Abstract: A collateralized debt obligation is described having a subordinated revolver note. The revolver noteholder is committed providing funds to purchase additional assets to maintain the original principal value of the collateral. The amount of additional assets is determined at the end of each due period on the determination date. Funds to purchase the additional assets are received from the revolver noteholder, if required, on the payment date. The payment date follows the determination date by a predetermined period, preferably by five business days. The delay between the determination date and the payment date reduces the liquidity requirement of the revolver noteholder thereby increasing the marketability of the revolver note.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of gas detection for sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas decomposition products, particularly for the detection of thionyl fluoride (SOF2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The invention relates to a novel portable handheld instrument that can readily detect SOF2, SF4 and SO2 in SF6 gas filled electrical equipment and in air. An apparatus for detecting SF6 decomposition products comprising: (a) an inlet for receiving SF6 gas containing SOF2 or SF4; (b) A chamber connected to the inlet and containing a catalyst which converts SOF2 or SF4 into SO2; and (c) an SO2 detector connected downstream of the chamber.

Abstract: In accordance with a first mode of operation of the present invention, a portrait image is received from a system device. The portrait image is translated and stored within the graphics engine memory such that it can be displayed on a landscape monitor that has been rotated 90 degrees. Likewise, when portrait data stored within the memory is sent to the system it is translated such that it is sent back in the same format received by the system. In a second mode of operation in accordance with the present invention, a landscape image received by the graphics adapter is stored in the graphics adapter memory without any translation.

Abstract: Obtaining an earned value includes storing a simulation version of a project baseline. The project baseline includes tasks that define a project associated with the project baseline. The simulation version is copied to create an operative version of the project baseline. The simulation version is augmented with an additional task such that the simulation version maintains separate baselines for the additional task and for pre-existing tasks. The additional task is mapped from the simulation version to the operative version such that the operative version incorporates the additional task and the pre-existing task into a single baseline. The earned value is obtained for the project using the operative version.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for drying materials wet with one or more solvents, particularly hygroscopic materials and materials wet with a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) solvent that are sensitive to heat. Wet material is loaded into a chamber, which is then sealed and caused to oscillate back and forth. Vacuum is enlisted to provide rapid evaporation of solvent at a lower temperature than possible at standard atmospheric pressure. The material is oscillated until a sudden decrease in the residual pressure of the chamber, which indicates completion of the drying cycle. Because vacuum is applied to an oscillating chamber, a rotary vacuum seal is not required to accomplish drying in accordance with the practice of the instant invention.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for drying materials wet with one or more solvents, particularly hygroscopic materials and materials wet with a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) solvent that are sensitive to heat. Wet material is loaded into a chamber, which is then sealed and caused to oscillate back and forth. Vacuum is enlisted to provide rapid evaporation of solvent at a lower temperature than possible at standard atmospheric pressure. The material is oscillated until a sudden decrease in the residual pressure of the chamber, which indicates completion of the drying cycle. Because vacuum is applied to an oscillating chamber, a rotary vacuum seal is not required to accomplish drying in accordance with the practice of the instant invention.

Abstract: A method of thermally removing binder from porous compacts pressed from metallic or ceramic materials using atmospheric pressure and binder-free compacts produced therefrom.

Abstract: A probe contactor is formed on a planar surface of a substrate by a photolithography technology. The probe contactor is configured by a substrate having an interconnect trace thereon which is an electric conductive path, and a contactor formed on the substrate through a photolithography process. The contactor has a base portion vertically formed on the substrate, a horizontal portion, one end of which is formed on the base portion, and a contact portion formed on another end of the horizontal portion. A spring force of the horizontal portion of the contactor provides a contact force when the probe contactor is pressed against a contact target. The contact portion of the contactor is sharpened so that when the contactor is pressed against the contact target, it scrubs a surface of the contact target.

Abstract: A technique to increase the number of colors output by a passive color LCD display provides an increased number of grey levels for each pixel component. An M×N matrix pattern of pixel components is generated having a ratio of pixel components that are ON to the total number of pixel components to achieve a particular grey level on the passive color LCD screen, where M and N are greater or equal to two. The M×N matrix pattern is repeated for X frames, and at least one pixel component is ON in each frame. At the end of the Xth frame, the first matrix pattern for frame zero is repeated.

Abstract: Metal powders are pressed into compacts more readily through the addition of a minor percentage of dimethyl sulfone binder. Dimethyl sulfone may be dry-blended with the metal powder by mixing it in the form of a powder, or it may be wet-blended by first dissolving it in a suitable solvent, then adding it to the metal powder and evaporating the solvent. Dimethyl sulfone may be almost completely removed from compacts pressed from tantalum, etc., either by vacuum distillation or by water leaching, to leave compacts uncontaminated by the binder and suitable for further processing into capacitor anodes, etc.

Abstract: Organic acid-based binders are efficiently removed from powder metallurgy compacts, such as tantalum capacitor anode bodies, by immersion in a heated aqueous alkanolamine solution followed by rinsing in warm water. This method results in lower residual carbon and oxygen levels than are found with thermal binder removal methods.

Abstract: Metal powders are pressed into compacts more readily through the addition of a minor percentage of dimethyl sulfone binder. Dimethyl sulfone may be dry-blended with the metal powder by mixing it in the form of a powder, or it may be wet-blended by first dissolving it in a suitable solvent, then adding it to the metal powder and evaporating the solvent. Dimethyl sulfone may be almost completely removed from compacts pressed from tantalum, etc., either by vacuum distillation or by water leaching, to leave compacts uncontaminated by the binder and suitable for further processing into capacitor anodes, etc.

Abstract: A probe contactor for testing a semiconductor wafer, a packaged LSI or a printed circuit board is formed on a planar surface of a substrate by a photolithography technology. The contactor is formed of a substrate having an interconnect trace thereon which is an electric conductive path, and a contactor formed on the substrate through a photolithography process. The contactor has a base portion vertically formed on the substrate, a horizontal portion, one end of which is formed on the base portion, and a contact portion formed on another end of the horizontal portion. A spring force of the horizontal portion of the contactor provides a contact force when the probe contactor is pressed against the device to be tested.

Abstract: A technique increases the number of colors output by an active color display by providing an increased number of grey levels for each pixel component. An M×N matrix pattern of pixel components is generated having a ratio of pixel components at a particular color level to pixel components at a different color level to achieve a particular grey level, where M and N are greater or equal to two. The M×N matrix pattern is repeated for X frames, and at least one pixel component is at the particular color level in each frame. At the end of the Nth frame, the matrix pattern from frame zero is repeated.

Abstract: Metal powders are pressed into compacts more readily through the addition of a minor percentage of dimethyl sulfone binder. Dimethyl sulfone may be dry-blended with the metal powder by mixing it in the form of a powder, or it may be wet-blended by first dissolving it in a suitable solvent, then adding it to the metal powder and evaporating the solvent. Dimethyl sulfone may be almost completely removed from compacts pressed from tantalum, etc., either by vacuum distillation or by water leaching, to leave compacts uncontaminated by the binder and suitable for further processing into capacitor anodes, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing video graphics utilizing less power is accomplished by providing a clock circuit that generates a clock signal. The clock signal is fed to a synchronization circuit that generates horizontal and vertical retrace. The clock signal is also provided to a look-up table DAC (digital to analog converter), or a palette DAC. While the video graphics circuit is processing data for display, the clock circuit provides the clock signal to the both the look-up table DAC and the synchronization circuit. When the data being processed is non-video data (i.e., the horizontal and vertical synchronization information), the clock circuit ceases to provide the clock signal to the look-up table DAC, which disables the look-up table DAC. Thus, it is not consuming power. The clock circuit again provides the clock signal to the look-up table DAC when the data being processed is video data (i.e., the data that is to be displayed).

Abstract: The invention is a pillow speaker for use as a combination headrest and sound delivery system for transmitting sounds, including music to a person's head. The pillow speaker comprises a pillow headrest having an upper surface for receiving and supporting a person's head. Extending downward from the upper surface is a lower body portion. The lower body portion is adapted for support from an exterior stable surface, the pillow speaker being constructed from a homogeneous flexible material. A pair of spaced apart loud speakers are mounted through the upper surface, within the lower body portion. The loud speakers include an exterior face for projecting sound outward from the pillow speaker, and an opposing rear face for projecting sound into and through the lower body portion.