Abstract: A flow sensor comprising a pair of thin film heat sensors and a thin film heater is disclosed. A base supports the sensors and heater out of contact with the base with the sensors disposed on opposite sides of the heater. The heater is operated at a constant temperature above ambient temperature under both flow and no-flow conditions. Also disclosed is a flow sensor wherein a portion of the depression is devoid of a side wall.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body having a depression formed into the first surface of the body. The device further comprises member means comprising a thermal-to-electric or static electric element, the member means having a predetermined configuration suspended over the depression. The member means is connected to the first surface at least at one location, the depression opening to the first surface around at least a portion of the predetermined configuration. The depression provides substantial physical and thermal isolation between the element and the semiconductor body. In this manner, an integrated semiconductor device provides an environment of substantial physical and thermal isolation between the element and the semiconductor body.

Abstract: A liquid gaging system comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor providing a liquid measurement signal relating to a liquid depth at a particular location in a tank. The invention also comprises apparatus for selectively monitoring individual sensors one at a time. The apparatus for selectively monitoring is connected to the sensors.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a piezoelectric material formed in a geometry which provides a piezoelectric output signal when subjected to a pressure. The piezoelectric material also has a pyroelectric output signal. The present sensor further comprises conductive contacts having a geometry for enhancing the piezoelectric output signal and for substantially eliminating the pyroelectric output signal.

Abstract: A shield for limiting the radiation received by electromagnetic energy radiation detectors to the radiation provided to the detectors by the optics of an electromagnetic energy detection system. The shield comprises a member transparent to a predetermined spectrum of radiation. An opaque thin film is deposited on a surface of the member, the thin film having apertures defined therein, the detectors viewing the optics through the member and the apertures. The thin film shields the detectors from electromagnetic radiation generated outside the field of view of the optics, thereby improving the sensitivity of the detection system. Virtually any desired thickness for the member may be used, thus allowing very close placement of the shield to the detectors and permitting use of very high density arrays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reversible refrigeration system comprising a compressor, first and second heat exchangers, an expansion valve, three three-way valves, and apparatus for connecting the elements of the system so that the system will operate in a heating mode with the three-way valves adjusted for heating operation, in a cooling mode with the three three-way valves adjusted for cooling operation and in a defrost mode with the three three-way valves adjusted for defrost operation.

Abstract: A shield for limiting the radiation received by individual detectors within a detector array of an electromagnetic radiation detection system to the radiation provided to the detectors by the optics of the system. The shield comprises a member of etchable glass having apertures formed therein, the position of the aperture edges being in predetermined relation to the edges of the detectors for shielding the detectors from electromagnetic radiation generated outside the field of view of the optics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling the static pressure within a controlled space, the controlled space having a supply duct for providing air to the space and a return duct for exhausting air from the space. The system comprises apparatus for adjusting the amount of air being supplied to the controlled space. The system further comprises a minimum/maximum control having a single adjustment for controlling either the minimum flow rate or the maximum flow rate in both ducts simultaneously (a minimum/maximum control having a single adjustment for controlling the minimum flow rate in both ducts simultaneously and a single adjustment for controlling the maximum flow rate in both ducts simultaneously is also consistent with the present invention).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for thin film deposition comprising bombarding a target obliquely in a vacuum chamber with a linear ion gun. The linear ion gun generates an ion beam which impacts the target over an area having a width substantially greater than a height. Target material in the impacted area is sputtered. The sputtered target material is deposited onto a surface by translating the surface at a controlled rate through the sputtered material.

Abstract: An improved, compact optical system comprising a concave primary mirror and a convex secondary mirror. The primary mirror converges radiation to the secondary mirror. The secondary mirror comprises a lens having a first and a second surface. The second surface is coated with reflective material. The radiation received by the lens is refracted at the first surface, reflected back from the second surface, and then refracted once again by the first surface. The first and second surfaces have a shape for providing control of field curvature.

Abstract: The present invention is part of a liquid gaging system and comprises an apparatus for measuring and storing a value related to an unwetted capacitance of a capacitive sensor, the stored value being available for use in liquid measurements. Included is a capacitive sensor for mounting in a tank, the sensor having an unwetted capacitance variable in dependence on manufacturing tolerances. The sensor capacitance is also related to stray capacitance in the system. The invention further includes apparatus for measuring the sensor unwetted capacitance including the sensor capacitance contributed by the stray capacitance in the system. The apparatus for measuring is connected to the sensor. The invention also comprises apparatus for storing a value related to the sensor unwetted capacitance measured by the apparatus for measuring, the apparatus for storing being connected to the apparatus for measuring.

Abstract: A liquid gaging system comprising a sensor for providing a liquid measurement signal related to a liquid depth at a particular location in a tank. The system further comprises storage apparatus for storing data including characterization parameters, each parameter being based on tank shape and volume and on sensor location, each parameter defining a relationship between a liquid depth and a value related to a liquid quantity. The system also includes determining apparatus for determining a value related to a liquid quantity in the tank based on the liquid measurement signal and the data, the determining apparatus being connected to the sensor and to the storage apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is part of a liquid gaging system and comprises an apparatus for monitoring a quadrature signal from a capacitor sensor. Included is a capacitive sensor for providing a liquid measurement signal related to a liquid in a tank, the liquid measurement signal comprising a capacitive signal and a quadrature signal. The invention also includes apparatus for monitoring the quadrature signal through null detection of the capacitive signal, the null detection being implemented through a rebalance approximation sequence. The apparatus for monitoring is connected to the sensor.

Abstract: An optical system having a dual field of view. The system includes a wide-angle objective comprising a lens, a concave primary mirror, and a movable convex secondary mirror having a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the secondary mirror permits the wide-angle objective to focus radiation. When in the second position, the secondary mirror prevents radiation from being focused by the wide-angle objective. The combination of the secondary mirror when in the second position and the primary mirror comprise a narrow-angle objective with the primary mirror converging radiation to the secondary mirror and the secondary mirror focusing radiation. Thus, the optical system has a wide-angle field of view whenever the secondary mirror is in the first position and a narrow-angle field of view whenever the secondary mirror is in the second position.

Abstract: A characterized liquid gaging system sensor comprising sensor apparatus for determining a depth of liquid in a tank at a particular location in the tank. The sensor also includes storage apparatus for storing characterization parameters, each parameter being based on tank shape and volume and on the location of the sensor apparatus, each parameter defining a relationship between a liquid depth and a value related to a liquid quantity. The sensor apparatus and the storage apparatus are connected.

Abstract: An improved method of providing a semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate containing solid state signal processing circuitry. The solid state signal processing circuitry comprises doped regions of predetermined resistivity within the semiconductor substrate. A passivation layer covers a surface of the semiconductor substrate with electrical contacts to the solid state signal processing circuitry exposed through the passivation layer. The improvement comprises forming, on the electrical contacts, contact pads which have an upper surface devoid of a depressed center region. After the forming step, an adhering insulator material is deposited over the passivation layer, and a semiconductor wafer is mounted onto the substrate above the contact pads to form an assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is part of a liquid gaging system and comprises an apparatus for reducing error introduced by an incapacitated sensor. Included are a plurality of sensors, each sensor providing a liquid measurement signal relating to a liquid depth at a particular location in a tank. The invention also comprises apparatus for selectively monitoring the liquid measurement signal of each individual sensor, the apparatus for selectively monitoring being connected to the sensors. Also included is apparatus for identifying at least one sister sensor corresponding to each sensor. The invention further comprises apparatus for determining an estimated liquid depth corresponding to an incapacitated sensor by using the liquid measurement signal of at least one sister sensor corresponding to the incapacitated sensor. The apparatus for determining is connected to the apparatus for selectively measuring and the apparatus for identifying.

Abstract: A circuit comprising a signal generating circuit and an interrupt enable circuit. The signal generating circuit has an input connected to receive a trigger signal and an output for generating an output signal which includes a timing cycle of known duration. The signal generating circuit is responsive to the trigger signal for initiating the timing cycle. The interrupt enable circuit is connected to the signal generating circuit for interrupting the timing cycle in timed relation to an interrupt signal and for reinitiating the timing cycle in timed relation to a reset signal, the interrupt enable circuit being connected to receive the interrupt and reset signals. The output signal begins in timed relation to the start pulse and terminates in timed relation to the end of the timing cycle following interruption.

Abstract: A light emitting and light detecting semiconductor device having a light emitting zone and a light detecting zone adaptable for concurrently interfacing with an optical fiber.

Abstract: Circuitry for generating a virtually jitter free delay relative to a start pulse and for generating such delays over both integer and non-integer multiples of the time interval between timing pulses. The circuitry includes delay circuitry and signal generating circuitry. The delay circuitry is responsive to the start pulse and to the timing pulses for generating first and second signal edges. The second signal edge occurs later in time than the first signal edge, and both signal edges occur following the start pulse and in timed relation to the timing pulses. The signal generating circuitry is connected to the delay circuitry and has an output for generating an output signal which includes a timing cycle of known duration. The signal generating circuitry is responsive to the start pulse for initiating the timing cycle, the first signal edge for interrupting the timing cycle, and the second signal edge for reinitiating the timing cycle.