Abstract: A vertical multi-junction photovoltaic device includes a structured substrate including a plurality of substantially vertical elongated structures protruding from a planar surface of the structured substrate. An areal density of the elongated structures at a first sliced plane parallel to the planer surface is different than an areal density of the elongated structures at a second sliced plane parallel to the planar surface. The device further includes least a first sub-cell and a second sub-cell, each having a corresponding vertical p-n or p-i-n junction formed of conformal layers, the first sub-cell being formed in a first region incorporating the first sliced plane and the second sub-cell being formed above the first sub-cell in a second region incorporating the second sliced plane.

Abstract: A conveying method for an artificial stone process comprises placing stone on a trolley equipped with a catch basin, the trolley traveling along a track set to carry the stone to a processing region which has a top bracing unit, when the trolley carrying the stone to the processing region, the catch basin being braced upwardly and separated from the trolley, an engaging mechanism receiving the catch basin and delivering it to a processing station, thereby processing the stone on the catch basin.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that has an articulatable end effector. Various types of passive articulation joints are disclosed for interconnecting a proximal frame portion to the end effector to facilitate pivotal travel of the end effector relative to the proximal frame portion of the instrument.

Abstract: An insulator usable in high current ion implantation systems includes increased surface due to the configuration of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder coupled to the inner cylinder at one end. A cylindrical cavity extends between the two cylinders increasing the surface area and making the insulator resistant to being coated by a coating that could produce a leakage path.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymorphic forms of N2-(1,1?-biphenyl-4-ylcarbonyl)-N1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylethyl]-L-?-glutamine, methods of preparing the polymorphic forms, compositions containing the polymorphic forms, and methods of treatment using the polymorphic forms.

Abstract: A system for dispensing adhesive onto a surface is provided. This system includes a dispenser and a quantity of discrete units of adhesive releasably deposited on a substrate. The dispenser includes a drive mechanism that further includes an actuator for actuating the dispenser; and a drive wheel, wherein the drive wheel further includes mechanical means for engaging the actuator. An optional supply wheel may be included in the dispenser. The quantity of discrete units of adhesive is releasably deposited on a substrate that may be mounted on the supply wheel or that may simply sit within the dispenser. The substrate further includes means for cooperating with the drive wheel to incrementally advance the substrate a substantially fixed, and predetermined distance upon actuation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A computing device may be joined to a cluster by discovering the device, determining whether the device is eligible to join the cluster, configuring the device, and assigning the device a cluster role. A device may be assigned to act as a cluster master, backup master, active device, standby device, or another role. The cluster master may be configured to assign tasks, such as network flow processing to the cluster devices. The cluster master and backup master may maintain global, run-time synchronization data pertaining to each of the network flows, shared resources, cluster configuration, and the like. The devices within the cluster may monitor one another. Monitoring may include transmitting status messages comprising indicators of device health to the other devices in the cluster. In the event a device satisfies failover conditions, a failover operation to replace the device with another standby device, may be performed.

Abstract: A computing device may be joined to a cluster by discovering the device, determining whether the device is eligible to join the cluster, configuring the device, and assigning the device a cluster role. A device may be assigned to act as a cluster master, backup master, active device, standby device, or another role. The cluster master may be configured to assign tasks, such as network flow processing to the cluster devices. The cluster master and backup master may maintain global, run-time synchronization data pertaining to each of the network flows, shared resources, cluster configuration, and the like. The devices within the cluster may monitor one another. Monitoring may include transmitting status messages comprising indicators of device health to the other devices in the cluster. In the event a device satisfies failover conditions, a failover operation to replace the device with another standby device, may be performed.

Abstract: A computing device may be joined to a cluster by discovering the device, determining whether the device is eligible to join the cluster, configuring the device, and assigning the device a cluster role. A device may be assigned to act as a cluster master, backup master, active device, standby device, or another role. The cluster master may be configured to assign tasks, such as network flow processing to the cluster devices. The cluster master and backup master may maintain global, run-time synchronization data pertaining to each of the network flows, shared resources, cluster configuration, and the like. The devices within the cluster may monitor one another. Monitoring may include transmitting status messages comprising indicators of device health to the other devices in the cluster. In the event a device satisfies failover conditions, a failover operation to replace the device with another standby device, may be performed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a probe cover for an ear thermometer, which comprises: a film cover and a base. The film cover has a cover window able to contact the probe window at the front end of the ear thermometer, a hollow cone able to contact the sidewall of the probe and a strengthened element able to contact the cover window and the hollow cone. The thickness of the cover window is same as the thickness of the strengthened element and greater than the thickness of the hollow cone. Thereby, the present invention can prevent the variation of infrared transmittance caused by the misarrangement and non-uniform thickness of the probe cover film disposed at the front of the probe window.

Abstract: A differential pressure sensor method and system includes a number of elastomer plates, which can be placed with certain distance and sealed in a small tube, wherein the tube can be connected to a number of detection areas. The surface of the elastomers can be covered with a thin film of conductive elastomer as a compliant electrode. The resistance of the compliant electrodes varies with deformation of the elastomer plates and the resistance change can be measured through circuits. A variable capacitor also exists between the elastomer plates due to a sealed space and the compliant electrodes. The elastomer plates deform accordingly when the pressure varies in the detection areas and the variation of the capacitance can be detected through circuits. The pressure difference between the detection areas can then be detected utilizing the variation in resistance and capacitance.

Abstract: A corner panel for a veneer wall panel system includes a body having a fastener section extending in a first plane and a fastenerless section extending in a second plane. The first and second planes define an included corner angle A. In addition, a method is provided for securing a corner panel of a veneer wall panel system to a corner of an underlying support structure. That method includes the step of positioning the corner panel on the corner of the underlying support structure, fastening the corner panel to the support structure only along a first section of the corner panel and maintaining a second section of the corner panel free of any fasteners. In this way, it is possible to decouple any corner stresses between the corner panel and the underlying support structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a respiration sensor, which is attached to a testee and comprises a triaxial acceleration sensing unit, a microprocessor, and at least one alarm unit. The triaxial acceleration sensing unit detects the respiration-related movements of a testee and output a detection signal. The microprocessor connects with the triaxial acceleration sensing unit, receives the detection signal and transforms the detection signal into a respiration signal to determine the respiration state of the testee. When the respiration signal is lower than a standard, the microprocessor triggers the alarm unit to give out an alarm to alert the persons nearby.

Abstract: An improved picture frame having an open display pocket mounted behind a viewing aperture for quickly and easily changing the picture displayed within the frame. A storage compartment extends from the rear of the display pocket for conveniently storing a plurality of pictures while they are not being displayed, and a peripheral easel is mounted to the rear of the frame for supporting the frame in either a portrait or landscape orientation without interfering or traversing the display pocket or the storage compartment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a probe cover for an ear thermometer, which comprises: a film cover and a base. The film cover has a cover window able to contact the probe window at the front end of the ear thermometer, a hollow cone able to contact the sidewall of the probe and a strengthened element able to contact the cover window and the hollow cone. The thickness of the cover window is same as the thickness of the strengthened element and greater than the thickness of the hollow cone. Thereby, the present invention can prevent the variation of infrared transmittance caused by the misarrangement and non-uniform thickness of the probe cover film disposed at the front of the probe window.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ear thermometer with a simple-structure and easy-operation probe-cover detaching mechanism, which comprises a body having a probe and a detaching element installed to the bottom of the probe. The detaching element can be directly operated by a finger. After measurement, the user can use the detaching element to exert an outward force on a probe cover sleeving the probe and reject the probe cover from the probe. Further, the detaching element may be made of a metallic material, and magnetic elements are arranged at the corresponding positions of the probe bottom; thereby, the detaching element can be automatically restored to its original position by the attractive force of the magnetic elements. Therefore, the present invention provides an ear thermometer, which can easily reject a probe cover from the probe and has the advantages of simple structure and easy operation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for calibrating an infrared thermometer, which can obtain a sensitivity of a radiation sensor of an infrared thermometer and a reference resistance of an ambient-temperature sensor of the infrared thermometer. The method of the present invention uses an infrared thermometer to detect two test objects respectively placed in two environments having different ambient temperatures to obtain output signals of the radiation sensor and resistances of the ambient-temperature sensor from the two test objects. Then, the method of the present invention uses the output signals of the radiation sensor and the resistances of the ambient-temperature sensor to work out the sensitivity of the radiation sensor and the reference resistance of the ambient-temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a temperature vector analyzer, which comprises the following elements: a temperature detection device further comprising a plurality of infrared sensors; a temperature-vector display panel; a microprocessor receiving infrared-radiating heat source temperatures detected by the plurality of infrared sensors, calculating the vector components of the infrared-radiating heat source temperatures to attain a center-originating temperature vector, and presenting the temperature vector on the temperature-vector display panel; and a power source providing power for the temperature detection device, the temperature-vector display panel, and the microprocessor. The present invention can apply to detect a local heat origin or a local heat-dissipating point.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that has an articulatable end effector. Various types of passive articulation joints are disclosed for interconnecting a proximal frame portion to the end effector to facilitate pivotal travel of the end effector relative to the proximal frame portion of the instrument.