Abstract: Apparatus for electrochemically machining metal workpieces. An electrically conductive stationary support supports a metal workpiece to be electrochemically machined. An electrically conductive mobile support supports an electrode-tool and moves it toward the workpiece for machining and retracts it. A pair of electrical contacts are electrically connected to the stationary and mobile supports respectively. One of the contacts is mobile and moves with the mobile support axially through the other contact which is stationary. A given axial length of the mobile contact is non-conductive. This length can be determined to allow for the height of the workpieces machined. The non-conductive portion insures that the mobile contact is continuously guided on the stationary contact during its axial movement and that the contacts are in continuous slidable contact.

Abstract: A solar energy collector and heat exchanger assembly comprising a housing having a transparent top, a transparent wall within the housing parallel to the top to divide the housing into upper and lower chambers, the upper chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, the lower chamber having a liquid inlet interconnected by a conduit to a liquid outlet, photo cells disposed in the lower chamber and adapted to provide heat to the conduit, and reflector structure disposed in the lower chamber for directing sunlight to the photo cells and for reflecting sunlight to the upper chamber.

Abstract: The process according to this invention makes it possible to produce a silicon nitride diffusion barrier on a semiconductor substrate, such as III-V semiconductor substrate and particularly a GaAs substrate, the produced diffusion barrier being efficient at temperatures as high as 900.degree. C during a long period.It comprises the following steps:(a) chemical deoxidation of the substrate,(b) thermal treatment at 400.degree. C,(c) 1st cathode sputtering step in a nitrogen atmosphere with a cathode made of silicon,(d) ionic etching to reduce the thickness of nitride layer produced in c),(e) 2nd cathode sputtering step similar to the first one.It is useful for III-V semiconductors having to be treated at high temperature, as for instance to be annealed after ion implantation.

Abstract: An energy absorbing venetian blind type device for generating electricity, roviding heat, and serving as a sun shade. A plurality of slats covered with an array of photovoltaic cells are enclosed between two panes of glass of a window housing. A heat removal system using forced air cools the photovoltaic cells and collects heat for heating purposes elsewhere. The electricity generated by the photovoltaic cells is collected for immediate use or stored in storage batteries for later use.

Abstract: A process for the electrolytic deposition of a metal layer on an article comprised of zirconium or a zirconium alloy is disclosed. The article is activated in an aged aqueous solution comprising from about 10 to about 20 grams per liter ammonium bifluoride and from about 0.75 to about 2 grams per liter of sulfuric acid. The solution is aged by immersion of pickled zirconium in the solution for at least about 10 minutes. The loosely adhering film formed on the article in the activating step is removed and the article is contacted with an electrolytic plating solution containing the metal to be deposited on the article in the presence of an electrode receiving current.

Abstract: Apparatus for sputtering a photoconductive coating onto endless flexible belts or cylinders is provided in which the belt or cylinder is shaped in the form of an elongate oval within the sputtering machine and is adapted to be passed over supports whose diameter is substantially less than the diameter of the cylinder if it is a cylinder or of the cylinder which is capable of being formed out of the belt. One support may be a drum and the other support is a structure which may be another drum, preferably idling. In this way it is feasible to have a sputtering machine that is much more narrow than one which would have to sputter a cylinder or belt on a single drum if the supports are mounted vertically.The second support structure, whether drum or otherwise is adjustably mounted so that its distance from the first support is capable of being varied to enable cylinders or belts of different size to be sputtered.

Abstract: An improved hollow bipolar electrode unit for use in an electrolytic cell is disclosed, comprising at least one connecting device within the hollow region of the electrode unit to provide mechanical support and electrical communication between the anode and cathode of such bipolar electrode.

Abstract: A method for etching tin oxide films from substrate materials is provided that includes the steps of forming an etching pattern layer of an active metal on the tin oxide film that is to be etched, contacting the active metal cathodically in an electrolytic solution, and subsequently contacting the active metal anodically in the electrolyte to thereby etch those portions of the tin oxide film that are covered by the etching pattern of active metal.

Abstract: A device for applying by way of electrolysis a metal coat onto a cylinder-shaped body, especially for coppering a cylinder, with an outer tank and a process tank arranged above the outer tank, as well as with a circulation and filtering apparatus for the electrolyte. Two anode supports are installed in the process tank and connected to spray pipes. The supports are controlled by adjusting means arranged above the process tank. This latter is designed at its longitudinal ends with pockets whose inner walls are fitted with self-acting sealing elements for the projecting shaft ends of the cylinder.

Abstract: A cell for fused-salt electrolysis for reducing alumina in the presence of cryolite to metallic aluminum. The cell includes an insulated tank having a carbon bottom, two rows of anode rods disposed on opposite sides of an anode carrier positioned in the longitudinal center plane, an exhaust gas-collecting duct extending at the longitudinal center between the two rows of anode and covers downwardly inclined from the outside of respective rows of anode rods to respective edges of the tank and provided at the outer longitudinal edge and the transverse edges with a skirt that extends to the respective edge of the tank. Each cover is hinged adjacent to its longitudinal edge adjacent to the anodes and at least at its corner portions to a support which extends along the row of anode rods. A carrying arm is secured to each end portion of the support and is pivoted at its other end to the anode carrier.

Abstract: An electrode for the electrochemical machining of electrically conductive workpieces, which electrode has a layer of polycrystalline silicon carbide via an insulator layer which is at most 0.5 .mu.m thick.

Abstract: A radiation hardened junction solar cell is prepared by etching V-grooves in the surface of a semiconductor substrate. The overall thickness of the substrate and the depth of the V-grooves are chosen as functions of the diffusion length of the minority carriers in the substrate material at beginning of life and at end of life for a given design application. An opposite conductivity type layer is then formed over the V-grooved surface of the semiconductor substrate. The planar back surface of the solar cell is highly doped to convert it into a minority carrier reflecting region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering energy from light, such as sunlight, wherein a luminescent fluid is employed in conjunction with photovoltaic means, heat is recovered from the luminescent fluid, and electricity is recovered from the photovoltaic means.

Abstract: Use of a rare gas in combination with oxygen or nitrogen to sputter etch unreacted platinum after formation of a platinum silicide contact structure for the formation of a Schottky Barrier diode in a silicon semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A thin film path of medium resistivity provided by a strip of tantalum by which a design parameter of an electronic component is determined is modified by making contact with the path by an electrode having an electrolyte at its tip in passing an anodizing current into the path through the electrode that is much smaller in value than the normal current flowing through the path under design conditions of operation. In consequence, the current injected to produce chemical change in the resistance has a negligible effect on the characteristics of operation of the component and the component can have operating conditions applied to it during the trimming process can be carried while the component is under operating conditions and the parameter to be adjusted is being measured, so that the measurements of the parameter can control the current injected through the electrode so as to shut it off when the desired value of the measured parameter is reached.

Abstract: In the manufacture of electronic components, a thin film is attacked by decomposition of a gas in a plasma. The thin film is mounted on a substrate which is RF biased with respect to the plasma thereby attracting fluorine ions for example which carry out the attack. This speeds the rate of attack and improves the definition of attacked portions of the substrate.

Abstract: A rechargeable zinc halogen cell is disclosed, together with a carbon electrode structure, an electrode including at least two of the electrode structures, and a metal electrode, all of which may be used with the zinc halogen cell.The electrode structure has a substrate of anodizable metal of Groups IV(A) and V(A) of the Periodic Table, and this substrate has a permanent coating of porous carbon. At least two of these structures are used to make up a halogen storage electrode.The metal electrode comprises a substrate of anodizable metal of Groups IV(A) and V(A) of the Periodic Table of open mesh coated with zinc or a zinc-containing alloy or salt. The rechargeable zinc-halogen cell utilizes halogens of chlorine, iodine or bromine and may use the electrodes described above.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for electrically machining an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, in which the electrode workpiece is first machined by EDM by way of electrical discharges occuring across a dielectric fluid. The electrode workpiece is subsequently subjected to a finishing pass in the course of which it is machined by electrochemical machining (ECM) through a conductive electrolyte replacing the dielectric fluid. The machining phase by ECM is effected by means of the same electrode tool or by means of an electrode tool of the same dimensions as is used during the machining phase with EDM. During machining by EDM, the electrode tool is orbited, or translated, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of feed of the electrode tool relative to the electrode workpiece, with an amplitude larger than the amplitude during machining by ECM.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the electric energy supply rate to an electroplating installation includes a positionally adjustable actuating member connected to a carrier which supports workpieces to be electroplated in an electroplating vat, and a sensor mounted on the vat and operative for detecting the extent of positional adjustment of the actuating member and generating a signal proportionate thereto. The signal is then transmitted to a source of direct electric current to be used thereat for controlling the output rate of the source. The actuating member is a setting screw which is threaded into a sleeve which, in turn, is mounted on a bracket rigidly connected to the carrier, while the sensor includes a housing rigidly mounted on a lug of the vat, and a potentiometer accommodated in the housing and having a detecting rod which extends beyond the housing and into the path of displacement of the setting screw.

Abstract: A solar cell having first and second closely spaced, parallel P-N junctions is fabricated, wherein the illuminated surface is totally free of metallization, i.e., the junction nearest the illuminated surface is not electrically connected, and thereby participates only indirectly in the collection of photo-generated carriers by providing a charge field to suppress the front surface recombination and to enhance collection at the back side junction. All metallization is on the back side, which preferably includes an interposed finger pattern of N+ and P+ zones.