Abstract: A digital variable capacitor package is provided as having a ground plane disposed on predetermined portion of the top surface of a substrate. An elongated signal electrode may also be disposed on the substrate and including a first end defining an input and a second end extending to a substantially central region of the top surface of the substrate. This elongated signal electrode is disposed to be electrically isolated from the ground plane. A number of elongated cantilevers are disposed on the substrate and each include first ends coupled to the second end of the signal electrode and each further include second ends suspended over different predetermined portions of the ground plane. In operation, one or more of the cantilevers may be actuated to move portion thereof into close proximity to the ground plane for providing one or more discrete capacitance values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to application processing and decisioning systems and processes. One embodiment of the invention includes a method for automating decisioning for a credit request associated with an applicant. The method includes providing a user computer interface adapted to receive information associated with an applicant, and further adapted to display and receive information associated with at least one decision rule. The method also includes receiving information associated with an applicant through the user computer interface; receiving information associated with the applicant from at least one data source; and receiving a selection of information associated with a plurality of decision rules through the user computer interface.

Abstract: A system and method for the placement and retrieval of embedded data blocks within a document includes converting a document into a bitmap image; calculating a total area required to embed information; analyzing the bitmap image for areas for placement of at least one embedded data block; calculating a total available area in the bitmap image to embed the information; dividing the information to encode into data packets; determining a location on the bitmap image to place at least one embedded data block; storing coordinate information for the location of the at least one embedded data block; creating a decoding protocol for at least one embedded data block; encoding the data packets and the decoding protocol into at least one embedded data block; and creating a bitmap image of at least one embedded data block.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) of a superabrasive material having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof is provided. It is typically an abrasive compact disc such as a PCBN or a PCD disc, for example. An array of spaced cores (58) filled with hard metal, such as cemented carbide, for example, extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along intersecting, transverse lines (68) around the respective hard metal cores to produce the tool insert. The body may include an interlayer (56) of hard metal intermediate the opposite major surfaces, preferably the same hard metal as the cores, such that the cores are integrally formed with the interlayer.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert which comprises a central metal portion having edge regions of superabrasive material bonded thereto and presenting cutting edges or points for the tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof, each having spaced strips (64) of superabrasive material, typically abrasive compact such as PCBN or PCD, for example, separated by a metal region or regions, such as cemented carbide, is provided. Each superabrasive strip of one major surface is arranged in register with a superabrasive strip of the opposite major surface. Alternatively, each superabrasive strip extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along at least two sets of planes intersecting at or in the respective superabrasive strips to produce the tool insert.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert having superabrasive cutting points or edges is disclosed. A body (10) of a hard metal having major surfaces (12, 14) on each of opposite sides thereof, such as a cemented carbide disc, is provided. Each major surface of the body has an array of pockets (12) filled with a superabrasive material, typically an abrasive compact such as PCBN or PCD, for example. A pocket of one major surface is arranged to be in register with a pocket of the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along at least two sets of planes intersecting at or in respective superabrasive filled pockets to produce the tool insert. The severing of the body is carried out in such a manner as to expose the superabrasive material to form a cutting tip or edge in the tool insert.

Abstract: A portable diagnostic system for testing gas pressure reduction equipment includes a computer arrangement 16 interfaced to an electro-pneumatic test unit 12 which provides test pressures for and receives information on displacement from the pressure reduction equipment. Unit 12 includes a number of valves including three solenoid on/off valves, a needle valve and an on/off ball valve. The position of the valve member of the needle valve is sensed by a position transducer. Displacement transducers 40 and 42 connected to the reduction equipment sense slamshut valve and regulator displacements pressure transducer 44 and a differential pressure transducer 102 are each connected to the equipment. Signals from the transducers are fed to a data acquisition system 210 which also drives the solenoid valves and the needle and ball valves, all under the control of the PC16 to give an indication for example of how far the valves are open in the regulating equipment (ie from the valve seat).

Abstract: A bucket assembly is disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a bucket having a base edge. The bucket assembly also includes a base edge protection assembly having (i) a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches and (ii) a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate. The base edge protection assembly is secured to the bucket such that the base edge of the bucket is positioned within the edge slot of the base edge protection assembly.

Abstract: An antifouling coating composition comprising a binder comprising a non-volatile amine and rosin or maleinised or fumarised rosin. The non-volatile amine is preferably an amine of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group derived from a diterpene and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, preferably present in a proportion by weight of 9:1 to 1:9 relative to the rosin or maleinised or fumarised rosin.

Abstract: A method of forming an elongated decorative trim strip of thermoplastic material with an end of the strip having a desired shape of non-constant cross-section in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip. An extruded length of thermoplastic material is first made of a length substantially equal to the desired length of the decorative trim strip with a first longitudinally extending surface of the length being a front show face and a second longitudinally extending surface opposite the first surface being a back mounting surface. At an end portion of the extruded length, material is removed inwardly from the second surface to create a cavity behind the first surface while leaving the show face generally undisturbed.

Abstract: Fouling of a ship's hull is inhibited by an amine of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group derived from a diterpene and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms. The amine acts as a paint binder and as a marine biocide. An antifouling coating composition may comprise a pigment with the said amine as binder. Alternatively an antifouling coating composition comprises as binder an acid-functional polymer whose acid groups are blocked by a monoamine group which forms an organic-solvent-soluble salt of the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for constructing dual stripe magnetoresistive read heads by depositing each stripe on a separate substrate and then bringing the stripes together in the assembly process. The method of the present invention first forms two substrates and deposits a layer from which conductor leads and stripes will be defined upon them. Connecting pads are provided to allow all the conductor leads to terminate on one substrate and connect with a standard flex circuit. After the leads and stripes are defined, a layer of insulation is then placed over the stripes, leads and substrates. Finally, the substrates are shaped to the preferred from and mounted together to form a recording head with the magnetoresistive stripes precisely positioned adjacent to each other. Advantageously, this method permits the deposition of the MR strips at the same time and under the same deposition conditions.

Abstract: A read-while-write magnetic head assembly adapted for use with a recording medium wherein the magnetic head assembly is formed of two transducing head sub-assemblies having a feedthrough shield interposed therebetween and wherein each transducing sub-assembly includes a transducer having a transducing element located on one side thereof and conductive leads extending from a different side thereof, a substrate formed of a material which is highly resistant to being abraded by the recording medium and wherein the substrate has a medium contacting surface and a support surface which extends substantially perpendicular therefrom and wherein the substrate has the transducer rigidly affixed to the support surface with the transducing element of the transducer positioned adjacent the substrate contacting surface, a spacer formed of a material which is highly resistant to being abraded by the recording medium and wherein the spacer has a medium contacting surface which is rigidly affixed in opposed, spaced relationsh

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly having a transverse guiding surface which is highly resistant to being abraded by a recording medium for reading and recording magnetically recorded information on the recording medium including a transducer having a transducing element on one end thereof and conductive leads extending from a different end thereof, a substrate formed of a mixture of Aluminum Oxide and Titanium Carbide ("Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiC") having a medium contacting surface and a supporting surface extending substantially perpendicular therefrom wherein the substrate has the transducer rigidly affixed to the substrate supporting surface with the transducing element positioned adjacent the substrate contacting surface, a spacer formed of Al.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head having a substrate, magnetic head components and a superstrate formed of materials which are highly resistive to being abraded by a magnetic media being moved thereacross is shown. The magnetic head includes a magnetic bottom pole piece having a front gap section and a rearward extending portion. A lateral wall layer formed of a magnetic material and of predetermined thickness, has a forward wall section and a rearward wall section which define a coil windings receiving trench adjacent the front gap section of the bottom pole piece layer. The bottom pole piece forms a bottom enclosure for the coil windings receiving trench. A coil having coil windings is formed on the bottom pole piece and the coil windings thickness is less than the thickness of the lateral wall layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transducing sub-assembly for a magnetic head assembly comprising the steps of affixing a transducer onto a substrate wherein the transducing element is located on one side thereof and leads extending from the transducing element are located on a different side thereof and wherein the substrate is formed of a material which is highly resistant to being abraded by a recording medium being transported thereacross and wherein the transducer is affixed to the support surface with the transducing element located adjacent the medium contacting surface and with the leads extending along the supporting surface away from the medium contacting surface; bonding a spacer to the substrate and transducer wherein the substrate and spacer are formed of a material which is highly resistant to being abraded by a recording medium and has a medium contacting surface of a preselected width and spaced sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular therefrom a distance equal to the length of the transduc

Abstract: A method of attaching electrical conductors to a thin film magnetic transducer having a transducing element and a plurality of substantially planar conductive leads formed into a predetermined pattern comprising the steps of mounting the thin film magnetic transducer on a substrate adjacent a medium contacting surface with the conductive leads thereof extending from the medium contacting surface, positioning an electrical circuit member having on one side thereof a plurality of planar connecting elements which have a relatively thin diffusible conductive metal coating contiguous the conductive leads, placing a quantity of curable epoxy bonding material adjacent the plurality of planar connecting elements of the thin film transducer wherein the epoxy bonding material is selected of a material having a curing temperature which is less than the thermal stress temperature of a thin film magnetic transducer wherein at least one of the electrical characteristics and the magnetic characteristics of the thin film mag

Abstract: An improved contact lens and method of forming the same which causes the lens to adopt and maintain a particular angular orientation upon the eye of a wearer. One or more characters are formed in relief upon a surface of the lens at a point which is intended as the topmost point in the lens when properly oriented. The relieved characters may be used alone or in combination with previously-known means for effecting orientation of the lens.

Abstract: A casing for a shaped explosive charge wherein an explosives container, a metal cavity liner and a stand-off element are joined together at their peripheral margins. The joint may be a metallurgical joint but may also advantageously be a water-destructible joint, for example, a bolted flanged joint comprising a sea-water-destructible packing element.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly testing catalyst samples wherein a vertical reactor surrounded by a heat transfer medium and containing a removable catalyst support is arranged for loading catalyst through the reactor top and for its removal through the bottom after testing. A preheater section is provided for preheating the reactant feed stream. It interconnects with the reactor between the catalyst inlet and outlet ports.