Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor that is configured to be embedded into a circuit board is provided. The electrolytic capacitor contains a capacitor element, anode and cathode terminations, and a case that encapsulates the capacitor element and leaves at least a portion of the anode and cathode terminations exposed that extend outwardly from opposite ends of the case. Each of the terminations possesses an upper surface that faces toward the capacitor element and a lower surface that faces away from the capacitor element. In contrast to conventional surface-mounted electrolytic capacitors, the upper surfaces of these exposed anode and cathode termination portions are mounted to the circuit board. In this manner, the capacitor may essentially be mounted “upside down” so that some or all of its thickness becomes embedded within the board itself, thereby minimizing the height profile of the capacitor on the board.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an additional or end-of-game drawing to players of a lottery game is provided. In one embodiment, unique validation codes provided on lottery tickets can be encrypted using an algorithm and used to create a record of such encrypted codes. A player then participates in the lottery and subsequently submits the validation code from the ticket to a lottery provider. The lottery provider applies the algorithm to the submitted validation code to create another encryption code for comparison with the record of encrypted codes. In the event a match is found, the player is entered into a second-chance or end of game drawing. Upon entry, the player is no longer required to maintain possession of the ticket for subsequent validation.

Abstract: A screening panel is provided for screening particulate materials. The screening panel includes a peripheral frame and a plurality of ribs. The peripheral frame has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer peripheral surface interconnecting the upper surface and lower surface. Further, the peripheral frame defines an opening. The ribs extend across the opening and define a screening surface. Each of the plurality of ribs has a substantially flat upper surface. The screening panel further includes at least one generally arcuate raised member extending from the upper surface of each of the plurality of ribs. The raised members facilitate screening the particulate materials.

Abstract: A thickness measurement apparatus includes a beam splitter for reflecting or transmitting a ray irradiated from an optical source or a ray reflected by a measurement object; a first lens part which condenses a ray to the measurement object and generates a reference ray; a second lens part for condensing a ray to the object to be measured; an interference light detector for detecting an interference signal generated by the reflected ray and reference ray; a spectroscopic detector corresponding to the second lens part to form a light path different from the path formed by the interference light detector and splits the ray reflected by the measurement object to detect an intensity and wavelength of each split ray; and a light path converter for selectively transmitting a ray to the interference light detector or spectroscopic detector, wherein position exchanging is performed between the first second lens parts.

Abstract: Improved scanner designs are provided to improve imaging and reduce errors during the scanning process. Embodiments disclosed include, for example, the use of dual cameras to improve imagery and reduce the scanner enclosure size, synchronized lighting techniques during the scanning sequence, shielded lens for the camera scanner, a scanner enclosed on at least three sides, adjustments to scanner lighting based on the levels of ambient lighting, a combined branding and scanner apparatus, a gimbaled scanner mount, and a tilted platen with stop for document alignment.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for temperature monitoring and controlled access to refrigerated medications. An electronically controlled lock is installed on a refrigerator used for storage of temperature sensitive medications. Lock access is given to individuals having differing levels of access authorization so that user level authorization holders may have access to stored medications. Supervisor level authorization holders may have access to stored medications and may also effect changes in lock settings including setting alarm levels. Alarm levels may be adjusted to monitor temperatures within the refrigerated storage area so that in the case that temperature fall outside preset limits, access to the stored medicines may be had only by those individuals having supervisory access authorization.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor that contains a capacitor element that includes an anode body, dielectric layer, and solid electrolyte is provided. The capacitor also contains an anode lead that is electrically connected to the anode body. Contrary to conventional capacitors in which the lead is welded or connected using a layer of seed particles, a refractory metal paste (e.g., tantalum paste) is employed in the present invention to electrically connect the anode lead to the anode body. The use of such a refractory metal paste allows the anode lead to be sinter bonded to a surface of the anode body after it is pressed. In this manner, a strong and reliable connection may be achieved without substantially decreasing the surface area of the lead that is available for connection to a termination. The paste of the present invention generally contains particles of a relatively small size.

Abstract: A capacitor containing a solid electrolytic capacitor element that includes an anode, dielectric, and solid electrolyte is provided. An anode lead extends from the anode and is electrically connected to an anode termination. The anode termination contains an upstanding portion that is bent or folded about an axis so that it possesses two or more sections. A slot (e.g., U-shaped) extends through the sections of the upstanding portion for receiving an anode lead. The resulting “folded” configuration of the anode termination increases the total thickness of the upstanding portion and its associated slot, which thereby enhances the degree of mechanical support and stability that the termination provides to the anode lead. This is particularly beneficial for thicker anode leads, such as those having a height and/or width of about 100 micrometers or more, in some embodiments about 200 micrometers or more, and in some embodiments, from about 250 to about 1000 micrometers.

Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly that includes an electrolytic capacitor that contains an anode body, dielectric overlying the anode, and a solid electrolyte overlying the dielectric is provided. An anode lead is also electrically connected to the anode body and extends in a longitudinal direction therefrom. The anode lead is connected to an “upstanding” portion of a leadframe. Among other things, this helps to limit substantial horizontal movement of the lead and thereby improve the mechanical robustness of the part. The capacitor and leadframe are enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas. It is believed that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the solid electrolyte (e.g., conductive polymer) is less likely to undergo a reaction in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly.

Abstract: A method and system has been developed to individually control the flow of liquid products from any nozzle within a plurality of nozzles using pulse width modulated solenoid actuated valves residing on a CAN communication network. The CAN communication network has been further developed to manage the high current requirements of the solenoid actuated valves, the large physical length and high number of nozzles used on modern agricultural application equipment and integration and retrofit requirements when used in conjunction with commercially available application rate control devices. The method and system simultaneously controls multiple flow and shutoff related inputs including but not limited to turn radius, nozzle overlap, swath reduction, nozzle spacing, fence row rates, wheel track rates, etc.

Abstract: An electrical insulation displacement connector (IDC) assembly includes a body having at least one channel with an open top side configured for receipt of an insulated conductive core wire therein. A contact element is fixed in the body with a first insulation displacement end defined by opposed blades oriented across the channel, and a second end extending from a bottom surface of the body and configured for electrical contact with a PCB. The IDC assembly includes a cap having a size and configuration so as to engage over the body, with the cap including a recess with an open bottom that is aligned with the body channel in a fitted configuration of the cap on the body. The wires may be initially received in the cap recesses wherein upon pressing engagement of the cap onto the body, the insulated conductive core wire is pressed into the body channel between and into the contact element.

Abstract: A piezoelectric triggering mechanism (10) includes a piezoelectric element (12), such as the transducer of a SAW device, that is configured to crack or break upon being subjected to excessive levels of mechanical force or other triggering mechanisms, thus generating a burst of electromagnetic energy. The large impulse of energy can then be conditioned (14) through resonant circuits or antennas and modulated (16) with an identification pattern through appropriate structures (such as SAW electrodes) to send a breakage indication signal to a remote receiver (18). Piezoelectric elements (12) may be integrated with a pneumatic tire structure to provide indication upon pressure loss or tire failure. Piezoelectric elements (12) may also be integrated with safety support features of some tire structures to provide indication of tire operation in a run-flat mode of operation.

Abstract: A mechanical drive train for testing a full scale compressor rig is disclosed. The drive train can include an electric motor, a gear box, and a gas turbine. The compressor rig is coupled to the drive train between the gear box and gas turbine. The drive train can further include a torque converter for transferring torque from the electric motor to the compressor rig. The drive train is configured to test a full scale compressor rig over the entire speed and load operating range, allowing for full compressor mapping from choke to stall at full load, part load (power turn down) and partial speed conditions. The drive train can also be used to test a compressor rig or gas turbine over the full range of operability for the compressor rig or gas turbine without having to connect the gas turbine to the power grid at the power generation site.

Abstract: An active viewport assembly for use in detecting substrates conveyed through a vapor deposition system includes a casing configured for mounting to a wall of a vapor deposition module. The casing further includes an enclosed chamber, an exterior side port, and an interior side port. A lens assembly is disposed within the chamber and extends through the interior side port. A heater element is configured on the lens assembly within the chamber. One of an active transmitter or an active signal receiver is configured with the exterior side port external of the chamber and is axially aligned with and spaced from the lens assembly.

Abstract: A biodegradable packaging film is provided. The film is formed from a blend that contains a thermoplastic starch and polylactic acid. Starch is a relatively inexpensive natural polymer that is also renewable and biodegradable. Polylactic acid is likewise an inexpensive synthetic polymer that is biodegradable and renewable, yet also capable of providing increased tensile strength to the film. Although providing a good combination of biodegradability/renewability and increased tensile strength, the polylactic acid is also relatively rigid and can result in films having a relatively high stiffness (e.g., high modulus of elasticity) and low ductility. While more ductile than polylactic acid, the thermoplastic starch is often difficult to melt process in film forming processes and very sensitive to moisture and water vapor, reducing its ability to be used as a stand alone packaging film.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable sheets is disclosed. The dispenser includes a removable panel that is attached to the first sheet in the stack contained in the container. When the removable panel is pulled off the container, the first sheet in the stack is partially or completely withdrawn from the container. The removable panel may be adhered to the first sheet using an adhesive material. The adhesive material may be contained in a recess formed in the removable panel. The recess is designed to protect the adhesive material during manufacture of the product and/or to prevent the adhesive material to adhering to other portions of the product. In one embodiment, after the stack of sheets are loaded into the dispenser, the recess is inverted forming a protrusion that contacts the first sheet in the stack and forms a bond between the removable panel and the first sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus is generally provided for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material as a thin film on a photovoltaic module substrate. The apparatus includes a distribution plate disposed below the distribution manifold and at a defined distance above a horizontal conveyance plane of an upper surface of a substrate conveyed through the apparatus. The distribution plate defines a pattern of passages therethrough configured to provide greater resistance to the flow of sublimated source vapors at a first longitudinal end than a second longitudinal end. A process for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material to form thin film on a photovoltaic module substrate is also provided via distributing the sublimated source material onto an upper surface of the substrates through a distribution plate positioned between the upper surface of the substrate and the receptacle.

Abstract: Oxymethylene polymers having a bimodal distribution or having a distribution of higher modality and having a targeted content of a low molecular weight fraction of from 1 to 5 percent by mass are described. Moldings of these polymers are distinguished by high low-temperature notched impact strength associated with a high modulus of elasticity.