Abstract: An apparatus for processing battery electrodes includes: a microwave applicator cavity with slots on opposite ends to allow a continuous sheet to move through the cavity in a first direction; a processing chamber constructed of microwave-transparent material, disposed within the applicator cavity and surrounding the continuous sheet, the processing chamber having slots to allow the continuous sheet to pass through it; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the applicator cavity; a source of heated gas providing a controlled gas flow through the processing chamber in a direction opposite the first direction; and, at least one non-contacting temperature measuring device positioned to measure a surface temperature at a selected location on the continuous sheet as it passes through the processing chamber. The apparatus is particularly suited for removing polar solvents from porous electrode coatings. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing battery electrodes includes: a microwave applicator cavity with slots on opposite ends to allow a continuous sheet to move through the cavity in a first direction; a processing chamber constructed of microwave-transparent material, disposed within the applicator cavity and surrounding the continuous sheet, the processing chamber having slots to allow the continuous sheet to pass through it; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the applicator cavity; a source of heated gas providing a controlled gas flow through the processing chamber in a direction opposite the first direction; and, at least one non-contacting temperature measuring device positioned to measure a surface temperature at a selected location on the continuous sheet as it passes through the processing chamber. The apparatus is particularly suited for removing polar solvents from porous electrode coatings. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing battery electrodes includes: a microwave applicator cavity with slots on opposite ends to allow a continuous sheet to move through the cavity in a first direction; a processing chamber constructed of microwave-transparent material, disposed within the applicator cavity and surrounding the continuous sheet, the processing chamber having slots to allow the continuous sheet to pass through it; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the applicator cavity; a source of heated gas providing a controlled gas flow through the processing chamber in a direction opposite the first direction; and, at least one non-contacting temperature measuring device positioned to measure a surface temperature at a selected location on the continuous sheet as it passes through the processing chamber. The apparatus is particularly suited for removing polar solvents from porous electrode coatings. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A birefringence correction is incorporated into an optical imaging system for imaging with deep ultraviolet light. Optical elements which exhibit an intrinsic birefringence with deep ultraviolet light are arranged in a fashion that renders accumulated birefringence less sensitive to the angular orientation of the beam's rays around the optical axis. A compensating optic corrects a residual radially symmetric component of the birefringence.

Abstract: Stress-induced photoelastic birefringence compensates for intrinsic birefringence of cubic crystalline structures in deep ultraviolet (less than 200 nm) microlithographic imaging systems. Both the photoelastic birefringence and the intrinsic birefringence are expressed in a tensor format simplified by the symmetries of cubic crystalline structures. The stress-induced photoelastic birefringence can be sized to individually compensate for intrinsic birefringence exhibited in the same optical elements or preferably to collectively compensate for the cumulative effects of intrinsic birefringence in other optical elements in the lithography system.

Abstract: A birefringence correction is incorporated into an optical imaging system for imaging with deep ultraviolet light. Optical elements which exhibit an intrinsic birefringence with deep ultraviolet light are arranged in a fashion that renders accumulated birefringence less sensitive to the angular orientation of the beam's rays around the optical axis. A compensating optic corrects a residual radially symmetric component of the birefringence.

Abstract: A double mirror objective lens system uses a three optical surface refractor incorporating a convex mirror into a right surface thereof that reflects incident light to a concave mirror, which reflects the light back through the refractor and on toward a focal point of the system. This arrangement yields better resolution images with low spherical aberration, minimal chromatic aberration, and long working distance. A variation of the invention includes another refractor, a right surface of which carries the concave mirror to form a Mangin mirror. This variation on of the invention has even less aberration over increased wavelength range due to better corrected chromatic aberration.

Abstract: Stress-induced photoelastic birefringence compensates for intrinsic birefringence of cubic crystalline structures in deep ultraviolet (less than 200 nm) microlithographic imaging systems. Both the photoelastic birefringence and the intrinsic birefringence are expressed in a tensor format simplified by the symmetries of cubic crystalline structures. The stress-induced photoelastic birefringence can be sized to individually compensate for intrinsic birefringence exhibited in the same optical elements or preferably to collectively compensate for the cumulative effects of intrinsic birefringence in other optical elements in the lithography system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mechanically attaching an optical fiber to a substrate. The apparatus includes a clamping block formed of malleable material disposed adjacent a substrate. The fiber is disposed adjacent the clamping block and a securing member such as a fastener or spring is used to secure the fiber to the clamping block and substrate. The frictional forces between the fiber and the clamping block eliminate movement of the fiber relative to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention includes environmentally stable athermalized optical fiber gratings and methods of making such stabilized optical waveguide fiber grating. Stable humidity-resistant athermalized fiber Bragg gratings are provided by stabilizing a negative thermal expansion substrate and utilizing a durable frit to attach the fiber Bragg grating to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a glass-ceramic body, particularly an aluminosilicate body, for use as a telecommunications component in a humid atmosphere, comprises coating the body with an aqueous solution of an alkali metasilicate, with a solution of a silane that is strongly non-polar with respect to water, or with successive applications of the metasilicate and the silane.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a glass-ceramic body, particularly an aluminosilicate body, for use as a telecommunications component in a humid atmosphere, comprises coating the body with an aqueous solution of an alkali metasilicate, with a solution of a silane that is strongly non-polar with respect to water, or with successive applications of the metasilicate and the silane.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of stabilizing negative thermal expansion glass-ceramic optical waveguide substrates. The invention includes the stabilized negative thermal expansion glass-ceramic optical waveguide substrates. The stabilized substrates have very stable physical characteristics such as dimensional length when exposed to extreme environments. The stabilized substrates are used to athermalize optical waveguide devices such as optical fiber grating. The stabilized substrates are particularly well suited for providing athermalized fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: This invention relates to lead-free silicate glasses that find use in producing fine crystal glassware and in laminated ware applications. The glasses consist essentially, in weight percent, of: SiO2 52-66 ZnO 15-30 Al2O3 0-4 BaO 0-7 Li2O 0-4 MgO + CaO + SrO 0-4 Na2O  3-16 ZrO2 0-4 K2O  0-12 B2O3  0-4.

Abstract: A sleeve member is positioned between an outlet pipe and a drain structure to form a fluid flow passageway isolated from the ambient atmosphere to confine fluid emissions from either the outlet pipe or the drain structure and prevent the fluid emissions from entering the ambient atmosphere. The sleeve member includes two sleeve ends of different diameters and an intermediate sleeve member segment having a truncated cone configuration flaring outwardly and downwardly from the uppermost sleeve end to the lowermost sleeve end.

Abstract: Apparatus for draining liquid from a surface into a sewer through a passageway extending between the surface and the sewer and for forming a liquid barrier between the sewer and the surface to prevent the flow of gases from the sewer to the surface. The apparatus incorporates structure which facilitates the flow of drainage liquid therethrough.

Abstract: A safety device for sealing a drain assembly including a plate element defining a basin with the drain assembly, a housing element depending from the plate element closed to an underground line associated with the drain assembly, and a seal element positionable between the plate element and drain assembly to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween when liquid fills the housing element interior.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for actuating the hydraulic brakes of a wheeled trailer responsive to the relative movement between a tow vehicle and the trailer being towed comprises a base plate adapted to be affixed to the tow vehicle and has a sliding plate which moves relative to the tow vehicle and carries a trailer hitch ball to receive the tongue portion of the wheeled trailer. A hydraulic master cylinder is removably mounted on the base plate stationary relative to the sliding plate and connected by conduit to the hydraulic brakes of the towed trailer. An actuating rod on the sliding plate is operatively connected to the master cylinder piston whereby forward movement of the sliding plate will pressurize the fluid therein to activate the wheel brakes of the trailer as the tow vehicle is slowed down.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for automatically moving a set of venetian type window blinds or similar louvered window coverings or partitions between open or closed positions in response to sensing a predetermined level of solar energy imposed on the window or opening across which the covering is to be disposed.

Abstract: Automatic terminal machines for banking transactions utilize a document dispenser for delivering bank notes to a customer. The document dispenser moves the bank notes from a storage bin by means of a picker mechanism that moves along a path profile established by the configuration of a pair of cam tracks and associated cam followers. The picker mechanism includes vacuum cups for lifting the first document from a stack in the storage bin for delivery into a document transport. Connected to the vacuum cups is a vacuum/pressure supply that includes a multiple chamber cylinder that provides both vacuum and pressure synchronized with operation of the picker mechanism. The piston is pivotally mounted to enable swivel action when driving the interconnected pistons in respective chambers. When provided, the document dispenser includes a cassette having a loading door and an unloading door, each separately equipped with a locking device.