Abstract: A high frequency infrared radiation source including a hermetically sealed chamber with a plasma generating gas therein, a pair of spaced electrodes in the chamber for creating a plasma therebetween, a window in the chamber, and a collimating lens made of infrared radiation transmissive material disposed between the pair of electrodes and the window.

Abstract: A flexible, reliable and economical DC to DC power converter system includes a plurality of DC to DC converter units, a pulse width modulation current share bus interconnecting the DC to DC converter units and a synchronization signal connected to each of the DC to DC converter units to synchronize each of the DC to DC converter units to the same frequency. Each DC to DC converter unit includes a power section, a controller and a standard universal interface connecting the power section to the controller such that the power section can be changed to accommodate different input voltages, output voltages and current loads without making significant hardware changes in the controller. The controller includes a digital signal processor having a calibration table matching control parameters to the specific circuit characteristics of the power section.

Abstract: A probe stabilized arc discharge lamp including a base portion, a window spaced from the base portion, a side wall interconnecting the base portion with the window. The side wall, the base portion, and the window define a chamber. A first electrode is disposed vertically in the chamber and extends outwardly through the base portion. A second electrode is also disposed vertically in the chamber and is spaced from the first electrode. The second electrode extends outwardly through the base portion. The first and second electrodes define an arc gap. There is also at least one trigger probe extending to or proximate to the arc gap for triggering an arc in the arc gap. Also, a reflector is disposed about the arc gap for directing radiation generated by the arc out the window. A sparker may also be provided.

Abstract: A method for separating lightweight sheets to be discarded interleaved with heavier items to be further processed. A gas such as air is delivered by nozzles and directed at slip sheets interleaved between photosensitive plates. The slip sheets are directed by the gas to a discarded slip sheet area. An apparatus for the slip sheet removal system comprising a plate handling area and a discarded slip sheet area.

Abstract: A flexible, reliable and economical DC to DC power converter system includes a plurality of DC to DC converter units, a pulse width modulation current share bus interconnecting the DC to DC converter units and a synchronization signal connected to each of the DC to DC converter units to synchronize each of the DC to DC converter units to the same frequency. Each DC to DC converter unit includes a power section, a controller and a standard universal interface connecting the power section to the controller such that the power section can be changed to accommodate different input voltages, output voltages and current loads without making significant hardware changes in the controller. The controller includes a digital signal processor having a calibration table matching control parameters to the specific circuit characteristics of the power section.

Abstract: A flexible slide joint is provided for accommodating axial, rotational and angular misalignments between two fluid conveying members. The flexible slide joint basically has first and second tube members with a sliding sealing member and a axially compressible element coupled therebetween. The sliding sealing member is configured and arranged to accommodate axial movement upon a first predetermined axial force occurring between the first and second tube members. The axially compressible element is configured and arranged to accommodate axial movement upon a second predetermined axial force occurring between the first and second tube members. The axially compressible element is force balanced relative to the sliding sealing member such that the second predetermined axial force is smaller than the first predetermined axial force.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for double-sided imaging of a plurality of photoresist-coated substrates is provided. The apparatus includes a first and second substrate holder comprising at least three extendable chucks, each adapted to hold the substrate. The first substrate holder is mounted about a first axis and the second substrate holder is mounted about a second axis such that the at least three chucks are capable of rotation about the first axis between at least a first, second and third chuck positions. A first transfer arm is disposed adjacent the first substrate holder and adapted to transfer the substrate to a chuck of the first substrate holder when the chuck is in the first chuck position. A first mask is positioned adjacent the chuck in the second chuck position of the first substrate holder. A second mask is provided adjacent the chuck in the second chuck position of the second substrate holder.

Abstract: A flange and seal assembly is provided with an annular sealing ring and a mounting component. The annular sealing ring is retained as a part of the mounting component. The mounting component has a mounting end with a mounting flange extending outwardly from the mounting end, and an annular seal receiving recess formed in an axial end surface of the mounting end, and a retaining element extending from the mounting end. A portion of the sealing ring is axially retained between the retaining element and the axial end surface of the mounting end.

Abstract: A flexible slide joint is provided for accommodating axial, rotational and angular misalignments between two fluid conveying members. The flexible slide joint basically has first and second tube members with a sliding sealing member and a axially compressible element coupled therebetween. The sliding sealing member is configured and arranged to accommodate axial movement upon a first predetermined axial force occurring between the first and second tube members. The axially compressible element is configured and arranged to accommodate axial movement upon a second predetermined axial force occurring between the first and second tube members. The axially compressible element is force balanced relative to the sliding sealing member such that the second predetermined axial force is smaller than the first predetermined axial force.

Abstract: A metallic seal is provided that concentrates the available load over a narrow band to produce a sealing darn over a sufficient width to minimize leakage on a molecular level. The metallic seal has a first annular end section with has a first annular sealing surface, a second annular end section with a second annular sealing surface and an annular center section extending between the first and second annular end sections to form a ring having a central passageway with a center longitudinal axis. The third annular section is frustoconical tube with the first and second annular end sections being contiguously arranged at opposite ends of the annular center section such that sealing loads applied substantially perpendicularly on the first and second annular sealing surfaces primarily deform due to torsional stress of the metallic seal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dual load charge in a single consolidation pressing operation. A first type explosive is placed in a cavity to form a booster charge. A pocket is formed in the booster charge. A second type explosive is disposed in the pocket of the booster charge to form an initiating charge therein. Finally, the booster charge and the initiating charge are preferably simultaneously consolidated to form a dual load charge with intimate contact between the booster charge and the initiating charge. Also disclosed is a press useful for implementing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A chip slapper including a substrate, a sticking layer on the substrate, a conductive layer on the sticking layer in the shape of two lands separated by a bridge portion between the two lands, a buffer material on the conductive layer, a protective coating on the buffer layer extending across at least a substantial portion of the two lands but absent from the bridge portion, and a flyer layer over the bridge portion. The buffer layer prevents migration of the material of the coating into the material of the conductive layer and vice versa and better adheres the flyer layer on the bridge portion where the coating is absent.

Abstract: A metallic seal is provided that concentrates the available load over a narrow band to produce a sealing dam over a sufficient width to minimize leakage on a molecular level. The metallic seal has a first annular beam section, a second annular beam section, and inner and outer surfaces extending between the first and second annular beam sections. One of the inner and outer surfaces has an annular recess that at least partially defines an annular column section of material extending substantially perpendicular between said first and second annular beam sections thereto. The first annular beam section has a first non-sealing surface and a first raised portion with a first annular sealing surface facing in a first axial direction to contact a first member for creating a first annular sealing dam therebetween.

Abstract: An accumulator including a housing with a gas chamber and a liquid chamber therein. A primary piston is moveable in the housing and connected to the housing by a primary bellows sealing the gas chamber with respect to the liquid chamber. A secondary piston is moveable with respect to the primary piston and connected to the primary piston by a secondary bellows sealing the secondary piston with respect to the primary piston.

Abstract: A method of making a folded metal bellows wherein an n-sided mandrel is positioned within a metal tube at an initial position. A convolution is formed by: axially moving and turning the mandrel with respect to and within the tube from the initial position to a second position. The mandrel is then fixed to the tube and driven towards the initial position while turning the mandrel (and the tube).

Abstract: A high power short arc gas discharge lamp includes an electrically insulating reflector body having a concave internal reflector surface with a focal point; an anode and a cathode spaced from the anode to create an arc gap between them proximate the focal point; the reflector body having a conical external surface for reducing the thickness of the reflector body between the concave internal surface and the conical external surface; and an external electrically isolated heat sink mounted on the external conical surface proximate the arc gap.

Abstract: A germanium gamma-ray detector contained in a vacuum insulated cryostat is provided. The present invention provides a low-cost, high-performance, and highly reliable cooling system for germanium detectors. Moreover, the present invention provides a germanium detector operating environment that meets all the requirements for optimum performance of such detectors incorporating said cooling system. A self-cleaning cooler includes a counter-current heat exchanger which is received within a cooler housing. A removable cryostat is provided for being carried by the cooler housing. A capsule cold finger provides the cooling path to germanium detector element. A centering spacer/isolator is provided for maintaining the position and supporting the weight of the detector in an end cap without conducting an excessive amount of heat into the detector. A capsule flange is provided to substantially close the volume within the end cap. The heat exchanger and the throttle capillary of the cooler cool the cold block.

Abstract: A differential correction apparatus for use with a spectroscopy device. The spectroscopy device simultaneously produces two histograms corresponding to the spectrum acquired. The first histogram contains the counts recorded by a differential correction method (DCM), giving the best estimate of the counts per channel in the absence of dead time. The second histogram is the error spectrum, giving the variance of the counts in each channel of the first spectrum. The two spectra have the same size, true acquisition time, and energy calibration with the only difference being the number of counts in each channel. By obtaining both histograms, it is possible to both obtain an accurate spectrum when the energy peaks have varying decay times and retain the necessary information about the spectrum to allow the statistical error to be calculated.

Abstract: A sealing ring is provided that can be used at low load conditions. The sealing ring basically has an annular center section, a first annular end section and second annular end section. The center section has a first end, a second end and a curved bight portion located between the first and second ends of the center section. The first annular end section extends from the first end of the center section. The first end section has a first axially extending leg portion and a first sealing surface facing in a first direction substantially parallel to a main central axis of the sealing ring. The second annular end section extends from the second end of the center section. The second end section has a second axially extending leg portion and a second sealing surface facing in a second direction substantially parallel to the main central axis of the sealing ring. In certain applications, the sealing ring can be provided with a coating of soft material or a second ply of soft material.

Abstract: A seal cartridge for a face seal comprising an annular housing having an inner and outer wall and a back wall; a seal ring composite in said housing; a first resilient member disposed between said housing and said seal ring composite for providing an axial bias on said seal ring composite, said seal ring composite including a support shell and a sealing insert supported in said shell for providing a primary seal with a rotor; a second resilient member disposed between said seal ring composite and one of said inner and outer walls for providing a secondary seal; a rotor in said housing, said rotor having a sealing ring groove between said rotor and a shaft to be engaged, said groove having an inner end and an outer end; and a sealing ring disposed in said groove, said groove having a width at its inner end approximately equal to or less than the width of said sealing ring and a width at its outer end confronting the shaft greater than the width of said sealing ring for sealing the rotor to the shaft and inhibi