Abstract: An improved spa control system is disclosed. The invention describes a spa control system which calculates the time required to heat the water in the spa system to a desired temperature. From that information, the heating rate of the spa system can be determined, and the heating element of the spa system can be activated at the proper time to raise the temperature of the water to a selected temperature by a desired time. The spa system also monitors information which might show errors in the operation of the spa system such as a blockage in the flow of water over the heating element in the spa system.

Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.

Abstract: The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.

Abstract: The invention is a hybrid chuck for securing workpieces with an electrostatic charge. The hybrid chuck includes a dielectric base for supporting the hybrid chuck. The dielectric base has a top surface and a conductive layer covers at least a portion of the top surface of the dielectric base. The conductive layer is conductive for receiving a current that creates an electrostatic charge and is non-metallic for maintaining the electrostatic charge without significant eddy current losses in the presence of dynamic electromagnetic fields. The top working surface covers the conductive layer and is flat for holding workpieces upon the receiving of the current to create the electrostatic charge in the conductive layer.

Abstract: The invention is a hybrid chuck for securing workpieces with an electrostatic charge. The hybrid chuck includes a dielectric base for supporting the hybrid chuck. The dielectric base has a top surface and a conductive layer covers at least a portion of the top surface of the dielectric base. The conductive layer is conductive for receiving a current that creates an electrostatic charge and is non-metallic for maintaining the electrostatic charge without significant eddy current losses in the presence of dynamic electromagnetic fields. The top working surface covers the conductive layer and is flat for holding workpieces upon the receiving of the current to create the electrostatic charge in the conductive layer.

Abstract: An improved positive control non-return valve assembly which is mounted on the front end of a helical plasticating screw of an injection molding machine. The valve assembly comprises a thread retainer with means for attachment to the plasticating screw. The valve assembly also comprises a distribution chamber that has an annular shaped flow gap and a cylindrical passageway that leads to a plurality of discharge ports. The non-return valve assembly forms a seal, builds pressure, and displaces molten plastic fluid from the distribution chamber through a discharge chamber passageway, and into a mold.

Abstract: Identification markers and identification methods for solid objects, including metallic objects, are disclosed, the marker integrated with the object so that it is neither optically visible nor removable without destruction or impairment of the object. The marker is more radio opaque than the base material forming the object in the region of marker location and includes an identifying indicia thereon.

Abstract: An improved spa control system is disclosed. The invention describes a spa control system which calculates the time required to heat the water in the spa system to a desired temperature. From that information, the heating rate of the spa system can be determined, and the heating element of the spa system can be activated at the proper time to raise the temperature of the water to a selected temperature by a desired time. The spa system also monitors information which might show errors in the operation of the spa system such as a blockage in the flow of water over the heating element in the spa system.

Abstract: An improved spa control system is disclosed. The invention describes a spa control system which calculates the time required to heat the water in the spa system to a desired temperature. From that information, the heating rate of the spa system can be determined, and the heating element of the spa system can be activated at the proper time to raise the temperature of the water to a selected temperature by a desired time. The spa system also monitors information which might show errors in the operation of the spa system such as a blockage in the flow of water over the heating element in the spa system.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a barge. The system includes two gantry assemblies, one for loading and one for unloading. The gantry assemblies are mounted on tracks for traversing the length of the barge. One gantry assembly has a hopper for receiving material and a movable conveyor for distributing the material across the width of the barge. The barge is moved relative to the docking site and the gantry is moved relative to the barge to maintain the gantry in position relative to loading equipment. The second gantry assembly is used to unload cargo from the barge. The second gantry has dual pick up conveyors for elevating the material onto a conveyor system which transports the material to a receiving site. The second gantry is moved along the length of the barge to remove the material in layers. Material is removed as the gantry moves in each direction.

Abstract: An improved shoot-through warhead cover is constructed of a low density material, such as polyethylene foam, in a dome-like shape. An anterior surface of the shoot-through cover is configured so as to be in proximate mating relationship with the exterior surface of an EFP liner member. The exterior surface of the cover is also aerodynamically contoured to match the external shape of a receiving warhead delivery vehicle body.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is disclosed that is resistant to the formation of vacuum arcs between the back of the wafer being processed and the body of the chuck. A guard ring surrounds the chuck and floats close to the self-bias potential induced by the plasma on the wafer. The voltage between the wafer and the closest electrode is thereby capacitively divided by the guard ring.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck has its electrodes biased with respect to the self-bias potential induced by the plasma on the wafer, thereby providing improved resistance to breakdown in spite of variation of the wafer potential during processing. An alternate embodiment further suppresses the formation of vacuum arcs between the back of the wafer being processed and the body of the chuck by the interposition of a conductive guard ring at the self-bias potential, thereby defining an equipotential area between the closest electrode and the wafer.

Abstract: An improved spa control system is disclosed. The invention describes a spa control system which calculates the time required to heat the water in the spa system to a desired temperature. From that information, the heating rate of the spa system can be determined, and the heating element of the spa system can be activated at the proper time to raise the temperature of the water to a selected temperature by a desired time. The spa system also monitors information which might show errors in the operation of the spa system such as a blockage in the flow of water over the heating element in the spa system.

Abstract: An improved spa control system is disclosed. The improvements may be made individually or in conjunction with any combination of all of the other improvements of the present invention. The invention describes a spa control system which calculates the rate of heating of the heater of the water in the spa to control the operation of the heating element. The system uses a interconnection panel to link a control panel to the power supply and to the operative components of the system. The unique connection of the control panel to the interconnection panel permits the control panel to be located adjacent to the spa.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is made by a method in which the component parts are machined, then anodized to provide a hard insulating surface, and then assembled in a fixture, to provide a planar surface for wafer support that retains superior insulating properties; gas may be fed from the rim only, diffusing within interstices between the clamping surface and the wafer and maintaining a desired pressure by flowing radially through an impedance determined by the average spacing between clamping surface and wafer, thereby providing uniform pressure across the clamping surface without the use of elastomeric seals.

Abstract: An aluminum electrostatic chuck for holding semiconductor wafers during wafer processing. The chuck is characterized by a closely determined magnitude of electrostatic holding force due to an anodization step for creating a finely uniform thickness of dielectric material on the chuck surface facing the wafer which, in turn, determines the holding force. The chuck cross section comprises two different thickness areas with fluid cooling being applied to the thinner thickness area during chuck anodization to assure thickness uniformity of the anodized material across the face of the chuck.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck has its electrodes biased with respect to the self-bias potential induced by the plasma on the wafer, thereby providing improved resistance to breakdown in spite of variation of the wafer potential during processing, further suppressing the formation of vacuum arcs between the back of the wafer being processed and the body of the chuck by the interposition of a conductive guard ring at the self-bias potential, thereby defining an equipotential area between the closest electrode and the wafer.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck has its electrodes biased with respect to the self-bias potential induced by the plasma on the wafer, thereby providing improved resistance to breakdown in spite of variation of the wafer potential during processing. An alternate embodiment further suppresses the formation of vacuum arcs between the back of the wafer being processed and the body of the chuck by the interposition of a conductive guard ring at the self-bias potential, thereby defining an equipotential area between the closest electrode and the wafer.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is disclosed that is resistant to the formation of vacuum arcs between the back of the wafer being processed and the body of the chuck. A guard ring surrounds the chuck and floats close to the self-bias potential induced by the plasma on the wafer. The voltage between the wafer and the closest electrode is thereby capacitively divided by the guard ring.