Abstract: Embodiments described herein may be related to apparatuses, processes, systems, and/or techniques for using x-rays to alter or observe circuits within a semiconductor device before, during or after a test of the semiconductor device. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, the way in which the fuses are sensed and, particularly, their order may be made more random so that it is much more difficult to simply exercise the device and determine all the values of the storage elements within the fuse array. One result is a more secure storage device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, the way in which the fuses are sensed and, particularly, their order may be made more random so that it is much more difficult to simply exercise the device and determine all the values of the storage elements within the fuse array. One result is a more secure storage device.

Abstract: A splash bar for use in cooling towers in which a plastic strand material having an irregular surface is formed to provide a tubular network of similarly-shaped interstices that effect a maximum splash-effect and prevent water-film build up on the splash bar. The individual strand portions forming the interstices of the tubular splash bar cooperate with support rods in a cooling tower for securing the splash bar into a fixed horizontal position without the aid of auxiliary clamping members or additional structure other than the splash bar itself.

Abstract: A liquid cooling tower construction incorporates a tower fill assembly with liquid contact plates. The liquid contact plates interconnect in abutting relation utilizing slidable clamp members which engage locking ribs on the abutting sides of adjoining liquid contact plates. Thus, in each tier level, the liquid contact plates making up that tier level are effectively locked together but in a manner which enables the individual liquid contact plates to be detachably separated and removed whenever necessary.

Abstract: A liquid cooling tower construction incorporates a tower fill assembly with liquid contact plates. The liquid contact plates interconnect in abutting relation utilizing mating support and releasable latch elements on the abutting sides of adjoining liquid contact plates. Thus, in each tier level, the liquid contact plates making up that tier level are effectively locked together but in a manner which enables the individual liquid contact plates to be detachably separated and removed whenever necessary.

Abstract: An orally usable filter straw for the purification of water by forced movement of the water through the straw. The straw includes an elongated tubular conduit having an inlet for reception of the water at a distal end of the conduit and having an outlet at a proximal end of the conduit for expulsion of the treated water. Beginning at the inlet of the straw, the straw includes the following materials retained within the conduit: a removably mounted filter, a purification resin, activated carbon granules, and a bactericide resin. A mouthpiece is mounted at the outlet of the conduit to allow the device to be suitably received by a human user. The straw includes a series of porous spacers positioned within the conduit to segregate the materials retained within the straw.

Abstract: A liquid cooling tower construction incorporates a tower fill assembly with liquid contact plates which interconnect in abutting relation by use of detachable connectors formed on the sides of the liquid contact plates.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based transformer monitoring system to provide continuous on-line monitoring and analysis of transformer operation. The transformer monitoring system periodically monitors various parameters related to transformer load and condition. Maximum, minimum, and instantaneous values of the parameters are stored and analzyed. To perform the analysis, a hierarchy of thresholds is associated with each parameter. When a parameter exceeds any one of the thresholds, a response is produced by the transformer monitoring system. The type of response depends on the level of the exceeded threshold in the hierarchy. The range of response produced by the transformer monitoring system includes: continuing normal periodic data collection and analysis, increasing the rate of data collection and analysis, recommending an on-site physical check of the monitored transformer, reducing transformer load, and taking the transformer off line.

Abstract: An installation for contacting a fluid with a gas is disclosed and comprises an enclosure provided in the lower part of its periphery with at least one gas inlet opening and in its upper part with at least one gas discharge opening. The contact unit is composed of a combustible material, and the unit is disposed in the enclosure above the gas inlet opening and is suspended from a framework by cables and the cables are connected by temperature responsive means adapted to cause release of the cables in response to the detection of a predetermined temperature at the most equal to the flame temperature of the contact unit.

Abstract: A non-linear resistor assembly protecting equipment such as series capacitors is itself protected by a bypass spark gap, the firing of which is produced by a digitized pulse train, each pulse of which indicates a known increment of energy input to the varistors and is processed by counters and logic gates to achieve an initiating firing pulse upon the occurrence of a predetermined number of pulses indicating the energy input has reached predetermined limits within a given time period. The initial firing pulse is further processed through stages including semiconductor device switching, trigger spark gap firing and energy dumping from an energy storage capacitor into the elements of the main bypass spark gap.

Abstract: Electrical equipment protection apparatus is provided comprising a plurality of varistor devices connected mutually in parallel, each of which exhibits a non-linear characteristic with an inherent differential in such characteristics, in combination with current sharing elements comprising a plurality of positive temperature coefficient resistors respectively associated with each of the non-linear resistors to ensure substantially equal current sharing among the plurality of varistors.

Abstract: A multi-series group capacitor bank has voltage limiters, of the metal oxide type, connected across each individual series group and set at a protection level higher than that of the bank bypass spark gap so the voltage limiters bypass a series group when capacitor fuse clearing causes high voltage build-up in that series group.

Abstract: Where multiple bypass circuits are provided across the protected equipment and have different sensitivity to overvoltages, the more sensitive trigger gap circuit branch is coupled to the high voltage main spark gap by means including a pulse transformer to boost the voltage across the main gap rapidly upon firing of the trigger gap so that the trigger gap can be at a highly sensitive overvoltage level to minimize further any danger of transient mechanical subsynchronous shocks to the rotating shafts of large generators in a transmission system, while retaining the ability of delayed reclosing of the trigger gap branch following its operation to immunize it against post reinsertion transient voltages.

Abstract: In a series capacitor transmission system the protective bypass device has a force firing arrangement responsive to an applied signal for causing the series capacitor bank to be bypassed rapidly, such as within three cycles, for reducing subsynchronous oscillation effects on generating equipment connected with the transmission system. A capacitive potential device supplies power to energize a firing control circuit with a pulse transformer placing high frequency or pulse voltage across the protective device for rapid bypassing. The bypass device may be a protective spark gap as is normally present for protection of the capacitor bank against overvoltages.

Abstract: An improved method and system for generating power, more particularly, electrical power, from the wave motion of a large body of water. A central tower, closed at the top, which supports a substantial head of water above the mean water level of the large body of water, has at least one, and preferably a large number of, conduits connected between the top of the tower and a level between the high and mean liquid level of the body of water. Periodic wave motion washing over their lower ends builds up water pressure in the conduits, causing flow to the top of the tower, which causes a constant flow down through the tower. A turbine mounted in a Venturi constriction at an intermediate level in the tower is driven to rotate by the downward flow of water, causing a generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the primary tower is based on shore with an outlet to the sea.