Abstract: A flexible metal-film laminate can comprise a layered film structure having a metal layer securely bonded to a film layer. The laminate contains a unique metal-oxide attachment structure between the film and metal layer comprising randomly distributed regions of metal-oxide. The peel strength of such a laminate is significantly improved over prior laminates and is resistant to peel strength reduction due to environmental stress. The preferred metal-film laminates made with polyester or polyimide can be used in the manufacture of high-quality, low cost, flexible printed circuit boards.

Abstract: This invention provides a photoswitchable compound comprising interconvertible mirror image units or interconvertible chiral diastereomeric units connected as pendant groups to a stiff polymer having interconvertible left- and right-handed helical portions of its backbone. Further provided by this invention is a photoswitchable compound formed by the method comprising combining an amount of the compound capable of optical activity and capable of changing its optical activity with an amount of a stiff polymer comprised of interconvertible left- and right-handed helical portions. Additionally, this invention provides a method for reversibly storing optical data comprising providing a material comprised of a mixture of a stiff polymer having interconvertible left- and right-handed helical portions and connected units, said units being capable of optical activity and capable of changing its optical activity and irradiating said material with light capable of changing the optical activity of said material.

Abstract: A camera for magnetically recording predetermined information in a magnetic recording area of a film is provided with a magnetic head to be maintained in contact with the magnetic recording area of the film for magnetically recording predetermined information in the magnetic recording area; a power supply holding device for starting power supply by turning on a half-stroke depression switch in response to a half-stroke depression of a shutter release button, holding the power supply at least until the lapse of a predetermined period after the cancellation of the half-stroke depression and terminating the power supply only after the lapse of the predetermined period; and a head contact/retracting device for contacting the magnetic head with the magnetic recording area of the film and retracting the magnetic head from the magnetic recording area; and a controller for controlling the head contact/retracting device in such a manner as to maintain the magnetic head in a contact position in contact with the magneti

Abstract: An apparatus, and methods of making and using the apparatus, including at least a first path of magnetic flux perpendicular to and penetrating a first plane in space; preferably, a second path of magnetic flux perpendicular to the first plane and having a gradient such that no net flux passes the first plane; and a passive first null flux coil adjacent to the first plane; whereby when one of the first null flux coil and a combination of the paths is moving, the first null flux coil and the paths, combinatorily, are magnetically induced into alignment with respect to the first plane.

Abstract: A telecommunications connector (10) includes a ground clip (15) which resiliently engages the rim (17a) of a grounding bus rail (12). Opposing fingers (25, 26) grip the rim (17a). A pivot finger (26) first grips the rim (17a), and then the connector (10) is rotated (28) onto the rim. Tangs (45) also engage the rim (17a), and the connector (10) and clip (15) are locked in position on the rail (12) by jaws (47). Entry wings (30, 41) assist in opening the fingers (25, 26) and a ground lead receiving pocket (35) on the dip (15).

Abstract: An enhanced charging system for a motor vehicle includes an alternator, a voltage regulator, and an engine controller. The voltage regulator and engine controller are connected by two circuits. One of the circuits provides the engine controller with a measure of the torque about to be applied to the engine by the alternator. The other circuit allows the engine controller to command the target voltage at which the voltage regulator is to control the alternator. The engine controller determines the target voltage based on intake air temperature, a measure of the temperature of the air at the intake of the engine. The engine controller then modifies the target voltage based on (1) whether the throttle of the engine is near wide-open-throttle; (2) whether the brakes of the vehicle are applied; and (3) whether the alternator is about to apply an increased torque to the engine.

Abstract: A quick adjustable fastening system for adjusting the position of a gaiter with respect to a roller skate is provided. The system includes a roller skate having a pair of troughs at each respective side of a back portion thereof and a gaiter having a pair of bulge portions at respective sides through which a centrally disposed aperture is formed. Each trough includes at least two apertures between which is formed a slotted opening which is sized smaller than that of the two apertures. A rod member is provided having a plurality of longitudinal slots formed in a front section, an enlarged portion at one end, and a head at the opposing other end. The aperture of the trough has an inner diameter smaller than that of the enlarged portion of the rod member, but slightly larger than that of the front section. A rear section which is defined as being between the front section and the head has an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of the slot.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor is provided which is capable of highly accurately and reliably measuring pressure over a wide range from an extremely low level to a high level without being affected by environmental changes. The capacitive pressure sensor is constructed of a first diaphragm; a second diaphragm arranged in parallel with the first diagram; a diaphragm support arranged between the first and second diaphragms for supporting the first and second diaphragms along the periphery thereof to define a space isolated from the outside; a plurality of pillars having respective ends fixed on the opposing surfaces of the first and second diaphragms for securely supporting the first and second diaphragms; a movable electrode formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the first and second diaphragms; and a fixed electrode formed in the space without contacting with the plurality of pillars and securely supported by the diaphragm support.

Abstract: This invention relates to bis mono- and/or bicyclic aryl and/or heteroaryl compounds exhibiting protein tyrosine kinase inhibition activity. More specifically, it relates to the method of inhibiting abnormal cell proliferation in a patient suffering from a disorder characterized by such proliferation comprising the administration thereto of an EGF and/or PDGF receptor inhibiting effective amount of said bis mono- and/or bicyclic aryl and/or heteroaryl compound and to the preparation of said compounds and their use in pharmaceutical compositions used in this method.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing pallets from a stack supported in a downstacker frame is made up of a pair of laterally spaced conveyor belts extending beneath the frame, a lift mechanism which can be lifted and lowered between the conveyor belts both for supporting the stack of pallets and for individually lowering a pallet onto the conveyor belt, and a pallet control mechanism for selectively separating each lower pallet from the stack so that it can be deposited on the conveyor belts.

Abstract: An improved intravascular catheter placement device for semi-automatic insertion, i.e. manually triggered self-propelled insertion, of an intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vessel comprising a hollow needle, an intravascular catheter concentric with said hollow needle, a chamber in communication with said hollow needle wherein the pressure within said chamber is a vacuum pressure and self-propelling means for moving said catheter into a blood vessel upon penetration of the wall of the blood vessel by the tip of the hollow needle.The self-propelling means acting upon the catheter is manually actuated by the operator of the device upon visualization of the backflow of blood occurring upon penetration of the blood vessel by the tip of the needle, said backflow of blood being accelerated into said chamber by the vacuum pressure present within said chamber.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a device for setting the apparatus in a check mode to check a state of the apparatus and for selectively executing one of a plurality of check operations. In one aspect, each check operation is set using a commonly provided numeral key, and the check mode is unconditionally released using a clear key. In another aspect, one of the check modes includes a test movement of a movable member used in image formation. In still other aspects, sheet transporting operations are controlled based on the location of a sheet jam, or based on the selection of a sheet sorter. The state of each of the image formation devices is checked even if an improper state has already been detected, plural error states are repeatedly displayed in a specific order, and a display unit is commonly used.

Abstract: In order to provide a power recovery plant comprising a gas turbine with a turbine wheel and a generator with a rotor driven by the turbine wheel, in which the known bearing problems are diminished or even cease, it is suggested that the turbine and the generator be combined in a plant housing to form one unit, that the turbine wheel and the rotor form a rotor unit rotating as a whole and that the rotor unit be rotatably mounted in the plant housing by magnetic bearing units in a non-contact manner.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated, micro-fabricated optical device for use in photonic applications has at least one waveguide surface configuration which cannot be fabricated by binary processing. The optical device comprises a plurality of layers of substrate materials. The material in at least one layer has an index of refraction different from the index of retraction of the material in an adjacent layer. A waveguide surface is formed at an interface between the layers and has a configuration fabricated by use of a gray scale mask.

Abstract: An electrical fitting to be connected to an end of a cable, including an automatic disconnect mechanism which separates the electrical fitting from a mating electrical fitting responsive to a pull on the cable, the electrical fitting comprising at least one thrust member mounted for axial movement in ejection and retraction strokes between retracted and projecting positions and a trigger system which causes a pull on the cable of greater than a predetermined force to release the thrust members from the retracted position, the thrust members being moved axially in the ejection stroke to the projecting position by a resilient member after release to engage a fixed element associated with a mating fitting and cause the casing and the electrical contact elements therein to be moved by reaction and separated from contact elements of the mating fitting.

Abstract: The power converter of the invention relates to a small-sized highly efficient power converter for generating an a.c. voltage output of multiple levels with less harmonic content. In the power converter, a d.c. voltage source is separated into plural sections by series connected voltage dividing capacitors and multiple levels of a.c. output voltage are obtained from the divided d.c. voltage by on-off control of switching devices. The power converter has plural sets of the voltage dividing capacitors disposed separately adjacent to each switching devices, and series connection point of each set of the voltage dividing capacitors are connected to division points of the corresponding switching devices of each phase. The voltage dividing capacitors are connected with each other at their series connection points. Thereby, the arrangement makes wiring length short and equal between the switching devices and the voltage dividing capacitors for each phase and reduce a loss in the snubber circuit, resulting in an a.c.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel classes of anti-androgens including dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, their method of synthesis and their use in treating disorders associated with excessive androgenic activities.