Abstract: A system includes a transceiver having mixers, variable gain amplifiers, a modulator, a local oscillator and power amplifiers that may receive control signals generated by a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). The DAC may include a multiplexer that receives digital values that are transferred to a DAC core, converted to analog values, and stored in sample-and-hold circuits. The one DAC may service multiple devices within the transceiver with control signals. A smart timer may generate select signals to the multiplexer and sample-and hold circuits to prioritize updating of the control signals.

Abstract: A two-stage valve for controlling the flow of fluid from a pressurized fluid supply with an upper main body including a cavity with a contoured inner surface; a lower main body with at least one flow exhaust passage forming a primary flow path through the two-stage valve; a pre-stressed diaphragm sandwiched between the upper and lower main bodies, and pressure control capability for controlling the pressure in the cavity. A first valve opens and closes the flow of gas from the pressurized gas supply to the cavity. A second valve allows the pressure in the cavity to exhaust to the environment. Raising and lowering of the pressure in the cavity causes the pre-stressed diaphragm to open and close the flow of gas from the pressurized gas supply through the primary flow path of the two-stage valve. The design is suitable as a microvalve using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) concepts.

Abstract: A method for making a multichip “HDI” module includes the step of making a substrate for supporting the semiconductor or solid-state chips (or other components) by applying electrical conductor in a pattern to a first dielectric sheet, and applying encapsulating material to the electrical conductor. Apertures are made in the first dielectric sheet and encapsulant at locations at which the chips (or other components) are to be located. The components are affixed to a second dielectric sheet at locations registered with the apertures in the first sheet, and the sheets are juxtaposed with the chips extending into the apertures. This results in the formation of gaps between the components and the edges of the apertures, which gaps are then filled with hardenable or curable material. Electrical connection is made to the pads of the chips by means of a multilayer structure of dielectric sheets with conductor patterns, interconnected by means of plated-through vias.

Abstract: A system includes a transceiver having mixers, variable gain amplifiers, a modulator, a local oscillator and power amplifiers that may receive control signals generated by a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). The DAC may include a multiplexer that receives digital values that are transferred to a DAC core, converted to analog values, and stored in sample-and-hold circuits. The one DAC may service multiple devices within the transceiver with control signals. A smart timer may generate select signals to the multiplexer and sample-and hold circuits to prioritize updating of the control signals.

Abstract: An improved process for the causticisation of Bayer liquors in an alumina refinery, the process including the steps of reacting lime with aluminate ions in a Bayer liquor within a primary reactor under controlled conditions of low to moderate temperature (between 70-80° C.) and agitation, to form substantially only a hydrocalumite species and hydroxyl ions; and a secondary reactor wherein the hydrocalumite species formed is subjected to heating in contact with a Bayer liquor under controlled conditions so as to cause the hydrocalumite species to react with the liquor to form calcium carbonate, aluminate ions and hydroxyl ions, whereby a causticised Bayer liquor is obtained and wherein the efficiency of lime utilization is substantially increased and/or alumina losses are minimized.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive asymmetry compensation system includes a linearizer (61) interposed in a data path and a control loop (63). The control loop uses signal estimates from an interpolated timing response unit (25) to derive a magneto-resistive asymmetry error. The error term is used to obtain a control scaling input to the linearizer. The linearizer functions to multiply the scaling multiple to the square of the input signal and then add it back to the input signal.

Abstract: CTE differentials between chips and organic dielectric carriers, boards or other substrates to which the chips are attached are accommodated with a layer of a thermoplastic material, preferably a thermotropic polymer whose physical properties can be altered by extrusion or other physical processes, such as liquid crystalline polyesters, that modifies the CTE of at least one component of the package and thereby reduces CTE differentials. The material may be applied to the entire surface of a chip carrier, printed circuit or other substrate, or form an interior layer of a multi-layered structure. It may also be applied to selected regions or areas on the surface of a carrier or other substrate where adjustment is required.

Abstract: A two-stage valve for controlling the flow of gas from a pressurized gas supply with an upper main body including a cavity; a lower main body with at least one flow exhaust passage forming a primary flow path through the two-stage valve; a pre-stressed diaphragm sandwiched between the upper and lower main bodies, and pressure control capability for controlling the pressure in the cavity. A secondary flow path exists from the pressurized gas supply through the lower main body, through the upper main body, and terminating in the cavity in the upper main body. A first valve is installed in the secondary flow path to open and close the flow of gas from the pressurized gas supply to the cavity. A second valve installed in an exhaust passage in the upper main body allows the pressure in the cavity to exhaust to the environment. When the second valve is closed, the pressure in the cavity in the upper main body can be increased to lower the pre-stressed diaphragm.

Abstract: A hard layer of amorphous hydrogenated carbon (DLC) overlies a polymer film structure and a plurality of soft layers of DLC alternate with a plurality of hard layers of DLC over the barrier base to form a corrosion resistant structure. The polymer film structure and a circuit chip can be elements of a circuit module. The DLC and the polymer film structure can have vias extending to contact pads, and a pattern of electrical conductors can extend through the vias to the contact pads. In one embodiment the DLC forms a hermetic (and therefore corrosion resistant) seal over the polymer film structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for re-gassifying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in a subterranean formation/cavity, storing the resulting gaseous hydrocarbon in the same or connected strata, then subsequent conventional production and delivery of the gas to end users. LNG is injected into a permeable subterranean reservoir through surface and wellbore equipment suitable for operations at cryogenic temperatures. The liquid hydrocarbon vaporizes in the permeable rock/cavity near the injection wellbore as it gains thermal energy from the surrounding strata. The resulting gas is held within the reservoir for subsequent production and/or immediately produced by producing wells in the same or contiguous formations. The invention eliminates the need for onshore LNG receiving/storage terminals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixture to be used during pressure/vacuum testing. The fixture includes a shell having a main body and a coupling ring surrounding the main body. The coupling ring has threads for engaging an external thread connection on the device to be tested and for facilitating installation and removal of the fixture. The fixture further includes a back plate welded to one end of the main body and a pressure adapter for connecting the fixture to a pressure source or a vacuum source. The fixture still further includes an optional insulator to be placed in contact with the device being tested.

Abstract: A method and process sequence for accurately aligning (die to interconnect metal on flex substrate such as polyimide flex is described. A mask for via formation is first patterned in a metal layer on the bottom surface of the flex substrate. Die attach means such as die attach adhesive is then applied to the top side of flex substrate. The bond pads on die are locally, adaptively aligned to the patterned metal via mask on the flex with high accuracy. Vias down to the die bond pads are then created by either plasma etching or excimer laser ablation through the existing aligned metal mask on the flex substrate, and interconnect metal is then deposited, patterned and etched. As a result of this process, the flex metal interconnect artwork does not have to be customized for each die misplacement using “adaptive lithography”. Lower cost commercially available lithography equipment can be used for processing, reducing capital equipment and processing cost.

Abstract: UV reflectors incorporated in UV LED-based light sources reduce the amount of UV radiation emission into the surroundings and increase the efficiency of such light sources. UV reflectors are made of nanometer-sized particles having a mean particle diameter less than about one-tenth of the wavelength of the UV light emitted by the UV LED, dispersed in a molding or casting material surrounding the LED. Other UV reflectors are series of layers of materials having alternating high and low refractive indices; each layer has a physical thickness of one quarter of the wavelength divided by the refractive index of the material. Nanometer-sized textures formed on a surface of the multilayered reflector further reduce the emission of UV radiation into the surroundings. UV LED-based light sources include such a multilayered reflector disposed on an encapsulating structure of a transparent material around a UV LED, particles of a UV-excitable phosphor dispersed in the transparent material.

Abstract: A two-stage valve for controlling the flow of gas from a pressurized gas supply with an upper main body including a cavity; a lower main body with at least one flow exhaust passage forming a primary flow path through the two-stage valve; a pre-stressed diaphragm sandwiched between the upper and lower main bodies, and pressure control capability for controlling the pressure in the cavity. A secondary flow path exists from the pressurized gas supply through the lower main body, through the upper main body, and terminating in the cavity in the upper main body. A first valve is installed in the secondary flow path to open and close the flow of gas from the pressurized gas supply to the cavity. A second valve installed in an exhaust passage in the upper main body allows the pressure in the cavity to exhaust to the environment. When the second valve is closed, the pressure in the cavity in the upper main body can be increased to lower the pre-stressed diaphragm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running an analog portion (162) of a read/write channel (108) from a highly regulated power supply (260). The apparatus includes an analog portion (162), a clock synthesizer (154), and a highly regulated power supply (260) connected to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154). The analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154) both comprise high voltage transistors which operate in a first voltage range and low voltage transistors which operate in a second voltage range, wherein the first voltage range is within the second voltage range. The highly regulated power supply (260) supplies power that is within the first voltage range to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154). The method includes generating power that is within the first voltage range using the highly regulated power supply (260), and supplying the power to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154).

Abstract: Disclosed is a configurable housing for a personal electronic device having multiple operating modes wherein the configuration of the housing determines the operating mode of the personal electronic device. Moreover, each configuration is well suited and easy to use for the selected operating mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a neck seal for use in a volume displacement plethysmograph for investigating pulmonary function of infants. The neck seal includes particulate material entrapped in a space between two layers of flexible sheets. The two flexible sheets have aligned openings to allow an infant's neck to be located therein. The sheets are sealed together around the openings and along a closed figure extending around the openings, thereby forcing the space closed. The seal becomes rigid when a vacuum is applied to the space.

Abstract: A method and process sequence for accurately aligning (die to interconnect metal on flex substrate such as polyimide flex is described. A mask for via formation is first patterned in a metal layer on the bottom surface of the flex substrate. Die attach means such as die attach adhesive is then applied to the top side of flex substrate. The bond pads on die are locally, adaptively aligned to the patterned metal via mask on the flex with high accuracy. Vias down to the die bond pads are then created by either plasma etching or excimer laser ablation through the existing aligned metal mask on the flex substrate, and interconnect metal is then deposited, patterned and etched. As a result of this process, the flex metal interconnect artwork does not have to be customized for each die misplacement using “adaptive lithography”. Lower cost commercially available lithography equipment can be used for processing, reducing capital equipment and processing cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixture to be used during pressure/vacuum testing. The fixture includes a shell having a main body and a coupling ring surrounding the main body. The coupling ring has threads for engaging an external thread connection on the device to be tested and for facilitating installation and removal of the fixture. The fixture further includes a back plate welded to one end of the main body and a pressure adapter for connecting the fixture to a pressure source or a vacuum source. The fixture still further includes an optional insulator to be placed in contact with the device being tested.