Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to solid source chemical vaporizer vessels and multiple chamber deposition modules. In some embodiments, a solid source chemical vaporizer includes a housing base and a housing lid. Some embodiments also include a first and second tray configured to be housed within the housing base, wherein each tray defines a first serpentine path adapted to hold solid source chemical and allow gas flow thereover. In some embodiments, a multiple chamber deposition module includes first and second vapor phase reaction chambers and a solid source chemical vaporizer vessel to supply each of the first and second vapor phase reaction chambers.

Abstract: After the user touches anywhere within a designated “group key” area of multiple characters or functions on the touch screen keyboard, a “keypad” is created that is centered around the user's touch. The keypad has the same layout of characters and functions as the group key, but the keypad moves as necessary from the location of the group key to re-centre at the point of the user's touch. Maintaining the touch, the user swipes a fingertip from a central dead zone on the keypad to one of the keys to select it. Audio and haptic indicators may also be provided. The keyboard may be active without being displayed.

Abstract: After the user touches anywhere within a designated “group key” area of multiple characters or functions on the touch screen keyboard, a “keypad” is created that is centered around the user's touch. The keypad has the same layout of characters and functions as the group key, but the keypad moves as necessary from the location of the group key to re-centre at the point of the user's touch. Maintaining the touch, the user swipes a fingertip from a central dead zone on the keypad to one of the keys to select it. Audio and haptic indicators may also be provided. The keyboard may be active without being displayed.

Abstract: A desktop videoconferencing endpoint for enhancing direct eye-contact between participants can include a transparent display device and a camera placed behind the display device to capture images of a near end participant located in front of the display device. The display device can alternate between display states and non-display states. The camera can be operated to capture images of the near end participant only when the display device is in the non-display state. The camera can be placed behind the display device at a location where an image of eyes of the far end participant is displayed. Images captured by the camera when displayed at to the far end participants can give the perceived impression that the near end participant is making direct eye-contact with the far end participant.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an echo measurement device having a controller to transmit a test signal in a communication path which is looped back at an end point identified as having an echo problem. The test signal can be transmitted at a remote location from the end point. The test signal can be represented by a limited burst signal of one or more frequencies operating outside a range of an operating frequency of an echo canceller deactivation signal transmitted in the communication path. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A microshutter array has a frame having a light transmissive portion. Linear microshutter elements extend across the light transmissive portion and in parallel to each other. Each microshutter element has a flat blade extended in a length direction and first and second torsion arms extending outwards from each side of the blade in the length direction, the blade extending across the light transmissive portion. There is at least one electrode associated with each linear microshutter element and extended in the length direction parallel to the microshutter element.

Abstract: A system that couples distributed power generators together as a collective unit for the purposes of selling or purchasing energy from the electrical power grid. The apparatus includes a charge/discharge controller and an adaptive controller. The charge/discharge controller transfers energy generated by the plurality of distributed power generators to the power grid. The adaptive controller directs when the charge/discharge controller transfers energy generated by at least one of the plurality of distributed power generators to the electrical grid.

Abstract: A belt cooling and guiding apparatus for a casting belt of a twin belt caster. The cooling and guiding apparatus includes at least one nozzle having a support surface facing a reverse surface of the casting belt (a surface opposite to a casting surface in the casting mold), provided with a continuous slot in the support surface arranged transversely substantially completely across the casting belt. The slot allows for delivery of cooling liquid to the reverse surface of the belt in the form of a continuous film having uniform thickness and velocity of flow when considered in the transverse direction of the belt. This allows for even cooling transversely of the belt. The nozzle arrangement is also provided with a drainage opening for removal of cooling liquid downstream from the continuous slot, and a vacuum system associated with the drainage opening for applying suction to the drainage opening.

Abstract: A belt cooling and guiding apparatus for a casting belt of a twin belt caster. The cooling and guiding apparatus comprises at least one nozzle having a support surface facing a reverse surface of the casting belt (a surface opposite to a casting surface in the casting mold), provided with a continuous slot in the support surface arranged transversely substantially completely across the casting belt. The slot allows for delivery of cooling liquid to the reverse surface of the belt in the form of a continuous film having uniform thickness and velocity of flow when considered in the transverse direction of the belt. This allows for even cooling transversely of the belt. The nozzle arrangement is also provided with a drainage opening for removal of cooling liquid downstream from the continuous slot, and a vacuum system associated with the drainage opening for applying suction to the drainage opening.

Abstract: A belt cooling and guiding apparatus for a casting belt of a twin belt caster. The cooling and guiding apparatus comprises at least one nozzle having a support surface facing a reverse surface of the casting belt (a surface opposite to a casting surface in the casting mold), provided with a continuous slot in the support surface arranged transversely substantially completely across the casting belt. The slot allows for delivery of cooling liquid to the reverse surface of the belt in the form of a continuous film having uniform thickness and velocity of flow when considered in the transverse direction of the belt. This allows for even cooling transversely of the belt. The nozzle arrangement is also provided with a drainage opening for removal of cooling liquid downstream from the continuous slot, and a vacuum system associated with the drainage opening for applying suction to the drainage opening.

Abstract: A fishing pole holding assembly for easy storage and use. The fishing pole holding assembly includes a front support member that has a connecting bar. A back support member that is designed for holding handles of a pair of fishing poles is coupled to the front support member by a pair of connecting portions. A rod support member that is designed to hold rods of a pair of fishing poles is pivotally coupled to the connecting bar of the front support member. A biasing member is used for biasing a force exerted on the rod support member. The biasing member is coupled between the rod support member and the front support member.

Abstract: Cooling of metal strip in a single or multistand cold rolling line by applying coolant liquid only to the lower surface of the strip, and removing the liquid therefrom, after each, or between successive roll stands. The liquid is delivered, at each cooling locality, at low pressure through a plurality of slots each extending transversely beneath and across the full width of the strip, the slots being spaced apart along the path of the strip and generally being oriented to discharge the coolant liquid toward the strip lower surface at an angle of greater than 90.degree. to the direction of strip advance. Coolant removal is effected by directing one or more liquid knives against the strip lower surface between the plurality of slots and the next downstream roll stand in the line, at a location at which the strip is trained around a hold-down roll.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for solidifying molten materials by pouring onto a substrate and cooling, in which undesired crystallinity is avoided by first forming a solidified protective stabilizing skin on the melt surface, e.g. by carefully controlled air cooling or dusting with powdered material, before more vigorous cooling by fluid coolant, e.g. air or water, directed against the solidified skin. Optionally, silicone liquids and/or kerosene or other hydrocarbons of lower boiling range are used in minor amounts to treat the melt before pouring to promote the formation of amorphous solidified material and provide increased hardness on aging. When using an endless belt as substrate, the plain solidification surface may be modified by superposing a skeleton framework to form selectively shaped tablet or bar molds. The process and apparatus are particularly applicable to the solidification of molten sulphur.

Abstract: An apparatus for the direct measurement of total radiation dose from the difference in electrochemical potential between an unirradiated solution containing known concentrations of ceric and cerous ions and a gamma or electron irradiated solution initially containing the same known concentrations of ceric and cerous ions. The apparatus comprises a cell which is divided into two sections, which are separated by a porous frit. Unirradiated solution is placed in one section of the cell and irradiated solution is placed in the other section such that the potential difference across the two sections of the cell is converted into a total radiation dose reading of the irradiated solution.

Abstract: A logarithmic ratemeter has a plurality of bistable devices each having two inputs the first of which is connected to a common input line for receiving voltage pulses from a detector of atomic particles and the second of which is connected to a secondary pulse train. The secondary pulse trains for the bistable devices are all different but maintain a constant frequency relationship to one another. Each bistable device produces an output signal the level of which indicates whether the device is in its first or second state and means are provided for summing the average values of the outputs of the bistable devices so as to provide an output signal which is a logarithm of the pulse rate received at the common input.