Abstract: A flexible implement positioner that is lockably installable around abutting flanges of abutting tubes enables an implement, such as a temperature gauge, to be desirably positioned near the joint between the abutting flanges and enable the implement to monitor the joint between the flanges. The implement positioner includes a plurality of body segments hingedly connected to one another in an end to end relationship, with one end including a lock body segment and the opposite end including a lock body segment having a lock lever hingedly mounted thereon, the lock lever positionable in engagement with the lock body segment and pivotal to lockably engage the lock lever when installing the implement positioner on one of the flanges.

Abstract: A flexible implement positioner that is lockably installable around abutting flanges of abutting tubes enables an implement, such as a temperature gauge, to be desirably positioned near the joint between the abutting flanges and enable the implement to monitor the joint between the flanges. The implement positioner includes a plurality of body segments hingedly connected to one another in an end to end relationship, with one end including a lock body segment and the opposite end including a lock body segment having a lock lever hingedly mounted thereon, the lock lever positionable in engagement with the lock body segment and pivotal to lockably engage the lock lever when installing the implement positioner on one of the flanges.

Abstract: A tool for positioning a flat ring for installation of the flat ring at the end of a cylindrical body. The tool is particularly useful for the installation of gaskets between CF flanges. The tool is configured as a collar that is placed around one of the flanges, with fingers that extend to contact the outer rim of the gasket. The collar is placed around the flange, and the fingers hold the gasket in place until the second flange is moved into position and is bolted finger-tight to the first flange. At this point, the two flanges hold the gasket in place, and the collar is removed.

Abstract: This patent document discloses high voltage switches that include one or more electrically floating conductor layers that are isolated from one another in the dielectric medium between the top and bottom switch electrodes. The presence of the one or more electrically floating conductor layers between the top and bottom switch electrodes allow the dielectric medium between the top and bottom switch electrodes to exhibit a higher breakdown voltage than the breakdown voltage when the one or more electrically floating conductor layers are not present between the top and bottom switch electrodes. This increased breakdown voltage in the presence of one or more electrically floating conductor layers in a dielectric medium enables the switch to supply a higher voltage for various high voltage circuits and electric systems.

Abstract: This patent document discloses high voltage switches that include one or more electrically floating conductor layers that are isolated from one another in the dielectric medium between the top and bottom switch electrodes. The presence of the one or more electrically floating conductor layers between the top and bottom switch electrodes allow the dielectric medium between the top and bottom switch electrodes to exhibit a higher breakdown voltage than the breakdown voltage when the one or more electrically floating conductor layers are not present between the top and bottom switch electrodes. This increased breakdown voltage in the presence of one or more electrically floating conductor layers in a dielectric medium enables the switch to supply a higher voltage for various high voltage circuits and electric systems.

Abstract: Individual layers of a high gradient insulator (HGI) are first pre-cut to their final dimensions. The pre-cut layers are then stacked to form an assembly that is subsequently pressed into an HGI unit with the desired dimension. The individual layers are stacked, and alignment is maintained, using a sacrificial alignment tube that is removed after the stack is hot pressed. The HGI's are used as high voltage vacuum insulators in energy storage and transmission structures or devices, e.g. in particle accelerators and pulsed power systems.

Abstract: A system and method for producing modulated electrical signals. The system uses a variable resistor having a photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductor material construction whose conduction response to changes in amplitude of incident radiation is substantially linear throughout a non-saturation region to enable operation in non-avalanche mode. The system also includes a modulated radiation source, such as a modulated laser, for producing amplitude-modulated radiation with which to direct upon the variable resistor and modulate its conduction response. A voltage source and an output port, are both operably connected to the variable resistor so that an electrical signal may be produced at the output port by way of the variable resistor, either generated by activation of the variable resistor or propagating through the variable resistor. In this manner, the electrical signal is modulated by the variable resistor so as to have a waveform substantially similar to the amplitude-modulated radiation.

Abstract: Individual layers of a high gradient insulator (HGI) are first pre-cut to their final dimensions. The pre-cut layers are then stacked to form an assembly that is subsequently pressed into an HGI unit with the desired dimension. The individual layers are stacked, and alignment is maintained, using a sacrificial alignment tube that is removed after the stack is hot pressed. The HGI's are used as high voltage vacuum insulators in energy storage and transmission structures or devices, e.g. in particle accelerators and pulsed power systems.

Abstract: A high gradient multilayer vacuum insulator (HGI) with increased resistance to vacuum arcing to improve electrical strength. In an exemplary embodiment, the HGI includes a plurality of conductive and dielectric layers stacked in alternating arrangement so that the edges of the layers together form a vacuum-insulator interface and the stack has an overall length LS. The dielectric layers each have a thickness I that is less than It I t = ( E M E BD ) 2 ? L S where It is the transitional dielectric layer thickness below which failure of the vacuum insulator is by vacuum arcing, EBD is the breakdown field required to initiate vacuum arcing across one of said dielectric layers, and EM is the breakdown field required to initiate surface flashover across a monolithic dielectric material of length LS.

Abstract: A system and method for producing modulated electrical signals. The system uses a variable resistor having a photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductor material construction whose conduction response to changes in amplitude of incident radiation is substantially linear throughout a non-saturation region to enable operation in non-avalanche mode. The system also includes a modulated radiation source, such as a modulated laser, for producing amplitude-modulated radiation with which to direct upon the variable resistor and modulate its conduction response. A voltage source and an output port, are both operably connected to the variable resistor so that an electrical signal may be produced at the output port by way of the variable resistor, either generated by activation of the variable resistor or propagating through the variable resistor. In this manner, the electrical signal is modulated by the variable resistor so as to have a waveform substantially similar to the amplitude-modulated radiation.