Abstract: A digital force balanced instrument such as an accelerometer that incorporates a directly digital electrostatic forcer with servo loop plates charged by a digital feedback loop is disclosed. The accelerometer has a proofmass electrode suspended in a cantilever configuration between electrodes on either side thereof, which proofmass is displaced upon acceleration. Each side electrode includes a plurality of electrostatic plates sized in binarily weighted multiples of area. An induced signal in the proofmass electrode is quantized via A/D converter in the feedback loop, which activates the appropriate number of plates to force the proofmass to an initial position.

Abstract: In order to clean reticle boxes in the same manner as lot boxes and the like type of container, the framework of a basket which is used to support containers such as the lot boxes, is modified in a manner which allows reticle boxes to be additionally disposed therein. This modified basket allows both types of boxes to be cleaned at the same time by a specialized cleaning machine which makes use of distilled de-ionized water, surfactant, clean air and the like type of fluids, for washing and drying purposes.

Abstract: An electronic method and apparatus for signal encoding and decoding to provide ultra low distortion reproduction of analog signals, while remaining compatible with industry standardized signal playback apparatus not incorporating the decoding features of the invention, and wherein the improved system provides an interplay of gain, slew rate and wave synthesis operations to reduce signal distortions and improve apparent resolution, all under the control of concealed control codes for triggering appropriate decoding signal reconstruction compensation complementing the signal analysis made during encoding. In addition, signals lacking the encoding process features of the invention are likewise compatible with playback decoders which do embody the invention, to provide some overall restoration enhancement.

Abstract: A solenoid operated actuator mechanism for positioning a shift fork in a double clutch arrangement for use in a transmission includes a pair of solenoid actuators operatively connected to a shaft that is fixed to the shift fork for positioning the shift fork in a neutral position when the solenoid actuators are de-energized and for positioning the shaft and shift fork selectively in a forward or reverse location if one or the other of the solenoids are energized. The invention includes a first embodiment where the shaft is fixed to the shift fork and to one end of a solenoid core element and wherein the forward and reverse solenoid assemblies are located on one side of the shaft; a second embodiment includes a shaft having end portions forming solenoid core elements.

Abstract: An accelerometer is fabricated by forming a proofmass and at least one associated hinge in a silicon substrate through a variety of a etching and bonding processes is disclosed. The processes entail ion implantation and formation of an oxide support layer below the proofmass, integrally bonding two complementary proofmass and substrate structures together, and then removing the oxide support layer to leave the proofmass supported by the hinge within the body of silicon material. The proofmass may be electrically connected to a lead extending through an etched recess in one of the substrates, and the proofmass may be electrically isolated or separated from the substrates by an oxide layer and by a change in conductivity type of the semiconductor material wherein the hinge is structurally mounted to the substrates. In a bond and etch back process, the wafer is processed, sawed in half, and then bonded together again wherein the complementary halves are joined to obtain the finished accelerometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for recycling wastewater solutions includes a treatment tank and an air-operated pump and piping system for pumping wastewater contaminated with oil, heavy metals, and suspended solids from industrial equipment such as a jetwasher to the treatment tank, and for subsequently returning the purified water solution to the industrial equipment for reuse. A weir tube initially skims oil contaminants from the surface of wastewater in the treatment tank into a collection vessel. The recycling apparatus is powered solely by compressed air, which drives a rotary air motor powering mixing vanes in the treatment tank. Exhaust air from the mixing motor outlets into the treatment tank for the purpose of creating turbulence to enhance mixing. Air directed through an induction nozzle entrains flocculating polymer powder from a hopper in an air stream within a polymer supply hose exhausting into the treatment tank.

Abstract: A sensing electrode on a glass layer of an anodically-bonded capacitive sensor has an interfacial barrier film containing a nitride compound between the electrode and the glass layer. In one embodiment, the capacitive sensor is an inertial sensor having a sensing element hingedly mounted to a frame which is anodically bonded to the glass layer. The sensing electrode is then located on a surface of the glass layer facing the sensing element. The sensing element and the frame are preferably made of silicon and the interfacial film is preferably silicon nitride.

Abstract: A voice coil actuator includes a magnetic flux conductive material core, a magnet and an electrical current conductive coil. The core has a first surface and a continuous channel disposed in the first surface. The channel has a pair of opposing walls. The magnet is disposed in intimate contact with a first one of the walls and spaced from a second one of the walls so that a gap remains between the magnet and the second one of the walls. The magnet has a first face of a first magnetic polarity facing the first one of the walls and a second face of a second, opposite magnetic polarity facing the gap. The magnet is further spaced from a bottom of the channel so that magnetic flux is substantially normal from the second face across the gap to the second one of the walls.

Abstract: A method of coupling rules to a data domain of an object-oriented computer program. During run time, the coupling permits the computer to use rules to directly access user-defined objects for both the matching and the action phases of the inferencing process. Inferencing is implemented with an inference class object and user-defined class object are derived from a working memory element class.

Abstract: Prior to the production of microlenses (29) by the reactive ion etch technique, a pattern of notches (25) is formed in a second surface of a substrate (11) opposite a first surface on which the microlenses (29) are to be formed. Reactive ion etching of the first surface to produce the microlenses is sufficiently deep to reach the pattern of notches, thereby to separate the substrate. The array of notches may define, for example, an array of first areas (26) on the second surface, each area being surrounded by a notch. Photoresist elements (28) are then each located on an area of the first surface corresponding to a first area of the second surface, so that the separation separates the substrate into a plurality of segments (26) each containing only one of the microlenses (29). The notches can be made such that each of the segments (26) is cylindrical so that each of the microlenses formed from the substrate has a circular outer periphery.

Abstract: A compressor having an electromagnetically actuated valve is disclosed. The movement of the compressor's piston is controlled by an electromagnetically actuated valve. The valve includes an electromagnetic element having a core and a coil, and an armature. The core has a surface and an opening at the surface extending through the core. The surface also includes a continuous channel extending around the opening. The channel has a top portion of frustroconical cross-section and a bottom portion. The coil is disposed in the bottom portion. The armature element has a raised portion dimensioned to be received within the top portion of the channel. The valve shaft is disposed within the opening of the electromagnetic element and is connected to the armature. The compressor piston is connected to one end of the shaft. A support spring is disposed within the opening of the electromagnetic element, and extends from the retaining bar to the upper surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A compressor is disclosed having an electromagnetic actuator for driving the piston in the compression cylinder. The actuator includes an electromagnetic element having a core and a coil. The core has an electromagnet surface and a channel extending through the core. The coil is disposed in the channel. An axially reciprocating armature element is interconnected with the piston. The armature element defines an axial stroke having a stroke midpoint and a stroke peak. The armature element also has an armature surface dimensioned to align with and correspond to the electromagnet surface at the stroke peak. The actuator also includes a primary spring disposed on one end of the armature element for biasing the armature from movement in an axial direction. A secondary spring is disposed on the opposing end of the armature element and biases the armature from movement in an opposite axial direction. The armature is biased by the springs to resonate at a pre-determined frequency.

Abstract: A compressor having an electromagnetically actuated valve is disclosed. The movement of the compressor's piston is controlled by an electromagnetically actuated valve. The valve includes an electromagnetic element having a core and a coil, and an armature. The core has a surface and an opening at the surface extending through the core. The surface also includes a continuous channel extending around the opening. The channel has a top portion of frustroconical cross-section and a bottom portion. The coil is disposed in the bottom portion. The armature element has a raised portion dimensioned to be received within the top portion of the channel. The valve shaft is disposed within the opening of the electromagnetic element and is connected to the armature. The compressor piston is connected to one end of the shaft. A support spring is disposed within the opening of the electromagnetic element, and extends from the retaining bar to the upper surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A catalytic converter is mounted at the exhaust gas outlet of a muffler for a two or four-cycle internal combustion engine of the type having one or two cylinders such as those used for lawn and garden equipment. The catalytic converter is located exteriorly of the muffler body in the path of the exhaust gases for oxidizing and/or reducing exhaust gas components subsequent to their discharge from the muffler. Secondary air supply is provided upstream of the catalyst within the converter by mounting the catalytic converter to provide a gap between the converter and the muffler body. Alternately, secondary air is provided by at least one opening formed in the converter upstream of the catalyst which communicates between the interior of the converter and atmosphere.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a magnetic flux conductive material housing, an electrical current conductive coil, a magnetic flux conductive material stationary core portion, a slideable core portion, and a pair of radially polarized magnetic flux developing elements. The coil is disposed in the housing coextensively adjacent to the housing's interior wall. The core is disposed within the housing and the coil and includes both the magnetic flux conductive stationary core portion and the slideable core portion. The slideable core portion is slideably received on the stationary core portion, and the magnetic flux developing elements are carried on the exterior wall of the slideable core portion in a facing relationship with the coil.

Abstract: A process of making poly(dianhydride) compounds having formulae (I) and (II): ##STR1## where m is 0 to 50. ##STR2## wherein n is 0 to 20 and X is bond junction, oxygen atom, sulfur atom, SO.sub.2, C(CF.sub.3), CO, C(CH.sub.3).sub.2, CF.sub.2 --O--CF.sub.2, CH.sub.2, and CHOH.

Abstract: A linear electromagnetic actuator has it core mounted to a can body forming apparatus and its coil attached to re-draw sleeve of such apparatus. The actuator provides for the axial movement of the re-draw sleeve between its fully retracted position and its fully extended position. The re-draw sleeve and the coil are coaxially mounted to each other so that the force exerted on the re-draw sleeve is also coaxial. Once the re-draw sleeve is in its fully extended position, an electromagnet is turned on so that the re-draw sleeve exerts the requisite force on the can material preform. The electromagnet is mounted coaxially about the re-draw sleeve and exerts its force on a magnetic material ring mounted to the re-draw sleeve to hold the re-draw sleeve against the can material preform.

Abstract: A life vest which is adapted with various signaling devices is disclosed. This life vest is designed to be worn by a person while traveling via water. The vest is designed with various pouches and attachments for safety receptacles. It is adapted to hold a flare gun with flares, a strobe, a solar powered flare signal and a signal balloon. The vest is also adapted for attachment of a signaling device which may both transmit a signal and produce an audio signal.

Abstract: A voice coil actuator includes a magnetic flux conductive material core, a magnet and an electrical current conductive coil. The core has a first surface and a continuous channel disposed in said first surface. The channel has a pair of opposing walls. The magnet is disposed in intimate contact with a first one of said walls and spaced from a second one of said walls so that a gap remains between the magnet and the second one of the walls. The magnet has a first face of a first magnetic polarity facing the first one of the walls and a second face of a second, opposite magnetic polarity facing the gap. The magnet is further spaced from a bottom of the channel so that magnetic flux is substantially normal from the second face across said gap to the second one of the walls.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is disclosed having a case fabricated of a ferromagnetic material and defining a central axis, a core disposed coaxial with the central axis, and being in slideable engagement within the case. The core includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion. The actuator further includes magnetic flux developing element mounted coaxial with the central axis and a first and a second electrical current conductor coil. The first coil is mounted in a facing relationship with the first end portion of the core and the second coil is mounted in a facing relationship with the second end portion of the core. The coils are fabricated from a ferromagnetic material and are coaxial with the central axis. The coils have a cross-sectional length in a direction perpendicular to the central axis and a width of insulating space between the turns of the coil in a direction parallel to the central axis.