Abstract: A probe board is provided with a guide-mask system. The probe board has at least one head which passes through a respective guide-hole located on the filmed guide-mask. The utilization of this guide-mask has the advantage of minimizing slipping of probe heads out of respective mating test terminals of IC chips. Additionally, the utilization of this guide-mask provides accurate probe head positioning and provides enforcement to the heads by way of the filmed guide-mask because of the precise support holes provided in the masks.

Abstract: A phased array of semiconductor laser elements is provided in which the percentage of light which propagates into different diffractive orders is modified by an optical element. The diode laser includes a body of a semiconductor material having an active region therein which is adapted to generate radiation and emit the radiation form a surface of the body, and separate reflecting mirrors at opposite sides of the active region with at least one of the mirrors being partially transparent to the generated light to allow the light generated in the active region to be emitted therethrough. The optical element may take the form of a modification in the arrangement of the semiconductor laser elements, or an array of microprisms, or an external mirror to modify the percentage of light which propagates into different diffractive orders.

Abstract: A robotic cultivator is provided for automatically positioning cultivation tools relative to a centerline of a plant row. The cultivator comprises a video camera for gathering visual information about plants in a plant row. A frame grabber is then utilized to generate a digitized image of the visual information. A computer then manipulates the visual information to determine a centerline of the plant row. Finally, a positioning device moves the cultivation tools based upon the current position of the tools with respect to the centerline.

Abstract: A quarter window opening/closing apparatus in which a torsion coil spring is provided at a link-connecting portion where a second link is rotatably connected to a first link is provided. When the quarter window is in a state other than a fully closed or fully open state, the torsion coil spring urges the quarter window in its opening direction by means of the second link. Accordingly, the occurrence of rattling of the quarter window is prevented even when the quarter window is in a state other than fully closed or fully open.

Abstract: A hydrated granular carrier is prepared for microbe immobilization in a biological treatment apparatus such as for treating waste water and exhaust gas. The carrier contains hydrated granular gel particles coated with a finely ground organic powder. The gel particles are made of a polymer insoluble in cold water but soluble in hot water. In making the hydrated gel particles, heated water is added to the polymer while stirring at high speed. Then, the finely ground organic powder is added together with heated water while stirring at high speed to coat the finely ground organic powder on the gel particles. Preferably, the polymer is polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of polymerization of 1000 to 2500 and a degree of saponification of 98% or more. Heated water added to the polyvinyl alcohol is added by spraying at 10 to 15 liters per minute at a temperature of 40.degree. to 100.degree. C. in an amount of 50 to 150 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A semiconductor solar cell formed on a optical fiber or fibers, including layers of semiconductor materials surrounding an annular extent of each fiber. The cell is embedded into a superstrate which is a collimating lens. A method of manufacturing the cell and module are disclosed.

Abstract: In a grate the bars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, . . . ) of S-shaped cross section are combined to form two groups of bars (1, 3, 5, 7, . . . ; 2, 4, 6, 8, . . . ). The two groups form moving units longitudinally displaceable relative to each other. The profiling of the bars prevents fat from dripping into the fire. Pulling apart the two groups of bars exposes all surfaces of the bars so that they are easy to clean.

Abstract: Cellulose sponge using non-woody pulp as raw material and a method of producing the same. According to the present invention, cellulose sponge can be produced without using wood pulp, with using vegetable cellulose of low plants, shrub, or the like to contribute to the prevention of the forest destruction and provide the way to use the waste material.

Abstract: A crosswise controllable pilot valve for generating a pilot pressure corresponding to an amount of operation of a control lever. This valve has a spool reciprocable within a valve case between a pilot pressure supplying position for interconnecting a pump port and a supply and exhaust port, and an exhaust position for interconnecting a tank port and the supply and exhaust port, and a push rod movable in a first direction within the valve case to move the spool to the supplying position. The push rod includes a cylindrical skirt portion adjacent one end thereof having sliding surfaces for sliding relative to the valve case, and a rod portion adjacent the other end. The skirt portion, rod portion and valve case define a first space, while the skirt portion, spool and valve case define a second space.

Abstract: A fetal monitor is provided for gathering characteristic data such as fetal electrocardiogram, temperature and intra-uterine pressure so that fetal health may be determined during intra-operative and postoperative periods. The fetal monitor comprises a remote sensing unit, the remote sensing unit containing sensors which continually sample fetal temperature and electrocardiogram. A transceiver is housed in the remote sensing unit and outputs the sampled fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals to an external antenna. A monitoring station is provided for monitoring the fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals from the antenna. Additionally, a pressure transducer may be housed in the remote sensing unit for continually sampling intra-uterine pressure. This intra-uterine pressure signal in combination with the above signals are utilized to determine fetal health or the onset and progress of parturition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sail boat having a single main sail having a corner between a taut luff edge and a foot edge. A snatch lock is provided at the corner for securing the corner to the bow of the boat, e.g. to U-bolt. When it is required to change tack, the corner is unhooked from the bolt, passed around the rear of the mast (16) and resecured to the bolt (46), in other words, the sail then lies on the other side of the mast and so the boat can sail away on the opposite tack.

Abstract: An optical interconnect is disclosed that couples multiple optical fibers to an array of optoelectronic devices. The interconnect includes a multiple optical fiber connector and an optoelectronic board. The multiple fiber connector can be mechanically attached to or detached from the board.

Abstract: An air bag cover structure comprising an air bag cover main body and an insert member. The air bag cover main body has an upper wall portion, a bag body which inflates toward a vehicle occupant when a vehicle suddenly decelerates being accommodated between the upper wall portion and a base plate, the upper wall portion being pushed by the bag body, which is expanding, so that the upper wall portion unfolds, and the air bag cover main body having a side wall portion which includes a center of unfolding of the upper wall portion when the upper wall portion unfolds.

Abstract: A dishwashing machine the washing tub of which is opened at the top and is provided at its bottom portion with lower nozzle arms 51, 52. An upper opening of the washing tub is closed or opened by a door 20 which is provided with a top plate 21 of semi-circular cross-section and rotatable in its semi-circular direction along a pair of side walls of the washing tub. An upper nozzle arm is provided inside of the top plate at the central portion thereof. A water supply passage is provided along an internal surface of the door to supply a portion of hot wash water or rinse water supplied to the lower nozzle arms to the upper nozzle arm. When the upper opening of the washing tub is opened, the door and upper nozzle arm are housed in a rear portion of said washing tub.

Abstract: This invention discloses vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) formed to emit optical radiation that has a controlled direction of polarization. In one embodiment, a VCSEL has an active region that contains at least one strained semiconductor layer which has a preferred direction of electrical conductivity due to the strain. As a result, the optical radiation emitted from the VCSEL has a direction of polarization that is parallel to the preferred direction of conductivity. In another embodiment, a VCSEL has an elongated active region, and the direction of polarization of the radiation emitted from the VCSEL is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the active region. The invention also discloses a VCSEL array comprising vertical cavity surface emitting lasers having elongated active regions. By forming the elongated active regions parallel to each other, the array emits optical radiation having parallel polarization.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having an occupant seat and a child seat, and being changeable as occasion demands between a state of use as the occupant seat and a state of use as the child seat. The occupant seat has a first seat cushion and a first seat back. The first seat cushion is foldable so that the first seat cushion and the first seat back are superposed. The child seat is comprised of a second seat cushion and a second seat back, and is built in a reverse surface of the first seat cushion. A front end portion of the first seat cushion is axially supported to a vehicle by a supporting device. By rotating the first seat cushion, the first seat cushion is upright and the first seat cushion and the first seat back are superposed. Further, when the vehicle seat is in the state of use as the occupant seat, the child seat is accommodated under the reverse surface of the first seat cushion which faces toward a bottom of the vehicle.

Abstract: The fabric (1), which is pre-treated wet and is supplied in strand form, is inflated to form a balloon (15, 15', 15", 15'") by means of a gaseous medium, is then combined again to form a strand and in strand form is guided through an overflow pipe (17, 17', 17", 17'"). Subsequently, these process steps are repeated a plurality of times in analogous sequence.