Abstract: A combination sampling/electrochemical analysis cell comprises an enclosure having a hollow therein, at least one inlet leading to the hollow, a vent leading from the hollow, at least one testing electrode, at least one counter electrode, and at least one reference electrode, all disposed at least in part in the hollow. A testing reagent is also contained in the hollow.

Abstract: A membrane light modulator comprising a charge transfer plate, and having a multiplicity of conductors extending from the rear surface to the front surface of the plate. The conductors are supported in an insulating matrix. The front side of the transfer plate has a plurality of potential wells defined by insulating walls, each potential well constituting a pixel. A plurality of conductors is provided for each pixel. A deformable reflecting membrane comprising a metal layer spans the potential wells. An electric potential is provided on the metal layer, and a source of electrons is provided for impacting the rear surface of the charge transfer plate.

Abstract: A rotating diamond core drill is contacted with a hard but brittle material, and by keeping contact relation with the material, drilling operation is continued to drill a hole to the material. Further, when a hole is bored, relative eccentrical motion is given between the diamond core drill and the material so that the whole inner circumferential surface of the hole can be contacted with the rotating diamond core drill, and drilling speed of the diamond core drill is reduced. Accordingly, drilling and cutting pressure applied to the material is reduced and no breaking-offs is generated.

Abstract: A combination sampling/electrochemical analysis cell comprises an enclosure having a hollow therein, at least one inlet leading to the hollow, a vent leading from the hollow, at least one testing electrode, at least one counter electrode, and at least one reference electrode, all disposed at least in part in the hollow. A testing reagent is also contained in the hollow.

Abstract: An electronic attenuator device is provided whose attenuation characteristics are substantially insensitive to variations in component element parameters and ambient temperature changes. Advantageously, an attenuator device made according to the present invention may be constructed at substantially reduced cost without loss of attenuation precision.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing testpieces (11) in the form of small plates, in which the testpiece is grasped between two pairs of jaws (12,13), which can be moved together. The jaws (12,13) are mounted on the platens (1,4) without hyperstaticity, which reduces the risks of introducing parasitic forces. The testpiece can be notched in such a way that its median portion is exposed to shear. The jaws then have adequate lengths to cover the principal faces of the testpiece (11) virtually up to the notches. The shear field is at a maximum and quasi-uniform in the median surface between the notches. This invention is useful for characterizing the interlaminar shear of plates made from composite materials and includes curved testpieces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the uniform electroplating of printed circuit boards is described. At least one non conductive apertured mask covers selected areas of the electroactive surface of the anode or cathode electrode, whereby to establish substantially uniform electroplating ion transfer over the target areas of the target cathode.

Abstract: A combination shipping and display crate includes a pair of end walls to which are fixed a plurality of slats in which at least one slat is slidably mounted in opposing slots formed in the crate end walls, and held in place by friction or torsion.

Abstract: A bistable electrooptical device, screen incorporating such a device and process for producing the screen, are provided. The device according to the present invention comprises at least one bistable element contained in a vacuum enclosure formed from a first and a second substrate, which substrates are hermetically sealed together. The bistable element comprises, on the first substrate, a first layer of a conductive material, a layer of photoconductive material, a layer of a cathodoluminiscent material, and a microtip emissive cathode electrode source, or the like, for exciting the cathodoluminiscent material. A screen according to the invention incorporates several bistable elements arranged in matrix-like configuration. In a preferred embodiment of the screen, the photoconductive material links two conductive material layers, one making up a conductive column of the screen and the other defining the geometry of the pixel.

Abstract: A device for low temperature bend-testing of a test piece is disclosed. The device of the present invention comprises fixed and movable units. The fixed unit includes a base which includes at least one substantially vertical stanchion. A tank for holding a volume of low temperature liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, is secured to the base. The movable unit includes a support and a pin. The support structure includes an arch portion and at least one projection. The test piece under test is supported by supports included in the arch portion. The pin is slidably mounted in the structure so as to be displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the test piece when supported by the supports. The device also includes means making the fixed and movable units operable together to permit the test piece to be bend-tested in the tank.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing, by chemical depostion from the vapor phase, epitaxial composites comprising thin films of a Group III-V compound semiconductor such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) or gallium alluminum arsenide (GaAlAs) on single crystal silicon substrates.

Abstract: A mesa-type PIN diode and method for making same are disclosed. A diode made according to the present invention includes a junction formed in the top surface of the mesa-shaped structure, having an area that is less than (and preferrably, approximately half) the area of the top surface. A highly-doped, N-type conducting layer is formed in the side-walls of the mesa-shaped structure. The resulting diode is subject to greatly reduced charge carrier recombination effects and suffers from much less carrier-to-carrier scattering than conventional diodes. Thus, a diode made according to the present invention is capable of achieving much higher stored charge, lower resistance, lower capacitance, better switching characteristics, and lower power consumption than one made according to the prior art. Particular utility is found, inter alia, in the areas of high-frequency microwave and monolithic circuits.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided for treatment of hypertrophy of the prostate. The balloon is formed in a non-compliant transparent plastic sleeve fitted over a transparent plastic lumen. The distal end of the sleeve is secured to a fitting slidably mounted on the lumen.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for use on space vehicles is provided, which mechanism comprises one or more bearings and stacking means. The bearings and stacking means join an inner and outer part so as to prevent the parts' rotary motion relative to each other, during launch phase, but permit such rotary motion thereafter. The use of the instant invention advantageously make it possible for forces produced during launch of the vehicle to be transmitted directly from one part to the other without loading the bearings, thereby permitting reduction in the size and weight of the bearings without any corresponding diminution of functionality.

Abstract: A process for measuring a physical quantity with a random and pulse-like character, or which is transformable into pulse form is made of a measuring chain, which supplies a result relative to the quantity. An iterative mathematical simulation is carried out taking into account the random variable character of the measured phenomenon by distinguishing the behavior of the single, double, triple, etc. events in the electronic processor of the chain optimized for this purpose. During the simulation, a determination takes place of an approximate result relative to the quantity, and the simulation result is compared with the measured result. The present invention has particular utility in the measurement of the volume activity of nuclides or radioelements present in a circulating fluid, although other utilities are contemplated.

Abstract: In a device for incorporating a separable fastener in a foamed seat cushion during formation of the cushion in a mold, includes a sheet having fastener elements constituting one half of a touch fastener. A foam wall surrounds the fastening surface, the wall having a height considerably greater than the height of the fastening elements. The fastener is held on a pedestal having a predetermined height extending into the mold volume and having a predetermined cross sectional dimension generally parallel to the interior mold surface as measured at a predetermined distance from said mold surface. The foam wall defines an opening which engages the sides of said pedestal with a force sufficiently strong to resist any removal force caused by tendency of the foaming action to lift the foam wall during creation of the cushion and bonding of the forming cushion to the foam wall.

Abstract: A method for making an extruded hook fastener strip on a roll having hook forming cavities in its surface by extruding plastic material into the interface between the forming roll and a second strip carried by a backing roll is provided. The second strip is firmly bonded to the fastener strip on the side opposite the formed hooks.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the performance of an engine having a turbocharger are provided by flowing ion vapors to a region of negligible air pressure adjacent the compressor wheel of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A shielded disk mailing envelope comprising a protective envelope made of thin material such as paper, cardboard, or plastic that is adapted to receive a floppy disk cartridge assembly. The protective envelope has substantially square rear and front walls. The front and rear walls are joined at a common bottom edge which allows the front wall to pivot about this edge. Side edge flaps are pivotally joined along the side edges of the rear wall, such that these side edge flaps can be folded inwardly toward the inner surface of the rear wall. The front wall is likewise folded inwardly toward the inner surface of the rear wall. The front wall inner surface is adhered to the outer surface of the previously folded side edge flaps, thus forming an envelope. At the top edge of the rear wall a cover flap is pivotally joined. This cover flap is folded over the opening created at the top of the envelope and acts to close the envelope creating a protective container.