Abstract: A method for forming a sheet metal component using an electric current passing through the component is provided. The method can include providing a single point incremental forming, the machine operable to perform a plurality of single point incremental deformations on the sheet metal component and also apply an electric direct current to the sheet a metal component during at least part of the forming. The direct current can be applied before or after the forming has started and/or be terminated before or after the forming has stopped and can reduce the magnitude of force required to produce a given amount of deformation, increase the amount of deformation exhibited before failure and/or reduce any springback typically exhibited by the sheet metal component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method and kit for use with a beverage producing device. Included are a fitting and an insulating tube for insulating water being introduced into a heated water tank from heated water retained in the tank. Use of an insulating tube helps to reduce the heat transfer between the heated water retained in the tank and the water being introduced to the tank.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and analyzing particles within a gas feed stream. In one aspect, the system includes a particle counter and a particle capture filter that are arranged in parallel. In another aspect, the system includes a purifying device to remove trace molecular impurities from a gas feed stream to reduce the presence of impurities.

Abstract: A method for forming a sheet metal component using an electric current passing through the component is provided. The method can include providing a single point incremental forming, the machine operable to perform a plurality of single point incremental deformations on the sheet metal component and also apply an electric direct current to the sheet a metal component during at least part of the forming. The direct current can be applied before or after the forming has started and/or be terminated before or after the forming has stopped and can reduce the magnitude of force required to produce a given amount of deformation, increase the amount of deformation exhibited before failure and/or reduce any springback typically exhibited by the sheet metal component.

Abstract: A number of geospatial attributes or parameters associated with GIS data are used to filter requests for geo-visualization of the data and to determine whether the request is subject to a restriction. Access to GIS data may be controlled for a variety of reasons including security concerns, proprietary concerns, or merely to generate revenue for a particular data source. In an open or public platform, contributors of GIS data accessible for geo-visualization may place limits or restrictions on the availability of or accessibility of the GIS data. The contributor may tag or otherwise encode an entire dataset or portions of the dataset with restriction instructions associated with one or more geospatial attributes.

Abstract: Ultrasonic probe comprising an elongate body having a first end and a second end, an ultrasonic transducer attached to the probe at or adjacent the first end, and an enlarged support section intermediate the ultrasonic transducer and the second end, wherein the enlarged support section has an equivalent diameter greater than an equivalent diameter of the body at any location between the enlarged support section and the ultrasonic transducer. The probe may be used to introduce ultrasonic energy into ultrasonic cleaning systems.

Abstract: Ultrasonic probe comprising an elongate body having a first end and a second end, an ultrasonic transducer attached to the probe at or adjacent the first end, and an enlarged support section intermediate the ultrasonic transducer and the second end, wherein the enlarged support section has an equivalent diameter greater than an equivalent diameter of the body at any location between the enlarged support section and the ultrasonic transducer. The probe may be used to introduce ultrasonic energy into ultrasonic cleaning systems.

Abstract: A system for performing a computerized building code compliance check with an appropriate jurisdiction is disclosed. The system enables a user to connect to a compliance utility by way of the Internet in order to upload a CAD file. When a CAD file is received, the system performs an analysis to determine whether the building plan was compiled in accordance with defined naming conventions. When a plan is determined to be of the appropriate format, the system extracts building elements from the CAD file, compares each element against a corresponding jurisdictional code, and determines whether the building plan is compliant. When the system determines that a building plan is compliant, the user is provided with a certificate of compliance. The system further analyzes building plans to provide highly targeted offers and enables vendors to bid to provide goods and services based on plan details.

Abstract: A method for assembling an electronic system with a plurality of layers. Recesses in formed in one or more dielectric layers and electronic components are positioned within the recesses. One or more layers containing the components are placed on a host substrate containing host circuits. Electrical interconnects are provided between and among the electronic components in the dielectric layers and the host circuits. The layers containing the components may also be provided by growing the electronic devices on a growth substrate. The growth substrate is then removed after the layer is attached to the host substrate.

Abstract: Method for removing flux residue and defluxing residue from an article using a dense processing fluid and a dense rinse fluid is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: introducing the article comprising contaminants into a processing chamber; contacting the article with a dense processing fluid comprising a dense fluid, at least one processing agent, and optionally a cosolvent to provide a partially treated article; and contacting the partially treated article with a dense rinse fluid comprising the dense fluid and optionally the cosolvent to provide a treated article wherein an agitation source is introducing during at least a portion of the first and/or the second contacting step.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a motor for rotating a shaft connected via a gear train to an output device; an interrupter vane connected to the output device and adapted to travel in a path corresponding to the movement of the output device; and at least two interrupter switches, such as opto-interrupter switches, spaced apart from one another along the path of the interrupter vane at locations corresponding to travel limits of the output device. A controller energizes the motor in response to a command signal and de-energizes the motor in response to an indication from one of the interrupter switches that the output device is at or approaching one of the travel limits. The actuator may be a rotary or linear actuator, and may be particularly well-suited for avionics applications.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for labeling vitamin B12 with 14C, 13C, tritium, and deuterium. When radioisotopes are used, the invention provides for methods of labeling B12 with high specific activity. The invention also provides labeled vitamin B12 compositions made in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method and kit for use with a beverage producing device. Included are a fitting and an insulating tube for insulating water being introduced into a heated water tank from heated water retained in the tank. Use of an insulating tube helps to reduce the heat transfer between the heated water retained in the tank and the water being introduced to the tank.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: A method for assembling an electronic system with a plurality of layers. Recesses in formed in one or more dielectric layers and electronic components are positioned within the recesses. One or more layers containing the components are placed on a host substrate containing host circuits. Electrical interconnects are provided between and among the electronic components in the dielectric layers and the host circuits. The layers containing the components may also be provided by growing the electronic devices on a growth substrate. The growth substrate is then removed after the layer is attached to the host substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the use of optical techniques for temperature measurement of a semiconducting substrate coated with an optically opaque overlayer. A reflective mirror structure is inserted between the semiconducting substrate and the optically opaque overlayer. The reflective structure prevents the overlayer from absorbing light transmitted through the semiconducting substrate and instead reflects the light, thereby restoring the substrate front-surface reflectivity required for temperature measurement analysis by optical techniques such as absorption edge reflectance spectroscopy.

Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) light from a lamp (12) or laser (38) is provided for cracking Group V and Group VI species comprising clusters (dimers and tetramers) or metal-organic molecules to form monomers (atoms). The UV radiation interacts with a molecular beam (14) of Group V and Group VI species following their generation in a source cell (16), which may be an effusion source in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) apparatus, a thermal cracker cell in gas-source MBE apparatus, or a gas injector cell in metal-organic MBE apparatus (MOMBE). As configured, the UV light source and associated elements comprise a unit, termed herein a "photo-cracker cell" (10). The photo-cracker cell includes an elliptical reflective cavity (18), which defines two foci. The source of UV light is located along one focus and the path of the molecular beam is located along the other focus substantially parallel thereto.