Abstract: A silicon semiconductor die comprises a heavily doped silicon substrate and an upper layer comprising doped silicon of a first conduction type disposed on the substrate. The upper layer comprises a well region of a second, opposite conduction type adjacent an edge termination zone that comprises a layer of a material having a higher critical electric field than silicon. Both the well region and adjacent edge termination zone are disposed at an upper surface of the upper layer, and an oxide layer overlies the upper layer and the edge termination zone. A process for forming a silicon die having improved edge termination. The process comprises forming an upper layer comprising doped silicon of a first conduction type on a heavily doped silicon substrate, and forming an edge termination zone that comprises a layer of a material having a higher critical electric field than silicon at an upper surface of the upper layer.

Abstract: In a bus driver circuit having a floating gate circuit for controlling voltage on the gate of the output driver and a floating well circuit for controlling voltage on the body of the output driver, the improvement comprising a well pull up circuit coupled to the output driver for applying supply voltage to the body during transmission and for applying the output of the floating gate circuit to the body during quiescence.

Abstract: A sprayer assembly for dispensing a fluid having suspended therein particulate matter of a particulate size includes a reservoir. The fluid to be sprayed is contained in the interior of the reservoir. The reservoir includes a first opening for receiving the fluid and a second opening for dispensing the fluid. A pump is received in the first opening and includes a pump handle disposed exterior to the reservoir and a pump mechanism disposed in the reservoir interior. The pump is operable to increase the pressure in the reservoir interior. A discharge tube has an outlet end fluidly connected to the reservoir second opening and an intake end disposed in the reservoir interior. A filter having a plurality of filter passages is disposed within the reservoir interior and is associated with the intake end of the discharge tube. The filter prevents particles larger than the particulate size from passing into the discharge tube.

Abstract: In an improved process for controlling and improving minority carrier lifetime in a P-i-N diode, platinum is deposited on a surface of a silicon semiconductor substrate containing at least one PN junction. The substrate is heated to a temperature of about 800° C., and the platinum is diffused into the substrate as its temperature is increased at a rate of about 5° C./minute to a first selected temperature of about 850-950° C. Platinum diffusion is continued while the substrate is maintained at the first selected temperature for about 30-60 minutes. The substrate temperature is then increased at a rate of about 5° C./minute to a second selected temperature above 950° C. to about 1000° C., and the substrate is maintained at the second selected temperature for about 5-30 minutes before cooling.

Abstract: A speaker 20 has a cavity 28 that has dynamic pressure actively controlled by a pressure control device 42. The control circuit 40 may be analog or digital, open loop, closed loop, or a hybrid open closed loop design. In the closed loop and hybrid versions one or more sensors generate signals for a control circuit 40. In the open loop version predetermined signals independent of cavity pressures drive device 42 and sensors are not used. The pressure control device can alter changes in the dynamic pressure in the cavity 28 to reduce distortion of the sound transducer T1; or produce a multitude of effects on the output of T1 such as maximums and minimums over arbitrary bands, a flat response, simulated passive cavity effects, or other effects not possible with passive cavity designs. The cavity is actively driven to produce arbitrary cavity waves or pressure effects. In this way any arbitrary passive cavity design may be simulated.

Abstract: The modular wall includes a sheet pile wall 12 with support brackets 20 that provide cantilever support to a facade of interlocking rows of blocks 30-34. The support member 20 includes vertical members that extend from the top of the sheet piling part way down the length of the sheet piling. Base members 24 extend firm the vertical members and are supported by angled braces 22. Horizontally extending key members rest on the base members and are affixed thereto. The key members provide a key for connecting to a slot of a first row of modular blocks. The modular blocks are stabilized by geogrid 28 that is captured in the key and slot interconnection of the modular blocks and is affixed to the sheet piling 12 or embedded in concrete fill.

Abstract: An improved trench MOS-gated device comprises a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate on which is disposed a doped upper layer. The upper layer includes at an upper surface a plurality of heavily doped body regions having a first polarity and overlying a drain region. The upper layer further includes at its upper surface a plurality of heavily doped source regions having a second polarity opposite that of the body regions A gate trench extends from the upper surface of the upper layer to the drain region and separates one source region from another. The trench has a floor and sidewalls comprising a layer of dielectric material and contains a conductive gate material filled to a selected level and an isolation layer of dielectric material that overlies the gate material and substantially fills the trench. The upper surface of the overlying layer of dielectric material in the trench is thus substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the upper layer.

Abstract: A bus driver circuit has floating gate circuits with three transistors. Two of the transistors for an inverter for operating the output power transistor. The third transistor is connected to receive control signals from well pull circuits. The control signal keeps the third transistor off when the bus driver circuit is not enabled.

Abstract: A low temperature coefficient resistor (TCRL) has some unrepaired ion implant damage. The damaged portion raises the resistance and renders the resistor less sensitive to operating temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: A hose coupling apparatus for removably coupling a hose to a discharge opening of a spray unit includes an elongate hose retainer having a plug end and a stem end. The hose retainer defines a longitudinal fluid passageway extending therethrough from the plug end to the stem end. The plug end is configured for being received within the discharge opening of the spray unit. The stem end is configured for being coupled to the hose. At least one locking tab is disposed intermediate the plug end and the stem end. Each of the at least one locking tab is configured for being disposed within a corresponding slot defined by a neck which surrounds the discharge opening of the spray unit, thereby precluding rotation of the hose retainer relative to the neck. A hose nut defines a hose bore therethrough. The hose bore is configured for receiving the hose such that the hose nut is slidable over the hose.

Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X,Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8.

Abstract: An integrated circuit has an isolation structure in the form of a double diode moat. The P substrate has P+ buried layers 8601 and 8602 on opposite sides of N+ buried layer 8605. Analog devices are formed behind one diode moat, digital CMOS devices are formed behind the other moat.

Abstract: An adjustable inclined shelving system includes a rigid tubular horizontal base supporting an adjustable, articulated frame removably connected to the frame without the need for tools. The articulated frame includes front and rear legs. The front legs proximal to a customer are shorter than the rear legs distal from the customer. The articulated frame further includes a shelf support frame extending at an angle of incline between and removably attached to the front and rear legs for supporting a plurality of shelves. The legs are pivoted on the horizontal frame to change the system from a collapsed configuration, as for shipping or storage, to an erect configuration for display, and return. The system is afforded structural rigidity by removable diagonal braces extending between the legs and the horizontal frame. The front legs are pivoted from vertical to horizontal by unpinning of the braces to lower the shelving from an upright configuration to a kneeling configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides a pair of parallel megasonic transducers that generate parallel columns of megasonic waves across a cleaning container. Semiconductor wafers move back and forth transverse to the columns. The transducers have their back side potted with a silicone elastomer to prevent corrosion. In another embodiment megasonic waves from in-line transducers are dispersed with a cylindrical quartz rod. Water is enriched with ozone by pumping ozone under pressure through a filter into sealed housing of deionized water.

Abstract: A user interface control apparatus is disclosed for the control of electronic filter parameters of audio spectrum equalizers, crossovers, and other filter processors. The user interface apparatus comprises five pushbutton keys arranged in a specific cross-shaped pattern. This single arrangement of control keys provides a common user interface control apparatus which can be used to control one or more filter types. Depression of particular keys, or particular combinations of keys can be made to electronically control multiple filter parameters, some simultaneously, and for different filter types depending on the filter type for which the invention is applied. The unique arrangement of the invention's pushbutton keys facilitates an intuitive operation of the various parameters for bell, notch, shelf, and pass-band audio filter types with a minimal number of control elements and minimal control area.

Abstract: An output stage for a class D amplifier reduces distortion and EMI, and greatly improves the efficiency. The output stage employs a combination of techniques including a soft switching network, multiple output inductors and beads to achieve, a high power full range class D amplifier that is complies with all FCC and CE specifications with greater than 90% efficiency at ⅓ power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional shape of an artery comprising the step of obtaining at least one angiographic X-ray image of an artery cross section, so that there are lines that define the walls of the artery which have data representing X-ray intensity that can be used to determine artery thickness; gathering the data and inputting that data into a computer; using the data to create a three-dimensional image of the artery.

Abstract: The frequency spectrum of variable frequency class D modulator interferes with RF signals in the AM bandwidth. Here several techniques solve the problem including an amplifier that synchronizes an external clock input the summing node of the integrator, an amplifier that gates an external clock to the modulator using a transmission gate that responds to the AM frequency, and an amplifier that adjusts its own hysteresis to provide a clock that does not interfere with AM input signals.