Abstract: A reinforcement support is provided for use in connection with concrete reinforcement elements and poured concrete. The reinforcement support includes a tubular paperboard shell having first and second ends with a channel extending therebetween. At least a first notch is formed into the first end extending towards the second end with the first notch being configured to supportingly accommodate at least one concrete reinforcement element.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste water including a tank having at least one waste water inlet for passing waste water into an inlet region of the tank, at least one waste water outlet for draining waste water from an outlet region of the tank, at least one first baffle between said inlet region and a settlement region of the tank, wherein contaminants having a specific gravity less than one are able to settle out from the waste water for subsequent removal, at least one second baffle between the settlement region and the outlet region of the tank. A recirculation system is adapted to recirculate waste water from the outlet region to the inlet region of the tank. The recirculation system includes a water inlet arranged in the outlet region of the tank, at least one water outlet arranged in the inlet region of the tank, and a pump for pumping water from said water inlet to the water outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning system optimized for lidar that includes a nodding mirror, a rotary electromagnetic drive, a rotary optical encoder, and control circuitry. The rotary electromagnetic drive includes a yoke incorporating a permanent magnet, and an arm having a coil at one end of the arm. The coil is enclosed within the yoke, and an opposite end of the arm is coupled to the nodding mirror, such that movement of the coil within the yoke in response to a current causes the nodding mirror to rotate. The rotary optical encoder produces an output signal in response to rotation of the nodding mirror, which serves as feedback to the control circuitry. The control circuitry adjusts the current provided to the rotary electromagnetic drive in response to the output signal, such that the nodding mirror rotates in a reference scan pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning system optimized for lidar that includes a nodding mirror, a rotary electromagnetic drive, a rotary optical encoder, and control circuitry. The rotary electromagnetic drive includes a yoke incorporating a permanent magnet, and an arm having a coil at one end of the arm. The coil is enclosed within the yoke, and an opposite end of the arm is coupled to the nodding mirror, such that movement of the coil within the yoke in response to a current causes the nodding mirror to rotate. The rotary optical encoder produces an output signal in response to rotation of the nodding mirror, which serves as feedback to the control circuitry. The control circuitry adjusts the current provided to the rotary electromagnetic drive in response to the output signal, such that the nodding mirror rotates in a reference scan pattern.

Abstract: Provided herein are catalysts useful in enabling and promoting the insertion of alkylene oxides into ester linkages. The esters employed as a substrate to be alkoxylated include esters of fatty acids, such as methyl esters of C14 to C22 fatty acids, and mono-, di-, and tri-esters of glycerine, including vegetable oils, animal fats, and plant oils. A catalyst according to the invention includes at least two alkaline earth compounds, which may include any known stable compounds of the alkaline earths, and optionally contains one or more additional materials such as a carboxylic acid or a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight between about 100 and 1500 or a C1-C10 alkyl-capped polyalkylene glycol having molecular weight between about 100 and 1500, which has been acidified with a strong mineral acid. The preferred alkaline earths employed are salts and compounds of magnesium and calcium.

Abstract: A linear actuator, suitable for a clutch (5, 6) of a motor vehicle transmission, has a bi-stable latch mechanism (18, 20) adapted to maintain an actuating member (26) in one of two positions on the output axis. Repeated applications of fluid pressure cause the actuator to alternate between the bi-stable states, and may thus cause a clutch to alternate between engaged and disengaged conditions.

Abstract: Provided herein are catalysts useful in enabling and promoting the insertion of alkylene oxides into ester linkages. The esters employed as a substrate to be alkoxylated include esters of fatty acids, such as methyl esters of C14 to C22 fatty acids, and mono-, di-, and tri-esters of glycerine, including vegetable oils, animal fats, and plant oils. A catalyst according to the invention includes at least two alkaline earth compounds, which may include any known stable compounds of the alkaline earths, and optionally contains one or more additional materials such as a carboxylic acid or a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight between about 100 and 1500 or a C1-C10 alkyl-capped polyalkylene glycol having molecular weight between about 100 and 1500, which has been acidified with a strong mineral acid. The preferred alkaline earths employed are salts and compounds of magnesium and calcium.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: A building information system and method processes building-related data associated with a building. The building-related data, including building management system data and configuration data associated with the building, is associatively stored in a database. A building management system service manages the building subsystem and provides the building management system data stored in the database. A data interface communicates the building-related data to the database. A client interface communicates the building-related data between a client application and the data interface. Other services includes a polling service for periodically detecting point data, a metering service for periodically detecting meter data, and a rates service providing real-time price control. A client/server architecture and consistent procedural interfaces facilitate integration of additional tools and devices.

Abstract: A building information system stores and processes both building management system (BMS) data and building-related configuration information, such as building and equipment descriptions and locations, point and meter descriptions, contact information for alarms, utility rates, and manufacturer and vendor information. The BMS data is stored in multiple configurations, including analog, binary, multistate, input and output. One or more mapping structures establish database relationships between the dynamic BMS data received from or destined to points, meters, and controllers on a BMS network. By combining these two types of data in a central repository, building information system services, tools and applications can be integrated through published interfaces to provide expandable functionality. Based on the mapping structures, the building information system services, tools, and applications access BMS data and corresponding configuration data to derive additional data (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a network of thin clients is disclosed. The thin clients may be organized into a hierarchy with multiple administrative servers in a hierarchy, each managing one or more thin clients. Updates to thin client configurations may be performed by propagating update information to a top-level master administrative server, which in turn conveys the update information to one or more lower-level remote administrative servers, which in turn convey the update information to their managed thin clients. To simplify network management, the thin clients may be organized into arbitrary clusters, regardless of their position within the hierarchy structure. The hierarchy may also be used to control the propagation of error messages from thin clients. The hierarchy may be implemented using a thin client management program that configures thin clients according to their position within the hierarchy.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor trench device comprises forming a dielectric on a substrate, the dielectric having an underlying oxide layer adjacent the substrate, etching a trench in the dielectric and the substrate, forming a recess in the underlying oxide layer, filling the recess with a nitride plug, filling the trench a conductive material and oxidizing the dielectric and the conductive material, wherein the nitride plug controls a shape of a corner of the trench.

Abstract: A building information system stores and processes both building management system (BMS) data and building-related configuration information, such as building and equipment descriptions and locations, point and meter descriptions, contact information for alarms, utility rates, and manufacturer and vendor information. The BMS data is stored in multiple configurations, including analog, binary, multistate, input and output. One or more mapping structures establish database relationships between the dynamic BMS data received from or destined to points, meters, and controllers on a BMS network. By combining these two types of data in a central repository, building information system services, tools and applications can be integrated through published interfaces to provide expandable functionality. Based on the mapping structures, the building information system services, tools, and applications access BMS data and corresponding configuration data to derive additional data (e.g.

Abstract: The position of the pad end (18 and 118) of the first pedal lever (14 and 118) may be adjusted by pivoting an adjustment link (22 and 122) relative to a support bracket (12 and 112) as a drag link (26 and 126) pivots relative to an actuator link (28 and 128). Simultaneously with this adjustment of the operational axis of the first pedal lever (14 and 114), a control link (40 and 140) adjusts the position of the operational axis (40 and 140) of a second pedal lever (32 and 132) as a guide (38 and 138), in form of a link supported by the bracket (12 and 112) guides movement of the operational axis (40 and 140) of the second pedal lever (32 and 132) during the adjustment thereof. Otherwise, the normal operation of the respective pedal levers (14 and 114, 32 and 132) is independent of one another about their respective operational axes (29 and 129, 40 and 140).

Abstract: A modular pedal assembly (10) includes a support base (12) for attachment to a vehicle structure (14), a clutch pedal arm (16), and a brake pedal arm (18). A first bearing block (20) rotatably supports the clutch pedal arm (16) for rotation about an axis and a second bearing block (22) rotatably supports the brake pedal arm (18) for rotation about the same axis. A support interconnects the clutch (16) and brake (18) pedal arms for rotation about the axis. The pedal assembly (10) further includes a connector (24) for connecting the first bearing block (20) to the second bearing block (22) to define a pedal subassembly for attachment to the base (12). The connector (24) locates and maintains the first bearing block (20) at a pre-determined distance from the second bearing block (22) to ensure proper orientation for installation. The pedal subassembly is then fastened to the base (12) to form the pedal assembly (10).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 CVD on silicon wafers using aluminum tri-isopropoxide in a high-volume production environment is presented. The conditions required to use ATI in a production environment and provide maximum utilization of ATI are first of all delivery of ATI via direct evaporation. The ATI source bottle is pumped out (bypassing substrates) until propene and isopropanol signals are reduced to 1% of process pressure before start of aluminum oxide deposition. Either IR spectroscopy or mass spectrometry can be used to provide a control signal to the microprocessor controller. Heating the supplied tetramer to 120.degree. C. for two hours assures complete conversion to trimer. The ATI is stored at 90.degree. C. to minimize decomposition during idle periods and allow recovery of trimer upon return to 120.degree. C. for two hours. During periods of demand, the ATI is held at 120.degree. C. to minimize decomposition.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a layer on a workpiece includes a source of reactant fluid, a reaction chamber having a support for the workpiece and a fluid delivery apparatus for feeding an input fluid into the reaction chamber with the input fluid being utilized to process the material. An infrared sensor is adapted to cooperate with the fluid delivery apparatus for sensing the concentration of a component of the input fluid. The infrared sensor includes an infrared light source positioned to direct a beam of infrared light at an infrared light detector through the input fluid. The infrared light detector produces an electrical output signal indicative of the amount of light received by the detector and therefore not absorbed by the input fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a layer on a workpiece includes a source of reactant fluid, a reaction chamber having a support for the workpiece and a fluid delivery apparatus for feeding an input fluid into the reaction chamber with the input fluid being utilized to process the material. An infrared sensor is adapted to cooperate with the fluid delivery apparatus for sensing the concentration of a component of the input fluid. The infrared sensor includes an infrared light source positioned to direct a beam of infrared light at an infrared light detector through the input fluid. The infrared light detector produces an electrical output signal indicative of the amount of light received by the detector and therefore not absorbed by the input fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for plasma processing involving the gettering of particles having a high charge to mass ratio away from a semiconductor wafer are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, magnets are used to produce a magnetic field which is transverse to an electric field to draw the negative particles away from the wafer to prevent the formation of a sheath which can trap the particles. In a second aspect of the invention, a power source is connected to the wafer electrode to maintain a negative charge on the wafer, thereby preventing negative particles from being drawn to the wafer surface when the plasma is turned off. In other embodiments of the invention, a low density plasma source is used to produce a large plasma sheath which permits particles to cross a chamber to be gettered. A low density plasma discharge followed by a pulse to a higher density is used to overcome the negative effect of an insulating layer between the wafer and the wafer electrode.