Abstract: A laser-plasma EUV radiation source (10) that employs one or more approaches for preventing vaporization of material from a nozzle assembly (40) of the source (10) by electrical discharge from the plasma (30). The first approach includes employing an electrically isolating nozzle end, such as a glass capillary tube (46). The tube (46) extends beyond all of the conductive surfaces of the nozzle assembly (40) by a suitable distance so that the pressure around the closest conducting portion of the nozzle assembly (40) is low enough not to support arcing. A second approach includes providing electrical isolation of the conductive portions of the source (40) from the vacuum chamber wall. A third approach includes applying a bias potential (52) to the nozzle assembly (40) to raise the potential of the nozzle assembly (40) to the potential of the arc.

Abstract: A solenoid control valve for use in actuation of a manual hydraulic clutch in a vehicle. The solenoid control valve has an electronically operated solenoid with armature and actuator rod displaced through a channel in the solenoid. A spool valve has a valve body that is coupled at one end to the solenoid. A spool is slidably disposed in the control channel. A first and second dampener chambers are located at the two ends of the spool. The dampeners function to improve the stability in the control system and balance the transient flow forces of the hydraulic fluid as it moves through the valve member. The spool also has a control portion is located between the first end and the second end of the spool. The control portion allows the control portion to communicate with a supply, control and exhaust passages in the valve body.

Abstract: An electronic intelligent indenter system that determines the hardness and the case depth of a hardened portion of a test part in a non-destructive manner. The system employs an electronic indenter tool having a tip. To determine the depth of the case hardened portion of the part, the indenter tip is placed in contact with the surface of the part, and a laser emits a laser beam pulse that impinges the surface of the part proximate the tip. The laser beam generates ultrasonic waves that propagate into the part. The ultrasonic waves reflect off of a transition between the case hardened portion and an unhardened portion of the part. A detector in the indenter system detects the reflected ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves cause the detector to generate a signal identifying the time between when the laser pulse is emitted and when the reflected wave is received.

Abstract: A spherical motor (10) that includes an outer field sphere (12) and an inner armature sphere (14) rotatable therein. Field magnetic elements (26) are disposed on the field sphere (12) and sensor/actuator magnetic elements (42) are disposed on the armature sphere (14). The field magnetic elements (26) include two coils (28, 30) providing regularly varying magnetic fields in two axes. The sensor/actuator magnetic elements (42) include coils (44-54) providing magnetic fields in three axes. Each sensor magnetic element (42) senses its localized magnetic field variations and generates a torque relative thereto. Over one complete field variation of the field magnetic elements (26), each sensor magnetic element (42) can produce torque about all three axes.

Abstract: A multifunction printed antenna for wireless and telematic applications. In one embodiment, GPS and satellite radio patch antenna elements are printed on one side of a printed circuit board and AMPS, PCS, GSM and terrestrial radio slot antenna elements are etched in a ground plane on an opposite side of the same printed circuit board. In an alternate embodiment, the GPS and satellite radio patch antenna elements are elements mounted on one printed circuit board and the AMPS, GSM, PCS and terrestrial radio slot antenna elements are etched in a ground plane on another printed circuit board rigidly secured orthogonal to the GPS and satellite printed circuit board.

Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror assembly is disclosed which incorporates a warning light actuatable in conjunction with the vehicle turn signals to alert adjacent motor vehicles of an anticipated turn. The warning light is integrated into a first decorative cover member and may be connected to the vehicle turn signal circuit by way of connectable electrical leads or by an integrally formed plug and outlet arrangement. A second decorative cover member may be substituted for the first decorative cover member when it is not desired to incorporate the warning light.

Abstract: An induction heating system and method of using the same are described. The system includes a locator system that eccentrically positions the central axis of the internal central void of the work piece with respect to the central axis of the locator system. The locator system also includes a rotation system that allows the work piece to be eccentrically rotated during the heat-treating process. In this manner, the lobe and heel portions of a cammed surface are substantially equidistant from the internal surfaces of an inductor so as to ensure substantially uniform heating of the external surfaces of the work piece.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane-type fluid pump is provided which permits improved regulation of the pump discharge such that the pump can meet the various requirements of lubrication for internal combustion engines at all speeds with minimized use of power. Of course, the vane pump may also be utilized in a wide range of power transmission and other fluid distribution applications. The variable displacement vane pump of the invention may utilize both hydrostatic and mechanical assistance in radially positioning its vanes to ensure efficient and quiet operation of the pump and to facilitate priming of the pump. The vane pump of the invention may also use both hydrostatic and mechanical actuators to control the position of its containment ring or eccentric ring and hence, regulate the output of the pump.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mirror head (10) for an external vehicle mirror that comprises a load carrying structure (11) that is located within the mirror head, a connector (16) on the load carrying structure (11) that connects the mirror head (10) with respect to the vehicle, a shell (12, 13, 14) forming the external surface of the mirror head (10) within which at least a portion of the load carrying structure (11) locates, said connector (16) being positioned to enable connection with respect to the vehicle, and foam within the internal cavity of the shell (12, 13, 14), that acts to bond the load carrying structure (11) with respect to the shell components (12, 13, 14). This assembly provides a lighter mirror head (10) by comparison to conventional construction techniques while at the same time remaining rigid. It provides a means whereby loads can be transferred to the foam which are in turn transferred to the external shell components (12, 13, 14) of the mirror head (10).

Abstract: An optical device including a first semiconductor layer on which is deposited a dielectric layer that is patterned and etched to form dielectric strips that are part of a diffraction grating layer. A second semiconductor layer is grown on the first semiconductor layer between the dielectric strips to provide alternating dielectric sections and semiconductor sections. Via channels can be patterned and etched through the second semiconductor layer so that dielectric strips can be removed to form dielectric air channels.

Abstract: A power amplifier circuit (10) for a TDMA transmitter. The amplifier circuit (10) includes an FET amplifier (14), a current sensing resistor (24) that senses the quiescent drain current of the FET amplifier (14), and a switch (26) coupled across the sensing resistor (24). When data transmission bursts are being amplified by the amplifier circuit (10), a switch signal closes the switch (26) to bypass the sensing resistor (24) so that it does not dissipate power and reduce the efficiency of the amplifier circuit (10). When the data transmission is between data bursts, the switch signal opens the switch (26) to allow a voltage drop across the sensing resistor (24). The voltage drop is measured to determine the quiescent drain current of the FET amplifier (14) to maintain the drain current at the desirable operating point.

Abstract: A vehicle external review-view mirror assembly having an extension and retraction mechanism for a telescopic arm support that connects a mirror head to a mirror mounting bracket is disclosed. The assembly comprises: a hollow outer arm extending from the bracket, an inner arm mounted to the head and extending into the outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into the outer arm; a driving wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm or the head; a driven wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm and positioned within the outer arm at a location spaced apart from the driven wheel; and a toothed belt extending between the driving wheel and the driven wheel for power transmission between them. A pair of laterally spaced apart contact rollers are mounted coaxially with the driven wheel, the pair of contact rollers engaging spaced apart bearing surfaces depending from the outer arm.

Abstract: A downwardly directed light (38) is mounted within a horizontally extending rubbing strip (24) on a vehicle door (18) below the level of a window in the door and a light is mounted within said rubbing strip. This arrangement illuminates a lower part of the side of the vehicle and the adjacent ground. Its installation does not require any extensive modification to the body panels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A minor parking mechanism for an exterior rear view mirror that rotates a mirror head to a parked position. The mechanism has a mirror mounting bracket, a mirror head pivotally connected to the mirror mounting bracket so the mirror head can rotate from a deployed position to a parked position. A detent acting between the mirror mounting bracket and the mirror head to lock and unlock the mirror head. A spring acts against and locks the detent in position. A worm drive in the mirror head moves longitudinally along a shaft and rotates about an axis to act against the spring, which in turn reduces the spring force applied to the detent to enable it to disengage whereupon continued rotation of the worm drive causes the mirror head to rotate.

Abstract: An EUV radiation source that creates a stable solid target filament. The source includes a nozzle assembly having a condenser chamber for cryogenically cooling a gaseous target material into a liquid state. The liquid target material is forced through an orifice of a target filament generator into an evaporation chamber as a liquid target stream. The evaporation chamber has a higher pressure than a vacuum process chamber of the source to allow the liquid target material to freeze into a target filament in a stable manner. The frozen target filament is emitted from the evaporation chamber into the process chamber as a stable target filament towards a target area. The higher pressure in the evaporation chamber can be the result of the evaporative cooling of the target material alone or in combination with a supplemental gas.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system is described. The system includes a non-contacting sensor stator integrated into an electronic throttle body and is aligned to the sensor rotor attached to the shaft to properly set sensor air gap by assembly aids or by close fit to the throttle body. A motor and vehicle connector is electrically connected to the sensor stator but is allowed to be positioned separately from the sensor stator by means of a flexible interconnect.

Abstract: The present invention is a mould and a method of moulding a plastic component using the mould that enable the manufacturer of a moulded component (45) which has an external covering. The method of moulding comprises either locating a pre-formed component (41) into a first part of the mould or vacuum forming a thin film (40) into a mould cavity. A first mould part (15) has a mould cavity into which the pre-formed component (41) is placed or the thin film (40) is vacuumed formed into. The method continues by partly closing a second part of the mould (25) into the first part of the mould (15) and injecting molten plastic (34) onto the surface of the pre-formed component (41) or thin film (40). The second mould part (25) is then fully closed to force the molten plastic (34) to fill the resultant mould cavity (36). This bonds the molten plastic to either the pre-formed component (41) or the thin film (40) to form the final shape of the moulded component (45).

Abstract: The present application includes a vehicle mirror which includes an approach light in the attachment assembly. The approach light is a single light source positionable in relation to predetermined inputs for directing light to various areas, depending on the inputs. Additionally, an intercom system is provided for communication between the interior of the vehicle and exterior of the vehicle, by way of the vehicle mirror. Also, a remote sensor is utilized to set predetermined memory positions of interior vehicle components such as seats, steering columns and brake pedals. This allows customization of the interior components upon an individual's approach to the vehicle.

Abstract: Starter motor systems are described, wherein the systems include a unidirectional clutch system that cooperates with a pulley system to start an internal combustion engine through the front-end accessory drive system. The starter motor systems are especially well suited for new, high fuel efficiency automobiles in which the engine is shut down (e.g., when the automobile stops) and subsequently started (e.g., when the accelerator pedal is depressed).

Abstract: A reflective grating (18) having spaced grid lines (36) patterned on a piezoelectric substrate (12) for controlling the magnitude and phase of surface acoustic waves (28) in a reflective filter (10) or resonator. The magnitude and phase of the surface acoustic wave (28) are controlled by a sampling period (34) of the reflective grating (18) and the density and sequence of distributed acoustic reflective dots (42). The reflective dots (42) are randomly distributed within gaps (40) between adjacent grid lines (36) or on top of the grid lines (36) of the reflective grating (18). The pattern of the reflective dots distributed within the gaps (40) or on the grid lines (36) is determined by the dot density, where the dot density varies from a lowest density of 0 to a maximum density of 1.