Abstract: An RF amplifier has multiple DC coupled gain stages which generate an output signal by amplifying an input RF signal. All of the transistors are NPN and directly coupled through filters. The amplifier input and output stages actively match the impedance of the RF source and load.

Abstract: An electronics assembly is described which allows three-dimensional movement of a printed wiring board (PWB) relative to an attached electronics subassembly. The subassembly is attached to the PWB by a coupling device which is capable of resilient deflection responsive to mechanical agitation while maintaining effective electrical and thermal communication between the subassembly and the PWB. The coupling device includes contact surfaces which enhance the reliability of the overall electronics assembly by minimizing the potential for detachment of the subassembly from the PWB.

Abstract: An improved microcantilever sensor is fabricated with at least one microcantilever attached to a piezoelectric transducer. The microcantilever is partially surface treated with a compound selective substance having substantially exclusive affinity for a targeted compound in a monitored atmosphere. The microcantilever sensor is also provided with a frequency detection means and a bending detection means. The frequency detection means is capable of detecting changes in the resonance frequency of the vibrated microcantilever in the monitored atmosphere. The bending detection means is capable of detecting changes in the bending of the vibrated microcantilever in the monitored atmosphere coactively with the frequency detection means. The piezoelectric transducer is excited by an oscillator means which provides a signal driving the transducer at a resonance frequency inducing a predetermined order of resonance on the partially treated microcantilever.

Abstract: The compact brouting switch allows communication between external systems with differing or same protocols. The compact brouting switch includes switch ports which receive and transfer data between the external systems. A processor in the switch controls the movement of data within the switch and assigns data to specific switch ports to transfer data to specific external systems. However, the switch ports also have the capability of directly transferring data from one external system to another external system bypassing the processor.

Abstract: A voltage balanced multilevel converter for high power AC applications such as adjustable speed motor drives and back-to-back DC intertie of adjacent power systems. This converter provides a multilevel rectifier, a multilevel inverter, and a DC link between the rectifier and the inverter allowing voltage balancing between each of the voltage levels within the multilevel converter.The rectifier is equipped with at least one phase leg and a source input node for each of the phases. The rectifier is further equipped with a plurality of rectifier DC output nodes. The inverter is equipped with at least one phase leg and a load output node for each of the phases. The inverter is further equipped with a plurality of inverter DC input nodes. The DC link is equipped with a plurality of rectifier charging means and a plurality of inverter discharging means.

Abstract: A multilevel cascade voltage source inverter having separate DC sources is described herein. This inverter is applicable to high voltage, high power applications such as flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) including static VAR generation (SVG), power line conditioning, series compensation, phase shifting and voltage balancing and fuel cell and photovoltaic utility interface systems. The M-level inverter consists of at least one phase wherein each phase has a plurality of full bridge inverters equipped with an independent DC source. This inverter develops a near sinusoidal approximation voltage waveform with only one switching per cycle as the number of levels, M, is increased. The inverter may have either single-phase or multi-phase embodiments connected in either wye or delta configurations.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for separating two fluids having different specific gravities. The invention also relates to a method for using the separating apparatus of the present invention. This invention particularly relates to the skimming of molten lithium metal from the surface of a fused salt electrolyte in the electrolytic production of lithium metal from a mixed fused salt.