Abstract: A device for signaling to an ice fisherman that a fish has taken the bait and a method for utilizing the device are disclosed. The device comprises a trigger pivotally attached to a housing. The trigger is balanced horizontally by a fishing line containing a loop adapted for looping and draping over one end of the trigger and one or more balancing and counterbalancing weights. The tugging of a fish taking the bait on the fishing line pulls the line off the trigger which allows the trigger to tip vertically signaling to the fisherman to take action to raise the fishing line.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for producing uniform, isotropic stresses in a sputtered film. In the presently preferred embodiment, a new sputtering geometry and a new domain of transport speed are presented, which together allow the achievement of the maximum stress that the film material can hold while avoiding X-Y stress anisotropy and avoiding stress non-uniformity across the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a complex formed by a hybridization reaction comprising four nucleic acid molecules; the complex comprising a target nucleic acid molecule and first, second and third nucleic acid probe molecules; wherein the first probe comprises a foot region which is complementary to a first portion of the target and is hybridized thereto, and an arm region which is substantially non-complementary to the target; the second probe comprises a foot region which is complementary to a second portion of the target, such that the foot region of the second probe is hybridized to the target adjacent or substantially adjacent to the foot region of the first probe, the second probe also comprising an arm region which is substantially non-complementary to the target but which is complementary and hybridized to the arm region of the first probe; the third probe being complementary, at least in part, to a portion of the arm region of the first probe, such that third probe is hybridized to the arm region of the first probe a

Abstract: This invention is directed to an external loop nonfreezing heat exchanger for cooling a heat transfer fluid with cryogenic fluid. The cryogenic fluid is first pre-vaporized with the spent cryogenic fluid. The heat transfer fluid is then cooled by the vaporized cryogenic fluid instead of the cryogenic fluid feed directly.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an external loop nonfreezing heat exchanger for cooling a heat transfer fluid with cryogenic fluid. The cryogenic fluid is first pre-vaporized with the spent cryogenic fluid. The heat transfer fluid is then cooled by the vaporized cryogenic fluid instead of the cryogenic fluid feed directly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chimaeric polypeptide comprising: a binding portion having specific binding affinity for a eukaryotic target cell surface component and an effector portion comprising an amino acid sequence capable of exerting a biological effect; whereby binding of the polypeptide to the cell surface component induces internalization of at least the effector portion so as to allow the amino acid sequence to exert its biological effect, together with a vaccine comprising the chimaeric polypeptide of the invention, and a method of modulating the immune response of a human or animal subject.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads. The free portion is initially fixed to the substrate to intentionally form the inherent stress gradient in the elastic member. The free portion is released from the substrate by etching a release layer deposited on the substrate so the inherent stress gradient in the elastic member biases the free portion away from the substrate.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving signals from a photodetector in a photodetector array. The apparatus has a number of comparators (e.g. 5) connected to the photodetector. each photodetector in the array has a similar circuit connected. Each comparator compares the output of the photodetector with an adjustable threshold level. Each threshold level is controlled by a threshold controller. Each threshold level corresponds with a light intensity value. Outputs of the comparators are each connected to a shift register. Each shift register is triggered to sample the output of its associated comparator at a certain speed (e.g. 800 Mhz). In operation, the shift registers each store a bit sequence representative of the comparator output. The data acquired is used to adjust the threshold levels applied to the comparators. In this way, adjustable intensity resolution is provided at desired ranges of intensity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which compensates for environmental factors which cause misdirection of ink drops ejected from an ink jet printhead. Ink drops are electrostatically accelerated in a direction perpendicular to a print substrate, decreasing the ink drop flight time from the printhead to print substrate. The decrease in flight time decreases the misdirecting effect of the environmental factors on the ink drops since the environmental factors act on the ink drops for a shorter amount of time. Accelerating the ink drops also increases the spot size created when the drop impacts the print substrate, decreasing the amount of ink needed to create an image on the print substrate. The decrease in ink use results in less cockle and curl in the print substrate. The device also provides electrostatic deflection of the ink drops in directions parallel to the print substrate, increasing the resolution of the printhead.

Abstract: A heat exchanger unit having a housing into which a cryogenic liquid is introduced and permitted to evaporate and vaporize into a cryogenic cold gas. A process fluid to be cooled flows in a heat exchanger and heat exchange to cool the process fluid takes place between the cold gas and the heat exchanger, without making direct contact between the cryogenic liquid and the heat exchanger which would cause freezing. The refrigerating capacity of the cryogenic cold gas is replenished by heat exchange contact with the evaporating cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for aligning a powder spray canopy of a powder coating booth with a fan plenum assembly so that a powder collector can be quickly aligned and simultaneously sealed to both the powder spray canopy and the fan plenum. The invention also relates to an improved filter cartridge and filter cartridge mounting assembly which allows for quick and easy mounting and dismounting of filter cartridges to the powder collector.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling tower in which a process liquid from which heat is to be removed is supplied to the tower interior that has a plurality of plates vertically stacked one above the other, alternating in opposite directions and tilted downwardly at an angle relative to the tower vertical axis. A cryogenic cooling medium is supplied to the tower interior. The process liquid forms a film on the upper surface of the plate and drops from its front end to the next lower plate. While on a plate the process liquid spread into a film provides a greater surface area to react with the cooling medium to effect the heat transfer. The tilt angle of the plates can be adjusted to control the residence time of the process liquid in the tower.