Abstract: An EUV source (82) that delivers a laser beam (94, 96) asymmetrical relative to first collection optics (88). The first collection optics (88) has an opening (90, 92) for the laser beam (94, 96) that is positioned so that the laser beam (94, 96) is directed towards the plasma off-axis relative to the collection optics (88). Thus, the strongest EUV radiation (98, 100) is not blocked by the target production hardware (84).

Abstract: A receiver (10) for a wireless telecommunications system that provides relatively wideband signal processing of received signals without increased signal distortion so that multiple received signals can be simultaneously processed. The receiver (10) includes a specialized LNA (16), frequency down-converter (18) and ADC (20) to perform the wideband signal processing while maintaining receiver performance. The frequency down-converter (18) employs a suitable mixer (28), BPA (32), attenuator (34), and transformer (36) that are tuned to provide the desired frequency down-conversion and amplitude control over the desired wideband. The down-converter devices are selected depending on the particular performance criteria of the ADC (20). A specialized digital channelizer (22) is included in the receiver (10) that receives the digital signal from the ADC (20), and separates the signals into the multiple channels.

Abstract: A distributed demand assigned multiple access control scheme for use in connection with a processing satellite communications system, where multiple users are assigned to a common transmission resource as part of a sharing set. The control scheme of the invention makes use of a reservation procedure by transmitting set addressed reservation messages in a contentious control flow to reserve data transfer time in a non-contentious main flow. Each user of the sharing set is synchronized to the next available uplink time slot available to transmit data in the main flow. If a transmitted reservation message is returned in the satellite downlink, the terminal knows that all of the users of the set received the message. That reserved time interval in the main flow Is now owned by that user, and each user in the shared set updates its next available uplink time slot based on the reserved time.

Abstract: A table top band saw that is almost entirely assembled of molded plastic components to provide for ease of manufacture and assembly. The band saw includes a plastic housing enclosing a pair of opposed plastic wheels that are configured to allow for rotation of an endless saw blade. A plastic work table is secured to the housing such that the saw blade travels through the table and provides a location for supporting and sawing a work piece. A stabilizer and coolant feed device is positioned above the table, and allows a cooling fluid to flow onto the blade without dripping.

Abstract: A processing engine (10) that generates sum of products (SOP) values for incoming data. The processing engine (10) includes a calculation module (30) for generating intermediate and SOP values based on the incoming data and coefficient values, wherein the intermediate values are defined by product values and partial presum values. A feedback module (50) stores the intermediate values until the calculation module (30) generates SOP values. The processing engine (10) further includes a reordering module (70) for reordering the SOP values. The feedback module (50) includes a switching mechanism (52) for retrieving intermediate values from the calculation module (30) until the calculation module (30) generates SOP values. Thus, a feedback RAM (53) can store the intermediate values without the need for buffering RAM at the input stage.

Abstract: A satellite communications system (10) that employs an array of separate and easily deployable antennas (12) for transmission and reception purposes to accommodate high data rate transmissions. The antennas (12) can be deployed randomly at a communications site and are physically separated. Each antenna (12) transmits and receives the same information. A coded signal is used to identify the transmission from each antenna (12) for calibration purposes to align the bits transmitted by each antenna (12) and provide carrier frequency phase matching. The coded signals are used to compare the phase and timing relationship between each antenna signal and a reference antenna signal when the separate antennas receive all of the coded signals. Correction computations are performed and specialized phase and data alignment systems (24, 32) are employed to delay and adjust the phases of the various transmitted signals relative to the reference antenna (12) to provide the desired alignment.

Abstract: A parallel punctured convolutional encoder (44) that provides convolutional coding of a stream of digital data bits in a parallel manner for high frequency transmission. The parallel convolutional encoder (44) includes a plurality of one-bit delay devices (46-56) and four XOR gates (78-84). Three consecutive bits are applied to the convolutional encoder (44) in a parallel manner and four polynomial expressions are provided from the XOR gates 78-84 in a parallel manner at each clock cycle, where certain values in the polynomial expressions are provided and certain values are not provided to conform with a particular puncture scheme of a desirable convolutional rate. In an altnerate embodiment, a concatenated Reed-Solomon TCM QAM encoder is provided that operates on parallel lines of digital data for high frequency communications systems.

Abstract: A system for the thermal imaging of sonically or ultrasonically excited subsurface defects in a structure. The system includes a hand-held sound source, a thermal imaging camera and a control unit. The sound source emits pulses of sound energy into the structure, and the camera generates images of defects in the structure that are heated by the sound energy. The control unit controls the operation of the sound source on the camera for timing purposes. The sound source includes a transducer that is positioned against the structure at a desirable location. The source further includes a pair of legs that are also positioned against the structure to define a plane in combination with the transducer. The length of each leg is adjustable relative to the length of the transducer so that the gun can be used against irregular surfaces. The legs include a rubber tip to further prevent the transducer from slipping on the structure.

Abstract: An integrated planar antenna including a metalized ground plane printed on a dielectric slab. One or more slot antenna elements are etched into the metalized layer, and resonate at a particular resonant frequency band. A plurality of voids extend through the slab and act to vary the dielectric constant of the slab so that resonant waves are suppressed in the slab, thus reducing power loss in the antenna. The voids can be selectively localized in the slab to provide various functions, such as impedance matching and reduction of antenna element coupling. The voids can take on any shape and configuration in accordance with a particular antenna design scheme so as to optimize the effective dielectric constant for a particular application. In one particular design, the voids are formed in a random manner completely through slab, and the voids have an opening diameter less than {fraction (1/20)}th of the operational wavelength of the antenna.

Abstract: A removable grip for a five-gallon bucket that includes a prying tool for removing a lid of the bucket. The grip includes an elongated body in which a channel is formed. The channel includes a centrally disposed widened portion that is configured to accept an existing grip formed on a bail of the bucket handle. The channel also includes narrow portions at each end of the widened portion that accept the bail. Flexible tabs within each narrow portion lock the grip onto the bail. The prying tool includes a flat end and a hooked end. The flat end can be used to pry open the lid of a paint bucket and can be a screwdriver end. The hooked end can be used to pry up the tangs of the lid of the five-gallon bucket to remove the lid.

Abstract: An omni-directional printed antenna that includes at least two wound slot antenna elements. The spacing between the elements, the lengths of the elements and the feed location of the elements are selected to provide a desirable electromagnetic coupling between the elements that causes the narrow bandwidth of the individual elements to combine into a wide bandwidth while providing an omni-directional radiation pattern. Winding the elements together in this manner also allows different antennas for different frequency bands to be combined as a single antenna in a small space. Further, the printed antenna can be patterned on a copper tape to create a sticker type antenna that can be readily mounted on different surfaces.

Abstract: A table top band saw that is almost entirely assembled of molded plastic components to provide for ease of manufacture and assembly. The band saw includes a plastic housing enclosing a pair of opposed plastic wheels that are configured to allow for rotation of an endless saw blade. A plastic work table is secured to the housing such that the saw blade travels through the table and provides a location for supporting and sawing a work piece. An extended blade guide including a metal insert, is secured to the table to provide stabilization of the blade at the location where the work piece is being cut. A stabilizer and water feed device is positioned above the table, and allows a cooling fluid to flow onto the blade without dripping. A single piece plastic blade tensioning device is secured to posts extending from the housing adjacent to a top wheel. The blade tensioning device includes a shaft on which the top wheel is rotatably secured.

Abstract: A piezoresistive pressure sensor that makes use of n-type boron nitride as the piezoresistive material. The boron nitride enables the sensor to provide suitable performance in hostile environments. The sensor includes a titanium substrate covered with a diamond insulator layer. An n-type boron nitride piezoresistive element is deposited on the diamond layer, and is electrically connected to electrical contacts. The electrical contacts are electrically connected to a resistive measurement system for determining the resistance of the piezoresistive element. In an alternate embodiment, the boron nitride piezoresistive material is used in a micobolometer for a focal plane array.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks in a tooth. An ultrasonic dental cleaning tool is used to transmit ultrasonic energy through a jet of water to the tooth that causes cracks in the tooth to heat up. A thermal camera is used to detect the thermal radiation emitted by the heated cracks. The ultrasonic energy is in the form of a pulse where the frequency of the ultrasonic signal is substantially constant within the pulse. The control unit is employed to provide timing and control of the operation of the dental cleaning tool and the camera.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks and defects in a component. An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) is coupled to the component, and introduces pulsed sound signals therein. The sound signals cause the defects to heat up. The IR radiation from the heated pulses is detected by a thermal camera. The amplitude of the pulsed signals are substantially constant, and the frequency of the pulsed signal can be changed within each pulse. A control unit is employed to provide timing and control for the operation of the EMAT and the camera.

Abstract: An advertising display device usable for the collection and temporary retention of waste is defined by a hollow container having a movable front panel for accessing the interior. A frame in the interior provides for the emplacement of at least two trash bags to enable separable depositing of different sorts of waste thereinto to increase ease of recycling. At least one transparent layer mounted to the front panel cooperates therewith to define a pocket therebetween for removable emplacement of advertising media therewithin. The device is attachable to a post or other stanchion. In an alternate embodiment, the device is unitary in construction, a hinged top wall provides access to the interior, and multiple removable canisters in the interior enable separable depositing of different sorts of waste thereinto to increase ease of recycling. In the alternate embodiment, at least one divider may be used to separate the interior into multiple compartments.

Abstract: A gear reduction system is provided including two-stage gear reducers that may be converted to three-stage gear reducers by addition of a modular input stage. The modular input stage converts the input stage of the two-stage reducers to an intermediate stage of the three-stage reducers. Gearing, preferably including both drive pinions and driven gears, of the input stages of the two-stage reducers are used in the intermediate stages of the three-stage reducers, thereby reducing the overall number of parts needed for a family or series of reducers. Gearing is also common between input (and intermediate) stages of smaller gear reducers and modular input stages used with larger gear reducers, further reducing the number of different parts. The two-stage reducers and modular input stages of the three-stage reducers are preferably driven by modular transmission adapters that support the drive pinions of the input stages.

Abstract: An X-Y positioning machine has a forcer, with armature coils, that moves around on a platen, supported by an air bearing. Magnets embedded in the motor platen generate a fixed magnetic field with which the armature coils interact. Perpendicular elongated coils interact with the fields of magnets in columns and rows. When a traditional rectangular pattern of the magnets is provided, a packing density and average peak magnetic flux intercepted by the coils are limited to 50%. The present invention provides magnet configurations that provide greater than 50% maximum peak flux density and up to 100% packing density. Several magnet arrangements are provided: a first in which round magnets are used instead of square, and a second in which diamond shaped magnets are used. The latter can be used at 100% packing density arrangement. In addition to high peak flux density for a narrow coil, these embodiments exhibit low cogging forces. A method of making the magnet is also provided.

Abstract: A redundant controller employs two controller chassis having replaceable functional modules interconnected electrically within the chassis. System back up modules in the chassis coordinate the switching of control from a primary to a secondary chassis according to chassis redundancy state information of the chassis stored in the backup modules and module redundancy state information stored in the modules unique to the modules.