Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an abrasive grain from a hard-material alloy based on titanium carbide, with alloying contributions from the group of carbides, nitrides, and/or borides from the secondary groups IVb, Vb, and VIb of the periodic system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of cluster computing are described. The present invention provides a useful compromise between the manageability, power, and ease of use of centralized systems and the reliability, fault-tolerance, upgradability, and scalability of distributed systems. Moreover, the present invention provides fault-tolerance and security while adhering to real-time to respond constraints or bounds. The invention is described in preferred embodiment examples in the context of two clustered applications: a telecommunication switch-controller and a Web servers, although many practical applications will benefit from the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for color blending an agglomerating flowable material from a differently colored individual batches, to mold a mottled heterogeneous product with material from at least two batches so that mottled products (i.e. with irregular arrangement of spots or confluent blotches of color) are produced from a relatively dry concrete mixture (zero slump concrete), which agglomerates into clumps that tumble randomly from individual hoppers containing individually colored concrete batches. By controlling positioning of a filling tray relative to a hopper outlet, the time sequencing and quantity of material released from each hopper outlet, it is possible to fill the filling tray in a large number of seemingly random mottled patterns where clumps of each of the individual colors remain visible in the molded product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for smoothing the transition in rolling element/cam type nested speed converters and as motorized in a compact pancake package. More specifically, the apparatus for translating motion from a first to a second velocity includes drive devices made up of a conjugate pair of devices and a motion translating device mounted about a common axis. The pair of conjugate devices includes a first cam and a second cam. Each of the cams has at least one flank, the flank having a main drive segment formed according to a first function and at least one transition segment formed according to a second function. In one embodiment, the motion translating device, which is radially nested in between the two cams, has a plurality of radially extending slots, each slot containing one of a plurality of elements. The element is capable of traveling radially within its respective slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting the nature of an ion beam during processing of the surface of a solid workpiece so as to improve the reduction of surface roughness (smoothing) by using a GCIB. In addition, the invention provides for surface smoothing in combination with etching to predetermined depths and surface contamination removal. Advantages are minimum required processing time, minimum remaining roughness of the final surface, and reduction in the amount of material that must be removed in order to attain a desired level of smoothness.

Abstract: Fabrication of metal medical instruments and devices from a shape memory alloy which provides greater flexibility in design and avoids the need for substantial cold working of the alloy which is required in other methods. The new process provides a ductile alloy for ease of forming and a unique heat treatment which renders the fabricated orthodontic and medical components highly elastic, with a high resistance to kinking and with good corrosion resistance. In addition, this new process produces orthodontic and medical components useful over the temperature range of from −20 to +40 degrees C.

Abstract: A shield in combination with a plurality of high-brightness light sources used for riot, capture or other control of individuals. The light array utilizes a plurality of high-brightness light sources to provide a broad-area, high-intensity light for visual countermeasures. By providing a sudden burst of very bright light to surprise a subject and cause the subject to look away or close his or her eyes, the overseer, such as a police officer, can cause sufficient distraction to effectively capture or control the subject without harm.

Abstract: A light assembly including a central axis along which a light source is intended to be located. A ring lens at least partially surrounds the central axis, the lens having a central projection along a projection axis for projecting the light passing through the lens along the projection axis. The central projection and projection axis are at an angle with respect to the central axis and the angle is not a right angle. The ring lens has a conical entry face which is at an angle with said central axis. Another embodiment of the light assembly includes a central axis on which a light source is located and a ring lens at least partially surrounding the central axis. The lens is constructed and arranged to provide collimated light horizontally about a plane which is at a right angle to the central axis, and non-collimated light vertically and in directions which are perpendicular to tangents at the exit points of the rays from the lens.

Abstract: Refractory metal articles having hither than normal impurity levels of concentrations of additive species near the surface that promote chemically enhanced sintering without any adverse effect on function properties, including, among others, tantalum or niobium lead wires that form assemblies useful as electrolytic capacitor anodes and the like, as made by surface oxidation of the wire, embedding a wire end in a loose mass of the powder and sintering to producing assemblies of enhanced structural integrity and affording stable electrical characteristics of electrical devices including such assemblies.

Abstract: An étendue efficient angle conversion system that operates in a quasi-imaging mode. This system is capable of generating angular and spatial axial asymmetric output beams and is also capable of incorporating therein optional color reformatting capabilities. With the aid of anamorphic beam transformers such asymmetric beams can further be reformatted to spatially and angularily match particular illumination needs of a target. This system can further be applied to the design of fiber optic illumination systems and projection display systems and can further be combined with delivery efficiency maximization concepts. In addition, delivery efficiency improvements of light engines can be obtained with the use of optimized lamp, reflector, integrators, anamorphic beam transformers, coupling optics, etc.

Abstract: A light assembly includes a radial beam projector for being positioned in the vicinity of a ceiling of a room and spaced from at least some of the walls thereof. There may be at least two reflectors or refractors on or adjacent to the walls or ceiling of the room, each for receiving a separate light beam from the projector in at least two spaced locations and reflecting or refracting light into desired patterns to provide light for such room. The radial beam projector may project at least two light beams, one toward each reflector or refractor. There is also a light assembly which includes a circular reflector or refractor element on or adjacent to the walls or ceiling of such room for receiving a radial light beam from the projector and reflecting or refracting light into desired patterns to provide light for such room.

Abstract: A gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) etching apparatus having a system for producing a gas cluster ion beam utilized to controllably etch a substrate. The gas cluster ion beam is initially directed along a preselected longitudinal axis. A portion of the GCIB etching apparatus is operably connected to the beam producing system and contains the substrate to be etched when impacted by said gas cluster ion beam. The portion of the GCIB etching apparatus includes a system for directing the gas cluster ion beam in a direction offset from the preselected longitudinal axis while permitting unwanted ionizing radiation to remain directed along the longitudinal axis. A substrtate holder is located within a portion of the GCIB etching apparatus for positioning the substrate in line with the offset gas cluster ion beam during the etching process, and the unwanted ionizing radiation being substantially prevented from impinging upon the substrate during the etching process.

Abstract: A composite wiring structure (10) for use with at least one semiconductor device (16). The composite wiring structure having a first conductive member (12) upon which the semiconductor device can be mounted for electrical connection thereto. A dielectric member (20), made of ceramic or organo-ceramic composite material, is bonded to the first conductive member (12) and contains embedded therein a conductive network (24) and a thermal distribution network (26). A second conductive member (32) may be incorporated with the composite wiring structure, with a capacitor (64) being electrically connected between the conductive network (24) and the second conductive member (32). Bonding between the dielectric member and the conductive members may be in the form of a direct covalent bond formed at a temperature insufficient to adversely effect the structural integrity of the conductive network and the thermal distribution network.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, multi-function tool of compact design made up of a plurality of components having levels thereon which interact together to provide a single tool which can perform a number of various functions or purposes within the design or construction industry. The tool having a support of predetermined thickness and being of a substantially triangular-shaped configuration defining a pair of legs and a hypotenuse. An edge member is situated on one of the legs of said support structure, the edge member being of a predetermined thickness greater than the predetermined thickness of the support structure for supporting the support structure on a surface. A rotatable member is pivotally mounted on the support structure for selective rotational movement with respect thereto and a curved extension protruding from the rotatable member having degree and rise markings thereon.

Abstract: A device for lighting arrangements for a ceiling, includes means providing a light beam above a ceiling, reflector means for intercepting and reflecting light beams and located above the ceiling, means for mounting the reflector means for movement around two orthogonal axes and located above the ceiling, and remote movement means located above the ceiling for moving the reflector means selectively about the two orthogonal axes from a remote location to reflect the light beam to a location below the ceiling. The remote movement means has a control handle located below the ceiling. An arrangement can be provided so that there are a plurality of reflector means aligned to receive the light beam, and all but the last reflector means is a beam splitter.

Abstract: Robust nested speed converter and bearing apparatus providing speed conversion function and bearing support function in a compact package for a range of applications.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a process which determines a location of a product in three dimensional space with respect to a process monitoring system. This is accomplished by generating a rotation and translation transform which enables the process monitoring system to define the location of the product placed in a field of view of the process monitoring system, applying the transform to three dimensional CAD data defining the process being performed with respect to the product to provide transformed CAD data representative of three dimensional information in a two dimensional pattern of the process with respect to the process monitoring system. Utilizing the above, a determination is made whether the two dimensional pattern of the process is present within a range of acceptable images of the process performed with respect to the product. If the product is processed properly the two dimensional pattern of the process is present within the range of acceptable images.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a moulded microcrystalline spherical Al2O3- sintered body, process for its production as well as use.