Abstract: The invention relates to the utilization of doped alumina for static charge sensitive applications, and to methods for making and using the same, e.g., for varying the electrical conductivity of alumina by doping with an appropriate transition metal oxide and subsequently heating to high temperatures in a reducing environment. This treatment allows the electrical conductivity to be tailored and thus provides a cost effective means for producing components with controlled resistivity.

Abstract: A shielded rack loader makes use of a loading rack movable between a shielding structure and a storage tube. A shield plug seals the storage tube. A hoist moves the shield plug and the loading rack. A shield plug cart and a material transfer cart mate with receiving flanges of the rack loader and permit temporary storage and movement of the shield plug and of canisters of transuranic material.

Abstract: The present invention is a polishing pad conditioning head for a CMP and similar types of apparatus that is especially useful in conditioning the surface of fixed-abrasive CMP polishing pads to maintain optimal process conditions for the planarization process on dielectric and metal films on semiconductor wafers, as well as wafers and disks used in computer hard disk drives. The polishing pad conditioning head comprises a substrate and a layer of fine-grain chemical vapor deposited polycrystalline diamond that is bonded onto the substrate. Alternatively, a thin sheet of polycrystalline diamond may be deposited on a preferred growth substrate by a chemical vapor deposition process, then removed from the growth substrate and then bonded to the CMP conditioning disk substrate.

Abstract: Inflatable watercraft such as PWCs are disclosed. The watercraft function additionally as cargo holders mountable to roofs of vehicles and towable behind boats. Covers associated with the craft serve partially or completely to enclose cargo placed within the craft, protecting the cargo from wind, rain, and waves.

Abstract: An actuator for remote operation of a switch, such as a recloser-type circuit breaker in a power distribution network, comprises an electric mechanism including an electric motor and electro-magnetic clutch mechanism, which is energisable to connect the motor drive to mechanically operate the switch on command and which is otherwise mechanically disengaged from the switch such that the switch may operate freely, and a receiver arranged to receive remotely transmitted command signals for the electric mechanism.

Abstract: A filter system includes at least two longitudinal branches with longitudinal inductors and at least one filter section (B) and an adjacent filter section (A). The filter section (B) is provided with at least one transverse branch that is interposed between the longitudinal branches, the adjacent filter section (A) adjoining the transverse branch. The number of inductors of a filter section that arc wound around different magnet cores can be reduced by equivalence transformation.

Abstract: An above-ground pool (1) having a protruding edge (3) and which can be covered with a cover (6): the folded cover, possibly enclosed in a bag (7) is anchored to a first location (P1); next, it is unfolded and drawn over the pool successively on either side thereof and it is successively anchored at two points (P2, P3) such that a line joining these two points is located at arm's length from a fourth point (P4) on the opposite side from the first point (P1); finally, it is drawn from the point (P4) where the lacing means (12) passing peripherally under the edge (3) are tied.

Abstract: A push side pool cleaner (1) has a spheroidal overall shape, within this shape two outer segments (9, 10) serve as wheels and a central zone (8) carries a suction passage (33) and a debris collector (32) also located entirely within the overall shape. The wheels are driven directly by water jets (44, 45) without any gears or other transmission. A flow splitter is provided in the cleaner (1) to divide push side water flow between the jets (44, 45) which drive the wheels and jets (43) which provide impulsion to the suction passage (33).

Abstract: According to the inventive method for producing a composite part (4), a support body (1) is produced from a powder with a ferrous alloy base using powder metallurgy. A magnet body (2) which is based on an alloy that is rich in rare earths is applied to the support body (1) and both are then sintered in a furnace (1), whereby a solid joint is formed between the support body (1) and the magnet body (2).

Abstract: Device for removably securing an oar (3) to an edge of a boat, comprising an oarlock (4) accommodating a coupling member secured to the shaft (6) of the oar (3); the oarlock (4) comprises a base (7) supporting, via a spindle (22), a pivoting transverse arm (12) which has a cylindrical housing (13) opening into its front end (14) and locking means which have, to the rear and along the axis of the orifice of the housing (13), selectively a section provided with a hole (15) of the same diameter as the housing and a section provided with a hole (16) of a smaller diameter; a pivot (17) secured radially to the shaft (6) of the oar (3) having the same diameter as the housing (13) and hollowed by an annular groove (18) of a diameter equal to the smaller diameter of the locking means.

Abstract: A cable reel comprises a casing defining a cable exit opening and an access opening; a static electrical connection located externally of the casing; a spool rotatably received within the casing and having a circumferentially extending recess opening radially outwardly of the spool, the spool further having an inner axially extending recess and an axially open notch communicating between the circumferentially extending recess and the inner axially extending recess; a handset cable having a first end and a second end, the handset cable first end being attachable to a handset in use, at least a portion of the handset cable being windable into or out of the spool circumferentially extending recess upon rotation of the spool so as to extend from or retract into the cable exit opening; a ribbon cable having a first end and a second end, the ribbon cable first end being attached to the handset cable second end and the ribbon cable second end being attached to the static electrical connector whereby the ribbon cable

Abstract: A feedthrough device having a ground wire that is coupled to both a metallic ferrule and to an insulating material and methods of making the device are provided. The ground wire is coupled or brazed between, adjacent to, or otherwise in direct contact with the metallic ferrule and the insulating material, for example, in a gap between the insulating material and the ferrule, or directly to the side of the insulating material and abutting the surface of the ferrule. If the ground wire is coupled or brazed in a gap, the gap may be formed by a notch in either the insulating material, the ferrule or both.

Abstract: An electronic projector has a projection system that includes a spatial light modulator (SLM) for importing image information to the projected light beam. The light beam leaving the SLM is prepolarized in a defined orientation and the projected light is polarized in the same orientation so as to effectively block any light that has been scattered within the projector and become depolarized. The SLM may be a digital mirror device (DMD). Reflective surfaces within the projector may be covered or coated with material that alters the polarization of reflected stray light from the defined orientation or depolarizes the reflected stray light.

Abstract: Eye masks having nose- and ear-pieces similar to those of conventional spectacles and sunglasses are described. Such masks include eye-covering regions of opaque material but need not include elastic bands, adhesive, or loops to retain the regions in place while in use. The masks additionally may be made of one-piece construction if desired, molded of plastic or other suitable material into a unitary body.

Abstract: A toroidal tape core is produced from magnetic sheets (1) which may have slits (4). In order to improve the behavior of the toroidal cores (3) at high frequencies, the magnetic sheets (1) have a high surface roughness. The surface roughness of each magnetic sheet (1) is at least equal to the skin penetration depth at the frequency being used.

Abstract: Magnetic cores including coiled amorphous ferromagnetic alloy strips are addressed. The composition of the alloy essentially corresponds to the formula Coa(Fe1−xMnx)bNicXdSicBfCg, where X is at least one of the elements V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Ge, and P; and a, b, c, d, e, f, and g are indicated in atom percent and meet the following conditions: 40≦a≦82; 3≦b≦10, 0≦c≦30; 0≦d≦5; 0≦e≦20; 7≦f≦26; 0≦g≦3; with 15≦d+e+f+g≦33 and 0≦x≦1.

Abstract: A device (1) for attaching a flexible linear element to an inflatable tube of an inflatable craft comprising a stud (2) in the shape of a spherical cap with a discoidal mounting base (3) and with a through passage (4) with a cylindrical central channel (5) extended on both sides by two flattened slots (6), this passage (4) emerging in a cavity (7) formed in the stud (2); the end of the flexible linear element (18,29) is made fast to a locking peg (19) that engages with a wedge action in the central channel (5); the locking peg (19) comprises a shank (20) made up of two axial parts (21,22) capable of gripping the end of the flexible linear element and an enlarged head (26) integral with an axial part (21,22) and capable of engaging in the cavity (7) to form a fastening.

Abstract: Coatings especially for superconductive strip conductors, as well as methods of applying the coatings, are addressed. Exemplary coatings include aluminum oxide in an aqueous suspension, with aluminum oxide particles contained in the suspension having size typically between 0.5-10 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The progressive vehicle brake light system of the invention consists of a brake sensor arranged to sense the travel of a brake pedal and a brake light display arranged to illuminate or extinguish in sequence or progressively in response to the travel of the brake pedal. A microcontroller is provided for receiving a signal from the brake sensor and controlling the brake light display accordingly. The brake sensor is typically an optical sensor utilizing infrared transmitters and receivers arranged to sense the distance and direction of travel of the brake pedal. The brake light display consists of a row of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are arranged to illuminate from the opposite ends towards the middle as the brake pedal is depressed and to extinguish in reverse sequence when the brake pedal is released.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sintered material offering improved corrosion protection by activation and coating of the surface with a metal, followed by a heat treatment. Said method is characterized in that during activation and before coating with said metal the following steps are carried out: removal of particles adhering to the surface of the sintered material by treating said surface with a stripper; passivation of the surface; and drying of the sintered material. The invention also relates to a magnetic body with greater corrosion resistance.