Abstract: A method for constructing thermally and dimensionally stable traveling wave tube circuits having high dimensional stability, narrow tolerances, and very small size by providing a small hollow preform constructed of a desired material which is coated with a layer of photoresist material then exposed to a UV laser to form a desired pattern mask in the photoresist layer. The pattern masked preform is then etched to create a preform having a desired shape. After shaping, the photoresist coating is stripped from said shaped preform to form a traveling wave tube circuit. Optionally the travel wave tube circuit may be polished.

Abstract: A power control system and method of power control, the system consists of a power transformer having a primary portion and a secondary portion and a wiring run having a length and coupled at one end to the secondary portion. Also included is a constant voltage controller coupled to another end of the wiring run. The constant voltage controller receives an input power signal from the power transformer and outputs an output power signal at a specified voltage level to a plurality of low voltage electrical loads. The input power signal is at a higher voltage level than the specified voltage level and the output power signal is maintained at the specified voltage level regardless of a change in a voltage drop of the power control system. In preferred embodiments, the system uses low power logic rectifiers to rectify AC power signals to provide reset, current feedback and voltage feedback signals.

Abstract: A method of making a double layer capacitor consists of the steps of: impregnating each of a plurality of carbon preforms with a metal; forming a plurality of current collector foils, each of the plurality of current collector foils having a tab portion and a paddle portion; forming a plurality of electrodes by positioning one of the plurality of carbon preforms against respective paddle portions of each of the plurality of current collector foils, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes comprises one of the plurality of current collector foils and one of the plurality of carbon preforms; stacking each of the plurality of electrodes such that tab portions of adjacent ones of the plurality of current collector foils are offset, thereby forming an electrode stack; interposing respective porous separator portions between each of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the porous separator portions function as electrical insulators between the adjacent ones of the plurality of electrodes preventing electrical sh

Abstract: The radiation shielding composition and method of the present invention relate to a conformal coating material composed of a matrix of densely packed radiation shielding particles, which are disbursed within a binder. The shielding composition is applied to objects to be protected such as integrated circuits, or to packages therefor, as well as for protecting animals including humans from unwanted exposure to radiation in outer space or other environments.

Abstract: Apparatus for blending particulate solids or liquids includes a blending vessel having a racetrack-shaped cross section at each elevation above its lower end. The racetrack-shaped cross section consists of two spaced opposed semicircles having ends that are joined by two spaced parallel line segments. Several embodiments of the apparatus are described; they all employ the racetrack-shaped blending vessel, which is highly effective in promoting mixing. In one embodiment the racetrack-shaped blending vessel is rotated about a horizontal axis so that the material passes through the vessel on each revolution. In another embodiment, a number of racetrack-shaped blending vessels are connected in a vertical sequence so that the material must pass through the blending vessels in succession.

Abstract: A hand tool that greatly expedites the installation of the valve locks that secure a valve spring retainer to the free end of a valve stem. The valve locks include an inwardly extending ridge that engages a circumferential groove that extends around an end portion of the valve stem. The valve lock is retained in this position by a tapered central bore of the valve spring retainer that produces an inward clamping force on the valve lock. The tool includes a plunger having a diameter equal to the diameter of the valve stem. The user positions the valve locks on the protruding cylindrical surface of the plunger, where they are held by magnetic attraction. The user pushes the end of the tool against the valve spring retainer, thereby compressing the valve spring so that the valve stem pushes the plunger into a close-fitting loader end cap until the valve locks are transferred to the valve stem and into engagement with the circumferential groove.