Abstract: In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The apparatus includes a fitting comprising an inlet configured to connect to the water supply and a bulkhead joining the at least three branch assemblies. Each branch assembly includes a tube and an automatically-sealing balloon with a neck disposed around and removably attached to the tube. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to each balloon of the balloon-filling apparatus. The method further includes detaching one or more of the balloons from the balloon-filling apparatus using a force comprising gravity each detached balloon and the water contained therein. Each detached balloon automatically seals upon detachment.

Abstract: In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to a plurality of balloons removably attached to the apparatus, such that each balloon contains water. The method further includes simultaneously detaching from the apparatus the plurality of balloons, with each balloon having water from the water supply provided therein and each balloon automatically sealing upon detachment.

Abstract: In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The apparatus includes a fitting comprising an inlet configured to connect to the water supply and a bulkhead joining the at least three branch assemblies. Each branch assembly includes a tube and an automatically-sealing balloon with a neck disposed around and removably attached to the tube. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to each balloon of the balloon-filling apparatus. The method further includes detaching one or more of the balloons from the balloon-filling apparatus using a force comprising gravity each detached balloon and the water contained therein. Each detached balloon automatically seals upon detachment.

Abstract: In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The apparatus includes a fitting comprising an inlet configured to connect to the water supply and a bulkhead joining the at least three branch assemblies. Each branch assembly includes a tube and an automatically-sealing balloon with a neck disposed around and removably attached to the tube. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to each balloon of the balloon-filling apparatus. The method further includes detaching one or more of the balloons from the balloon-filling apparatus using a force comprising gravity each detached balloon and the water contained therein. Each detached balloon automatically seals upon detachment.

Abstract: In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The apparatus includes a fitting comprising an inlet configured to connect to the water supply and a bulkhead joining the at least three branch assemblies. Each branch assembly includes a tube and an automatically-sealing balloon with a neck disposed around and removably attached to the tube. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to each balloon of the balloon-filling apparatus. The method further includes detaching one or more of the balloons from the balloon-filling apparatus using a force comprising gravity each detached balloon and the water contained therein. Each detached balloon automatically seals upon detachment.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for simultaneously filling balloons with water generally includes a fitting and at least three branch assemblies coupled to the fitting. The fitting includes an inlet and at least three outlets. Each branch assembly includes a tube, a balloon, an elastic ring, and a plurality of colloid particles disposed within the balloon. For each branch assembly, the tube extends from its respective fitting at a respective one of the at least three outlets; the balloon has a neck defining an opening through which an end of the tube is inserted; and the elastic ring. Each elastic ring compresses the neck of the balloon around the end of the tube. The elastic ring is configured to restrict detachment of the balloon from the tube and to automatically seal the opening of the balloon upon detachment of the balloon from the tube.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid. At least three branch assemblies extend from the fitting. Each branch assembly includes a tube coupled to the fitting at a first end, a balloon comprising a neck portion having a second end of the tube inserted therethrough, and a fastener removably coupling the balloon to the tube. The fastener is configured to permit fluid from the pressurized supply of fluid to pass through the tube and into the balloon and to automatically restrict the fluid from exiting the balloon through the neck portion upon decoupling the balloon and fastener from the tube.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for simultaneously filling balloons with water generally includes a fitting and at least three branch assemblies coupled to the fitting. The fitting includes an inlet and at least three outlets. Each branch assembly includes a tube, a balloon, an elastic ring, and a plurality of colloid particles disposed within the balloon. For each branch assembly, the tube extends from its respective fitting at a respective one of the at least three outlets; the balloon has a neck defining an opening through which an end of the tube is inserted; and the elastic ring. Each elastic ring compresses the neck of the balloon around the end of the tube. The elastic ring is configured to restrict detachment of the balloon from the tube and to automatically seal the opening of the balloon upon detachment of the balloon from the tube.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

Abstract: A system and method for making shaped bands includes stretching a band into a shape, heating the band to a softening point of a material of the band, and cooling the band to room temperature, such that the band sets into the shape. Other embodiments include an apparatus comprising a pegboard with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of pegs configured to be inserted into corresponding holes from the plurality of holes, wherein the corresponding holes are located at vertices of a shape, and stretching the band around the pegs into the shape. Another embodiment includes attaching the band to a metal wire and bending the metal wire into the shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of manufacturing a MEMS assembly. In one embodiment, the method includes mounting a MEMS device, such as a MEMS mirror array, on an assembly substrate, where the MEMS device has a sacrificial layer over components formed therein. The method also includes coupling an assembly lid to the assembly substrate and over the MEMS device to create an interior of the MEMS assembly housing the MEMS device, whereby the coupling maintains an opening to the interior of the MEMS assembly. Furthermore, the method includes removing the sacrificial layer through the opening. A MEMS assembly constructed according to a process of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments reveal an analog MEMS device with a pivotal micromirror that is supported by one or more beams that provide non-linear resistance. An electrode can electrostatically attract the micromirror, while the beam(s) provide resistance to deflection. When the forces equalize, the micromirror is held at a target angle. The beam support disclosed in the embodiments is superior to conventional torsion hinge supports, because it provides non-linear support for the micromirror, better matching the non-linear nature of the electrostatic force.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of manufacturing a MEMS assembly. In one embodiment, the method includes mounting a MEMS device, such as a MEMS mirror array, on an assembly substrate, where the MEMS device has a sacrificial layer over components formed therein. The method also includes coupling an assembly lid to the assembly substrate and over the MEMS device to create an interior of the MEMS assembly housing the MEMS device, whereby the coupling maintains an opening to the interior of the MEMS assembly. Furthermore, the method includes removing the sacrificial layer through the opening. A MEMS assembly constructed according to a process of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of aligning a micromirror array to the micromirror package and the micromirror package to a display system. One embodiment provides a method of forming and utilizing a package that exposes regions of an alignment reference plane. The device within the package is mounted on the reference plane such that the exposed regions allow precise alignment with the device in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane. Alignment surfaces formed in a display system or other system contact the reference plane at the exposed regions to position the packaged device relative to other components of the system. One embodiment of the package 400 taught has laminated layers forming the package substrate 402 and providing a precision reference plane 416 relative to the position of the micromirror device 404. The package may be formed by laminating several layers of material in sheets to form several package substrates simultaneously.