximately 20°.

Abstract: An activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test is described which employs fresh, whole blood that has not been anticoagulated. The method employs a disposable cuvette having specific reagents placed therein. A sample of whole blood is introduced into the cuvette which is drawn into at least one conduit by a pneumatic pump. Initially, the calcium in the sample is chelated at a first reaction site in the conduit, and thereafter is moved through the conduit to a second reaction site where the sample is coagulated by an APTT reagent. After a predetermined incubation time, the sample is moved to a third reaction site where it is recalcified. Clotting time is measured from the time that the sample is recalcified to the time that clot formation is visibly detected.

Abstract: A method for selectively encrypting electronically communicated information including the steps of: in a first mode, allowing audio and facsimile signals to pass between communications devices in a substantially unaltered manner; in a second mode: establishing a secure session between a first security device and a second security devices; intercepting and digitizing audio signals to produce audio data; encrypting the audio data; and, modulating the encrypted audio data for transmission over the secure session; and, in a third mode: automatically intercepting a signal indicative of an attempt to transmit or receive a facsimile; establishing a facsimile session dependent upon at least one characteristic indicative of a rate at which information can be transmitted and received using the secure session; receiving facsimile signals and demodulating the received facsimile signals to produce facsimile data; encrypting the facsimile data; and, modulating the encrypted facsimile data for transmission over the secure s

Abstract: A sample cup assembly for use with an analytical instrument having a sample cup holder with an inner diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the sample cup assembly. The sample cup assembly can include a main cell for retaining a specimen to be analyzed; a collar for locating a thin film over the open end of the main cell such that the film sealingly closes the open end of the main cell; and two or more projections extending outwardly from either the main cell or collar. The projections engage the interior surface of the sample cup holder when the sample cup assembly is installed therein, thereby centering the sample cup assembly within the sample cup holder.

Abstract: A method for making silicon-on-sapphire transducers including the steps of forming a first silicon layer on a first side of a first sapphire wafer; bonding a second sapphire wafer to the first side of the first sapphire wafer such that the first silicon layer is interposed between the first and second sapphire wafers; reducing the thickness of the first sapphire wafer to a predetermined thickness; depositing a second silicon layer on a second surface of the first sapphire wafer, wherein the second surface of the first sapphire wafer is oppositely disposed from the first surface of the first sapphire wafer; bonding a silicon wafer to the second surface of the first sapphire wafer such that the second silicon layer is interposed between the first sapphire wafer and the silicon wafer, wherein the silicon wafer includes p+ regions indicative of a transducer structure and non-p+ regions; and, removing the non-p+ regions of the silicon wafer thus forming the transducer structure of p+ regions on

Abstract: Light emitting diodes each comprising a body of semiconductor material having a first side surface, a second side surface, and a top surface; and a stripe of conductive material over the top surface of the body. The stripe has a first segment and a second segment, each extending from the first side surface to the second side surface of the body. The first and second segments of the stripe are configured such that they are substantially non-parallel, and the width of the stripe at its ends is less than the width of the stripe intermediate its ends.

Abstract: A method for measuring multiple pressures and a pressure sensing system for accomplishing the same. The method for measuring a plurality of pressures includes, exposing each of a plurality of pressure sensors to a corresponding plurality of environments each having a corresponding pressure to be measured, determining how frequently to measure each of the plurality of pressures, determining a sequence for utilizing the pressure sensors to measure the corresponding plurality of pressures, the sequence being dependent upon the determined frequency for each of the plurality of pressures and selectively utilizing each of the plurality of pressure sensors according to the determined sequence to measure the pressure to which it is exposed.

Abstract: In a frequency hopping (FH) communication system comprising a plurality of radios operable in a first FH mode for transceiving information over a plurality of frequency channels corresponding to frequencies defining a frequency hop set, a method for adaptively selecting a single frequency channel within said hop set and transceiving said information over only said single frequency channel, said method comprising the steps of determining the quality of frequency hopping transmissions received at a receiving radio terminal in the first FH mode and providing a control signal when said quality is unacceptable; and operating the radio in a single frequency mode in response to the control signal when the FH transmission quality is unacceptable by transmitting the information over only a single frequency channel within the frequency hopping set which has an interfering energy level below a threshold value indicative of acceptable transmission quality.

Abstract: A cyclic internal combustion engine having at least one working piston and cylinder arrangement which includes separate compression, combustion, and expansion chambers that perform respective compression combustion and expansion cycles. The compression cycle is advanced up to 180° in relation to the expansion cycle, so as to extend the combustion cycle during the exhaust stroke to reduce the formation in the combustion cycle of polluting gases.

Abstract: A push-pull switch including a first N-channel MOS transistor, the drain-source path of which is connected between a high voltage terminal and an output terminal, a first resistor connected between the gate of the first transistor and the high voltage, a diode having its anode connected to the output terminal and its cathode connected to the gate of the first transistor, a second N-channel MOS transistor having its drain connected to the cathode of the diode, its source connected to a reference potential, and its gate connected to a control terminal, and a second resistor connected between the gate of the second transistor and the output terminal.

Abstract: A firearm including a barrel having a combustion chamber for receiving propellant and at least one projectile, includes an electrically switched propellant igniting element disposed within the chamber for igniting propellant dispensed into the combustion chamber. A trigger switching assembly, electrically coupled to the igniting element, applies an electrical current pulse to the igniting element when the trigger assembly is operated in a firing mode, the pulse having a duration which causes the igniting element to ignite propellant dispensed into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor including a first electrode and a second electrode which are disposed opposite each other in spaced-apart relationship to form a capacitor, the first electrode being disposed on a first substrate and the second electrode on a second substrate, the substrates being joined together at the sides of the electrodes, and the second substrate forming, in the area of the second electrode, a diaphragm deformable by pressure. An electronic signal processing device for processing the measurement signals is incorporated in one of the substrates below the electrode disposed thereon.

Abstract: A device for ground burial with an underground utility line or element and useful for early detection of the underground utility line or element during the excavation. The device has at least one sheet of non-conductive material, indicia on the sheet forming a cautionary message indicating the presence of an underground utility line or element, and at least one support element for vertically positioning the device in the ground. Further, a method for early detection of a underground utility line or element during excavation. The method includes burying at least one of the above-described devices in the ground along a side of an underground utility line or element so that the device is positioned vertically in the ground and extends up toward the surface of the ground from the underground level of the underground utility line or element.

Abstract: A variable focus lens comprising a chamber (12) filled with a first liquid (13), a drop of a second liquid (11) being disposed at rest on a region of a first surface of an insulating wall of the chamber, the first and second liquids being non miscible, of different optical indexes and of substantially same density. The first liquid is conductive and the second liquid is insulating. The lens further comprises means for applying a voltage between the conductor liquid and an electrode (16) placed on the second surface of said wall; and centering means for maintaining the centering of the edge of the drop while the voltage is applied and for controlling the shape thereof.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed high temperature pressure transducer assembly including: a sensor wafer that includes a plurality of sensor structures and contact areas selectively interconnected and formed on a surface thereof is provided. A first header assembly coupled to the sensor wafer includes a plurality of pins, each of which are electrically coupled to an associated contact area. A second header assembly is coupled to the first assembly and to a sleeve, and includes a plurality of tubes into each of which one of the plurality of pins is positioned. A temperature insulated cable is partially positioned within the sleeve and includes a plurality of wires coupled to the pins. A third header apparatus is coupled to the sleeve and includes a plurality of closed-ended tubes for serving as leads, where each one of the plurality of wires is partially positioned in and coupled to a respective closed-end tube.

Abstract: A method and device for reaccelerating a vehicle equipped with a compressor supplying high-pressure compressed air for cleansed or cleansing engine is provided, in which, during decelerating and/or braking phases, the on-board compressor being operated, the high pressure compressed air flow is derived and stored in a reaccelerating reservoir, thermally insulated and maintained at very high pressure and very high temperature, to be used when the vehicle is put back in driving phase by being injected at high temperature and at high pressure in the combustion chamber of the engine.