Abstract: Porous silicon carbide is fabricated according to techniques which result in a significant portion of nanocrystallites within the material in a sub 10 nanometer regime. There is described techniques for passivating porous silicon carbide which result in the fabrication of optoelectronic devices which exhibit brighter blue luminescence and exhibit improved qualities. Based on certain of the techniques described porous silicon carbide is used as a sacrificial layer for the patterning of silicon carbide. Porous silicon carbide is then removed from the bulk substrate by oxidation and other methods. The techniques described employ a two-step process which is used to pattern bulk silicon carbide where selected areas of the wafer are then made porous and then the porous layer is subsequently removed. The process to form porous silicon carbide exhibits dopant selectivity and a two-step etching procedure is implemented for silicon carbide multilayers.

Abstract: Piezo-optical pressure sensitive devices employing porous semiconductor material as a stress sensitive member. The devices monitor pressure or force applied thereto by detecting a corresponding change in the amount of light absorbed by a porous layer of semiconductive material such as silicon. A pressure or stress signal is thus converted into an optical one. The sensing element of an optical switch embodiment of the device is comprised of a transparent layer of material upon which there is disposed a porous layer of semiconductive material. When unstressed, the porous layer absorbs monochromatic light of a predetermined wavelength. When the porous layer is stressed, a metallized epitaxial layer formed thereon reflects the light back through the transparent layer where it can be detected by a light detection system.

Abstract: A protection structure for integrated circuits with an n-channel MOS field-effect transistor has a more stable bipolar state, with the change to the bipolar state occurring fast. Below the drain region and the drain contact region an n-type resistor region doped more lightly than the drain region and the drain contact region is formed to provide the electrically conductive connection between the drain region and the drain contact region. When a positive voltage pulse is applied to the drain contact region, the n-channel MOS transistor will go into a bipolar operating state upon reaching the drain-source or drain-substrate breakdown voltage. The conductor paths are typically connected to ground. The n-well forms a series resistor between the drain region and the drain contact region of the respective transistor. It also forms a pn junction between the drain region and the channel, the collector pn junction, which extends deep into the substrate.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly that enables a flashlight to be retroactively coupled to an optical device such as a night vision scope. The mounting bracket assembly includes an adaptor that engages the housing of the optical device proximate the objective lens of the optical device. A bracket is provided that clamps around the adaptor, whereby the adaptor rigidly joins the bracket to the optical device. An aperture is formed through a section of the bracket. The aperture is sized to receive and retain the cylindrical body of a flashlight with an interference fit, thereby coupling the flashlight to the optical device. A threaded bore is disposed at the bottom of the bracket. The threaded bore is sized to receive the threaded connector of a tripod or other similar static support. As a result, by coupling the bracket to a tripod or similar static support, the entire optical device can be supported.

Abstract: An improved substantially planar and easy to manufacture field-effect-transistor (FET) includes a guard region between an n.sup.+ drain region and the remainder of the device, which enables the breakdown voltage of the FET to be substantially increased under open-channel conditions without adversely impacting other important device characteristics.

Abstract: A safety syringe having a sheath that automatically extends over the needle of the syringe after the syringe is used to administer an injection. The safety sheath that extends over the needle of the syringe is stored in a retracted position around the exterior of the syringe barrel. Locking pawls extend from the sheath and engage the syringe barrel thereby retaining the sheath in the retracted position. A spring element is disposed between the syringe barrel and the sheath, wherein the spring is compressed when the sheath is in its retracted position. As an injection is made and a plunger assembly is advanced within the syringe barrel, a trigger flange on the plunger assembly displaces the locking pawls, thereby releasing the lock between the syringe barrel and the sheath. With the release of the locking means that retains the sheath, the bias of the compressed spring moves the sheath forward on the syringe barrel.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display includes a laminated triple pane construction with an electrophoretic fluid-containing envelope formed between the first and second panes and an ionizable gas-containing envelope between the second and third panes. A transparent reference electrode coats the first pane internal to the fluid envelope. A matrix of discrete pixels are disposed upon the second pane within the fluid envelope. Each pixel has a probe extending therefrom through the second pane and into the gas envelope. A plurality of row electrodes are disposed upon the second pane in the gas envelope in close proximity to corresponding rows of probes. A plurality of column electrodes disposed upon the third pane within the gas envelope perpendicular to the row lines establishes an addressable X-Y matrix. By impressing a sufficient voltage differential at selected intersections of the matrix, a local ionization of gas biases a proximate probe to the ionization potential.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for positioning spacer beads on a plate of a flat display screen formed by two adjacent plates constituting a flat air-tight chamber. The method includes providing a hollow needle mounted on a mobile head which is connected to a vacuum/overpressure system. The hollow needle sucks a bead from a bead tank, applies the bead onto a plate covered with an adhesive material to adhere adhesive onto a section of the bead, then removes the bead from the plate. Finally, the needle deposits the bead onto one of the two adjacent plates.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing work in process is provided. Case specific information, including information from an initial transaction is electronically entered into a database and automatically linked with a work source index which includes basic client information. Input information residing in externally generated documents is scanned into the system as images for subsequent display or conversion to textual data. As work is performed on the case, the system tracks its progress and provides a variety of support functions. An electronic activity log function maintains a record of key activities involved in the processing of work items.

Abstract: A fault control apparatus is disclosed having elements that provide for an easily reconfigurable fault response. When the fault detection circuit signals that a fault has occurred, an alarm is triggered, switching means are automatically set to their fault positions, and a control output circuit is activated. The flexibility of fault response is made possible by the use of a matrix of switched connections to preset the fault positions of the relays. Additional flexibility is provided by providing an adjustable level for the control output.

Abstract: An acetabular cup prosthetic device comprised of an outer shell component and a inner bearing insert and the method of implanting the acetabular cup prosthetic within a patient. The outer surface of the shell component for the present invention acetabular cup has a plurality of regions which conform to the curvature of at least one ellipsoid. To implant the shell component, the acetabulum of a patient is spherically reamed to a size slightly smaller than that of the outer surface of the shell component. As the shell component is inserted into the spherically shaped acetabulum, the interior surface of the acetabular cavity deforms to assume a substantially ellipsoidal curvature, producing an interference fit between the rim region of the shell component and the upper peripheral rim region of the acetabulum.

Abstract: A pressure transducer comprising a deflecting member fabricated from a semiconducting material having a first conductivity and a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, and four piezoresistive sensors fabricated from a semiconducting material having a second conductivity opposite to the first conductivity and a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, the sensors being disposed on a first surface of the deflecting member whereby the sensors are to be coupled to form a Wheatstone bridge configuration, and a temperature compensating resistor network fabricated from the semiconducting material of the first conductivity whereby when the resistor network is coupled to the sensors coupled in the Wheatstone bridge configuration, and a voltage placed across the bridge and the temperature compensating resistor network, an output is provided by the bridge which is independent of changes in temperature.

Abstract: A method for assembling a spaced flat panel display screen having a first plate and second plate, each with an internal facing surface that are opposing comprises the steps of positioning spacers on the internal facing surface of the first plate, positioning the second plate so that the internal facing surface of the second plate contacts the spacers, heating the spacers to a temperature causing soldering of the spacers to the plates, pulling the first and second plates apart to stretch the spacers to a predetermined distance, and cooling the spacers.

Abstract: A pressure transducer comprising at least one diaphragm formed in a wafer of semiconducting material, the at least one diaphragm being spaced from a first surface of the wafer, a first layer of semiconducting material disposed over the at least one diaphragm, the first layer forming at least one resonating beam over the at least one diaphragm, and a plurality of resistor elements formed from a third layer of semiconducting material disposed over the at least one resonating beam, and isolation means for dielectrically isolating the at least one resonating beam from the at least one diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for assisting with the ventilation of a ient, which includes a source (10) of pressurized gas, a transmission circuit including a main inhalation conduit (14) connected to a mask (19) worn by the patient (20), and a secondary exhalation conduit (28), a flow regulating valve (16), and an exhalation valve (30), characterized in that the regulating valve (16) includes means (52) for maintaining a residual flowrate under a reduced pressure in the main inhalation conduit (14) during each exhalation phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a user who wears spectacles including at least one lens having a positive magnification factor, to view a distant object through both the lens of the spectacles and a telescope. The method comprises the step of positioning a lens in the optical path of the telescope. The lens placed in the optical path of the telescope is adapted to cancel the positive magnification factor of the lens of the spectacles to maintain the afocal characteristic of telescope. The apparatus comprises at least one afocal telescope defining an optical path having a first lens oriented in the optical path for magnifying a distant object to be viewed through the afocal telescope system. The telescope further comprises a second lens oriented in the optical path for cancelling the positive magnification factor of the lens to maintain the afocal characteristic of the telescope.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer apparatus of variable frequency including a diffracting structure adapted for emitting and receiving a plurality of diffracted ultrasonic beams of calculable different angles for determining the velocity of a fluid flowing through a lumen, and flow volume. Velocity and flow volume are determined from at least two equations in the two unknowns of the velocity, and the angle between the ultrasonic transducer apparatus and the direction of the fluid flow, and from a determination of the diameter of the lumen.