Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis has an external metal shell, an internal socket insert in which a ball head can rotate. The ball head is joined to a metal prosthesis shaft of the femoral shaft component and the movement of the prosthesis shaft is limited by abutting against the margin of the socket insert. A soft, biocompatible cushioning element is applied to the socket insert on the circumferential surface of the prosthesis shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable cab including an adjustable cab floor engagement assembly for use with a passenger loading bridge to service a plurality of different aircraft types, each different aircraft type having a different doorway configuration. The adjustable cab floor engagement assembly includes upper and lower floor members, which are moveable one relative to the other, to provide a plurality of different floor configurations. A light-weight, flip up panel is provided along a leading edge of the assembly, which pivots upwardly upon contact with a portion of the aircraft to avoid damaging either one of the assembly or the aircraft. The adjustable cab includes an auto-leveling structure to provide a level surface for passengers entering and exiting the aircraft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical particle irradiation apparatus comprising a rotating gantry 1 including an irradiation unit 4 emitting particle beams; an annular frame 16 located within and supported by the rotating gantry 1 such that it can rotate relative to the rotating gantry 1; an annular frame 15 fixedly located opposite the annular frame 16; an anti-corotation mechanism 34 being in contact with both the annular frames 16 and 15 to prevent the annular frame 16 from rotating together with the rotating gantry 1 during rotation of the rotating gantry 1; and a flexible moving floor 17 interposed between the annular frames 15 and 16, the flexible moving floor 17 being engaged with the annular frames 15 and 16 in such a manner as to move freely such that its bottom is substantially level and that it moves as the rotating gantry rotates.

Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, provides a firewall that achieves maximum network security and maximum user convenience. The firewall employs “envoys” that exhibit the security robustness of prior-art proxies and the transparency and ease-of-use of prior-art packet filters, combining the best of both worlds. No traffic can pass through the firewall unless the firewall has established an envoy for that traffic. Both connection-oriented (e.g., TCP) and connectionless (e.g., UDP-based) services may be handled using envoys. Establishment of an envoy may be subjected to a myriad of tests to “qualify” the user, the requested communication, or both. Therefore, a high level of security may be achieved. The usual added burden of prior-art proxy systems is avoided in such a way as to achieve full transparency—the user can use standard applications and need not even know of the existence of the firewall.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for measuring the relative proportions of oil and water in a flowing multiphase fluid includes allowing the gas, oil and water phases of the multiphase fluid at least partially to separate, diverting at least some of the separated gas phase from the flowing fluid, into a bypass conduit, through a separating module, such as the tank of a homogenizing unit, where the gas phase tends to separate and collect above a pool of fluid, and measuring the relative proportions of oil and water in the undiverted fluid. A valve is located in the bypass conduit which has an inlet leading from the upper section of the tank (where gas collects) and an outlet joining the outlet pipe leading from the homogenizing unit downstream of metering apparatus.

Abstract: A scintillator for an electron microscope includes a substrate (24) of optically transparent material in disc shaped form, a retaining ring (20) of highly conductive material having a non-oxidizing surface around the substrate and having a radially inwardly extending lip (22) on one end, a coating of indium tin oxide (26) on surface (28) of the substrate, electrically conductive adhesive material (32) between the lip and the radially outer part of the coating, and scintillator material (36) bonded to surface (38) of the coating. The indium tin oxide coating may be applied by sputtering and the scintillator material may br deposited onto the coating by settlement deposition. All contacting surfaces are intimately bonded to provide maximum conductivity resulting in better signal to noise ratio. The conductive substrate minimizes pinhole interference, the scintillator is easier to handle during installation and no aluminum overcoating is required.

Abstract: Use of an optical element (1) in an optical measuring system, and such a measurement system, with a camera, whereby this optical element (1) contains a light source (2) with an active side (4) which lights up when an electric tension is applied via electric contacts (9,13) provided to this end, whereby this light source is mounted against a translucent wall (3), such that the light of the active side (4) can be seen through this wall (3), and whereby this translucent wall (3) is formed of transparent fibers (5) placed side by side in a parallel manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for freshening air, including a base unit; a power supply operably connected to the base unit; a driving and switching circuit connected to be powered by the power supply; a first plug portion connected to the driving and switching circuit; a detachable autonomous liquid droplet dispensing cartridge detachably engagable with the first plug portion. The detachable cartridge has (a) a second plug portion matingly engagable with the first plug portion, (b) a first airless bag for storing a first nebulizable liquid, (c) a second airless bag for storing a second nebulizable liquid, and (d) a casing enclosing the first bag and the second bag. A nebulizer is provided so that a first nebulizable liquid flows from the first bag and the second nebulizable liquid flows from the second bag so that the first nebulizable liquid and the second nebulizable liquid are nebulized by the nebulizer.

Abstract: A cleaning substrate for cleaning and regenerating a mold is disclosed. The mold is contaminated after repeatedly packaging the semiconductor device by making use of thermosetting resin. At least a protrusion of the substrate can substantially match with and be contained within the edges of the mold cavity of the mold when the cleaning substrate is placed in the mold.

Abstract: A method of and system for directional drilling reduces the friction between the drill string and the well bore. A downhole drilling motor is connected to the surface by a drill string. The drilling motor is oriented at a selected tool face angle. The drill string is rotated at said surface location in a first direction until a first torque magnitude without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is then rotated in the opposite direction until a second torque magnitude is reached, again without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is rocked back and forth between the first and second torque magnitudes.

Abstract: A system for actuating a spray pump assembly comprises a reference platform, a motor, a drive transmission, a spray pump holder, a force coupler, a force transducer, and a system controller. The motor receives a power and control input, and produces a rotary drive output. The drive transmission receives the rotary drive output and produces a linear drive output. The spray pump holder secures the spray pump assembly. The force coupler couples the linear drive output to the spray pump, and applies a force to the spray pump. The force transducer produces a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump. The system controller receives a set of test inputs and provides the control input to the motor as a function of the set of test inputs. The system actuates the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a breast-milk pump containing a breast cup, a suction connection that can be connected to the suction pump and a blocking device which seals the suction connection against the entry of milk. The pump is provided with a valve housing, containing an inlet that leads to the breast cup, an opening connected to the suction pump and a valve body. The valve body contains a cladding surface and a closing surface, which together form a hollow body, whose opening faces towards the inlet. The hollow body is mounted on a support so that one side can freely pivot. If during a suction phase, the level of milk that has risen above the collection container reaches the inlet, a stream of milk enters the hollow body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turning tool for cutting circumferential grooves into a surface of a polishing pad formed of a resin material and utilized for polishing semiconductor devices. The turning tool comprising a cutting part arranged to have a tooth width within a range of 0.005-1.0 mm, a wedge angle within a range of 15-35 degrees, and a front clearance angle within a range of 65-45 degrees. A polishing pad effectively formed by using the turning tool, and an apparatus and a method of producing such a polishing pad by utilizing the turning tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shim coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy (MRIS) is formed cutting or punching in a sheet of electrically conductive material the required coil pattern. The pattern can be punched using a CNC punch or stamping machine.

Abstract: A multi-chip package combining wire-bonding and flip-chip configuration includes a plurality of chips, a substrate and a molding compound. Chip(s) with wire-bonding type and a flip-chip type electrical device are mounted on an upper surface of the substrate. A plurality of contact pads of the substrate are formed on the upper surface of the substrate that are not covered by the molding compound, so the flip-chip type electrical device can be electrically connected to these contact pads. The molding compound has recession(s) from a molding tool and seals the chip(s) with wire-bonding type without damaging the contact pads during molding process.

Abstract: An abrasive tape is supplied to a tape head by a tape supply unit and taken up from the tape head by a tape take-up unit. The tape head presses the abrasive tape against a surface of an object under polish, which is rotated by a rotating unit. A tape head pressuring unit utilizes a vice voice coil motor, for example. Since the tape head pressuring unit generates a pressuring force for pressuring the tape head using the electromagnetic force, it is able to set a minute pressuring force by controlling a drive signal, and to obtain the fine adjustment of the pressuring force easily by controlling the electric signal. Therefore, it becomes possible to press the abrasive tape against the surface of the object under polish with a desired low pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turning tool for cutting circumferential grooves into a surface of a polishing pad formed of a resin material and utilized for polishing semiconductor devices. The turning tool comprising a cutting part arranged to have a tooth width within a range of 0.005-1.0 mm, a wedge angle within a range of 15-35 degrees, and a front clearance angle within a range of 65-45 degrees. A polishing pad effectively formed by using the turning tool, and an apparatus and a method of producing such a polishing pad by utilizing the turning tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A friction clutch includes a housing arrangement connectable to a drive element for rotation in common about an axis of rotation, a plurality of first friction disks connected to the housing arrangement such that the first friction disks are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the housing arrangement, a hub rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the housing arrangement and having a plurality of radially outward-projecting connection arms, a plurality of second friction disks defining engagement opening therein being closed on radial inner sides thereof, wherein the connection arms of the hub engage the engagement openings of the second friction disks such that the second friction disks are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the hub, and a force-exerting arrangement exerting a force for urging the first friction elements and the second friction elements into contact with each other

Abstract: A system for diagnosing disorders of geographically distributed objects from a remote location. Data for a current condition are compared with predefined data patterns for known disorders to identify a statistically significant match indicating that the monitored object is presently experiencing the corresponding disorder. A critical disorder time is forecasted by determining when a threshold value will be reached using trend analysis of probabilities. A new disorder pattern preceding an observed disorder is added to the knowledge base for future reference. The knowledge base may be used to diagnose one object based on data collected from a similar object in a geographically distinct location. Diverse equipment may be conceptually decomposed into a small set of basic components, and equipment may be diagnosed by analyzing operation of its basic component(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a chimeric promoter construct useful for neuronal cell specific gene expression. The invention provides a recombinant nucleic acid molecule that comprises a neuronal cell specific promoter such as platelet-derived growth factor &bgr;-chain promoter, operably linked to a heterologous enhancer which enhances the transcriptional activity of the promoter, such as cytomegalovirus immediate early gene enhancer. The promoter construct according to the invention can increase and prolong gene expression in neuronal cells and may be advantageously used in gene therapy of neuronal disorders.