Abstract: In a lighting fixture such as an exit sign, a light emitting diode lighting device is provided for mating engagement with an electrical socket of the lighting fixture. The light emitting diode device has a plurality of light emitting diodes recessed in apertures for directing light into a desired illumination pattern.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and chip fabrication techniques are described which provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection to ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) based devices used to selectively measure ions in a liquid. According to one aspect of the invention, an ESD protection circuit, made up of conventional protective elements, is integrated onto the same silicon chip on which the ISFET is formed, along with an interface that is in contact with the liquid being measured and which does not open up paths for D.C. leakage currents between the ISFET and the liquid. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a capacitor structure is used as the interface between the protection circuit and the liquid sample. Further aspects of the invention are directed to methods per se for providing ESD protection for ISFET sensors utilizing the interface means (e.g, capacitor structure) referred to hereinabove, and processes for fabricating the novel interface on a silicon wafer.

Abstract: A low noise compressor is realized, involving a port and manifold assembly, and in which a reactive silencer means is formed integrally within the assembly and coupled acoustically with at least one of the input and output manifolds, the silencer including a pair of resonant cavities configured so as to attenuate at least the first overtone of the fundamental frequency.

Abstract: The coaxial connector disclosed herein accommodates differential expansion between inner and outer conductors in a multi-section run of coaxial transmission line by utilizing a coupler assembly which connects adjacent inner conductors, one of the inner conductors being fixedly connected to the coupler with axial movement being permitted with respect to the other inner conductor. Electrical connection between the coupler and the movable conductor is established at a single axial position by an annular conductive spring member while longitudinal alignment is maintained over the rest of the length of the coupler by insulating rings set into annular grooves. A tubular shield extends from the coupler over the adjacent end of the movable inner conductor without electrical contact. The axial length of the shield is larger than the differential expansion which occurs between inner and outer conductor sections.

Abstract: A sampler having a pneumatically actuated scoop closes an opening in the bottom of a pipe containing an auger. The scoop swings through particulate material, (especially granular and/or powdered coal) as it is discharged from a belt of a feeder at the transition between where the coal is carried on the belt and where it falls over the end pulley around which the belt is entrained. The scoop extends across the full width of the belt and captures a sample of the material in the pipe where it is delivered by the auger to a discharge port. A valve connected to the discharge port maintains the pressure integrity of the feeder (at pressure above atmospheric pressure).

Abstract: A microlithographic projection imaging system has an illuminator optical system and an objective imaging system, and an adjustable profiler or energy distributor in the illuminator optical system varies the numerical aperture of the illuminator, for varying the partial coherence of the projection imager. The adjustable profiler can be a diffuser, a binary optic, a hologram, or a fly's eye lens that is axially movable in a non-collimated region of the illumination path for imposing a predetermined angular profile on each of a multitude of fragments of the illumination. This changes the distribution of the illumination energy at the pupil of the illuminator and thus varies the numerical aperture and the angular energy profile of the illumination arriving at the objective imaging system, which is also preferably made uniform in spatial intensity by a uniformizer in the illuminator upstream of the pupil.

Abstract: A transporter which allows a single motor/magnetic coupler assembly to be coupled to one of a plurality of agitator tanks. The transporter includes an arm which is pivotally connected to a frame. The arm supports a motor and an outer magnetic mixer assembly that can be coupled to an inner magnetic mixer assembly located within the inner cavity of an agitator tank. The arm is adapted so that an operator can move the outer magnetic mixer assembly between a first position and a second position. The outer assembly is coupled to the inner assembly when in the second position and decoupled from the inner assembly when in the first position. The transporter has wheels so that the operator can move the outer assembly and motor from one agitator tank to another agitator tank.

Abstract: A mixer system for aggressive (toxic, hazardous, corrosive, etc.) materials which are mixed (agitated, suspended, circulated, etc.) in a tank with an impeller connected to a drive shaft has the impeller and its shaft mounted in an assembly which extends through an opening into the tank and closes that opening. The assembly has a cylindrical hub with a passageway through which the shaft extends out of an open end of the hub. Bearings which are made of materials which are resistant to the aggressive material in the tank are mounted in the hub and journal and support the shaft. There are no dynamic seals which close the confinement region so that the aggressive materials can be present therein.

Abstract: A magnetic coupled mixer which contains a drive magnet that can be remotely coupled to a driven magnet. The drive magnet is coupled to a motor shaft assembly by a yoke. The yoke is adapted to translate relative to the motor shaft assembly and move the drive motor between a first position and a second position. The magnets are decoupled when the yoke and drive magnet are in a first position. When the yoke is moved into the second position the drive magnet is magnetically coupled to the driven magnet, such that rotation of the drive magnet rotates the driven magnet. The yoke has an annular groove that is adapted to receive a lever. The lever can be rotated by the operator to move the yoke and drive magnet between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A variable angle torque transmitting coupling apparatus for use in an automobile steering column as well as other applications which includes a first member which is generally T-shaped and has an elongated shaft and an elongated head each having an axis. The respective axes thereof are disposed substantially at a right angles. A second member includes a housing in which an elongated slot is disposed, the slot is dimensioned and configured for receiving the head of the first member. The head has side surfaces which are cylindrical section shaped and the sides of the slot are dimensioned and configured for receiving the head. The slot has a generally planar bearing surfaces on the sides thereof which engage the cylindrical section shaped surfaces of the head with sliding engagement therebetween. The head has surfaces at the axial extremities thereof which are spherical section shaped and which slidingly engage spherical section shaped members.

Abstract: A screw having a driving socket capable of receiving a square socket (Robertson) type driver, a cross-recess (Phillips) type screw driver, and a flat blade driver.

Abstract: In the microlithographic projection system disclosed herein, a reticle whose image is to be projected is illuminated with light having an essentially uniform intensity distribution over the reticle and angular distribution which is annularly concentrated. The annular concentration is produced by a phase grating interposed between the light source and a kaleidoscope which generates multiple overlapping images of this light source. The grating employs an array of elements of differing transmission phasings which suppresses zero order transmission and concentrates incident energy in an annularly diverging beam array.

Abstract: An optical mounting system using interconnected annuli that support optical elements is made more accurate by forming raised engagement surfaces around the periphery of the annuli to confront and engage each other in a mounting plane perpendicular to the concentric axis of the annuli. The raised engagement surfaces are preferably formed as concentric ridge rings spaced radially inside and outside a row of screw holes used for interconnecting the annuli. The raised engagement surfaces are also preferably continuous around the peripheries of the annuli so they can be ground accurately flat and provide interannuli mounting surfaces that are resistant to deformation.

Abstract: A die paste transfer system wherein a first layer of bonding paste is transfer to a surface of the die as the die moves through the paste station in a controlled manner. The control for the transport controls orientation which the die passes through the paste station and the orientation of the die at the bonding site. The height of the die is varied as it passes through a second layer of paste. The speed at which the die and the second layer of bonding paste move well to each other is also adjusted to produce the desired thickness of the first layer on the die. Shear is produced in the second layer to affect transfer of the bonding paste from the reservoir to the die. For larger dies, the die may enter and leave the paste more than once to produce individual plateaus spaced from the edge of the die.

Abstract: The present invention includes plural plasma etching vessels and a wafer queuing station arrayed with a wafer transfer arm in a controlled environment. Wafers are movable within the controlled environment one at a time selectably between the several plasma vessels and the wafer queuing station without atmospheric or other exposure so that possible contamination of the moved wafers is prevented. The system is selectively operative in either single-step or multiple-step processing modes, and in either of the modes, the several plasma etching vessels are operable to provide a desirably high system throughput. In the preferred embodiment, the several plasma vessels and the queuing station are arrayed about a closed pentagonal locus with the wafer transfer arm disposed within the closed locus.

Abstract: A seal or connector and seal apparatus which includes a generally annular member having an outer surface and an inner surface and a plurality of tabs extending generally radially from at least one of the surfaces. The tabs are disposed to engage axially spaced teeth of an associated helically shaped threaded surface.

Abstract: The invention of this disclosure is an economical sealing device that utilizes two seals to protect an electrical power cord or cable from its environment. The cord or cable couples a power source to electrical equipment that is located behind a material. A standard cord grip is used to push a molded assembly, (which is located at the end of the cable passing through the material) against a molded seat assembly to obtain a first seal. The second seal is obtained by tightening the cord grip with a nut.

Abstract: A system for obtaining real time measurements of at least one variable, such as temperature, of a molten metal bath where the variable is measured by immersion of an expendable primary element. The system includes a data transmitting assembly which receives the output of the primary element and when that output is within a predetermined range, indicating a valid reading, transmits a digital radio signal indicative of the magnitude of the variable. A data receiving assembly operates to receive the transmitted radio signal and a display device responsive to the output of the receiving device displays the magnitude of the variable.

Abstract: The present invention includes plural plasma etching vessels and a wafer queuing station arrayed with a wafer transfer arm in a controlled environment. Wafers are movable within the controlled environment one at a time selectably between the plasma vessels and the wafer queuing station without atmospheric or other possible contamination. The system is selectively operative in either single-step or multiple-step processing modes. In the preferred embodiment, the plasma vessels and the queuing station are arrayed about a closed pentagonal locus with the wafer transfer arm disposed within the closed locus. The wafer transfer arm is movable between the plasma etching vessels and the wafer queuing station. Selectably actuable vacuum locks are provided between the plasma etching vessels and the wafer transfer arm to maintain an intended atmospheric condition and to allow wafer transport therethrough. The plasma vessels each include first and second water-cooled electrodes that are movable relatively to each other.