Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to various microdevices including sensors, actuators, valves, scanning mirrors, accelerometers, switches, and the like.

Abstract: A microactuator device includes a base with at least one electrode pad and a permeation membrane. Permeation membrane is typically a water-permeable membrane that is able to deform by applying an electric charge to the electrode pad. The actuator device can be incorporated into valve assembly to open and close the valve. The valve assembly can have a reciprocating valve member operated by the deforming of the water-permeable member. Alternatively, the valve assembly can have an opening positioned to cooperate with the water-permeable membrane so that the deformation of the membrane closes the opening.

Abstract: An RF driver circuit and an orthogonal antenna assembly/configuration, are disclosed as part of a method and system for generating high density plasma. The antenna assembly is an orthogonal antenna system that may be driven by any RF generator/circuitry with suitable impedance matching to present a low impedance. The disclosed RF driver circuit uses switching type amplifier elements and presents a low output impedance. The disclosed low-output impedance RF driver circuits eliminate the need for a matching circuit for interfacing with the inherent impedance variations associated with plasma. Also disclosed is the choice for capacitance or an inductance value to provide tuning for the RF plasma source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for intradermally administering a pharmaceutical composition or other substance into and through the skin of a mammalian body in a manner that avoids or eliminates excess pain and discomfort normally caused as a result of the microabraders or microneedles entering the epithelial layers beneath the stratum corneum. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is a microdevice with an array of microabraders or microneedles with a manipulating member.

Abstract: A device for monitoring, sampling or delivering a substance though the skin of a patient includes a support and a microdevice having at least one skin penetrating member. The support has a substantially flat bottom surface with the skin penetrating member extending beyond the bottom surface. An outlet port extends through the support to the bottom surface at a location between the skin penetrating member and the outer edge of the support for drawing a vacuum to enhance penetration of the skin. The device is produced by positioning the microdevice in a recess formed in the support and applying a bonding agent to wick into a gap formed between the microdevice and the wall of the recess.

Abstract: A microactuator device includes a base with at least one electrode pad and a permeation membrane. Permeation membrane is typically a water-permeable membrane that is able to deform by applying an electric charge to the electrode pad. The actuator device can be incorporated into valve assembly to open and close the valve. The valve assembly can have a reciprocating valve member operated by the deforming of the water-permeable member. Alternatively, the valve assembly can have an opening positioned to cooperate with the water-permeable membrane so that the deformation of the membrane closes the opening.

Abstract: A device for monitoring, sampling or delivering a substance though the skin of a patient includes a support and a microdevice having at least one skin penetrating member. The support has a substantially flat bottom surface with the skin penetrating member extending beyond the bottom surface. An outlet port extends through the support to the bottom surface at a location between the skin penetrating member and the outer edge of the support for drawing a vacuum to enhance penetration of the skin. The device is produced by positioning the microdevice in a recess formed in the support and applying a bonding agent to wick into a gap formed between the microdevice and the wall of the recess.

Abstract: A method of depositing a ceramic thermal barrier coating on an article that will be subjected to a hostile environment, such as turbine, combustor and augmentor components of a gas turbine engine. The thermal barrier coating is deposited by electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) using process parameters that include an absolute pressure of greater than 0.010 mbar and an oxygen partial pressure of greater than 50%, preferably at or close to 100%. Under these conditions, the desired ceramic material is evaporated with an electron beam to produce a vapor that deposits on the component to form a thermal barrier coating of the ceramic material.

Abstract: A component for use in a high-temperature environment such as the coating chamber of a PVD apparatus. A reflective coating on the component serves as a barrier to radiant heat transfer to the component by reflecting thermal radiation. The coating comprises at least one pair of reflective layers, each layer being formed of a material that is essentially transparent to electromagnetic wavelengths of between 500 and 3000 nanometers (nm). In addition, the material of the outermost layer of the pair has a higher index of refraction than the material of the other layer of the pair.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a ceramic coating by electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD). Ceramic coatings of more uniform thickness over a larger surface area are deposited by increasing the size of a pool of molten ceramic from which the ceramic is deposited. The apparatus uses a crucible that surrounds a ceramic material that serves as the source of the deposited ceramic coating. The crucible is configured to define a reservoir whose cross-sectional area is larger than the cross-sectional area of the ceramic material. The size of the pool is increased by increasing the size of the reservoir in lieu of increasing the diameter of the ceramic material in order to maintain acceptable ingot quality.

Abstract: A frame assembly comprises a rigid inner frame having a first perimeter; a plurality of independent outer frame members positioned outwardly of the inner frame to define a second perimeter larger than the first perimeter, the second perimeter defining a plane having a front face and a rear face; and a flexible sheet extending across the front face, around the outer frame members and secured in a fixed position on the rear face to define a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways adjacent the second perimeter, the outer frame members positioned in the passageways.

Abstract: A cam assembly for a single cam bow provides replaceable cable sheaves. By selecting different cable sheaves the draw length of the bow may be altered while the bow is strung. The draw length can be further fine tuned by providing differentially spaced positions for attaching either end of the bow string to the cam assembly. A bow equipped with a cam assembly according to the invention can have a draw length adjustable in fine increments over a range of several inches.

Abstract: A multi-section crane boom is provided with a fly section and a jib section which may be erected and supported by a mast and pendants on the end of the boom to extend the effective length of the boom. When the fly section and jib section are not used they are stored on the boom, the fly section being supported alongside of and generally parallel to the boom and the jib section being supported in position below the fly section. The fly section can be mounted on the end of the boom alone while the jib section remains in stored position, or, alternatively, the fly section can be mounted on the boom and the jib section can be mounted on the outer end of the fly section. A pair of compact hook shaped resilient connectors serve as backstops which prevent the fly from pivoting in excess of 5.degree. upwardly past longitudinal of alignment with the boom axis when the boom is in a near vertical position.

Abstract: A telescopic boom includes at least two sections and a manual section is sections being extended and retracted by a single hydraulic ram. A first coupling selectively connects or releases the ram's cylinder case from the second boom section while a second coupling connects or releases the other end of the cylinder case to the manual section. The first coupling includes a crank for coupling and uncoupling the cylinder case and second section. The second coupling includes a retrieval pin movable into position for connecting the cylinder case to the manual section when retracting the manual section within the second section, and releasable lock mechanisms are provided to lock the manual section in extended position. The method of operating the boom includes the step of pivoting the boom to a near vertical position prior to extending the manual section relative to the second section.

Abstract: A multi-section crane boom is provided with a fly section and a jib section which may be erected and supported by a mast and pendants on the end of the boom to extend the effective length of the boom. When the fly section and jib section are not used they are stored on the boom, the fly section being supported alongside of and generally parallel to the boom and the jib section being supported in position below the fly section. The fly section can be mounted on the end of the boom alone while the jib section remains in stored position, or, alternatively, the fly section can be mounted on the boom and the jib section can be mounted on the outer end of the fly section. A pair of compact hook shaped resilient connectors serve as backstops which prevent the fly from pivoting in excess of 5.degree. upwardly past longitudinal of alignment with the boom axis when the boom is in a near vertical position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining true cigarette filter rod pressure drop, especially of nonwrapped and soft wrapped filter rods when the circumference thereof is being compressed by an encapsulation method as by an elastic sleeve, the pressure drop and circumference of the elastic sleeve and the filter rod encapsulated therewithin being measured simultaneously, and then through a fifth power relation true pressure drop is determined.

Abstract: To simulate the experience of breathing hot or warm air in the use of breathing apparatus, this invention provides an apparatus comprising a canister through which the wearer inhales and exhales, the canister being filled with a reagent which creates heat by reaction with the carbon dioxide or moisture in the exhaled breath. The inhaled air absorbs the heat given out by the reaction. The apparatus can be modelled on the actual breathing apparatus to be used and is highly acceptable to users.

Abstract: Device for attachment to gauging instruments such as optical measuring apparatus, which measure dimensional parameters of articles by scanning the surface or main profile of the article with a light beam as from a laser, the device employing a leaf spring assembly for bearing against and conforming to a portion of the surface of the article; the leaf spring assembly thereby forming a substitute profile over the main profile of the article or of a transparent article, and suppressing any surface anomalies projecting from the article surface, thus providing a reference surface which may be measured by such gauging instruments as representative of the dimensional parameter of the main profile of the article.