Abstract: A dispenser for liquid consumables locates a store of the particular liquid at a location remote from the dispensing location. The dispensing location is typically located above a counter and may include a relatively narrow stem that brings a flexible liquid delivery tube up to a valve. Valuable counter space is conserved. One or more disposable, flexible and collapsible bags contain the store of liquid and communicates with the dispensing location via the liquid delivery tube. Confined in contact with each flexible bag is an inflatable bladder to which compressed air is routed. Liquid is dispensed each time the valve opens. When exhausted the flexible bag is replaced. Safety interlock switches vent the inflatable bladder to prevent its expanding explosively upon opening of the location where the liquid containing bag will replace the empty. Where the liquid needs temperature control, temperature control means are provided where the liquid is stored.

Abstract: An improved method for the design and development of high performance hybrid devices having biological and nonbiological components. A figure of merit is developed for the biological component or components. The component is subjected to various environmental variables as it or its biological source organism is grown. The biological component is force adapted to cause its figure of merit to reach a goal or an acceptable measure. The biological component is used in hybrid constructs that may be nanostructures, given the small size of the biological parts. In one specific embodiment, force-adapted chlorosomes of C. aurantiacus enhance performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell. The bacteria, Chloroflexus aurantiacus (C. aurantiacus), strain J-10-fl, has the A.T.C.C. designation number 29366, having been deposited in July, 1976.

Abstract: An extrusion control system that controls the cross section and viscosity during extrusion of even hard to control plastics like polyurethane. Cross section, A, is determined by measuring volumetric rate of deliver of melt through a gear pump V/t and the speed of the extrudate at a puller N/t. The cross-section area, A=(V/t)/(N/t), is controlled by controlling the puller speed. Pressure drop across the die, P, and the volume of melt delivered by the gear pump are measured and a term indicative of the viscosity of the melt is determined based on Vs=(KP)/V, Vs being the viscosity and K being a constant dependent on the size and shape of the die orifice. Viscosity variations are compensated by varying heat applied to the melt.

Abstract: A power device such as a forward converter employing a main switch in series with a power transformer coupling an input, primary circuit and an output, secondary circuit has its transformer reset from a reset capacitor that is switched. Switching of the reset capacitor is effected by a reset switch, preferably a MOSFET, the control electrode of which is driven from a reset winding on the power transformer. Current flow between the reset capacitor and the primary winding resets the transformer. The capacitor can be chosen such that flux density in the transformer core is substantially symmetrical about zero. Leakage and magnetizing conductance energy is recycled. Large spikes are not produced across the main switch.

Abstract: A converter topology that eliminates reverse recovery losses in its output rectifying semiconductor devices employs an AC injection voltage source in series with a power transformer primary winding. Input semiconductor switches in the converter's primary circuit are controlled to provide in the power transformer secondary a voltage across the winding or windings in a first direction forward biasing one of the output rectifying devices followed by a lower level reverse biasing voltage produced by the injection voltage. This lower level voltage across the secondary turns off the previously conducting rectifier device and drives carriers out of its semiconductor junction or junctions to eliminate reverse recovery losses occurring when the secondary applies a higher level reverse bias across the non-conducting rectifier device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for gathering image information from nanostructures includes a composite waveguide of conductive nanoparticles in a dielectric medium. The waveguide is irradiated with preferably coherent blue light to form a slow surface wave. The evanescent wave that is the “tail” of the surface wave exists outside the waveguide contiguous to its surface. The nanostructures are located to encounter the evanescent wave. The slowing of the wave that occurs in the waveguide reduces the wave's speed and wavelength sufficiently such that nanostructures can be imaged. Upon encountering the evanescent wave, the nanostructures radiate. This radiation causes a backward scattering from the structures and a forward perturbation of the wavefront of the surface wave. From the scattering and perturbation information about the physical characteristics of the nanostructures sufficient to form an image is derived.

Abstract: A multilayer structure in which all the magnetic elements have the windings edged in the inner layers and the magnetic core which surrounds the winding has the legs penetrating through the multilayer structure. The interconnection between the magnetic elements and the rest of electronic components is done through the layers of the multilayer board, horizontally and vertically through via. For higher power components special cuts are performed in the multilayer board to accommodate the body of the components which may be connected to an external heatsink. The winding arrangement in the transformer is done in a such way to minimize and even eliminate the common mode noise injected through the capacitance between primary and secondary winding. The input filter is constructed to exhibit a differential and a common mode impedance.

Abstract: A neurocomputer (50) comprises n oscillating processing elements (60A, 60B, 60C, 60D and 60E) that communicate through a common medium (70) so that there are required only n connective junctions (80A, 80B, 80C, 80D and 80E). A rhythmic external forcing input (90) modulates the oscillatory frequency of the medium (70) which, in turn, is imparted to the n oscillators (60A, 60B, 60C, 60D and 60E). Any two oscillators oscillating at different frequencies may communicate provided that input's power spectrum includes the frequency equal to the difference between the frequencies of the two oscillators in question. Thus, selective communication, or dynamic connectivity, between different neurocomputer oscillators occurs due to the frequency modulation of the medium (70) by external forcing.

Abstract: A new steering logic based on a mixed weighted two-norm and least squares optimization solution overcomes a deficiency of being trapped in the momentum saturation singularities. The new steering logic utilizes an additional weighting matrix, W, in conjunction with deterministic dither signals in a weighting matrix V. The new steering logic also provides a simple means of avoiding troublesome, internal elliptic singularities which are commonly encountered by most other pseudoinverse-based steering logic. Various CMG systems, such as a typical pyramid array of four single-gimbal CMGs, two and three parallel single-gimbal CMG configurations, and four parallel double-gimbal CMGs of the International Space Station are described as illustrative embodiments demonstrating the simplicity and effectiveness of the new steering logic.

Abstract: A power supply circuit comprising an active power factor correction circuit. The active power factor correction circuit comprises a controller for controlling both the power factor correction and the inrush current control circuit. The inrush control circuit comprises at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) connectable to the controller.

Abstract: The invention discloses improved structures of light-processing (e.g. light-emitting and light-absorbing/sensing) devices, in particular Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), such as may find use in telecommunications applications. The disclosed VSCAL devices and production methods provide for an active region having a quantum well structure grown on GaAs-containing substrates, thus providing processing compatibility for light having wavelength in the range 1.0 to 1.6 ?m. The active region structure combines strain-compensating barriers with different band alignments in the quantum wells to achieve a long emission wavelength while at the same time decreasing the strain in the structure. The improved functioning of the devices disclosed results from building them with multicomponent alloy layers having a large number of constituents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting electromigration at its outset includes a pair of conductive traces deposited on a substrate in an integrated circuit. A multiplicity of conductors are connected along the length of the traces. Current is passed through the traces and the resistances of the traces from one conductor connection to the next are continually monitored by observing the voltage drop from one conductor to the next. The connection of the conductors to the traces may be less than one micrometer apart. When resistance changes as a result of the onset of electromigration, the exact location can be determined and studied in optical or scanning electron micrographs.

Abstract: Water may be purified and treated to kill and/or remove various harmful contaminants and microorganisms with a method and system including ozone treatment and oxygenation. In the present system and method, the ozone treatment and oxygenation process is carried out in the chamber of one canister and includes one or two further canisters, either a pre-filtration canister that contains a filter for removing large particulates that might interfere with the ozone treatment and oxygenation process, or a post-filtration canister that contains a filter for removing smaller particulates downstream, or both. The system is versatile in that one or the other of the filtration canisters can be eliminated. To limit the expense of manufacturing the system, the exterior of the canisters are identically molded and the bottom caps of the canisters are integrally molded to the body of the canisters, also eliminating one possible leakage point.

Abstract: A method for determining the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of a specimen. The specimen is placed in the tester and a tensile force is applied to the specimen. The specimen is equilibrated at a first temperature and then elongated. After reaching a desired elongation, the specimen is equilibrated at another temperature. The tensile force on the specimen is changed to a predetermined value or until the specimen fails. A force-displacement curve is generated from the stressed specimen. The force-displacement curve is converted into a stress-strain response, from which the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion is determined.

Abstract: Semiconductor nitride layers are produced using a corona discharge supersonic free-jet source producing an activated nitrogen molecule beam impacting a semiconductor substrate in the presence of a group III metal or impacting an oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate. The activated nitrogen molecules are of the form N2A3&Sgr;u+. Apparatus for producing the nitride layer on the substrate includes the corona discharge free-jet source, a skimmer to collimate the N2 beam and succeeding stages interconnected by collimators and evacuated to draw off background gases.

Abstract: A hard machining process uses a cylindrical tool (21) of ceramic or other hard machining material of comparatively low cost that provides a circular cutting edge to be engaged in cutting relation with hardened workpiece (20) to be machined. As tool cutting edge wear occurs, the tool (21) is rotated through a small angle to bring into contact with the workpiece (20) a fresh portion of the cutting edge. It is not necessary to rotate that tool (21) sufficiently to effect replacement of the entire cutting edge portion in engagement with the tool. Sufficient angular movement of the tool is made to replace that of the cutting edge that has the greatest effect on the finish of the machined workpiece (20), which is the cutting location where the removed chip is thinnest.