Abstract: A package carrier includes: (a) a dielectric layer defining a plurality of openings; (b) a patterned electrically conductive layer, embedded in the dielectric layer and disposed adjacent to a first surface of the dielectric layer; (c) a plurality of electrically conductive posts, disposed in respective ones of the openings, wherein the openings extend between a second surface of the dielectric layer to the patterned electrically conductive layer, the electrically conductive posts are connected to the patterned electrically conductive layer, and an end of each of the electrically conductive posts has a curved profile and is faced away from the patterned electrically conductive layer; and (d) a patterned solder resist layer, disposed adjacent to the first surface of the dielectric layer and exposing portions of the patterned electrically conductive layer corresponding to contact pads. A semiconductor package includes the package carrier, a chip, and an encapsulant covering the chip and the package carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image reader apparatus capable of obtaining an image having stable brightness while suppressing an increase of the cost of the apparatus. The image reader apparatus 1 for reading an image on a document 2 being fed and outputting an image signal includes a synchronization signal generation circuit 4 for generating a synchronization signal SS synchronous with a feed timing and a feed cycle of the document 2, a CCD 6 for reading an image on the document 2 in synchronism with the synchronization signal SS, an LED 9 for emitting white light, and a lighting control circuit 7 for turning the LED 9 on in synchronism with the synchronization signal SS and turning the light source off so that a lighting period is equalized for each line irrespective of a variation of the feed cycle of the document 2. The lighting control circuit 7 turns the LED 9 off so that the lighting period of the LED 9 is equal to a predetermined preset period.

Abstract: A gas-fired heater assembly for use in conjunction with a shrink wrap chamber or tunnel, including a gas-fired heater assembly, said gas-fired heater assembly incorporating an air intake, and having a gas port for injection of combustive gas into the heat chamber for combustion, the heated air combustion directed into the length of an associated heat box, said heat box having a designed opening for uniform dissemination of heated air into a hot air envelop, said hot air envelop being operatively associated with an air circulating blower, said air circulating blower directing air through the regions of the heat box for mixing of the circulating air with the heated air, and directing said mixture of heated air out of the hot air envelop and into the shrink wrap chamber or tunnel for shrinking polymer film about packaged goods for shipment and/or storage.

Abstract: The present invention describes an electronic fuze (200) operable to complement a mechanical point impact fuze (101). The electronic fuze (200) includes a voltage generator circuit (210), micro-controller (220), a piezo-electric sensor (262), a firing circuit (280) and a safety lockout circuit (290). When a projectile (50) strikes a target at an optimum angle, the mechanical point impact fuze (101) is activated; when the strike angle is oblique, the mechanical point impact fuze may be ineffective but the piezo-electric sensor (262) is operable to trigger the firing circuit (280). The safety lockout circuit (290) ensures the firing circuit (280) is operative only after a predetermined delay time when an n-channel FET (292) is turned OFF. The micro-controller (220) also generates a TIME-OUT signal, which provides for self-destruction of a projectile that has failed to explode.

Abstract: A system and method for producing solid pellets from a slurry HDC pitch is disclosed which utilizes a polymer additive that is mixed with the pitch to increase the softening point of the solid pellets.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing means in a spray nozzle assembly which includes the provision of a groove adapted to at least partially accommodate a sealing means such as an O-ring in the surface of an upper face of an orifice disc said face being directed towards a lower face of an inner periphery of a nozzle cap.

Abstract: A low noise amplifier is disclosed. The low noise amplifier comprises a current mirror circuit, a bias circuit, a cascode amplifying circuit and a power gain compensating circuit. The current mirror circuit is used for providing a mapping current. The bias circuit is used for receiving a mapping current and outputting a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage according to the mapping current. The cascode amplifying circuit respectively receives the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage, and accordingly to work at an operation bias point. The power gain compensating circuit is used for receiving a RF output signal and accordingly outputs a gain compensating signal to the current mirror circuit so as to dynamically adjust current value of the mapping current and further to compensates power gain of the low noise amplifier in order to increase linearity.

Abstract: A highly efficient power supply unit compatible with a single-phase three-wire system and an operating method of such a power supply unit are provided. The power supply unit includes first and second switching legs connected in parallel to a first capacitor leg with a DC power supply connected thereto. One end of the second capacitor leg is connected to the middle point of the first switching leg through a first inductor, and the other end is connected to the middle point of the second switching leg through a second inductor. The two ends of the second capacitor leg and the middle point of the second capacitor leg are defined as AC terminals. A switch is provided between middle points of first and second capacitor legs. A control part sets the switch to OFF when power is input/output only between one end of the second capacitor leg and the other end.

Abstract: An optical system includes a lens and reflector configured to form a wide angle beam from light emitted from an array of LEDs by modifying only the component of emitted light that diverges from a reference plane. A central portion of the lens collimates emitted LED light relative to the reference plane containing the optical axes of the LEDs. A peripheral portion of the lens re-directs emitted LED light into an orientation perpendicular to the reference plane. The reflector surrounds the periphery of the lens and re-directs light from the peripheral portion of the lens into a direction parallel with the reference plane. The linear array of LEDs may include sub arrays projecting away from a support plane to enhance visibility of a resulting light signal from vantage points close to or aligned with the support plane.

Abstract: There is provided a subsea system for increasing pressure and/or flow rate in a flow line, the subsea system being arranged in fluid communication with said flow line which receives fluid from at least one fluid source. The subsea system comprises at least one compressor or pump and at least one subsea cooler which is arranged in the flow line in series with the at least one compressor. The subsea system further comprises a recirculation line which is configured such that at least a portion of the fluid flowing in the flow line downstream the at least one compressor and the at least one subsea cooler may be recirculated back to the flow line upstream the at least one compressor and the at least one subsea cooler such that the recirculating line can be used for capacity regulation of the at least one compressor and cleaning of the at least one subsea cooler.

Abstract: A method of determining alignment of a spring component relative to an upper spring mounting plate of a strut assembly using an alignment system is provided. The method includes placing an alignment gauge component on the upper spring mounting plate at a preselected location. The alignment gauge component has a right angled body with a positioning portion resting on the upper spring mounting plate and a transverse measuring portion having an opening extending therethrough located alongside the spring component. A measuring rod is inserted through the opening of the measuring portion with the positioning portion of the alignment gauge component engaged with the upper spring mounting plate. The measuring rod has a measurement region that includes one or more color-coded areas for determining an alignment condition of the spring component relative to the upper spring mounting plate with the measuring rod extending through the opening and contacting the spring component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides aortic valve prosthetic devices that are constructed in a non-axisymmetric shape, or are expandable to a non-axisymmetric shape for improved results in the repair of defective aortic valves. The devices can be surgically implanted, or they can be implanted percutaneously through an insertion catheter. The expandable devices can be self-expanding or expanded by an inflatable balloon to a non-axisymmetric cross-section geometry.

Abstract: Reactor bed component includes a foundation grate, a rigid structure and a fastener. The foundation grate has support plates spaced apart from each other by a distance and having a height with each support plate disposed at an angle. The rigid structure has first structure plates spaced apart by a multiple of the distance and disposed at the angle, and second structure plates secured to and disposed at an opposing angle. Each second structure plate has a horizontal extent to engage an upper edge of a corresponding support plate, and a number of the first structure plates have a length extending below the horizontal extent in overlapping relation with adjacent support plates to prevent horizontal movement of the rigid structure relative the foundation grate in a first direction. The fastener is disposed to secure the rigid structure to the grate against movement in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A coal gasification process is provided based on the grading conversion of carbon hydrogen components of coal, wherein the coal gasification process comprises a carbonization process, a carbon monoxide-producing process and a shift reaction process. By blending the coke-oven gas, carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced in the above processes in different ratios, coal gasification syngases with various carbon hydrogen ratios can be obtained. Further, the coal gasification process does not need pure oxygen to take part in the reactions, and has several advantages, such as high gasification efficiency, low equipment investment costs, less limitation on the types of coal and flexible adjustment of the gasification products.

Abstract: A system for sealing an annular space between an inner wall of a tubular opening and one tube, cable or duct which extends through the tubular opening in the axial direction thereof, wherein the system comprises at least two segmental parts for forming a sealing plug in the annular space, each segmental part is made of an elastic material, each segmental part being provided with a small-diameter-end for facilitating insertion of the plug in the annular space and a large-diameter-end for positioning at the end of the tubular opening from which the segmental parts are inserted into the annular space, each segmental part further having a number of outer ribs spaced apart in a longitudinal direction for realizing, in use, circumferentially extending outer contact surfaces between the sealing plug and the inner wall of the opening, each segmental part further being provided with a number of inner ribs spaced apart in the longitudinal direction for realizing, in use, circumferentially extending inner contact surfac

Abstract: The invention relates to a melting fuse, especially for a motor vehicle that has a high-voltage circuit, comprising an electrically insulating housing inside of which there is a fusible conductor that connects two contacts with each other, whereby, between two longitudinal areas that are adjacent to each other, the fusible conductor has a rotation point around which the longitudinal areas can be rotated in case of a thermo-mechanical expansion.

Abstract: A lockable electronic tablet stand is described that fixes the tablet in a locked relation to the stand. The stand actuates between a locked and unlocked position and provides an intuitive locking system. Use of a key is required for removal of the tablet from the stand.

Abstract: Systems and methods for information management are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a signal from a vehicle sensor, the signal related to a condition of a vehicle, determining a new alert from the signal, and comparing the new alert with a currently provided alert. Some embodiments include determining a priority of the new alert and, in response to determining that the new alert has a higher priority than the currently provided alert, determining whether to output the currently provided alert in a minimized form, providing the new alert for output on a primary output device, and providing the currently provided alert in the minimized form.

Abstract: Core shell nanoparticles of an iron-cobalt alloy core, a silicon dioxide shell and a metal silicate interface between the core and the shell are provided. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles are tunable by control of the interface thickness. A magnetic core of high magnetic moment obtained by compression sintering the thermally annealed superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles is also provided. The magnetic core has little core loss due to hysteresis or eddy current flow.