Abstract: The invention relates to a wireless communication device that is coupled to an energy source, such as a battery, capacitor, or solar cell. The wireless communication device is coupled to an antenna of the energy source for wireless communication. The antenna receives communication signals from an interrogation reader or other communication device. The wireless communication device may be attached to a device or container for purposes such as communicating information regarding identification, manufacturing, tracking, and the like. The wireless communication device may also be coupled to the energy source for power.

Abstract: A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing antenna elements for use with wireless communication devices comprises a number of cutting techniques that allow the size of the antenna elements to be adjusted. Rollers cut the tabs that form the antenna elements. In a first embodiment, a plurality of rollers are used, each one effecting a different cut whose position may be phased so as to shorten or lengthen the antenna element. In a second embodiment, the rollers are independently positionable to shorten or lengthen the antenna element.

Abstract: A plurality of distributed power generation systems are connected via the Internet to a managing apparatus in a managing company. A power company communicates with the managing apparatus via another line. At peak times of power consumption in the midsummer and so forth, the power company requests the managing company to supply the power. The managing company controls to remotely set generation capacity of the distributed generation systems at maximum so as to reverse surplus power therefrom to a power system. A normal power rate is discounted for a user of the distributed generation system for his/her cooperation with the power company. The managing company charges the power company based on the surplus electric energy supplied to the power company.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method is provided for analyzing RFT data from a data file. The method includes parsing the data file into pipe lengths, calculating a phase profile for the data points within each pipe length, locating potential defects in the pipe length using the phase profiles, determining for each defect a total equivalent phase shift as a combination of a circumferential equivalent phase shift and a non-circumferential equivalent phase shift, and using the total equivalent phase shift to analyze the defect.

Abstract: A water heater assembly (20) is disclosed. The water heater assembly includes a tubular housing (22) having an inlet, an outlet, and a channel extending between the inlet and outlet for passing water through the water heater assembly. A plurality of heating element conduits (102a-102e) extend between the inlet and outlet. The water heater assembly also includes a plurality of heating elements (100a-100d) removably disposed within the conduits and extending between the inlet and outlet. The heating element housings surrounding the heating element for sealing the heating element from direct contact with the water and permitting heat transfer between the heating elements and the water passing adjacent the heating element housing. The water heater assembly also includes cylindrical first and second end caps (62 and 62b). One end cap being releasably fastened to one of either the inlet or outlet of the housing. Each end cap has a sealed end and a hole (76) extending through and off the center of the sealed end.

Abstract: Corresponding ends of long, narrow legs are joined together for resilient spring like movement toward and away from each other. The swinging ends of the legs have inward extending flanges with flat bottom portions and teeth projecting downward beyond the botttoms. The legs can be inserted into a tissue box and pressed gently against the top tissue of the box, whereupon the legs are brought together so that the flanges and their teeth pinch or grasp the top tissue of a stack, for withdrawing the top tissue when the legs are removed from the box.

Abstract: A latch assembly (20) for securing opposed catches (24), (24') is provided. The latch includes a housing (32); a stationary center link (34); first and second elongated links (36, 38); first and second intermediate links (40, 42); and first, second, and middle crosspins (44), (46), (48). The housing includes opposed upright side walls (52), (54) each including first and second cam slots (58), (60). The center link includes an upright slot (56). The first and second elongated links each include distal and proximal ends (70), (74) and (68), (72). The distal ends each include a hook (22), (22'). Each elongated link further includes an L-shaped slot (86), (88) located between the link's distal and proximal ends. The first and second intermediate links each include distal and proximal ends (92), (96) and (90), (94).

Abstract: New varieties of child window controls are provided as system resources that application programs may exploit. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a dynamic link library (DLL) for implementing the new child window controls as part of an operating system. The new child window controls include a header bar control for providing header bars in application programs. The new controls also include a hot key control that allows a user to view and edit hot key combinations. The new controls further include a tab control for establishing tabs that differentiate amongst pages in user interfaces provided by application programs. An image list data type is defined and functions are provided for manipulating the image list data type. Image lists include multiple like-sized images that are stored efficiently in a single bitmap.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for maintaining continuity of hydraulic power from an aircraft engine-driven hydraulic pump (28) to a first set of propulsion control hydraulic loads for controlling the aircraft engine (30). The engine-driven hydraulic pump provides hydraulic power to a second set of airframe hydraulic loads. The engine-driven hydraulic pump has a pump suction (26) having a first pressure and a pump discharge (34) having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure. The system includes an accumulator (16) coupled to the engine-driven hydraulic pump suction, and the accumulator is chargeable at a third pressure that is less than the first pressure. A relief valve (18) is coupled to the engine-driven hydraulic pump suction, and the relief valve has a relief setpoint at a fourth pressure that is greater than the second pressure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of fabricating flash memory cell for use in semiconductor memories. A nitrogen implantation step is added in the process to increase the performance of the device. The nitrogen implanted tunnel oxide exhibits a much higher electron conduction efficiency than the prior art tunnel oxides in both injection polarities. The value of charge-to-breakdown voltage of the nitrogen implanted tunnel oxide is also much larger than the narrow tunnel oxide. In addition, the electron trapping rate of the nitrogen implantation tunnel oxide is very small even under a very large electron fluence stressing (100 C/cm.sup.2).

Abstract: A method of root closure of friction stir welds in all types of stir weldable materials, especially difficult to weld materials, such as non-extrudable aluminum alloy 2024, 2014, 2090 and 7075. The method includes providing a backing device that has a recess, such as a groove or channel, sized to receive the tip of the pin of the welding tool and to contain the bead of the weld being formed. The workpiece rests on the backing device, with the proposed weld line aligned with the recess. Thus, as the weld is formed, material is extruded into the recess, completing closure of the weld root, and forming a small bead on the rear side of the workpiece. Optionally, this bead may be removed by a machining process. In one embodiment, the backing device is a plate with a channel machined in its surface so that the workpiece may be temporarily affixed to the plate, with weld line aligned with the channel, for welding.

Abstract: A rolling weight deflectometer for monitoring deflection of pavement under load. The deflectometer incorporates an alignment laser beam emitter that measures vertical displacement of each of a plurality of distance sensors mounted on a horizontal sensor bearer member that bends or vibrates as it is transported over a pavement for deflection measurement. The measured vertical displacements, due to member bending, allow the deflectometer to compensate for errors introduced by member bending and thereby provide a more accurate measurement of pavement deflection.

Abstract: A plating system (10) for plating a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer (116) in an electrolytic tank (12). A fixture wheel (14) is mounted within the electrolytic tank to rotate about a first axis (140). The fixture wheel receives the semiconductor wafer and supplies electrical current to the perimeter edge of the wafer. A fixture wheel drive motor (90) drives rotation of the fixture wheel about the first axis. An anode assembly (18) is mounted in the tank spaced from and facing towards the fixture wheel and received semiconductor wafer. The anode assembly carries first and second anodes (72) which are supplied with electrical current. A second motor (142) causes reciprocation of the anode assembly transversely in front of the rotating fixture wheel for improved uniformity in plating thickness and composition.

Abstract: Corrosion of metals such as silver and copper by sulfur and chlorine containing entities are substantially prevented by surrounding these materials with a suitable polymeric structure. The structure should be a polymer containing a material such as copper or aluminum that reacts readily with corrosive gases. In one advantageous embodiment a polymer bag containing approximately 35 weight percent of dispersed, powdered copper is employed to enclose a metal containing structure such as a printed circuit board. Use of this expedient substantially reduces corrosion of the printed circuit board.