Abstract: An optic tip for use with a dental curing lamp has a convex lens extending across the bottom of the mounting cup. The curing tip is a half-obloid that creates a secondary void with a compound curve in the cured filling material. The secondary void provides greater bonding area for the secondary filling material and the secondary filling material creates a contact point with the adjacent tooth. In a particular embodiment, the optic tip extends not more than 6 mm from the end of the curing wand, facilitating operation in the patient's mouth compared to larger devices. The depth of the secondary void is also self-limiting by the desirably short curing tip, allowing the dentist to cure the primary filling material without having to watch the depth of the curing tip.

Abstract: A dump body for a dump truck or trailer has a half-pipe cross section at the cab end transitioning to a rectangular cross section at the dump end. Dump loads, especially slightly adhesive dump loads such as asphalt or damp sand, are less likely to adhere to the raised end when dumping, compared to a conventional rectangular dump body. Transitioning to a rectangular cross section at the dump end provides more even load distribution across the dump end compared to a conventional half-pipe dump body. In a particular embodiment, the center of gravity of the load is moved further toward the rear wheels during transit, and is kept lower during dumping than with conventional dump bodies.

Abstract: A cable terminal includes a captivated locking ring and a sealed crimp joint to a cable. In a particular embodiment, the cable terminal is cast from a lead alloy and a crimp tube is lead plated before being cast into the body of the cable terminal. This forms a sealed pocket to accept the stripped end of the cable. The lead plating on the crimp tube cold flows during the crimping operation and forms a secure, reliable mechanical and electrical connection. In a further embodiment, heat shrink tubing with a heat-activated adhesive on the interior of the tubing is formed over the end of the crimp tube and cable.

Abstract: A sheet of aluminum is formed to a mold by applying gas pressure. Thermoplastic resin is heated and applied to the aluminum in a selected pattern through a nozzle. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic resin is applied to the aluminum sheet in a hexagonal pattern that transitions to a columnar pattern. In a further embodiment microballons or micro-spheres are added to the heated thermoplastic resin to reduce viscosity. A backing layer of aluminum sheet is formed to the patterned resin composite. Gas forming of the aluminum sheet results in aspect ratios of up to 0.6, and the sheet maintains a clean surface that directly bonds to the applied resin.

Abstract: A two-step etch method for etching a masked layer or layers that include fast and slow etching regions is described. Fast and slow etching regions may arise in a variety of devices, such as microelectrical mechanical system (“MEMS”) applications and mixed signal (i.e. analog and digital) integrated circuits, as well as other integrated circuits and devices. In one embodiment, a first etchant is used to etch through the layer in the fastest etching region, and then a second etchant is used to complete etching through the layer in the slowest etching region.

Abstract: The absorption of a spacer material in a Fabry-Perot type structure is changed to achieve an optical switching function. In one embodiment, the spacer material is a semiconductor material and an electronic control signal changes the Fabry-Perot between a transmissive state and a reflective state. In the reflective state, the device operates as a switch can be modeled as a mirror on a substrate of quasi-infinite thickness. In a further embodiment, a wavelength-selective optical component is placed between the input of the switch and the Fabry-Perot structure to improve the spectral response of the switch.

Abstract: An optical assembly including a wavelength selective filter (114) in combination with a collimator (112). An input port is configured to provide an optical signal containing a plurality of optical channels to the collimator and then to the wavelength selective filter. The hybrid selective optical router allows a channel or segment of adjacent channels (118) to be dropped from the optical signal with minimal signal degradation to the dropped or expressed channels. In a particular embodiment, a pair of wavelength selective routers (300, 326) are combined with a switched optical directing element (308) and other components to provide an ADD/DROP switch. In a further embodiment, an ADD/DROP switch is provided with a single movable mirror, and no fixed mirrors.

Abstract: A two etchant etch method for etching a layer that is part of a masked structure is described. The method is useful, for example, in microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) applications, and in the fabrication of integrated circuits and other electronic devices. The method can be used advantageously to optimize a plasma etch process capable of etching strict profile control trenches with 89°+/−1° sidewalls in silicon layers formed as part of a mask structure where the mask structure induces variations in etch rate. The inventive two etchant etch method etches a layer in a structure with a first etchant etch until a layer in a fastest etching region is etched. The layer is then etched with a second etchant until a layer in a region with a slowest etch rate is etched. A second etchant may also be selected to provide sidewall passivation and selectivity to an underlying layer of the structure.

Abstract: A seismic isolation system with a plurality of ball-and-socket joints attaching a base structure to a plurality of foundation pads or piers. A plurality of pads or piers 3, 13 form a foundation structure. A seismic isolation bearing 20 attaches a pad to the floor 1 of a building or other structure. The seismic isolation bearing includes a joint 22 attached to an elastic element 12. The seismic isolation bearing allows tilting of the pad in relation to the base structure in response to vertical movement of a foundation pad. Additionally, rotation of the joint works in conjunction with the elastic element to reduce the shear deformation in the elastic element in response to transverse movement of the foundation pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a surface structure. The apparatus forms a skin to a single-sided die by applying gas pressure to a skin preform placed between the die and a cap that confines the gas against the skin preform. The apparatus also has a dispensing apparatus that is movable in relation to the surface of the skin/die. In one embodiment the dispensing apparatus is a heated nozzle on a crane arm that has five axis of movement with respect to the surface of the die. The nozzle dispenses fluid plastic, for example, in a selected pattern and at a selected height on the skin.

Abstract: An aluminum-thermoplastic composite surface structure. A sheet of aluminum is formed to a single-sided mold by heating the sheet and applying a ramp of gas pressure. A thermoplastic resin is heated and microballons are added to the resin to lower the viscosity of the resin, which is applied through a nozzle in a hexagonal pattern on the formed aluminum sheet. Upon cooling, the composite resin forms a honeycomb pattern. The hexagonal pattern transitions to a columnar pattern, and a backing layer of aluminum sheet is gas pressure formed to the resin composite. Gas forming of the aluminum sheet results in aspect ratios of up to 0.6, and the sheet maintains a clean surface that bonds to the applied resin.

Abstract: A mask is placed over a center portion of a deposition source to limit angle of the flux from the source. A substrate or device with a vertical surface (referenced to a major surface of the substrate or device) is rotated past the deposition source to coat the vertical surface with material from the source. In a particular embodiment, the source is a gold sputtering target and a mirror is formed on a vertical surface of a MEMS structure having a depth of about 70-75 microns and a set-back of about 200-250 microns by sputtering about 1000 Angstroms of gold onto the vertical surface.