Abstract: An X-ray detector efficiency standard is formed of multiple spherical particles of various materials distributed over the surface of a substrate. The particles are preferably formed of pure materials, such as pure elements and stoichiometric compounds, having characteristic X-ray emission energies which span a range sufficient to determine the efficiency of the X-ray detector substantially over its operating range. The spherical particles may be formed by an electrohydrodynamic spraying process and have a diameter preferably in the range of 10 nanometers to 1 micron.

Abstract: Sealed cavity structures suitable for use as pressure transducers are formed on a single surface of a semiconductor substrate (20) by, for example, deposit of a polycrystalline silicon layer (32) from silane gas over a relatively large silicon dioxide post (22) and smaller silicon dioxide ridges (27) leading outwardly from the post. The polysilicon layer is masked and etched to expose the outer edges of the ridges and the entire structure is then immersed in an etchant which etches the silicon dioxide forming the ridges and the post but not the substrate (20) or the deposited polysilicon layer (32). A cavity structure results in which channels (35) are left in place of the ridges and extend from communication with the atmosphere to the cavity (36) left in place of the post.

Abstract: A roofing membrane puller for tautly pulling a water-proof membrane over a flat roof, even to the edges thereof, includes a frame, at least one anchor which maintains the frame in a selected position on the flat roof, a locking gripper having releasably lockable jaws for gripping the membrane, a leveraged hand drive which is mounted to the frame and includes a lever which is pivotally mounted to the frame and can be grasped by an operator's hand to move the lever and apply a force to the lever in driving direction, and a pulley-cable system for transmitting a pulling force from the leveraged hand drive to the locking gripper to pull the membrane. A cable extends from the leveraged hand drive through at least one pulley where the cable's direction can be changed so that the cable and locking gripper can pull the membrane in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the puller frame.

Abstract: A non-invasive, external ear canal electrode useful for transmitting sound stimulus to an ear canal and for conducting electrical signals picked up from the ear canal epidermal surface including a tube comprising electroconductive metal and having a resilient plastic foam element impregnated with an electrolytically conductive medium attached to the end to be placed in the ear.

Abstract: A reclosable dispenser package of thin flexible thermoformed plastic material and method of manufacture is disclosed, the package including a base with peripheral edges and a cover thermoformed from a sheet of plastic which includes a cover wall with a dispensing opening therein defined by an inner margin, peripheral edges which are joined to the peripheral edges of the base so that the cover is closed upon and substantially covers the base, and a tubular lid integrally hinged to the cover at a hinge line forming a portion of the inner margin. The tubular lid includes an upper lid wall, a lower wall, and a forward surface. The cover wall further includes an arresting platform on which the tubular lid rests when in its closed position. The tubular lid pivots around the hinge line to open and close the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus, such as for the detection of infrared radiation, is formed of inner and outer cylindrical stainless steel vessels with the inner vessels supported from the top wall of the outer vessel by a thin, relatively long stainless steel tube. A heat transfer mounting member is attached to the bottom of the inner vessel and extends outwardly and then upwardly between and out of contact with the vessels to the position of a window opening within the outer vessel. A detector device is affixed in good thermal contact with the mounting member at the position of the window and thus is maintained substantially at the temperature of the bottom surface of the inner vessel. The surfaces of the inner and outer vessels may be highly polished to prevent heat transfer to the inner vessel by infrared radiation. The use of stainless steel for the outer vessel also allows utilization of a vacuum port window structure having a metal gasket to minimize potential gas infiltration.

Abstract: A reclosable display package of thin flexible thermoformed plastic material includes a rear base having a recess for containing any articles to be displayed, and substantially flat mating surface surrounding the recess and extending upwardly to a rear top edge, and two forwardly beveled rear base side flanges and one rear base bottom flange which extend rearwardly from three other edges of the flat mating surface to form a rear base skirt. Additionally, the display package includes a front cover which is integrally hinged along a hinge line to the non-beveled rear base bottom flange and is movable between open and closed positions, the front cover having a front plane which extends upwardly to a front top edge, two front cover side flanges which are forwardly beveled and one front cover bottom flange which extend rearwardly from three other edges of the front plane to form a front cover skirt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable diameter catheter which is folded in a longitudinal manner in order to reduce the diameter for convenient and less traumatic insertion into a body orifice. The fold in the catheter is maintained by a slidably removable external sheath which aids in insertion of the catheter and in dispersion of an anti-infective medication. Once the catheter is placed in the body orifice, the external sheath is removed. The present invention is also directed to the external sheath.

Abstract: Nitride layers are formed on semiconductor substrates utilizing alkali metals as catalysts. The surface of the semiconductor substrate first has a thin layer of an alkali metal deposited thereon and then is exposed to nitrogen from a nitrogen source at temperatures and pressures sufficient to grow a nitride layer, which will generally occur at lower temperatures than required for nitride formation by conventional processes. The surface is then annealed and the catalyst removed by heating at moderate temperatures, desorbing the catalyst and leaving a nitride layer on the surface of the substrate which is uncontaminated by the alkali metal catalyst. The process is particularly suited to the formation of nitride layers on silicon utilizing essentially a monolayer of the alkali metal such as sodium.

Abstract: A cursor control device (10) is provided which has a touch pad (14) formed of individual conductive plates (16) forming sectors of a circle. A user's touch on a dielectric layer (18) overlying the plates (16) is detected by individually charging and discharging each of the sector plates in a sequential manner to determine the increased capacitance, if any, of each sector plate. A microprocessor assigns each of the sector plates a relative X and Y weighting as a function of its angular position in the touch pad which are combined with the individual plate capacitance readings to calculate the relative X and Y position of the touch with respect to the origin (28) of the touch pad. Cursor control signals proportional to the relative X and Y values, plus a Z value proportional to the area of touch, if desired, are provided to the keyboard (12) of a displaying computer.

Abstract: A high efficiency power converter is achieved utilizing a resonant DC link between a DC source, such as a converter rectifying power from an AC power system, to a variable frequency voltage source inverter. A resonant circuit composed of an inductor and capacitor is connected to the DC power supply and to a DC bus supplying the inverter and is caused to oscillate stably at a high frequency to provide a uni-directional voltage across the DC bus which reaches zero volts during each cycle of oscillation of the resonant circuit. The switching devices of the inverter are controlled to switch on and off only at times when the DC bus voltage is zero, thereby eliminating switching losses in the inverter. The resonant circuit can be caused to oscillate utilizing pairs of switching devices in the inverter or a separate switching device across the capacitor, which again are caused to switch on and off only at times of zero voltage on the DC bus.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple and effective mechanisms, apparatus and self contained fluid circuitry to hydraulically actuate the vehicle's seat in generally downward movement in response to general upward movement of the vehicle's terrain contacting apparatus in relation to the vehicle's main body mass. The present invention also includes a simple device to remotely adjust and control the response movement of a hydraulic seat actuator. Also included in the invention is a means of controlling the actions of one or more hydraulic double acting piston pumps.