Abstract: Transmission and scatter detectors for an x-ray inspection system preferably employing a moving pencil beam comprise a solid plastic scintillating material having a front planar surface that is impinged by incident x-ray energy. The detectors also include light detectors that are cooperatively mounted to the plastic scintillating material to detect photons within the plastic scintillating material created in response to x-rays incident on the front planar surface. The detector may be a transmission detector or a scatter detector. The detectors of the present invention are relatively thin in comparison to prior art detectors, which allows shielding to be reduced. In addition, the detectors of the present invention have a greater efficiency of detection in comparison to the prior art detectors.

Abstract: A semiconductor magnetic field sensor including a substrate; a semiconductor moveable element suspended above the substrate, the moveable element being configured to have a current passed therethrough and to deflect perpendicularly with respect to an applied magnetic field; and at least one fixed semiconductor element arranged adjacent to the moveable element, the moveable element being deflected to or away from the fixed element in response to an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) including an array of switched input capacitors which store samples of charge proportional to a digital input signal, and an analog output circuit which integrates the samples of charge to generate an output analog signal that is proportional to said digital input signal. The capacitors store a binary representation of the digital input signal. The output circuit includes a zeroth order sample-and-hold circuit having first and second stages with respective first and second operational amplifiers. The first and second stages are cascaded together during a sample phase so that the analog output signal is stored in a capacitor in a feedback path between the output of the second stage and the input of the first stage, and are disconnected from one another during a hold phase so that the first stage is auto-zeroed and the second stage holds the analog output signal as a continuous time output.

Abstract: A synchronization pulse detector for detecting a synchronization pulse within an input signal. The input signal has “level” portions (i.e., substantially non-time varying portions) and “transition” portions (i.e., substantially time varying portions). The pulse detector includes a pulse shape detector for determining each time the input signal has a sequence of a first “level” portion, followed by a first “transition” portion, followed by a second “level” portion, followed by a second “transition” portion followed by a third “level” portion, one of the first and second “transition” portions being positive and the other one of the first and second “transition” portions being negative. Each time such sequence is determined a pulse_shape detected pulse is produced. An evaluator is provided to reject invalid pulse_shape detected pulses.

Abstract: An analog to digital conversion system having a plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs). Each one of such ADCs is configured to convert a corresponding one of a plurality of analog signals into a corresponding sequence of digital words. The ADCs have different degrees of conversion performance. A source of the pulses is included. Each one of the ADCs is configured to provide a corresponding one of the sequences of digital words in response to the pulses. Each one of the digital words in each of the sequences is provided at substantially the same time. A controller is provided for interrupting and/or changing the configuration of one or more of the ADCs. The controller provides the interrupt and/or change in configuration with a priority to one of the ADCs over the other one of the ADCs.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit having a semiconductor with a field effect transistor therein. The field effect transistor has a channel in the semiconductor, a source region in the semiconductor, a drain region in the semiconductor a front-gate disposed over the channel, and a back-gate in the semiconductor under the channel. The front-gate and back-gate are configured to control a flow of carriers in the semiconductor through a length of the channel between the source region and the drain region. A capacitor is connected to one of the drain and source regions. The other one of the source and drain region is configured for coupling to an input signal. A switch is responsive to a sampling signal to electrically connect a constant electrical potential between one of the source and drain regions and back-gate during a tracking phase. In one embodiment, the sample and hold circuit includes a second switch to electrically a second constant potential between the front-gate and one of the source and drain.

Abstract: A roof-rack arrangement for a motor vehicle, including at least one load-bearing bar extending across the roof, a pair of feet, one arranged at each end of the bar, for fastening the load-bearing bar on top of the roof of the vehicle, which feet each have their own support portion for clamping to the respective side portion of the roof, and, arranged on each foot, a bolt connection which extends through a bolt hole in the support portions, is fixed to the roof in an anchoring member and is arranged so as to make possible, by tightening, secure clamping of the support portion between a flange portion of the bolt connection. The flange portion is located on top of the support portion, and the anchoring member. An expander element is arranged between the flange portion and the support portion.

Abstract: A battery circuit for coupling a battery source to an electret microphone. The circuit includes impedance circuitry for providing appropriate bias impedance for a desired microphone sensitivity, and disconnect circuitry for automatically disconnecting the battery source from the electret microphone in response to detecting a low voltage state in order to prevent distortion and low output level of the microphone. In an alternative embodiment of the invention there is provided second impedance circuitry for driving corresponding inputs with minimal loss. In another alternative embodiment of the invention there is provided a compensation circuit which operates to extend battery source life and prevent lower output at lower voltage.

Abstract: A clamping joint and a method for producing such a joint for interconnection of a clamping lock with at least one wire, which is insertable therein, and which clamping lock after compression during plastic deformation in a clamping tool seizes and arrests the wire in the sleeve. A least one locking member is embedded in the wire and connected to the lock, under clamping of the wire against the clamping lock.

Abstract: A system for a providing addresses to each one of a plurality of addressable integrated circuits. The system includes a plurality of address select circuits, each one thereof being coupled to a corresponding one of a corresponding plurality of addressable integrated circuit. Each one of such integrated circuits has an address select pin adapted to receive a signal from the corresponding one of the address select circuits. The signal is indicative of an address for such one of the plurality of addressable integrated circuits. Each one of such address circuit includes a signal source connected to the pin and a circuit for coding such signal source into a selected one of more than three predetermined signal levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hinge for preventing injuries due to crushing, especially in doors and windows, comprising a first hinge leaf (4) for connection to the door leaf (1) or the window leaf, a second hinge leaf (5) for connection with the door or window frame (2) and a swivel joint (6) which connects the first and second hinge leaves (4, 5) to one another. Either the first or the second hinge leaf (4, 5) is equipped with one or more fingers (7) projecting substantially at right angles from the plane of the hinge leaf (4, 5), and adapted for axial sliding movement in an opening or slot (11) arranged for the finger (7) or each finger (7) in the frame (2) or the door leaf (1). When the door leaf or window leaf is brought towards the closed position, the finger (7), if it meets with a foreign object, will slide axially out of the opening or slot (11) and create a distance between the door or window frame (2) and the door or window leaf (1).

Abstract: A data storage system includes redundant write caches, a disk controller and an array of disks. One of the redundant write caches is a primary write cache of RAM or NVRAM, and another is a backup write cache having a hybrid memory structure of a relatively small amount of NVRAM in combination with a cache-disk space mapped to disk. The cache-disk space may be located on a single disk within the disk array, or distributed over a number of the plurality of disks in the array. In one embodiment, the array of disks can may be configured as a RAID architecture. The data storage system of the present invention preferably employs a conventional, fast-write-fast-read primary write cache and a non-volatile, hybrid memory backup write cache. The redundant write caches are asymmetric since the primary write cache and the backup write cache have different sizes and structures.

Abstract: A very-high-density memory device which utilizes a scintillating medium for data storage. In one mode, the device operates as a read-only-memory (ROM) unit. In another mode, the device functions as a one-time-write (OTW) and then read-only-memory unit. In an exemplary embodiment, information is read at high data rates from a rotating data-storage disk or cylinder with an electron beam and sensitive photodetector. Two methods of following the data tracks on the storage medium are provided. Masks are provided for use in patterning the data or data tracks. These masks may also be used to pattern very-high-density media for other applications such as magnetic memory and optical near-field memory. A method of patterning radially-periodic structures using interferometric lithography is also provided.

Abstract: InxGa1−xAs structures with compositionally graded buffers grown with organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMPVE) on GaAs substrates. A semiconductor structure and a method of processing such a structure including providing a substrate of GaAs; and epitaxially growing a relaxed graded layer of InxGa1−xAs at a temperature ranging upwards from about 600° C.

Abstract: The invention describes two alternative methods and corresponding devices for producing an energy signal yn whose amplitude values represent the energy of an electrical signal sn.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for a body structure (2) of a vehicle (1), comprising a load-carrying structure (3) which is arranged essentially transversal to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and mounted in each side of the vehicle (1), and an air conditioning system comprising an air conditioning unit (10) having components for air treatment. The invention is characterized in that at least a section (11) of the air conditioning unit (10) is functionally integrated with beam structure (3). An integrated arrangement with high strength and low weight is provided, which arrangement can also be easily built into a vehicle.

Abstract: A charge pump systematically compensating for the deviation of output pumping current is provided. In the charge pump, a first current source supplies first current of the same level through first and second channels, and a second current source supplies second current of the same level through third and fourth channels. First switching means is connected between the first channel of the first current source and an output node, and is turned on in response to the first signal from a phase detector to output the first current as the first pumping current through the output node. Second switching means is connected between the output node and the third channel of the second current source, and is turned on in response to the second signal from the phase detector to output the second current as the second pumping current through the output node.

Abstract: A coated article for tribological applications, for example a cutting tool for machining titanium and its alloys. The densified substrate of the article is a cemented carbide, nitride, or carbonitride, or ceramic and may include cubic carbides. A composite coating is codeposited on the substrate to provide a wear surface including no cubic carbides to a depth at least sufficient to avoid exposure of cubic carbides to a workpiece during machining. The coating is a pore-free, dense, hard phase/cobalt composite applied by CVD or PVD, the hard phase including tungsten carbide, nitride, or carbonitride. The cutting tool thus possesses good shape retention at high machining speeds and provides wear-resistance and chemical inertness.

Abstract: A tissue pick for use during minimally invasive surgeries includes a tissue grasping member disposed at the end of the tissue pick. The tissue grasping member may be rotated, articulated at an angle, axially displaced or otherwise manipulated by controlling the opposite end of the tissue pick.

Abstract: A suspension mounting arrangement for a suspended layer in a semiconductor accelerometer, the layer being suspended above and spaced apart from a substrate. The arrangement includes a common anchor point associated with the substrate; first and second anchor points associated with the suspended layer; a first flexible serpentine arm coupled between the first anchor point and the common anchor point; and a second flexible serpentine arm coupled between the second anchor point and the common anchor point. The first and second flexible serpentine arms are symmetrically configured with respect to one another.