Abstract: The present invention is a current driver for an active matrix organic light emitting device display. As embodied herein, the driver relies upon a single transistor, driven in a saturation regime to provide a current source for an OLED. This results in a pulse drive. The driver of the present invention is compatible with high speed integrated drivers and can be fabricated on the same substrate as the OLED. A technique for driving an OLED is disclosed that will produce a good quality gray scale image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrode structure for an organic light-emitting device display. The electrode structure includes a transparent electrode and a high conductivity rib. The structure provides top side light output and a low line resistance, and enables a high resolution display. The structure permits a display to be built on top of a silicon driver chip for active matrix addressing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of carrying out exhaust gas recirculation and compression release retarding is disclosed for use during both positive power and retarding operation of an overhead cam internal combustion engine. Energy is derived from an engine component and stored as potential energy. The stored energy is selectively applied to a valve actuator to carry out exhaust gas recirculation in an engine cylinder. The energy derived from the engine may be stored in the form of a compressed hydraulic fluid and selectively applied to the valve actuator with an electronically controlled trigger valve. The valve actuator may be a slave piston having an inner core and an outer sleeve capable of opening the valve of the cylinder in response to independent exhaust gas recirculation and compression release hydraulic systems.

Abstract: Field emission devices may include emitter wells formed in a body of dielectric material. A gate conductor may be provided along the upper surface of the dielectric material. A gate hole may be provided in the gate conductor directly above each of the emitter wells. A method for forming the gate holes and emitter wells is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a first gate conductor layer on a dielectric layer. A pattern of second gate conductor material may be formed over the first gate conductor layer, said pattern defining gate holes in the second gate conductor material. The gate holes may then be completed and emitter wells formed by etching through the first gate conductor layer and into the dielectric layer using an etch that selectively etches the first gate conductor layer and the dielectric layer, and does not etch substantially the second gate conductor material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for effectuating multi-cycle engine braking is disclosed. The present invention controls the operation of the engine valves to permit more than one compression release event during a single engine operating cycle. The apparatus includes an assembly for operating at least one exhaust valve of an engine cylinder during a positive power operation. The apparatus further includes an assembly for operating at least one intake valve of the engine cylinder. The apparatus further including an assembly for operating the at least one exhaust valve during an engine braking operation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine may include a hydraulic linkage used to transfer motion from a valve train element, such as a cam, to an engine valve. Method and apparatus for selectively limiting the motion transferred by the hydraulic linkage from the valve train element to the engine valve are disclosed. The hydraulic linkage may comprise means for resetting or clipping the displacement of the engine valves into the engine cylinder following a compression release event. The hydraulic linkage may also limit the displacement of the engine valves into the engine cylinder for main exhaust and/or other valve events, as well as limit the overlap between a main exhaust valve event and an intake valve event.

Abstract: A fastener for use during a surgical procedure for securing a surgical component to a vessel wall is disclosed having a flexible fastening assembly for securing the surgical component to the vessel wall under a compressive force. The fastening assembly has a first portion located on one side of the surgical component and the vessel wall, a second portion located on another side of the surgical component and the vessel wall, and an intermediate portion connecting to the first portion and the second portion, the intermediate portion extending through the vessel wall and the surgical component. The first portion, second portion and the intermediate portion act together to apply a compressive force to the surgical component and the vessel wall to secure the surgical component to the vessel wall. The fastening assembly may further include at least one supplemental fastening assembly to secure the surgical component to the vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locking assembly for use in a rocker arm assembly for an engine brake assembly. The rocker arm assembly includes a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a shaft. The rocker arm has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a cam follower and the second end includes an actuator assembly for operating at least one valve during a braking operation. The improved rocker arm includes a locking assembly for releasably securing the rocker arm to the shaft to prevent pivoting of the rocker arm during a positive power operation. The locking assembly includes a releasable latching assembly located on one of the rocker arm and the shaft. The locking assembly also includes a latch receiving recess located on another of the rocker arm and the shaft. The releasable latching assembly engages the latch receiving recess during a positive power operation.

Abstract: A surgical stapler and method for implanting an aortic graft with staples to treat an aortic aneurysm. A prosthetic graft is implanted within the aorta to functionally replace the segment of the aorta damaged by an aneurysm. The stapler would typically be used where the graft is to be attached to an area of the aorta which lacks sufficient healthy tissue to ensure secure attachment by conventional fasteners such as when an aneurysm develops near the iliac arteries. The graft is implanted with staples fired from the surgical stapler. The stapler consists of a stapling device attached to the end of a modified catheter by a hinge. In order to allow greater flexibility in positioning the staples, a mechanism may be used to move the stapling device into the desired angle or position to implant the staple. The stapler may be positioned and fired by remote control.

Abstract: Electronic controls for compression release engine retarders of internal combustion engines which provide electronic signals to control hydraulic valves assembled in the hydraulic actuators of the retarders, to open engine exhaust valves to provide compression release events. The electronic controls may produce signals for both opening and/or closing the controlled valves. The electronic controls may monitor various engine operating conditions and/or parameters with one or more sensors distributed in the engine and vehicle in which the engine is installed. The timing of valve actuation, particularly that for compression release events, can be automatically modified responsive to the level of engine operating conditions and parameters. Various operating routines for the electronic controls are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high aspect ratio gated emitter structure and a method of making the structure are disclosed. Emitters may be provided in a densely packed array on a support. Two distinct layers of insulator material may surround the emitters. The lower layer of insulator material may be a non-conformally applied spray-on or spin-on insulator. The non-conformal insulator material may pool at the base regions of the emitters so that the tip regions of the emitters extend out of the lower layer of insulator material. The upper layer of insulator material is applied to the lower layer using a conformal process so that the tip regions of the emitters are covered by the upper layer of insulator material. Gate material is applied to the upper layer of insulator material. Holes are provided in the gate material over the tip regions and wells are provided in the upper layer of insulator material surrounding the tip regions.

Abstract: A large area energy beam intensity profiler and method of profiling are disclosed. The profiler includes intensity detectors which generate electrical signals corresponding to the intensity of the beam. The output of the detectors is processed by a computer and displayed on a monitor. The invention provides for adjustment of the beam in response to a nonuniform intensity profile, or an indication that the beam is misaligned.

Abstract: Innovative fasteners are disclosed for use in repairing a vessel having an aneurysm. The fasteners comprise either coiled spring or ring type fasteners. An attachment assembly and repair graft are also disclosed for use in the repair of the vessel. An attachment assembly comprises an attachment cuff such that the graft is not dimensionally dependent upon the size of the vessel. A visualization apparatus is also disclosed for real time direct viewing of an interior of a vessel. A penetration apparatus is disclosed for use in forming treatment specific holes in a potentially calcified vessel wall which facilitates thereafter the securing of the graft and attachment assembly to the vessel wall. An introducer sheath device is also disclosed that comprises a sealing assembly for preventing the loss of blood during the insertion and subsequent removal of surgical components during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vacuum operated exhaust brake. A vehicle may be provided with service brake assistance and an exhaust brake, each of which may be driven by a common vacuum source. In the event the available vacuum is likely to be insufficient to meet the demand of the service brake assistance system, the exhaust brake may be selectively isolated from the vacuum source. Exhaust brake isolation may be responsive to a sensed vacuum parameter, such as the magnitude of the vacuum and/or the rate of change of the vacuum. Vacuum communication between the exhaust brake and the vacuum source may be reestablished responsive to the sensed vacuum parameter.

Abstract: An attachment assembly and repair graft are disclosed for securing a graft to repair a vessel having an aneurysm therein. The attachment assembly comprises an attachment cuff such that the graft is not dimensionally dependent upon the size of the vessel. A visualization apparatus is also disclosed for real time direct viewing of an interior of a vessel. A penetration apparatus is disclosed for use in forming treatment specific holes in a potentially calcified vessel wall which facilitates thereafter the securing of the graft and attachment assembly to the vessel wall. An introducer sheath device is also disclosed that comprises a sealing assembly for preventing the loss of blood from the vessel during the insertion and subsequent removal of surgical components during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An organic light emitting device ("OLED") for a color video display. The OLED is a layered structure formed on a substrate. A layer of light emitting organic material is sandwiched between two conductive layers and placed on the substrate. Overlying the conductors and organic layer is a transparent cover layer. The OLED of the present invention includes an innovative microcavity enhancing structure, which restricts light emission in directions parallel to the substrate and provides increased light output toward the viewer.

Abstract: A field emitter array device includes a ceramic substrate member having a multiplicity of through conductive vias therein. An insulative material layer is located on the ceramic substrate member. An addressable array of gate and emitter line elements is located on the insulative material and is conductively coupled to the through substrate conductive vias. A backside connector is located on the ceramic substrate member and conductively coupled to the vias for connection of the ceramic substrate member with an array driver device for the addressable array of emitter and gate line elements. A field emitter array of field emitter elements on the insulative material layer of the ceramic substrate member which are operatively coupled with the addressable array of gate and emitter line elements.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for providing an image from a display to an observer, comprising: a display generating an optical output, an imaging surface member constructed and arranged for viewing by said observer, and a scanning mirror/lens assembly optically interposed between the display and the imaging surface member, and constructed and arranged to motively repetitively scan the display, generate a scanned image, and transmit the scanned image to the imaging surface member, for viewing of the scanned image. Various field emitter display designs and subassemblies are described, which may be usefully employed in such imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A field emitter device formed by a veil process wherein a protective layer comprising a release layer is deposited on the gate electrode layer for the device, with the protective layer overlying the circumscribing peripheral edge of the opening of the gate electrode layer, to protect the edge of the gate electrode layer during etching of the field emitter cavity in the dielectric material layer on a substrate, and during the formation of a field emitter element in the cavity by depositing a field emitter material through the opening. The protective layer is readily removed subsequent to completion of the cavity etching and emitter formation steps, to yield the field emitter device. Also disclosed are various planarizing structures and methods, and current limiter compositions permitting high efficiency emission of electrons from the field emitter elements at low turn-on voltages.