Abstract: An air ionizing ring that provides a flow of ionized gas, comprising a housing having an inlet side and an inlet opening, and a cap that releasably attaches to the inlet side of the housing. When a supply of pressurized gas comes between the housing and the cap, the cap is partially released and the gas flows through the inlet opening. The gas flows sufficiently near a plurality of electrode mounted to the housing and electrically connected to a high voltage power source. Ionization occurs and the ionized gas flows towards the workstation. The cap is fabricated from an elastic plastic material designed to deflect away from the housing allowing the pressurized gas to flow. The housing and cap are designed for facilitate gas flow through the inlet opening. The device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: An improved building structure and method of use comprising separately fabricated floor, wall and ceiling structures capable of withstanding shear and seismic forces. The wall structure comprises an elongate track and a plurality of posts rigidly attached to a foundation structure of the building. Disposed between the posts are a plurality of interlocking foam wall sections which encapsulate the posts of the wall structure. Attached to the top ends of the posts are upper and lower header beams which serve as a support structure for the roof and ceiling structures. Brace members are attached to the posts and header beam to provide the wall structure with increased seismic stability.

Abstract: A towed vehicle deployment apparatus comprising a stationary housing having a spool rotatably connected thereto. Dispensably stored in windings about the spool is the tow line. Rigidly attached to the housing is a line guide and a standoff bar. The tow line is extended from the spool over the standoff bar and subsequently over the line guide for purposes of reducing the pull-off angle of the tow line from the spool.

Abstract: A system for preventing theft and hijacking of a motor vehicle. The system comprises a fuel cut-off valve operative to prevent the flow of fuel to the vehicle engine. The fuel cut-off valve is in communication with the vehicle ignition such that activation of the vehicle ignition will cause the fuel cut-off valve to close, unless a vehicle run switch is actuated contemporaneous with or immediately after the vehicle ignition. The vehicle run switch is preferably concealed from view and/or coded and/or keyed to limit its accessibility to only authorized operators of the vehicle. Additionally, to prevent hijacking, the system incorporates a driver's heat sensor capable of sensing when a human body is seated in the driver's seat. When the sensor determines that the driver's body has been removed from the driver's seat for more than a minimum time period (e.g., 3 seconds) a controller/timer will begin timing a predetermined delay period.

Abstract: A method for forming conductive via interconnects utilizes the steps of: applying a sacrificial coating to at least one surface of a substrate; laser drilling the substrate through the sacrificial coating to form a via through-hole; applying a conductive coating to the via through-hole; and removing the sacrificial coating(s). Recasting and shattering thus occur in the sacrificial coating rather than in the substrate during the step of laser drilling so as to enhance via through-hole geometry.

Abstract: A detector interface system communicates signals between an infrared detector element maintained in a cryogenic environment and associated signal processing circuitry maintained in a non-cryogenic environment. An optical modulator disposed within the cryogenic environment in electrical communication with the infrared detector element converts the electrical output of the infrared detector element into an optical output signal representative thereof. An optical demodulator disposed in the non-cryogenic environment converts the optical output signal of the optical modulator into an electrical signal. The optical demodulator is an electrical communication with the signal processing circuitry. An optical path from the optical modulator to the optical demodulator provides thermal isolation between the infrared detector element and its associated signal processing circuitry and minimizes detector bias so as to mitigate 1/f noise.

Abstract: In a method for preparing grain cake health food, a crunchy grain component is prepared separately from a water-saturated meat and/or bone component. The grain cake is prepared according to the steps of: providing grain powder; mixing the grain powder with salt, water, and starch to provide a first mixture; cooking the first mixture to form a cake; pressing the cake to form a cake bar; and freeze drying the cake bar to remove a quantity of water therefrom. The cake bar is partially cooked so as to resist water absorption during storage and becomes fully cooked during final preparation for consumption. At least one of meat and bone is separately prepared according to the steps of: providing at least one of meat and bone; mixing at least one of meat and bone with salt and water to produce a second mixture; cooking the second mixture to form a broth; and cooling the broth. The cake bar and broth are mixed together so as to form a soup and the soup is then dispensed into a container.

Abstract: An improved solder-bonding structure is disclosed that is particularly suitable for soldering the components of hybrid ICs. The solder-bonding structure includes a conductor formed on a substrate. The conductor is formed from silver and platinum. A solder layer formed from a tin and silver solder is then formed on the conductor to couple an electronic element to the conductor. In preferred aspects of the invention, the platinum content in the conductor is in the range of approximately 0.7 to 1.0% by weight. The silver content in the solder layer is in the range of approximately 0.1 to 5.0% by weight.

Abstract: A cold trap for condensing and polymerizing residual vapor. The cold trap comprises a containment vessel which comprises a vertical sidewall defining a cylindrical inner surface of substantially constant diameter. Fluidly connected to the sidewall is a vapor inlet line which enters the containment vessel tangentially at a point near the top end thereof such that the vapor entering the containment vessel through the vapor inlet line will impinge against the inner surface of the sidewall and flow in a generally rotational pattern within the containment vessel. The cold trap further comprises a cooling member which is positioned within the containment vessel for facilitating the condensation and polymerization of the vapor.