Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a single or multi-layer coating to the surface of a plurality of substrates. The apparatus may include a plurality of buffer and sputtering chambers, and an input end and an output end, wherein said substrates are transported through said chambers of said apparatus at varying rates of speed such that the rate of speed of a pallet from said input end to said output end is a constant for each of said plurality of pallets.

Abstract: A high throughput sputtering apparatus which provides a single or multi-layer coating to the surface of a plurality of substrates. The apparatus comprises a plurality of buffer and sputtering chambers which include an input end and an output end. The substrates are transported through the chambers at varying rates of speed such that the rate of speed of a pallet from the input end to the output end is a constant for each of the pallets.

Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a single or multi-layer coating to the surface of a plurality of substrates. The apparatus may include a plurality of buffer and sputtering chambers, and an input end and an output end, wherein said substrates are transported through said chambers of said apparatus at varying rates of speed such that the rate of speed of a pallet from said input end to said output end is a constant for each of said plurality of pallets.

Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a single or multi-layer coating to the surface of a plurality of substrates. The apparatus may include a plurality of buffer and sputtering chambers, and an input end and an output end, wherein said substrates are transported through said chambers of said apparatus at varying rates of speed such that the rate of speed of a pallet from said input end to said output end is a constant for each of said plurality of pallets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting fluid pound in a sucker-rod oil well, using maximum and minimum values of sucker-rod position and of sucker-rod load to calculate a reference position and a selected load value. The apparatus automatically calculates the reference position and the selected load value according to the characteristics of the well and of the well pumping equipment. When the sucker-rod moves downward to the reference position, the actual load value is checked against the selected value and in one embodiment of the invention a warning signal develops when the amount of the load exceeds the previously selected load quantity. In another embodiment a warning signal develops when the rate of change of the load is at a maximum below the reference position. In a third embodiment a warning signal develops when a minimum rate of change of the load occurs below the reference position.