Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead integrated circuit configured for backside electrical connections. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a wafer comprising a plurality of partially-fabricated nozzle assemblies on a frontside of the wafer and through-silicon connectors extending from the frontside towards a backside of the wafer; (b) depositing a conductive layer on the frontside of said wafer and etching to form an actuator for each nozzle assembly and a frontside contact pad over a head of each through-silicon connector; (c) performing further MEMS processing steps to complete formation of nozzle assemblies ink supply channels through-silicon connectors; and (d) dividing the wafer into individual printhead integrated circuits. Each printhead integrated circuit thus formed is configured for backside-connection to the drive circuitry via the through-silicon connectors the contact pads.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with first and second nozzle plates. The first nozzle plate is comprised of a first material spanning a plurality of nozzles. The first nozzle plate has a plurality of cavities filled with a filler such that an upper surface of the first nozzle plate and an upper surface of the filler together define a contiguous planar surface. The second nozzle plate is comprised of a second material disposed on the planar surface.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead having a first nozzle plate comprised of a first material spanning a plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle plate having a plurality of cavities; (b) filling the cavities with a filler, such that an upper surface of the first nozzle plate and an upper surface of the filler together define a contiguous planar surface; and (c) depositing a second material onto the planar surface to form a second nozzle plate having a planar exterior surface.

Abstract: A system for coupling an avionics component to a bus includes a junction box electrically coupled to the avionics component and to the bus. A circuit card disposed in the junction box includes a plurality of sockets. The some of the sockets are electrically connected to the bus. Others of the sockets are electrically connected to the avionics component. A modular network bus coupler is mountable to the circuit card. The bus coupler includes a housing with electrical isolation circuitry disposed therein. A plurality of pins are disposed exterior of the housing and engageable with at least some of the sockets of the circuit card. At least some of the pins are electrically coupled to the electrical isolation circuitry.

Abstract: A sonar device includes a light source, a rotatable element, a motor for rotating the rotatable element, and a display. A light guide mounted on the rotatable element has an inlet end aligned with the light source and an outlet end aligned with the display. Light emitted from the light source enters the inlet end of the light guide, is directed from the inlet end to the outlet end in a beam, and is emitted out the outlet end of the light guide.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead comprising a reinforced bi-layered nozzle plate structure spanning across a plurality of nozzles is provided. Typically, the nozzle plate structure comprises: a first nozzle plate spanning a plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle plate having a plurality of cavities defined therein; photoresist filling the cavities; and a second nozzle plate covering said the first nozzle plate and the photoresist.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead having a first nozzle plate comprised of a first material spanning a plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle plate having a plurality of cavities; (b) filling the cavities with a filler, such that an upper surface of the first nozzle plate and an upper surface of the filler together define a contiguous planar surface; and (c) depositing a second material onto the planar surface to form a second nozzle plate having a planar exterior surface.

Abstract: A device for removing MEMS devices (2) from a handle substrate (1), where the MEMS devices are individually bonded to it via a thermal release adhesive (3) that reduces its adhesion when heated above a threshold temperature. The MEMS devices (2) are individually heated (16) to conductively heat the thermal release adhesive (11) above the threshold temperature. With the adhesive (11) directly in contact with the back side (5) of the MEMS device (2) no longer bonding it to the glass handle (1), the devices (2) can be individually removed by a die picker (6). This quickly heats the adhesive to release each die in about 1 second. This is comparable to UV release adhesive and does not require a prior 30 minute drying bake. Furthermore, by heating the die to conductively heat the adhesive, only that adhesive which is closely localized to the die is heated. The adhesive that bonds the adjacent dies to the glass handle remains unaffected.

Abstract: A method of removing MEMS devices (2) from a handle substrate (1), where the MEMS devices are individually bonded to it via a thermal release adhesive (3) that reduces its adhesion when heated above a threshold temperature. The method heats the MEMS devices (2) individually with a heat source (10) to conductively heat the thermal release adhesive (11) above the threshold temperature. With the adhesive (11) directly in contact with the back side (5) of the MEMS device (2) no longer bonding it to the glass handle (1), the devices (2) can be individually removed by a die picker (6). This method quickly heats the adhesive to release each die in about 1 second. This is comparable to UV release adhesive and does not require a prior 30 minute drying bake. Furthermore, heating the die by conduction, will in turn conductively heat the adhesives that only that adhesive which is closely localized to the die is released. The adhesive that bonds the adjacent dies to the glass handle remains unaffected.

Abstract: A device for removing MEMS devices (2) from a handle substrate (1), where the MEMS devices are individually bonded to it via a thermal release adhesive (3) that reduces its adhesion when heated above a threshold temperature. The MEMS devices (2) are individually heated with a heat source (10) to conductively heat the thermal release adhesive (11) above the threshold temperature. With the adhesive (11) directly in contact with the back side (5) of the MEMS device (2) no longer bonding it to the glass handle (1), the devices (2) can be individually removed by a die picker (6). This quickly heats the adhesive to release each die in about 1 second. This is comparable to UV release adhesive and does not require a prior 30 minute drying bake. Furthermore, by heating the die to conductively heat the adhesive, only that adhesive which is closely localized to the die is heated. The adhesive that bonds the adjacent dies to the glass handle remains unaffected.

Abstract: Composite articles and a method for making the same, wherein the articles include at least two bodies that are attached at an interface that includes a fringed microprotrusion surface structure. The method generally includes the steps of providing a first body that includes a fringed microprotrusion surface structure on one or more surfaces; and attaching to the first body, a second body for defining the interface that includes at least a portion of the fringed microprotrusion surface structure.

Abstract: The present invention is an article comprising a shaped rigid foam part; a heat activated foamable adhesive applied directly to at least a portion of the outer surface of the shaped foam part and an integral locating means. A second aspect of the invention is a method of forming a foam filled vehicle hollow member comprising, (a) inserting into a vehicular hollow member a rigid foam part comprised of a rigid foam having a heat activated foamable adhesive on at least a portion of the rigid foam insert and at least one integral locating means extending from a surface of the rigid foam, (b) engaging the locating means with the hollow member to locate the rigid foam part within the hollow member, and (c) heating the hollow member having the rigid foam part therein to a temperature and for a time sufficient to activate the heat activated expandable adhesive to form the foam filled vehicle hollow member.

Abstract: A system for coupling an avionics component to a bus includes a junction box electrically coupled to the avionics component and to the bus. A circuit card disposed in the junction box includes a plurality of sockets. The some of the sockets are electrically connected to the bus. Others of the sockets are electrically connected to the avionics component. A modular network bus coupler is mountable to the circuit card. The bus coupler includes a housing with electrical isolation circuitry disposed therein. A plurality of pins are disposed exterior of the housing and engageable with at least some of the sockets of the circuit card. At least some of the pins are electrically coupled to the electrical isolation circuitry.

Abstract: A flexible, fiber reinforced pipe has been invented for conveying fluids. The pipe is flexible enough to be spoolable, even under winter temperature conditions. The pipe can contain pressure, when buried, unrestrained and bent. The pipe exhibits impact resistance under normal handling and can be formed using a continuous process, such that it can be manufactured as it is being laid. A flexible, fiber reinforced pipe includes an inner tubular liner having an inner surface and an outer surface; a first layer of reinforcing fibers helically wrapped about the inner liner and in direct contact therewith; an outer layer of reinforcing fibers helically wrapped about an underlying layer of reinforcing fibers and in direct contact therewith; and an outer tubular sheath applied over the outer layer in direct contact therewith.

Abstract: A knockdown pump containment assembly for supporting a stator that employs a rotor therein. The pump containment assembly comprises a removable pump housing that defines a containment chamber for receiving, containing and directing the flow of a liquid material. The pump housing also includes an inlet port disposed for directing the flow of liquid material into the containment chamber, and an exit port for directing the flow of liquid material out of the containment chamber, into a stator. The pump containment assembly also includes a pump housing base provided for releasably receiving and supporting portions of the pump housing, and a pump housing retainer designed to releasably engage with the pump housing base to releasably secure the pump housing to the pump housing base.

Abstract: A system is described for increasing the interior space of a vehicle. The system includes a modular compartment having a base with at least two sidewalls extending upwardly from the base. The sidewalls preferably connect to a support structure of the vehicle. The base of the compartment preferably extends below the support structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pipe coupling and connector for use with composite pipe, and a method of coupling the end of composite pipe are disclosed. The coupling or connector has a cylindrical inner support with a gripping surface, a means for preventing axial movement of slips that are disposed around the gripping surface, and a coupling connector. The slips form an assembly with an outer frustoconical surface and an inner gripping surface. A hollow outer sleeve with a surface that corresponds to the frustoconical surface is used to drive the slips radially inwards so that the wall of the pipe is both compressed and gripped by the coupling. A retaining member holds the outer sleeve in a fixed position relative to the slips. The coupling, connector and method of this invention provide the structural integrity needed to ensure that the end of the pipe meets or exceeds the design ratings of the pipe.

Abstract: A polymer composite is described. The polymer composite includes at least one polymer component and at least one metal mesh component. The metal mesh component can be disposed within the polymer component or may be disposed on a surface thereof. The polymer composite is particularly well adapted for use as automotive components, such as but not limited to wheel well assemblies.

Abstract: A continuous boiling water unit is disclosed and comprises a water heating tank (1) containing an electric heating element (2) near the bottom of the tank (1) and a level control tank (3) mounted alongside the heating tank (1). An interconnecting steam communication port (21) is located between the level control tank (3) and the heating tank (1), together with a draw-off connection (23) and a flow connection (10). There further comprises an electronic temperature sensor in the form of a thermister (50) operable to sense the temperature of water in the heating tank (1), and upon sensing boiling of the water in the heating tank (1), operable to cause cut-off of the supply to the heating element (2).