Abstract: A base for supporting a load defines a first articular concave spherical surface segment forming a first socket about an axis extending through the center of curvature of the surface segment. The socket is nested with a first mating articular convex spherical surface segment forming a first ball segment joined to a load carrying platform. A first strip of low friction bearing material is seated in a first recess encircling the axis at the perimeter of the first socket to support the first ball segment. The side of the first ball segment facing away from the first socket defines a second articular concave spherical surface segment forming a second socket. A second mating articular convex spherical surface segment forming a second ball segment joined to a retaining member is nested in the second socket. A second strip of low friction bearing material is seated in a second recess encircling the axis at the perimeter of the second ball to support the second ball segment.

Abstract: A dye laser is described that has an optical resonator structure which is modular in construction. The resonator includes a first base plate that has all of the optical elements typically found in a basic linear dye laser. A second base plate is rigidly securable to the first base plate to extend the resonator structure for either ring operation or for more differing linear dye laser configurations. The second base plate can include those optical elements required to cooperate with the optical elements on the first base plate to provide ring operation. Additional and differing modular units can be provided and secured to the two base plates making up the optical resonator structure to satisfy many different criteria. Moreover, a third base plate is rigidly securable between the first two base plates to further extend the resonator structure as desired.

Abstract: A gas ion laser is described having a resonator structure which not only maintains the optical reflectors of the laser at the respective ends of the optical cavity in a selected relationship, it also maintains an optical element external of such laser in a predetermined relationship to the output beam of the laser. The resonator structure includes a plurality of rods which extend between mounts for the optical reflectors parallel to and adjacent the laser optical cavity. Such rods project beyond the one of the optical cavity mounts selected to hold a partially transmissive optical reflector to define the laser output beam, and terminate in a third mount which maintains a desired optical element in a predetermined relationship relative to the laser output beam.

Abstract: Infrared radiation is focused to a line at a site at which a semiconductor wafer is expected to appear when a wafer is transferred with, i.e., loaded onto or unloaded from, a semiconductor wafer conveyor. A cylindrical lens of selected focal length is positioned to receive and focus to a line at an image plane radiation reflected by a wafer arriving at the site. An apertured stop defines an opening at the image plane to pass reflected radiation to an infrared sensor positioned on the side of the stop opposite the cylindrical lens.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a replenishment arrangement for furnishing molten semiconductor material to furnaces for growing monocrystalline boules are described. A replenishment crucible within which a melt of the material from which the boules are to be grown is communicated either intermittently or continuously with a plurality of growth furnaces.

Abstract: The apparatus accepts dry stripped crude fiber such as straw or sugar cane wastes, coconut husks, or elephant grass, compacts them into a relatively dense sheet, and bonds a strong surfacing material such as a heavy paper to the faces and edges. The sheet, continuously flowing from the apparatus, is cut into standard lengths and the cut ends are capped with the same surfacing material. A precompactor near the end of an entrance chute into the apparatus uniformly predensifies the incoming fiber prior to its compaction by means of a ram. The ram is carried on roller bearings especially adapted to withstand the weight and other forces associated with the continuous movement of the ram. The compacted material is continuously propelled by the ram and enters a press, where heat and pressure produce a dimensionally stable sheet bonded together partially by natural resins released from the fibers by the heat, and partially by mechanical interlinking between fibers.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for supporting a Brewster window and mirror to intercept a laser beam at the end of a gas laser envelope includes an elongated tubular member having one end opening into the gas laser envelope and an opposite end closed by the Brewster window. A rigid housing supporting the mirror is joined to the tubular member close to the end having the Brewster window by a flexible sealed joint that permits limited movement of the housing relative to the tubular member generally along the length of the tubular member while inhibiting flow of contaminants from the exterior into the passage formed by the rigid housing between the Brewster window and mirror. A seal is placed between the rigid housing and mirror to inhibit flow of such contaminants into the passage from the mirror location.

Abstract: Apparatus for decontaminating certain types of semiconductor wafer handling equipment is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame having structure for applying decontaminating and electrostatic elimination fluid to handling equipment. It includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber removes contaminants from handling equipment and restricts the removed contaminants to the first chamber. The second chamber includes structure for drying handling equipment. The apparatus further includes structure for removing static from dried handling equipment.

Abstract: Non-invasive method of forming prostheses of skeletal structures internal to a body for use in reconstructive surgery. The selected internal skeletal structure is measured by subjecting the body to radiant energy to produce radiant energy responses that are detected to obtain representations delineating the skeletal structure. Three dimensional coordinate data defining the skeletal structure is generated from the obtained representations. The coordinate data is employed to control a sculpting tool to form the prosthesis.

Abstract: Both a nozzle for forming a free jet stream of a liquid and its method of manufacture is described. The exit aperture of the nozzle is provided by a nozzle end assembly made up of a plurality of blocks of material which are in optical contact with one another. The liquid channel defined by the blocks is provided with optically flat surfaces which minimize interference with uniform liquid flow therethrough. Moreover, edges are provided for the exit aperture defined by the blocks by polishing the same while they are supported, so that the resulting edges have a minimum of imperfections.

Abstract: The pump is designed to dispense fluid nutrient at a selectable constant rate from a disposable, flexible plastic bag having a flexible enteric feeder tube attached to it. The bag is suspended from the pump frame with the outlet of the bag and the enteric feeder tube lowermost. The lower portion of the bag adjacent the outlet is then enclosed between a compliant rubber block on the frame, and a planar pressure plate mounted on a door hinged to the frame. The surfaces of the rubber block is provided with spaced, vertically extending protuberant ridges which, under the influence of the compressive force of the pressure plate, occlude the bag in the region about the outlet to define an effluent flow channel. Similarly, spaced horizontal ridges on the block define, within the flow channel, an unoccluded region which is isolted from the outlet by the lower horizontal ridge, and from the remaining volume of the bag, by the upper horizontal ridge.

Abstract: A carrier supports electrically conductive hollow pins for insertion and soldering in terminal lead-holes passing through the non-conductive substrate of a printed circuit board and formation of an electrical socket in the non-conductive substrate. Each hollow pin forms an electrical receptacle contact of the socket having an exposed opening for receiving a mating contact pin terminal of an electrical plug. The carrier includes a support structure for receiving and releasably supporting a plurality of the hollow pins in a selected pattern for inserting in a like plurality of terminal lead-holes arranged in the selected pattern. The carrier also includes a barrier structure joined to the support structure relative to the openings of the supported hollow pins and to the printed circuit board substrate to prevent solder applied to the hollow pins to secure them in the lead-holes from entering the openings.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a replenishment arrangement for furnishing molten semiconductor material to furnaces for growing monocrystalline boules are described. A replenishment crucible within which a melt of the material from which the boules are to be grown is communicated either intermittently or continuously with a plurality of growth furnaces. The melt level in all of the growth crucibles is controlled by determining the level of molten material in the replenishment crucible.

Abstract: A dye laser having an improved dye jet nozzle and its method of manufacture is described. The exit aperture of the nozzle is provided by a nozzle end assembly made up of a plurality of blocks of material which are in optical contact with one another. The liquid channel defined by the blocks is provided with optically flat surfaces which minimize interference with uniform liquid flow therethrough. Moreover, edges are provided for the exit aperture defined by the blocks by polishing the same while they are supported, so that the resulting edges have a minimum of imperfections.

Abstract: A harness for snuggly securing a camera against the torso of a human body includes a quick release fastening means assembled from two members that are releasably engaged securely with each other and operable with a single hand for releasing such engagement. One of the two members of the quick release fastening means is secured to a belt which encircles the torso for restraining that member thereto. The other of the two members is adapted to be secured to the camera. Engagement of the members of the quick release fastening means, when the members are respectively secured to the camera and to the human body, secures the camera against the torso. The harness further includes an elongated neckstrap worn around the neck of the camera user, which is adapted for attachment to the camera so that the camera is supported at a location where it may be secured against the torso by the cooperating quick release fastening means and belt.

Abstract: A conduit for high temperature transfer of molten semiconductor crystalline material consists of a composite structure incorporating a quartz transfer tube as the innermost member, with an outer thermally insulating layer designed to serve the dual purposes of minimizing heat losses from the quartz tube and maintaining mechanical strength and rigidity of the conduit at the elevated temperatures encountered. The composite structure ensures that the molten semiconductor material only comes in contact with a material (quartz) with which it is compatible, while the outer layer structure reinforces the quartz tube, which becomes somewhat soft at molten semiconductor temperatures. To further aid in preventing cooling of the molten semiconductor, a distributed, electric resistance heater is in contact with the surface of the quartz tube over most of its length. The quartz tube has short end portions which extend through the surface of the semiconductor melt and which are lef bare of the thermal insulation.

Abstract: A vibrator motor is coupled to the frame of a body support structure to vibrate the latter. The motor is energized by a train of triangular pulses modulated by a triangular pulse signal having a lower frequency than that of the triangular pulse train.