Abstract: In a bipolar transistor, around the border line of the surface of a base region formed on a semiconductor substrate is formed a base electrode having a constant width of less than one micron and made of polycrystalline silicon. An island shaped emitter region is formed in the base region and an emitter electrode is formed on the surface of the emitter region. The emitter electrode is electrically isolated from the base electrode by an insulating film extending between the periphery of the emitter region and the base electrode.

Abstract: A magnetic/centrifugal-fluid seal is characterized by a common region serving as both the magnetic gap for the magnetic seal and a fluid-receiving pool for the centrifugal seal. A magnetically permeable annular rotating member extends radially into an annular space defined by a magnetically permeable stationary member to form an annular space of U-shaped cross-section between the members. A closed magnetic circuit is established through the members and the space, which space thereby acts as a magnetic gap to retain the fluid therein when the rotating member is at rest or rotated at low speeds. The common region also retains the fluid when it is centrifugally pressurized during high speed rotation of the rotating member. The fluid remains substantially in the same location during speed-up and slow-down, thereby avoiding compromise of the seal during speed transitions.

Abstract: A high speed, low mass positioning apparatus is provided for positioning a test probe or other like item at any desired point within an x-y plane. The apparatus comprises a first axis of movement mechanism for positioning the item along one axis of movement and a second axis of movement mechanism for positioning the item along the remaining transverse axis of movement. Both of the axis of movement mechanisms comprise motor driven pulley wheel and drive cable arrangements arrayed around the outer periphery of the x-y planar surface area within which it is desired to position a test probe, tool or other like item. A light inflexible track member is secured between and carried by two spaced-apart movable trucks and is movable therewith in either direction along the said one axis of movement. A small lightweight movable carrier is movably supported on the track member and is movable therealong in either direction.

Abstract: In a single mode optical fiber comprising a core made of glass and a cladding surrounding the core and made of glass, when a difference .DELTA. between refractive indices n.sub.1 and n.sub.2 of the core and cladding is expressed by (n.sub.1 -n.sub.2)/(n.sub.1).times.100%, the refractive indices n.sub.1 and n.sub.2 are determined to satisfy a relation 1.0<.DELTA.<3.6 and a diameter of the core is determined according to this value of .DELTA..

Abstract: A multi-cylinder hot gas engine having an equal angle, V-shaped engine block in which two banks of parallel, equal length, equally sized cylinders are formed together with annular regenerator/cooler units surrounding each cylinder, and wherein the pistons are connected to a single crankshaft. The hot gas engine further includes an annular heater head disposed around a central circular combustor volume having a new balanced-flow hot-working-fluid manifold assembly that provides optimum balanced flow of the working fluid through the heater head working fluid passageways which are connected between each of the cylinders and their respective associated annular regenerator units. This balanced flow provides even heater head temperatures and, therefore, maximum average working fluid temperature for best operating efficiency with the use of a single crankshaft V-shaped engine block.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of and apparatus for cooling the core rods of an injection blow moulding machine having stripper means and an injection blow moulding machine incorporating the cooling apparatus of the invention. The apparatus of the invention comprises nozzle means, preferably in the form of a hollow nozzle bar the interior of which is connectable to a source of cooling fluid under pressure, separate from the stripper means and comprising a plurality of nozzles which are movable between an out-of-use position and an in-use position in which they are interposed between the core rods and stripper means for directing cooling fluid onto the tips of the core rods and preferably substantially axially of the core rods.

Abstract: This application describes a novel method and apparatus for the electrical and mechanical inspection and testing of unpopulated electronic printed circuit boards, ceramic substrates and other items which have conductive pathways formed thereon, interconnecting conductive pads and other conducting surfaces. Examination and testing is accomplished by placing a printed circuit board or other item to be tested within a sealed chamber which contains a gaseous atmosphere capable of cathode luminescence such as argon, neon and the like. The sealed chamber includes a transparent panel or partition which allows viewing of the printed circuit board or other item under test and preferably is electrically conductive. One terminal of a source of excitation electric potential is connected to the transparent conductive panel and the other terminal is applied to one of the metallic runs or paths on the surface of the sample item to be tested.

Abstract: Optical fiber alignment mechanism comprising at least an optical fiber, at least three rigid members with a circular cross section, which are arranged to surround said optical fiber and of which each is in tangential contact with said optical fiber as well as with two other rigid members, and a plastic member molded in a plug like shape to contain said fiber and rigid members in lump, the outer surface of said plastic member allowing said rigid members to be exposed tangentially at least at three portions thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for producing simultaneous visual and audio signals for synchronizing separate simultaneously produced visual and sound recordings, e.g., for use when making cinematographic or video recordings and separate sound track recording. The apparatus comprises means such as a keyboard for entering and storing a selected sequence of alpha/numeric characters, means such as a liquid crystal display for visually displaying an entered and stored sequence of alpha/numeric characters, speech synthesizer means for audibly sounding the entered and stored sequence of alpha/numeric characters, and means for simultaneously providing visual and audible start marks for synchronization.

Abstract: A capo for a stringed musical instrument, comprising a substantially rigid bar member for engaging the strings of a musical instrument, a flexible strap which can be passed around the neck of the musical instrument to maintain the bar member in engagement with said strings, and securing means whereby the strap can be secured. Preferably the strap is secured at one end to one end of the bar member and the other end of the bar member has a transverse slot therein through which the other end of the strap can be passed and doubled back on itself and secured by means of a releasable touch-and-close fastener the two components of which are provided at different positions on one surface of the strap. In an embodiment at least one tuning reed is provided in a bore in the bar member to enable the capo to serve the further function of a pitch-pipe for tuning.

Abstract: An electron-beam array lithography (EBAL) system and method of operation is described. The method comprises deriving fiducial marking signals from a lenslet stitching grid of fiducial elements formed on a standard stitching target for calibrating the boundaries of the fields of view of the respective lens elements of an array of lenslets. The fiducial marking signals are used to stitch together the individual fields of view of the lens elements in the array of lenslets in order to cover a desired area of a workpiece surface to be subsequently exposed to the electron beam, for example, the surface of a semiconductor wafer upon which a plurality of integrated circuit chips are to be formed. In order to register the levels of multi-level patterns written on the same chip, each chip is provided with a registration fiducial grid comprised of fiducial marks at the corners and only at the corners of the chips.

Abstract: New and improved techniques, systems and equipment for the practical underground mining of petroleum from both virgin and depleted oil fields under certain geological conditions, are described. A method of drilling relatively small diameter, drainage-type oil wells using a fluid and cutting control assembly from within an access underground drilled tunnel, is provided. The fluid and cutting control assembly facilitates the safe underground drilling and installation of the small diameter, drainage-type oil wells which can be operated either under the natural pressures occurring in the geological strata, as gravity drain wells or by suitable secondary treatment measures artificially pressurized to facilitate drainage of oil from oil bearing strata into which such wells are drilled.

Abstract: A sound signal automatic detector used in a system with a micro computer and display for automatically detecting an input sound wave, computing from the detected sound wave the fundamental frequency of the sound and displaying its value in a number of different formats. The sound signal detector requires no attention on the part of a musician or other user while it is in operation and comprises a sound signal transducer supplying an amplifier having audio frequency bandpass characteristics compatible with the sound signal frequency spectrum over which sound signals to be analyzed extend. The bandpass characteristics of the amplifier preferably are defined by a high pass filter stage followed by an automatic gain control amplifier that in turn is followed by two stages of low pass filtering.

Abstract: A 0-21-0-9 Mg liquid mixed fertilizer is prepared by adding powdered magnesium hydroxide and an equal amount of water to a dilute solution of phosphoric acid in a plurality of addition steps. A dispersing powder and an emulsifying agent are then added to increase the storage life of the fluidized fertilizer. In a second example dilute sulfuric acid is added to the mixture along with citric acid.

Abstract: An electron-beam array lithography (EBAL) system and method of operation which employs an electron beam column of the array optics type having an array lens assembly, an array fine deflector assembly and a coarse deflector assembly, is described. The method and system derives fiducial marking signals from a lenslet stitching grid of fiducial elements, formed on a standard stitching target, for calibrating the boundaries of the fields of view of the respective elements of the array of lenslets. The fiducial marking signals are used to stitch together the individual fields of view of the elements in the array of lenslets. The same stitching calibration target, a precise copy, or similar precisely mapped target is used to calibrate all of the exposure stations of a multi-station EBAL system with the result that any level of multi-level registered patterns can be exposed in any of the so calibrated EBAL exposure stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for looping tying material about the eye of a button comprising a device for supporting a button having an eye or eye shank extending outwardly from a reverse side thereof and a device for passing a doubled length of tying material through the eye of a button together with apparatus for looping one of the two strands of the doubled length of tying material about the eye or eye shank of the button. The looping apparatus comprises a shoulder formed on a rotatable semi-conical member for engaging one strand of the doubled length of tying material beyond where the tying material passes through the eye of the button. The semi-conical member is rotatable about an axis which is inclined relative to the axis of the button while the apparatus is in use.

Abstract: A new and improved support hanger for suspended ceilings is described along with a method of its use in installation of suspended ceilings between sets of parallel ceiling joists. The support hanger has a generally U-shaped configuration with the free ends thereof bent outwardly away from each other and downwardly towards the bottom of the U-shaped bend to form two hooked ends which open downwardly and lie in substantially the same plane with the U-shaped bend. The hanger is employed in erecting a suspended ceiling by tying a suspension wire to be supported in space between a set of parallel ceiling joists to the support hanger. The U-shaped bend portion of the support hanger is then inserted together with attached suspension wire in a keyway formed in the end of an elongated pole of sufficient length to reach between the parallel ceiling joists from the floor of the building space.

Abstract: An earth proving device which includes a solid state relay employing a light emitting diode and photoconductor pair operating on low current/low voltage. Operation of the solid state relay is followed by operation of electromagnetically-operable switches which control electrical connections of a power supply to an electrically-operated apparatus to allow passage of a higher current therethrough. Thus, the earth proving device protects the apparatus by first providing indications of the state of the circuit and earth connections to the apparatus with a low current/low voltage sensing signal before the application of power level current and voltage thereto.

Abstract: Dense homogeneous metal is cast in long lengths by introducing liquid metal into the lower portion of a casting vessel in the presence of an elongated upwardly-traveling alternating electromagnetic levitation field that provides a levitation ratio of from 75% to 200% of the weight per unit length of the liquid metal, solidifying the metal while moving upwardly through the field, and removing solidified metal product from the upper portion of the field. The frequency of the alternating electromagnetic field is established at or near a value F=(36.rho./D.sup.2) where F is the frequency in kilohertz, .rho. is the resistivity of the liquid metal column in micro-ohm-centimeters and D is the diameter of the solidified metal rod product in millimeters.

Abstract: Explosive cutting means comprising explosive material, preferably in flat strip form, which can be arranged in contact with a surface of a target on either side of an intended line of cut and means for so detonating the explosive material that shock waves will be produced in the target material simultaneously on either side of the intended line of cut, which shock waves will travel towards and will coincide substantially at the intended line of cut. The invention also discloses a method of explosive cutting using said means.