Abstract: Processing systems and methods comprise a separation device that, in use, performs a separation process including separation of red blood cells from blood or a suspension containing red blood cells. The systems and methods include an outlet line coupled to the separation device to remove red blood cells from the separation device, at least in part, while the separation process occurs. A sensor associated with the outlet line senses hematocrit of red blood cells removed from the separation device and generates a sensed hematocrit output. A controller is coupled to the separation device to control removal of red blood cells from the separation device based, at least in part, upon the sensed hematocrit output.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manufacturing method of a phase shift mask blank in which dispersions of phase angle and transmittance among blanks can be reduced as much as possible and yield is satisfactory. In the manufacturing method of the phase shift mask blank, a process of using a sputtering method to continuously form a thin film on a transparent substrate comprises: successively subjecting a plurality of substrates to a series of process of supplying the transparent substrate into a sputtering chamber, forming the thin film for forming a pattern in the sputtering chamber, and discharging the transparent substrate with the film formed thereon from the sputtering chamber; supplying and discharging the transparent substrate substantially at a constant interval; and setting a film formation time to be constant among a plurality of blanks.

Abstract: A releasable wire connector has a housing and a cap slidably engaging one another and enclosing an electrical contact. The contact has inner and outer flexible fingers disposed opposite wire ports in the housing and cap. The fingers engage conductors inserted into the connector to retain the connectors therein and electrically connect them. The cap carries a release block which will engage some of the fingers and urge them out of engagement with the conductors to allow disengagement of a wire from the connector. One of the fingers may be split into sacrificial and main tines which are arranged so that the sacrificial tine will always be the first to make and the last to break contact with a conductor. Any arcing that may occur will then always be on the sacrificial tine so the main tine will not be degraded by arcing.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device having high reliability and high color reproducibility. A pixel structure is made such that a switching FET (201) and an electric current controlling FET (202) are formed on a single crystal semiconductor substrate (11), and an EL element (203) is electrically connected to the electric current controlling FET (202). The fluctuation in characteristics of the electric current controlling FET (202) is very low among pixels, and an image with high color reproducibility can be obtained. By taking hot carrier measures in the electric current controlling FET (202), the electronic device having high reliability can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including a circuit composed of thin film transistors having a novel GOLD (Gate-Overlapped LDD (Lightly Doped Drain)) structure. The thin film transistor comprises a first gate electrode and a second electrode being in contact with the first gate electrode and a gate insulating film. Further, the LDD is formed by using the first gate electrode as a mask, and source and drain regions are formed by using the second gate electrode as the mask. Then, the LDD overlapping with the second gate electrode is formed. This structure provides the thin film transistor with high reliability.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a locomotive diesel engine turbocharger turbine stage so as to avoid harmonic vibration in the turbine blades when the engine is operated at pre-selected throttle settings. Upon determining throttle settings for the engine and modeling of the turbocharger therefor, at least one natural vibration frequency of the turbine blades and a turbine nozzle vane excitation frequency as a function of turbocharger rotation speed are determined. Then the data obtained is analyzed to ascertain whether at least one data coincidence, that is whether a rotation speed correlative of a throttle setting has a coincidence over a predetermined range of both a natural frequency and said turbine vane nozzle excitation. If not, the model is suitable for fabrication of the turbocharger; if so, the model is modified by changing blade stiffness and/or vane numbering until no data coincidences are present.

Abstract: A means of effectively applying an organic EL material application liquid with good application liquid cut-off is provided. A heater and an ultrasonic oscillator are formed in a thin film formation apparatus when applying the application liquid, and heat and ultrasonic oscillations are imparted to the application liquid. Defective application liquid cut-off and liquid clogging can thus be resolved.

Abstract: A method of making a blood filter assembly provides first and second filter housing elements from a flexible thermoplastic material, each of the first and second housing elements including a molded port. The method places a filter media between the first and second filter housing elements and applies radio frequency heating and pressure to form a peripheral seal that joins the first and second filter housing elements to the filter media and encapsulates the filter media between the first and second housing elements.

Abstract: The reliability of an EL element is enhanced while the increase of the electric power consumption is suppressed. It becomes possible that in a SES drive, the reverse bias is applied to the EL element driven at a constant electric current. Moreover, the application of the reverse bias is performed by varying only the counter electrode, and thus withstand voltage of TFT and the increase of the electric power consumption due to the increase of voltage of the gate signal line drive circuit, which becomes a problem when changing greatly the electric current supplying line, can be suppressed. Furthermore, the reduction of the electric power consumption can also be achieved while the enhancement of the reliability is secured by making the reverse bias smaller than the forward bias.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for cleaning contact lenses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing (110) having first (112) and second (114) housing sections which are joinable to form a chamber for receiving the lens. Each of the housing sections has an operative face (118, 120, 124, 126) facing the chamber formed for receiving the lens. A reactive layer (122) is provided on a portion of each operative face and the operative faces and the reactive layers are dimensioned and arranged whereby the reactive layers come into engagement with respective surfaces of a lens (155) positioned therebetween when the first and second housing sections are joined together. A portion of at least one of the operative faces is recessed relative to the other operative face to define an open volume within the chamber when the first and second housing sections are joined together. The first and second housing sections can be constructed to be in fluid communication when the apparatus is in an opened position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inspection system of ID chips that can supply a signal or power supply voltage to an ID chip without contact, and can increase throughput of an inspection process and an inspection method using the inspection system. The inspection system according to the present invention includes a plurality of inspection electrodes, a plurality of inspection antennas, a position control unit, a unit for applying voltage to each of the inspection antennas, and a unit for measuring potentials of the inspection electrodes. One feature of the inspection system is that a plurality of ID chips and the plurality of inspection electrodes are overlapped with a certain space therebetween, and the plurality of ID chips and the plurality of inspection antennas are overlapped with a certain space therebetween, and the plurality of ID chips are interposed between the plurality of inspection electrodes and the plurality of inspection antennas by the position control unit.

Abstract: A cart lifter is disclosed for lifting and inverting a refuse collection cart. The preferred cart lifter comprises a base and preferably has a lift member pivotally mounted with respect to the base for engaging the upper engagement surface of a refuse cart and a hook for capturing the lower engagement surface on the cart. An actuator is mounted to the base and is operatively attached to the lift member and hook for moving them between a lower and a raised and inverted positions. An actuator arm pivotally connects the base to the hook and the hook is mounted for movement between a position for capturing the lower engagement surface of the collection cart and a retracted position.

Abstract: The system for synchronous sampling uses an encoded time signal, such as an IRIG-B signal. The IRIG-B signal is applied to an edge detector, which produces pulses based on the edges of the encoded time signal. These signals are applied to a phase-locked-loop assembly which is arranged to produce an output sampling synchronization signal which is locked to the transitions in the encoded time signal, providing a synchronous control signal for data sampling of input signals to a plurality of electronic instruments, in addition to the use of the IRIG-B signal as time-of-day clock synchronization for the plurality of instruments.

Abstract: A fishing reel with side walls includes a spool shaft rotatably supported therebetween and a level wind comprising a transverse shaft with an oblique segment intermediate the ends of the shaft rotatably secured between the side walls in front of the spool that engages the fishing line as it is being wound onto the spool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steerable soil displacement hammer for horizontal ground boring, comprising a body that can be rotated by means of a longitudinal element, and a thrust head that is mounted rotationally in relation to the body. A rotation of the body in relation to the thrust head causes the thrust head to pivot out into an asymmetrical constellation or to pivot to a symmetrical constellation. The invention also comprises a retaining feature which provides a hold in the environment and which permits a relative rotation of the body and simultaneous pivoting of the thrust head. The soil displacement hammer can be driven forwards or backwards and the retaining feature is situated in the area of the pivot axis of the thrust head.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for providing a voltage reduction for single-phase voltage regulator operation in a three-phase power system. The voltage regulator includes a plurality of tap positions selectable to adjust a voltage at a load to an in-band area. The method includes determining a measured voltage and current at the voltage regulator, determining a line voltage drop between the voltage regulator and the load if the measured voltage in the OOB area above the in-band area, and utilizing the measured voltage to lower the voltage at the load if there are no available taps. The method also includes utilizing the measured voltage less the line voltage drop to determine the tap change if there are available taps.