Abstract: A communication controller includes a memory circuit and a processor operable in response to data and instructions stored in the memory circuit. A first communication circuit is under control of the processor for communicating between the communication controller and a first remote device according to a first data communication standard. A second communication circuit is under control of the processor for communicating between the communication controller and a second remote device according to a second data communication standard. The second data communication standard is different from the first data communication standard.

Abstract: Crystal lattice dislocations in material surrounding trench capacitors and other trench structures are avoided by alteration of stresses such as decreasing compressive stresses and/or development of persistent tensile forces within material deposited in the trench and thus at the material interface formed by the trench. Such alteration of stresses is achieved by volume reduction of a film deposited in the trench. The material is preferably a hydrogenated nitride of silicon, boron or silicon-carbon alloy which may be reduced in volume by partial or substantially complete dehydrogenation during subsequent heat treatment at temperatures where the film will exhibit substantial creep resistance. The amount of volume reduction can be closely controlled by control of concentration of hydrogen or other gas or volatile material in the film.

Abstract: A lift and rotate agricultural implement frame comprises a main frame having a lift tube and a carrier frame slidably mounted to the lift tube. The lift tube comprises a vertically extending main support tube having planar surfaces and a corrosion resistant exterior sleeve. The corrosion resistant exterior sleeve comprises corrosion resistant plates corresponding to the planar surfaces of the main support tube. Each of the plates has an interior surface and an exterior surface. At least one of the corrosion resistant plates adjoins another plate. One of the adjoining plates is provided with an overhang that extends past the exterior surface of the other plate of the pair. The plates are fillet welded to one another between the overhang and the other plate. The plates are also provided with oblong openings having oblong edges. The oblong edges are fillet welded to the main support tube to couple the sleeve to the main support tube.

Abstract: An amplifier arrangement comprising an amplifier for amplifying an input radio frequency (RF) signal to generate an output RF signal. A linear function processor generates a linear function correction signal which is a linear function of previous samples of the input signal in order to compensate for distortion effects of the amplifier related to the history of the input signal. A non-linear function processor generates a non-linear function of the input signal in order to compensate for instantaneous distortion effects of the amplifier. Then a pre-distortion processor distorts the current input signal in accordance with the linear and non-linear function correction signals in order to compensate for both types of distortion in the output signal.

Abstract: Crystal lattice dislocations in material surrounding trench capacitors and other trench structures are avoided by alteration of stresses such as decreasing compressive stresses and/or development of persistent tensile forces within material deposited in the trench and thus at the material interface formed by the trench. Such alteration of stresses is achieved by volume reduction of a film deposited in the trench. The material is preferably a hydrogenated nitride of silicon, boron or silicon-carbon alloy which may be reduced in volume by partial or substantially complete dehydrogenation during subsequent heat treatment at temperatures where the film will exhibit substantial creep resistance. The amount of volume reduction can be closely controlled by control of concentration of hydrogen or other gas or volatile material in the film.

Abstract: A method for providing a standard Raman spectrum from a sample uses a particular Raman spectrometry apparatus or any similar Raman spectrometry apparatus, which is used to simultaneously irradiate a reference material and at least one sample, thereby obtaining their respective convolved Raman spectra. Using a defined standard energy dispersion characteristic and a standard Raman spectrum of the reference material, a convolution function is determined and applied to produce a deconvolved Raman spectrum of the sample. This deconvolved spectrum is multiplied by a defined standard photometric response function to produce a standard Raman spectrum of the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing material to a mold, such as in an injection molding system, wherein the settings for controlling the molding operation are retained in a non-volatile memory in a hot-half of the mold. When connected to a system controller, the hot-half of the mold is configured to communicate the retained information to the system controller, thereby enabling simplified set up of the molding operation. The retained information includes system information, initial settings for a plurality of heating zones, and historical information associated with that particular hot-half of the mold. Changes made to the information at the system controller are transmitted to the hot-half for dynamic updating of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A tobacco expansion method is provided whereby cured tobacco is first moistened with a humectant solution, as is conventional in the industry, to increase the resident liquids thereof. Next, the prepared tobacco in shredded form is placed in a sealed chamber and the chamber evacuated to vaporize a portion of the resident liquids. Next, ethyl alcohol vapor is allowed to enter the pressure chamber below 70 mm (Hg) absolute to prevent a water-ethyl alcohol azeotrope from forming. Thereafter, a hydrocarbon vapor, such as n-pentane vapor, is directed into the chamber and the pressure restored to atmospheric. The n-pentane vapor diffuses into the cellular structure of the tobacco with the assistance of the ethyl alcohol, whereafter the tobacco is heated and the n-pentane and ethyl alcohol acts as a propellant to expand the tobacco.

Abstract: A picture frame stand is provided for supporting framed articles of varying sizes on a horizontal support surface such as a countertop or a desk. A rigid base member and a rigid upright member is connected to a flexible upright member to form a stand of essentially triangular shape. The stand operates by pressing the flexible upright member toward the rigid upright member, thereby urging the ends of the flexible upright member closer together, in order to position the ends against a top and a bottom shoulder of the picture frame, and subsequently releasing the flexible upright member which urges the ends against the top and bottom shoulder. In this position, the picture frame stand is detachably mounted with the base member extending outwardly away from the picture frame, thereby forming a tripod base with a bottom edge of the picture frame. Therefore, pictures previously hanging on walls may easily be converted for placement on a countertop or desk.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a free-standing wire mesh grid pattern having a sth, flat surface is disclosed. A thermal oxide is selectively applied to front and back sides of a silicon substrate. A central portion of the oxide on the back side is removed. A resist layer is applied onto the oxide on the front side of the substrate. A resist mesh pattern with a border encompassing that resist mesh pattern is lithographically developed on the resist layer. Chrome and gold layers are sequentially deposited onto the border and into the resist mesh pattern to create a wire mesh pattern within the resist mesh pattern. The resist layer, including the developed resist mesh pattern, is removed to expose the wire mesh pattern from the front side of the substrate. A nickel layer is deposited over the gold layer to develop a wider wire mesh pattern. A second gold layer is then deposited over the nickel layer to form a wire mesh grid pattern composed of chrome, gold, nickel and gold layers.

Abstract: A transversely extendable tool bar for multiple hay rakes which is adapted to be mounted directly to the three-point hitch of a farm vehicle so that the gang of rakes mounted on the tool bar may be simultaneously lifted from or adjusted relative to the earth's surface.

Abstract: A typical end fitting arrangement includes a sleeve-like bearing member riving an end of the explosive cord and a coupling member, such as a threaded nut, slipped axially over the cord into a fixed position relative to the sleeve. To securely bind together the cord and the sleeve, a void is provided radially inwardly of the nut and a thermosetting material is directly injected into the void to flow over and around the components. Upon hardening, all components are locked together as an integral body. The injected material further provides a significantly-improved, hermetic seal. Special thermosetting materials having short glass fiber fillers are used to assure load-bearing strength.