Abstract: The invention provides a support with first and second end portions. The second end portion is on the side opposite to the first end portion in a longitudinal direction of the support. A coil spring is arranged between the first and second end portions. The coil spring comprises a first spiral member that extends between the first and second end portions in a circumferential direction of the support, and a second spiral member that extends between the first and second end portions in a circumferential direction of the support. The first and second spiral members extend in the longitudinal direction around a longitudinal axis of the support, wherein the first spiral member of the coil spring and the second spiral member of the coil spring are moveable relative to each other, and wherein the support further comprises a damper device that is attached to the first spiral member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid air cooling system 10 comprising a primary inlet 12 for receiving a primary air stream 14, a primary outlet 16 for supplying a conditioned air stream 18 to a conditioned space, and a primary air flow passage 20 extending between the primary inlet and outlet 12, 16. The system 10 further comprises a primary heat exchange means 22, disposed in the primary air flow passage 20, which is adapted to permit the primary air stream 14 to operatively pass therethrough, to extract heat energy from the primary air stream 14 as it passes therethrough and thereby form the conditioned air stream 18.

Abstract: The invention provides components for an electric fence. The components are made of a composite material including a derivative or a combination of minerals and a polymeric material.

Abstract: A support such as a clamp (310) is configured to releasably hold a patterning device such as a reticle (300) to secure it and prevent heat-induced deformation of it. For example, an electrostatic clamp includes a first substrate (312) having opposing first (313) and second (315) surfaces, a plurality of burls (316) located on the first surface and configured to contact the reticle, a second substrate (314) having opposing first (317) and second (319) surfaces. The first surface of the second substrate is coupled to the second surface of the first substrate. A plurality of cooling elements (318) are located between the first surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate. The cooling elements are configured to cause electrons to travel from the second surface of the first substrate to the first surface of the second substrate. Each cooling element is substantially aligned with a respective burl.

Abstract: A control system for and method of controlling a vertical position of at least one electrode of an arc furnace, where the arc furnace comprises a furnace transformer having a primary, input side and a secondary, output side which is electrically connected to the at least one electrode, the control system comprising: at least one current-measuring device for measuring a current as drawn by the arc furnace; a voltage-measuring device for measuring a voltage as applied across the arc furnace; and a control unit for dynamically determining a setpoint for the vertical position of the at least one electrode based on the measured values of current and voltage, and providing an actuating output for driving a lifting arrangement to adjust the vertical position of the at least one electrode so as to follow the dynamically-determined setpoint.

Abstract: Linear scanning x-ray apparatus generates a collimated fan beam which is moved together with a detector relative to a subject to generate a composite x-ray image of the subject. An adjustable collimator varies the width of the imaging beam in the scan direction. A control system responds to adjustment of the collimator to combine output signals of groups of two or more pixels in the detector, in order to optimize the contrast resolution of the image signals for a given spatial resolution. The invention provides a collimator for use in the apparatus.

Abstract: X-ray imaging apparatus is provided for generating a composite image of a subject by moving a radiation source (12) and a camera array (122) relative to the subject. A drive mechanism (22) generates clock signals which are used to synchronize the operation of the camera array with the movement thereof, and the composite image data which is generated is stored for display and further signal processing. Control means move the radiation source (12) and the camera array (122) according to the intensity of the imaging beam.