Abstract: A laser transmitter is provided including a specialized compensator assembly damping mechanism. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compensator assembly position detector is arranged to detect a position X1 of the compensator assembly with respect to the X-axis, and a position Y1 of the compensator assembly with respect to the Y-axis. The compensator assembly damping mechanism includes an X-axis magnetic damping mechanism, a Y-axis magnetic damping mechanism, and a rotational damping mechanism. The active feedback circuit is arranged to (i) drive the X-axis magnetic damping mechanism so as to increase a damping force generated by the X-axis magnetic damping mechanism as a rate of change of the signal indicative of the position x1 increases, and (ii) drive the Y-axis magnetic damping mechanism so as to increase a damping force generated by the Y-axis magnetic damping mechanism as a rate of change of the signal indicative of the position y1 increases.

Abstract: Complementary roof tiles for a staggered roof tile layout are provided by: (i) extruding and conveying a composite ribbon; (ii) demarcating the composite ribbon into an alternating succession of a first roof tile type and a second roof tile type by engaging the composite ribbon with an upstream cutting blade and a downstream cutting blade, such that each roof tile type is demarcated at an upstream tile edge by one of the cutting blades and at a downstream tile edge by the other of the cutting blades, and such that a selected one of the roof tile types includes a pair of cut-out portions demarcated along one of the upstream and downstream tile edges on opposite ones of the ribbon side edges; (iii) separating the succession of demarcated roof tile types into distinct roof tiles; and (v) curing the distinct roof tiles to form a set of cured roof tiles.

Abstract: A homogeneous electrode of reactive metal alloy comprises an ingot with an axially disposed core made from one induction melted heat of the reactive metal alloy and having a diameter “d” and a length “L” and a body having an outer diameter at least 2 times “d” and a length “L”. The ingot body is disposed about the core, and comprises a plurality of induction melted heats of the reactive metal alloy to provide an electrode of the required size. The electrode also includes features for receiving electrical current for arc remelting of the reactive metal alloy to produce a large homogeneous ingot. Remelting may be conducted under vacuum or controlled atmosphere conditions, as required.

Abstract: A combination release coating and barrier coating for use on linerless thermal labels is provided in which the release coating includes an epoxy-silicone copolymer, a release modifier, and a cationic photoinitiator. The release coating provides an improved surface for direct thermal printing and good release properties from pressure sensitive adhesives. The barrier coating is preferably provided on the first and second surfaces of the label substrate to provide moisture and abrasion resistance to the substrate and to prevent adhesive failure.

Abstract: A reclinable ambulance cot used to load a patient into the back of an ambulance is provided. The cot includes a wheeled collapsible undercarriage carrying an articulated bed frame comprised of a leg segment, seat segment, and wheeled back segment. The articulated bed frame may be moved between an inclined, fully-reclined position, a chair position, and a plurality of positions therebetween. A lockable biasing device assists in the transition by urging the bed frame segments from the chair position to the fully-reclined position. The back segment further includes a pair of loading wheels at the ends of side extensions such that when the cot is in the inclined, fully-reclined position the loading wheels are at height sufficient to facilitate loading the reclined cot into the back of an ambulance, and in particular, into the back of an ambulance having a high transport deck.

Abstract: An improved plug valve assembly having polymerically encapsulated seats and a machined inner surface is provided. The valve assembly comprises a valve body having an internal chamber, a plug disposed within the internal chamber and seat members supporting and sealing the plug. The seat members comprise a support frame which is completely encapsulated in a polymeric material. The process for encapsulating the seats includes providing a mold having, among other features, pins which position the support frame to provide for even application of the polymeric material to the support frame.

Abstract: An improved photolithography technique is provided whereby the beneficial effects of using an anti-reflective coating may be realized while maintaining critical dimensions in each subsequent step. This improvement is realized by the treatment of the anti-reflective coating with a gaseous plasma or a solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. By treating the anti-reflective coating with gaseous plasma or solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, no “footing” results and the critical dimensions as set by the photoresist mask are preserved to provide an accurately patterned mask for subsequent steps.

Abstract: Spatial positioning method and device are disclosed using at least one stationary station means positioned stationary in a field to be measured and providing referent site(s) in an area to be set-out or staked-out, and a portable position sensor means having at least two sensor elements, the position of each sensor element being indicated by a co-operation between the sensor element and said at least one stationary station means. In order to make said spatial positioning system able to measure to measuring points inaccessible for direct measurement a distance meter is provided in the portable position sensor means able to emit a visible beam. The visible beam is directed towards an inaccessible point to be measured at least during an alignment operation towards said point. The sensor elements are provided in the position sensor means in predetermined positions in relation to each other and to said distance meter.

Abstract: A memory cell is defined along first, second, and third orthogonal dimensions and comprises an electrically conductive word line, an electrically conductive bit line, an electrical charge storage structure, a transistor structure, and a bit line contact. The charge storage structure is conductively coupled to the bit line via the transistor structure and the bit line contact. The transistor structure is conductively coupled to the word line. The first dimension is characterized by one-half of a bit line contact feature, one word line feature, one word line space feature, and one-half of a field poly line feature. The second dimension is characterized by two one-half field oxide features and one active area feature. The first and second dimensions define a 6F2 memory cell. The bit line contact feature is characterized by a contact hole bounded by insulating side walls.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for in-line folding and affixing a label to an article, the label having a fold line thereacross defining a foldable portion and a cover portion of the label. The apparatus comprises a transfer grid having one or more rollers to convey the label from a first end of the transfer grid to a second end of the transfer grid. An opening is defined between two of the rollers intermediate the first and second ends of the transfer grid. The transfer grid conveys the label in a substantially unfolded orientation from the first end of the transfer grid to the opening of the transfer grid such that the foldable portion of the label is projective through the opening. A folding station is adjacent the opening and receives the foldable portion of the label, urging a projecting portion of the foldable portion over the cover portion to define a substantially folded-over orientation of the label.

Abstract: Rigid-rod monomers and polymers are provided for use in applications such as rapid prototyping, composites and adhesives. The monomers can be photocured through the end groups and then thermally post cured through the acetylene groups. The result is a highly crosslinked polymer having an effective glass transition temperature well above 200° C.

Abstract: A coating for a retroreflective document is provided which renders the surface of the document receptive to toners and inks printed thereon while not substantially interfering with the retroreflective properties of the underlying substrate. Methods for fabricating the document are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated die cast system is provided comprising a die casting machine, a servo-controlled ladle, a servo-controlled sprayer, a pick and place robot, an integrated controller, and a programming pendant. The die casting machine includes a die casting machine controller. The servo-controlled ladle includes a molten material ladle and a servo-motor arranged to cause the ladle to transfer molten material to an injection chamber of the die casting machine. The servo-controlled sprayer includes a sprayer assembly and a servo-motor arranged to orient the sprayer assembly proximate a die cavity of the die casting machine. The pick and place robot is arranged to access a die cavity of the die casting machine. The integrated controller is in communication with the die-casting machine controller, the servo-controlled ladle, the servo-controlled sprayer, and the pick and place robot.

Abstract: An SRAM memory cell is provided having a pair of cross-coupled CMOS inverters. The sources of the pull-up transistors forming each of the CMOS inverters are coupled to VCC through parasitic resistance of the substrate in which each is formed. The source of the p-type pull-up transistor is therefore always at a potential less than or equal to the potential of the N-well such that the emitter-base junction of the parasitic PNP transistor cannot become forward biased and latch-up cannot occur.

Abstract: A baled crop material processor for disintegrating baled crop material comprising a container, a disintegrator, a discharge opening and means for manipulating the crop material for disintegration by the disintegrator. The container, receives and contains the crop material. The disintegrator comprises a flail roller that is mounted within the container and has a number of flails pivotally mounted about it. The flail roller rotates about its own longitudinal axis in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The discharge opening is at the bottom of one of the side walls to discharge the disintegrated crop material either to the left or to the right of the processor and in a bidirectional processor, the operator may alternate between sides. The manipulation means comprises manipulator rollers having paddles positioned at an angle to the length of the roller to rotate the crop material without substantially breaking the crop material apart.

Abstract: An improved scheme for shipping and handling Smart Cards and Smart Card readers is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a business form is provided including a mounting ply defining a mounting surface and a card reader defining an upper reader panel and a lower reader panel. The upper reader panel is coupled to the lower reader panel via a reader hinge. The reader hinge is arranged to enable the upper reader panel to pivot relative to the lower reader panel from an open reader position to a closed reader position. The open reader position is characterized by separation of the upper reader panel from the lower reader panel by an angle of approximately 180° about a pivotal axis defined by the reader hinge. The card reader is removably secured to the mounting surface of the mounting ply in the open reader position. The card reader is preferably removably secured to the mounting surface with an adhesive.

Abstract: A honeycomb ceramic fuel cell is provided including, among other things, (i) an yttria stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic with zirconia incorporated therein, (ii) a niobia stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic, (iii) a copper cermet anode electrode disposed in the fuel supply passage of a bismuth oxide ceramic fuel cell, or (iv) specially arranged inter-passage channels formed in the ceramic body of the fuel cell. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ceramic fuel cell is provided comprising an oxidant supply passage, a cathode electrode disposed in the oxidant supply passage, a fuel supply passage, an anode electrode disposed in the fuel supply passage, and a stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The ceramic may be stabilized with yttria or niobia and may include zirconia.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming semiconductor devices and semiconductor device precursors having gradual slope contacts. The method for forming a semiconductor precursor includes the steps of: forming a layer of conductive material in a first layer; forming a layer of a hard mask material onto at least a portion of the first layer; etching the layer of hard mask material to expose a portion of the first layer; forming facets on the layer of hard mask material; and forming a via in the first layer such that the via extends through the first layer to expose at least a portion of the layer of conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical vapor deposition processes related to the manufacture of integrated circuit devices. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a process for forming an electrical contact to a silicon substrate is provided wherein a semiconductor wafer is positioned in a reaction chamber wherein the semiconductor wafer includes an insulating layer disposed over a semiconductor substrate, and the insulating layer defines a contact opening therein. The contact opening defines insulating side wall regions therein. The insulating side walls extend from an upper surface region of the insulating layer to an exposed semiconductor region of the semiconductor substrate. A set of reactants are introduced into the reaction chamber, RF plasma is generated in the vicinity of the semiconductor wafer, and the temperature and pressure of the reaction chamber is regulated.

Abstract: A method of deterring certain kinds of animals from birdfeeders and birdhouses consists of rotating such avian enclosures at a sufficient speed to deter the undesirable animal. An electronic baffle rotates the avian enclosures at variable speeds for which fast speeds are used to deter animals and slow speeds are used for better viewing of birds. A support suspends the baffle from a tree or mounts the baffle to a pole in the ground. An electronic circuit contained within the baffle senses the animal's presence and controls the speed of a motor that rotates the avian enclosures for a predetermined period of time. Optionally, remote control circuitry may be used in manually deterring animals from the avian enclosures and for better viewing of birds.