Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a method for laser induced breakdown of a material with a pulsed laser beam where the material is characterized by a relationship of fluence breakdown threshold (F.sub.th) versus laser beam pulse width (T) that exhibits an abrupt, rapid, and distinct change or at least a clearly detectable and distinct change in slope at a predetermined laser pulse width value. The method comprises generating a beam of laser pulses in which each pulse has a pulse width equal to or less than the predetermined laser pulse width value. The beam is focused to a point at or beneath the surface of a material where laser induced breakdown is desired.The beam may be used in combination with a mask in the beam path. The beam or mask may be moved in the x, y, and Z directions to produce desired features. The technique can produce features smaller than the spot size and Rayleigh range due to enhanced damage threshold accuracy in the short pulse regime.

Abstract: A positioning method and fixture apparatus for use in painting or coating a vehicle body panel, such as a plastic composite deck lid, when mounted on a pair of existing spring-counterbalanced arms of deck lid hinges. The method and apparatus releasably retains and positions the deck lid by forces applied directly at the hinges rather than to the deck lid. A rigid transverse main strut of the fixture laterally spans the body panel between the hinges and carries a pair of hook members rigidly affixed to its ends that releasably attach one to each associated hinge arm. A secondary strut extends rearwardly from the main strut and has a slide bolt latch to releasably engage the rear underside edge of the deck lid stationary against lid-opening counterbalancing spring forces, and to secure the fixture unitarily to the deck lid at three points. A lid manipulating arm pivotally carded on the secondary strut has spaced notch hooks to hold the deck lid in selected partially open positions for coating application.

Abstract: A high speed ratio CMOS logic structure includes a static PMOS pullup transistor connected to an output node, and a plurality of NMOS pulldown transistors, connected in parallel, to the output node and which collectively define a pulldown circuit. The pullup transistor is biased using a reference voltage to define a static pullup strength for the logic structure. The pulldown strength of the pulldown circuit is also fixed. The combination of the pullup transistor, and the pulldown transistors define an N input NOR gate. The logic structure, however, further includes a feedback logic circuit, formed by a pair of inverters connected in series coupled to the output node to sense a current logic state of the output node. The feedback logic circuit generates an enable signal that is provided to a second, dynamic PMOS transistor connected in parallel with the static pullup PMOS transistor.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to effect proper sealing of a film by automatically adjusting the gripping pressure exerted by seal bars on the basis of a change in unsteady current flowing through the seal bars which grip the film. When the main shaft of a servomotor mounted on a frame is rotated forward and backward, the pair of seal bars opens and closes. When the seal bars press each other, the film is gripped under pressure by these seal bars and heat-sealed. Cushion means for elastically pressing the seal bars increases the gripping pressure of the pair of seal bars in proportion to an increase in the angle of rotation of the motor main shaft after the opposed surfaces of the seal bars have contacted each other.

Abstract: A pair of filtering membranes are solidly bonded to a membrane-supporting plate by fusibly bonding each of the filtering membranes to the resin membrane-supporting plate. A main fusible domain is formed along peripheral edges of each of the filtering membranes. In addition, a plurality of subordinate fusible domains are intermittently formed in plural locations on one side or on both sides of the main fusible domain. By virtue of the above structure, bonding strength is secured by the main fusible domain, and yet, bonding strength is reinforced by locally provided subordinate fusible domains. A channel is formed in the membrane-supporting plate so that permeated liquid can swiftly flow through the filtering system. In addition, a plurality of projections are formed on peripheral edges of a filtration membrane cartridge facing inner surface of each gutter formed inside of each slit plate by way of causing the respective projections to slidably come into contact with the inner surface of the gutter.

Abstract: A portable saw table comprising a saw track pivotally supported on a saw table. An improved lightweight plastic protractor and indexer plate are rotatably mounted with respect to each other by an improved pivot mount. The pivot mount comprises a plurality of lobes received in a complementary recess in the indexer plate in a spline-like engagement providing strength and rigidity to prevent flexing to ensure accurate pivotal movement. The improved protractor is guided by a gib mounted on the indexer plate for smooth pivotal movement. The plastic protractor includes indicia to indicate the degree of angular movement and the plastic indexer plate includes a window for viewing the indicia. In one form, the protractor has an angled portion with indicia and the indexer plate has an angled magnifying sight lens for easy viewing of the adjustment angle. A hollow material stop is provided to accommodate workpieces of varying thickness.

Abstract: One of the driving and driven parts of the coupling is connected to a cylinder (10) and the other to a piston (11) which delimit therebetween two antagonistic chambers (13, 14). The chambers have a substantially constant volume, are filled with a practically incompressible hydraulic liquid, and are interconnected through two unidirectional circuits (18, 19) which have opposite directions and each a substantially constant volume. A distributing device (22) is so arranged as to either bring into action one or the other of the unidirectional circuits, or to neutralize both of them.

Abstract: An image register for a graphics display includes a pair of static random access memory (SRAM) devices for respectively storing image data associated with even numbered and odd numbered pixels, which correspond to even numbered and odd numbered addresses. The register includes a counter presettable to an initial value corresponding to a starting address of the stored image data. A half adder is coupled to the counter for addressing the SRAMs according to an even and odd state. Two NAND gates responsive to the least significant bit of the counter control the two SRAMs for simultaneously writing image data having a modified color code portion into the even SRAM and reading stored image data from the odd SRAM during an even state, and for simultaneously reading stored image data from the even SRAM and writing the modified color code into the odd SRAM during an odd state. The register includes a pair of full adders to mix an incoming color code with the stored color code to obtain the modified color code.

Abstract: An electric fuel pump is housed in an aluminum body module formed by two iso-pods open-end-to-open-end to provide a multi-cavity module housing of heat conductive material. The pump inlet faces downwardly in one of the cavities and a small clearance volume directly surrounds the pump casing which, in one embodiment, is filled with liquid fuel and in another with cooling water. Another module cavity forms a fuel sump at its lower end and a vapor separator chamber at its upper end. Fuel is supplied from a fuel tank at a low pressure (3-8 psi) up to a float operated inlet needle valve in the vapor separator/sump cavity and a fuel passage communicates the sump with the pump inlet casing. The fuel collects as a pump inlet reserve supply in the sump at atmospheric pressure, or slightly thereabove. Vapor separates from the fuel into the pump headspace and is vented via a suitable vapor pressure regulator.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump and reservoir canister module having a fuel filter mounted in the module base adjacent the bottom of the tank and defining a filter chamber having an outlet connected to the inlet of an electric fuel pump received directly in the tank exteriorly alongside of an upright overflow-type reserve fuel canister. A canister bottom outlet is closed by a flow controlling valve and/or by an always-open restricted orifice communicating with the filter chamber for returning engine bypassed reserve fuel from the canister reservoir to the pump inlet, either continuously and/or only when a low level supply of fuel in the tank to the filter is interrupted.

Abstract: An engine fuel delivery system and method, and for use therein, an in-tank fuel pump and reservoir canister module assembly having a primary fuel filter mounted in a base subassembly adjacent the bottom of the tank and defining a filter chamber in the base having an outlet connected to the inlet of an electric fuel pump received directly in the tank exteriorly alongside of an upright open top reserve fuel canister. The pump outlet is connected to a bypass pressure regulator which discharges fuel in excess of engine demand into the canister. The canister has a bottom outlet mounted on the base subassembly and closed by a flow controlling valve and/or by a restricted orifice communicating the canister outlet with the filter chamber for returning bypassed reserve fuel from the canister reservoir to the pump inlet, either continuously and/or when a low level supply of fuel in the tank to the primary filter is interrupted, such as during cornering or going up or down a steep hill or incline.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a hollow main tube and two annular sleeves, wherein an inner diameter of the two annular sleeves is larger than an outer diameter of the two main tube ends. The two annular sleeves are sleeved respectively on the two main tube ends, which can be easily disengaged from the mandrel assembly when applied with an external force.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having good heat bondability which is suitable for use as interlining and cushioning material, and a binder fiber for use in such nonwoven fabric. The binder fiber is a polyester copolymer which includes .epsilon.-caprolacton as a polyester component and has a melting point of not less than 100.degree. C. In the nonwoven fabric, principal fibers are bonded by the binder fiber. The nonwoven fabric has soft feel and is highly resistant to flattening during prolonged use or while in use under high temperature atmosphere.

Abstract: A portable slitter for selectively roll slitting rib forming or perforating sheet metal workpieces and having a beam-type frame, a pair of spaced thin walled and light weight rotary torque tube roll shafts mounted in the frame and supporting the work rolls, and a plurality of pairs of opposed stabilizing support blocks disposed between the shafts and the associated frame beams and providing further strength to the shafts by functioning as intermediate span shaft journal supports carrying the roll work loads imposed on shafts directly into the frame beams. The bearing members can be readily removed and adjusted longitudinally of the shafts without taking the frame apart. The slitter can be readily manually transported to the work site because it has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is light in overall weight. The slitter has substantial operational strength and improved work roll registry and alignment under continuous and/or adverse on-site operating conditions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of modification of parameters of audio signals by dividing a digital signal converted from an original analog signal into sound frames, modifying a pitch and a playing rate of the digital signal within a frame and subsequent successive splicing a last modified frame with a first non-modified frame and calculating a differential mean absolute error to define the best splicing point in terms of producing minimal or no audible noise such that various sections of sound signals can be spliced together to achieve pitch and playing rate modification. An apparatus is also disclosed for implementing the method, the apparatus comprising input and output amplifiers, a low pass filter at the input and a low pass filter at the output, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, and a pitch shifting processor.