Abstract: A substrate illumination and inspection system provides for illuminating and inspecting a substrate particularly the substrate edge. The system uses a light diffuser with a plurality of lights disposed at its exterior or interior for providing uniform diffuse illumination of a substrate. An optic and imaging system exterior of the light diffuser are used to inspect the plurality of surfaces of the substrate including specular surfaces. The optic is held at an angle from a surface normal to avoid reflective artifacts from the specular surface of the substrate. The optic can be rotated radially relative to a center point of the substrate edge to allow for focused inspection of all surfaces of the substrate edge. The plurality of lights can modulate color and intensity of light to enhance inspection of the substrate for defects.

Abstract: A method for determining a minimization factor for improving linearity of an analog-to-digital converter including a plurality of components includes the steps of: (a) Evaluating integral non-linearity response of the apparatus to identify significant departures of the response greater than a predetermined amplitude and to relate each respective significant departure with a respective identified component. (b) Determining magnitude of each significant departure. (c) Identifying a trimming factor related with each component. (d) Determining a residual gap magnitude for each significant departure. The residual gap magnitude comprises the magnitude of the respective significant departure less the trimming factor related with the identified component. (e) Determining the minimization factor as a sum of the residual gap magnitudes for a selected plurality of the identified components.

Abstract: A method digitally representing an integral non-linearity response for a device includes: (a) In no particular order: (1) Identifying locations of significant departures of the integral response, including: [a]Extracting first and second differential responses from the integral response in first and second device trim states. [b] Twice-filtering first and second differential responses to produce first and second filtered responses. [c] Determining difference between first and second filtered responses to produce a treated response. [d] Identifying a locus for each maximum of the treated response in a highest excursion range and in at least one lower excursion range. [e] Imposing zero amplitude on the treated response within a code range of each locus. Locations are centered within each code range. (2) Determining magnitude for each significant departure.

Abstract: Magnetostrictive devices and methods involving a magnetostrictive alloy having; (1) one or more of Pd, and Pt, and (2) one or more of Ni, Co, Fe, where the alloy comprises one or more of PdxNi1?x, PdxFe1?x, PdxCo1?x, PtxNi1?x, PtxFe1?x, PtxCo1?x, where x is less than 1, where magnetostrictive properties and diffusion, and solubility properties than variable in response to variations to a magnetic field to which the alloy is subjected. Devices and methods are used in hydrogen storage, isotopic separation, catalytic systems, actuator/sensor, and other magnetostrictive applications.

Abstract: A combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.

Abstract: Relates to a process and apparatus that improves the hydrogen production efficiency for small scale hydrogen production. According to one aspect, the process provides heat exchangers that are thermally integrated with the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, combustion and water gas shift, are arranged closely to the endothermic reaction, steam reformation, and heat sinks, cool natural gas, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermally integrated process eliminates excess piping throughout, reducing initial capital cost.

Abstract: A method for start-up and shut down of a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst is disclosed. Also disclosed are a computer programmed to start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst or a program storage medium encoded with instruction that, when executed by a computer, start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst.

Abstract: A backrest and deck subassembly for a sofa includes: a frame having a generally horizontal deck section, the deck section including a top portion and an underlying bottom portion, the frame also having a generally upright backrest section attached to and extending upwardly from the deck section; and an integrated upholstery piece that covers the deck and backrest portions of the frame and underlies the bottom section of the deck portion. The integrated upholstery piece can reduce manufacturing time by eliminating the need to separately attach the upholstery and dust cover. In some embodiments, the upholstery piece includes a zipper that can markedly facilitate enclosing of the frame within the upholstery piece.

Abstract: Magnetostrictive devices and methods involving a magnetostrictive alloy having; (1) one or more of Pd, and Pt, and (2) one or more of Ni, Co, Fe, where the alloy comprises one or more of PdxNi1-x, PdxFe1-x, PdxCo1-x, PtxNi1-x, PtxFe1-x, PtxCo1-x, where x is less than 1, where magnetostrictive properties and diffusion, and solubility properties than variable in response to variations to a magnetic field to which the alloy is subjected. Devices and methods are used in hydrogen storage, isotopic separation, catalytic systems, actuator/sensor, and other magnetostrictive applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a balanced fluid supply through multiple feeds are disclosed. The method comprises supplying the fluid through a plurality of feeds from a common fluid accumulator; determining the fluid pressure in a common fluid accumulator; and controlling the fluid pressure in the common fluid accumulator responsive to the fluid pressure sensed therein to maintain the fluid pressure within a predetermined range. The balanced fluid supply comprises a common fluid accumulator; a plurality of feeds from the common fluid accumulator; and a control system capable of controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied from the common fluid accumulator to the feeds responsive to a determined pressure of fluid in the common fluid accumulator.

Abstract: A backrest and deck subassembly for a sofa includes: a frame having a generally horizontal deck section, the deck section including a top portion and an underlying bottom portion, the frame also having a generally upright backrest section attached to and extending upwardly from the deck section; and an integrated upholstery piece that covers the deck and backrest portions of the frame and underlies the bottom section of the deck portion. The integrated upholstery piece can reduce manufacturing time by eliminating the need to separately attach the upholstery and dust cover. In some embodiments, the upholstery piece includes a zipper that can markedly facilitate enclosing of the frame within the upholstery piece.

Abstract: A memory storage system includes a motherboard, a first memory card, and second memory card. The motherboard has a first and second electrical connector. The first memory card has a plurality of electrical connections coupled to the first electrical connector on the motherboard. The first memory card is adapted to receive a plurality of data signals over the first electrical connector and store the data signals in a first preselected pattern. A second memory card has a plurality of electrical connections coupled to the second electrical connector on the motherboard. The second memory card is adapted to receive a plurality of data signals over the second electrical connector and store the data signals in a second preselected pattern, different from the first preselected pattern.