Abstract: Pulses of positive voltage are applied to the target of a dc sputtering process to create a reverse bias. This charges insulating deposits on the target to the reverse bias level, so that when negative sputtering voltage is reapplied to the target, the deposits will be preferentially sputtered away. The reverse bias pulses are provided at a low duty cycle, i.e., with a pulse width of 0.25-3 microseconds at a pulse rate of about 40-100 KHz. This technique reduces sources for arcing during a reactive sputtering process.

Abstract: A deer grunt or similar game call has a tubular mouthpiece and a sound tube. The interior of the mouthpiece contains a reed holder assembly that defines an airway between the mouthpiece and sound tube and generates sound when air passes through it. The assembly includes an elongated reed holder that extends proximally-distally in the mouthpiece and an flat reed disposed on one radial-facing surface of the reed holder. The reed is affixed to the holder at its distal end, and its proximal end is free. The grunt or game call is provided with one or more tuning clips that can be removably installed into the mouthpiece to limit the effective vibrating length of the reed and alter the sound of the call or grunt. Each tuning clip can include a U-shaped clip portion that fits snugly over the rim of the mouthpiece, a shank or shaft that extends a predetermined distance axially into the mouthpiece, and a transverse, T-shaped reed stop at the distal end.

Abstract: A front positioning rail for a diagonal milking parlor, in which cows stand alongside one another at an angle to the curb, is movable between a milking position and a release position. In the milking position the rail restrains the cows with their heads projecting over the rail with the briskets of said cows contacting the rail. In this rail assembly an elongated rail member extends laterally, and has a proximal generally vertical side and a horizontal upper edge. A plurality of vertical positioning loops rise above the upper edge and define head positions for the cows. The loops preferably have one vertical side and one sloping side, so that cows are discouraged from turning around in the parlor, but can slide down if they enter a position ahead of an unoccupied position. The positioning loops are spaced from one another at a predetermined interval. An air cylinder or other mechanism moves the rail member between the milking position and the release position so that said cows can exit said parlor.

Abstract: A soft start circuit for a high-power module permits trickle-charging of the capacitor bank prior to power switch actuation, and avoids large current surges or inrush at power up. Positive temperature coefficient thermistor devices, or PTCs are place in shunt across the switch elements or poles of the actuator or other power switch. In a power module that is powered by three-phase AC, the three power conductors are coupled through a three-pole contactor to AC inputs of a polyphase rectifier bridge, which has DC outputs coupled to the capacitor bank and to a load device, such as a high-power RF amplifier. The PTCs are connected, one per pole, in shunt across each pole of the contactor. Alternatively, metallized film capacitors can be employed in lieu of the PTCs.

Abstract: An ostomy bag cover is formed of a single piece of a soft knit fabric, folded and sewn so that there are no rough edges in contact with the patient. The cover contains the ostomy bag and isolates the patient from direct contact of the plastic bag with the skin. The cover has a distal side panel and left and right proximal side panels that meet at a vertical midline on the patient side of the cover. The panels are left detached from one another from the top seam partway down the midline to define a vertical slot through which the fitting or flange of the ostomy bag protrudes. Another slot is provided along the bottom seam to accommodate a drain tube.

Abstract: A plating cell for plating a flat substrate, for example, a stamper for a high-density compact disk recording, employs an arcuate sparger to introduce a laminar flow of electrolyte across the surface of the substrate to be plated. In a preferred embodiment, the sparger occupies about 90 to about 120 degrees of arc. A semipermeable weir separates the main plating bath from an anode chamber that contains an anode basket that is filled with nuggets of nickel or other plating material. The plating cell is provided with a backwash flow regime so that impurities and inclusions from the anode chamber are kept out of the plating bath. The substrate can be positioned between vertical and about forty-five degrees from vertical, and can be supported with or without rotation.

Abstract: A multiple video data bus architecture permits high speed data transfer among the various circuit elements of a fluoroscopic imaging processor. This permits simultaneous acquisition, storage, display, and image enhancement of high resolution, i.e., 2K.times.2K images. A memory interface circuit compresses the video data for storage in bulk memory. The processor supports several high-resolution monitors which can respectively display radiographic images from different subjects, so that review and diagnosis can occur remotely.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for illuminating a distant object such as a vehicle license plate, and for reading optical information on the distant object. The apparatus is a self-contained, compact unit which includes a radiation source for illuminating a selected area of the object and a CCD camera for receiving radiation from the object and for producing an electrical signal representative of optical information on the object. The radiation source is coaxial with an imaging lens of the camera and includes arrays of LED's spaced around an optical axis passing through the imaging lens. The LED's emit radiation in the near infrared region and are strobed at a predetermined frequency during the acquisition of the information.

Abstract: A start circuit for a single phase AC induction motor employs a triac or similar device in series with the motor start or auxiliary winding. The triac device has associated circuitry so that it turns on in response to an increase in the time rate of change of applied voltage. In one version a PNP transistor and a capacitive timing circuit are employed to cut in the start winding. In another version a second, pilot triac is employed.

Abstract: A collapsing board employed in the manufacture of polyethylene film is formed as an extruded aluminum member with a back plate that fastens onto the collapsing frame and an arcuate front face that urges the moving polyethylene extrusion to a collapsed condition. A low friction material is applied onto the arcuate front face. In one preferred embodiment, the low-friction material is in the form of an extruded plastic replaceable wear cover. In another embodiment, a ceramic coating is deposited onto the arcuate front face of the metal extrusion. The plastic wear cover can have a co-extruded two-layer front web, with a lubricant filled front layer and a backing layer of a distinct color that is revealed when the front layer becomes worn from use.

Abstract: A dc sputtering process applies a pulsating dc voltage in which each cycle includes a pulse portion of negative dc voltage of -300 to -700 volts alternating with a reverse bias (positive) pulse of about +50 to +300 volts. The reverse bias pulse portion will reduce or eliminate sources for arcing in most cases. To combat sticky or persistent arcing, the negative pulse portion is monitored. If, during a window portion of the negative pulse portion, the applied voltage drops into a range characteristic of arcing for two successive cycles, then the applied power is interrupted for a period, e.g., 200 microseconds, and reverse bias is applied. An overvoltage detection and clamping circuit monitors the applied voltage for extreme voltage excursions, and if an overvoltage threshold is exceeded for two successive cycles, the applied power is interrupted. The overvoltage detection and clamping circuit can comprise a string of zener diodes or equivalent voltage limiting devices connected to the applied voltage.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a system and method for featuring information on a record. The system and method utilize reactant and coreactant compositions which are formulated to produce a color-changing reaction when brought together. The system and method also utilize a record having first and second areas disposed adjacent to each other. The second area is generally treated with the reactant composition. The coreactant composition is formulated to exhibit a first marking color on the first area of the record and to produce a color-changing reaction with the reactant composition on the second area of the record. The color-changing reaction effects a second marking color on the second area. The system and method further utilize a writing implement containing the coreactant composition. The implement is used to deposit the coreactant composition on the first and second areas in the form of symbolic information.

Abstract: An aliasing sampler probe for detecting plasma RF voltage and current employs a sampling signal with a sampling rate slower that the RF fundamental frequency selected to produce an aliasing waveform at an aliasing frequency that is several orders of magnitude below the RF fundamental frequency. In one embodiment, the RF power is applied at 13.56 MHz. and sampling pulses have a sampling rate of 2.732 MHz to produce replicas of the RF voltage and current waveforms at an aliasing frequency of about 100 KHz. The aliasing replicas preserve phase and harmonic information with an accuracy that is not available from other sampling techniques.

Abstract: A high density volmetric optical memory stores information in three dimensions by selectively activating a photochemical branching reaction from a short-lived thermal intermediate of the primary photocycle of a light-transducing protein storage medium. A paging laser actuates a selected planar sheet or page of the medium at one wavelength, and data lasers send selected data beams at another wavelength orthogonal to the selected page. In a preferred mode, the medium is bacteriorhodopsin, and the paging beam raises the photocycle from the ground or resting state bR to an intermediate O, and the data beams interact with the O intermediate to create branch species P and Q. The data beams do not interract strongly with bR or with the P or Q. A differential read operation can employ the same paging and data wavelengths. Preferably a partial conversion only is required, with [95% bR, 5% P+Q] representing "0" and [90% bR, 10% P+Q] representing "1".

Abstract: A modular fiber optic light line unit provides a uniform linear beam of illumination. A number of these modular units can be butted together end to end to create a long, seamless line of uniform strip lighting. The unit has a housing in which a distal portion of the fiber optic bundle fans out so that the termini of the fibers are arrayed in a single continuous fiber row at a distal face plate of the housing. The ends of the row are flush with end edges of the distal face plate. In one embodiment the housing has first and second halves that sandwich the fiber termini, and there are respective sawtooth or similar recesses that each hold a respective fiber end or terminus. The housing can be anodized aluminum, and the optical fibers can be polymer fibers, for example with a diameter of 0.030 inches.

Abstract: A high power radio frequency amplifier employs a power stage in which a bank of push-pull stages are connected in parallel. These power stages employ relatively low-cost high voltage MOSFETs. Because the devices are operated in their active regions, these MOSFETs are susceptible to drops in gain during operation due to heating of the transistor die. The gain fluctuation has a first, slower component that varies over a time of several minutes, and a second, faster component that varies over a span of seconds. The amplifier has B+ or drain voltage control to compensate for short-term (minutes) gain degradation and preamplifier gate voltage control to compensate for short-term (seconds) gain degradation.

Abstract: Ear muffs having an adjustable head band with ear pieces resembling a racing slick or monster truck tire. The ear pieces include removable hubcap discs on the outwardly facing sides thereof on which indicia may be applied in the nature of a race driver's name or the name of the racing establishment, for example. Ear cushions having a noise muffling material are removably attached to the inwardly facing sides of the tire ear pieces.