Abstract: Optical apparatus for modifying a radiation beam, the apparatus including a variable focus lens (1) comprising a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B) wherein the fluids are immiscible and are separated from each other by a fluid meniscus (6; 106; 206; 306) which is configurable into a configuration which is arranged to modify a predetermined vergence of an input radiation beam (15; 32; 33) and a focus control system.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for modifying a radiation beam, the apparatus including a variable focus lens (1) comprising a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B) wherein the fluids are immiscible and are separated from each other by a fluid meniscus (6; 106; 206; 306) which is configurable into a configuration which is arranged to modify a predetermined vergence of an input radiation beam (15; 32; 33) and a focus control system.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing an enveloped multilayer capacitor and an enveloped multilayer comprising a method of manufacturing enveloped multilayer capacitors, in which a flat supporting plate of an electrically insulating material is provided with through-holes, dielectric layers and electrode layers are provided in the holes and on both surfaces of the flat supporting plate, after a sufficient number of layers has been provided for the intended purpose, the supporting plate is covered on both sides with a cover plate of an electrically insulating material which is hermetically secured to the supporting plate of an electrically insulating material, the assembly is subdivided into blocks which each comprise a multilayer capacitor enveloped by an electrically insulating material, with partition lines extending through the electrode layers situated on both surfaces of the supporting plate, and, subsequently, end contacts are provided on two opposing ends of the blocks.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray apparatus which includes an adjustable X-ray filter. In order to adjust an intensity profile of the X-ray beam, an X-ray absorbing liquid is transported to filter elements of the X-ray filter. Such transport is susceptible to gravitational forces which lead to an irregular hydrostatic pressure distribution in the X-ray filter. In order to reduce the effects of the gravitational forces on the transport of the X-ray absorbing liquid, the duct connecting the filter elements to the reservoir is subdivided into sub-ducts and the reservoir is subdivided into chambers, each chamber being connected to at least one sub-duct. The X-ray apparatus also includes means for keeping the sub-ducts aligned with a horizontal plane.

Abstract: Enveloped multilayer capacitors, which has a flat supporting plate of an electrically insulating material is provided with through-holes, and dielectric layers and electrode layers are provided in the holes and on both surfaces of the flat supporting plate. After a sufficient number of layers has been provided for the intended purpose, the supporting plate is covered on both sides with a cover plate of an electrically insulating material which is hermetically secured to the supporting plate of an electrically insulating material. The assembly is subdivided into blocks which each contain a multilayer capacitor enveloped by an electrically insulating material, with partition lines extending through the electrode layers situated on both surfaces of the supporting plate, and, subsequently, end contacts are provided on two opposing ends of the blocks.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing metallic droplets (9), comprising the following steps:(a) providing a substrate (1) which is substantially transparent to radiation of wavelength .lambda., one face (1a) of the substrate (1) being provided with a metallic layer (3) which is partitioned into an array of lands (5);(b) directing a laser beam (7) of wavelength .lambda. through the substrate (1) onto a land (5), thereby causing rapid melting of the land (5) and its detachment from the substrate (1) in the form of a molten droplet (9). In a preferential embodiment of the method, the molten droplet (9) is "shot" onto a target substrate (21) before solidifying.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a flexible fastening member (19) comprising a foil (1) for fastening an object (15) thereto, characterized by making at least two generally U-shaped incisions (5) which are spaced apart, which define a central portion (23) between them, and which are directed oppositely to another, the open ends of the U-shapes facing away from another so as to create two mutually opposed tags (11), and by bending the foil (1) along two parallel bending lines (13), each line being situated at the open end of a U-shaped incision (5) so as to obtain a generally U-shaped member (19) whose base is said central portion (23), and to obtain the tags (11) as extensions of the legs (25) of said U-shaped member and situated at one side of the plane (20) defined by the central portion (23), the legs (25) being situated at the other side of said plane (20).

Abstract: An electromechanical displacement device (81) provided with a holder (90), an element (45) displaceable relative to the holder (90), and an actuator (83) connected to the holder (90) by which the element (45) can be displaced relative to the holder (90). The actuator (83) is provided with at least a first and a second clamping member (B, A) which can be clamped alternately against the element (45) under a mechanical pretensioning force F.sub.k, at least one clamping member (A) being provided with at least one piezoelectric, electrostrictive or magnetostrictive clamping element (61). The actuator (83) is further provided with a piezoelectric, electrostrictive or magnetostrictive transport element (69', 69") by which the distance between the clamping members (A, B) can be changed. When the first clamping member (B) is clamped against the element (45) under the mechanical pretensioning force F.sub.

Abstract: A surface-mounted multilayer capacitor and a printed circuit board having such a capacitor. The capacitor comprises a multilayer of electrodes and dielectric layers which are alternately stacked. End contacts of the electrodes consist of a thin sprayed-metal layer and a U-shaped cap which engages the capacitor in a clamping manner. The sprayed-metal layer and the cap can contact each other electrically via a solder layer. Preferably, the sprayed-metal layer is impregnated with a thermocuring synthetic resin and the synthetic resin is removed from a part of the sprayed-metal layer. The capacitor preferably comprises coating layers which are cemented to the multilayer by means of an adhesive layer.

Abstract: An electrolytic foil capacitor comprises a metal housing sealed on one side with an electrically insulating material, the housing containing, wound around a metal pin, an assembly of an anode foil at least two separator foils, and a cathode foil, which are wound together to form a roll. The cathode foil is provided with a first tag projecting from roll, which tag is mechanically and electrically connected to the metal housing of the capacitor. The capacitor roll is mechanically connected to the metal pin via a short side of a strip of a separator foil 24, and because the anode foil is provided with a second tag projecting from the roll, which tag is mechanically and electrically connected to the metal pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of accommodating an object which carries current during operation, in particular a capacitor which is provided with a lead in the vicinity of both facing ends, in a synthetic resin housing which is open on one side so that the object can be introduced into a space which is limited by the housing. This space is filled with a curing synthetic resin after the object has been introduced. To prevent the object from floating when the space is filled with synthetic resin, resilient members which partly surround the object are provided in the housing near the ends of the object between the object and the walls of the housing. Each resilient member comprises two legs which are each situated between one of two facing walls of the housing and the object, and which comprise angular portions whose vertices engage against the object and a wall of the housing.