Abstract: Disclosed is an electrosurgical instrument including an end effector with a cartridge having an asymmetric cartridge body.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus and method in which a first laser source, for example, a CO2 emitting at 10.6 ?m is focused onto a silicon wafer as a line beam and a second laser source, for example, a GaAs laser bar emitting at 808 nm is focused onto the wafer as a larger beam surrounding the line beam. The two beams are scanned in synchronism in the direction of the narrow dimension of the line beam to create a narrow heating pulse from the line beam when activated by the larger beam. The energy of GaAs radiation is greater than the silicon bandgap energy and creates free carriers. The energy of the CO2 radiation is less than the silicon bandgap energy so silicon is otherwise transparent to it, but the long wavelength radiation is absorbed by the free carriers.

Abstract: An optical modulator may include a lower waveguide, an upper waveguide, and a dielectric layer disposed therebetween. When a voltage potential is created between the lower and upper waveguides, these layers form a silicon-insulator-silicon capacitor (also referred to as SISCAP) guide that provides efficient, high-speed optical modulation of an optical signal passing through the modulator. In one embodiment, at least one of the waveguides includes a respective ridge portion aligned at a charge modulation region which may aid in confining the optical mode laterally (e.g., in the width direction) in the optical modulator. In another embodiment, ridge portions may be formed on both the lower and the upper waveguides. These ridge portions may be aligned in a vertical direction (e.g., a thickness direction) so that ridges overlap which may further improve optical efficiency by centering an optical mode in the charge modulation region.

Abstract: A cleating device (20) for securing a line (34) to a boat or a dock. The device (20) includes a cleat head (36) supported by two upright stems (38) connecting to an elongated platform (30) having opposed ends and a middle section therebetween. A deadeye (28) is formed between the cleat head stems (38). The cleat head (36) includes at least two protruding arms (37a), (37b). In one embodiment, the cleat head protruding arms (37a), (37b) form a V-shape. In a second embodiment, the cleat head protruding arms (37a), (37b) form an S-shape. Chock side horns (26a), (26b) are provided at the platform ends and are each generally oriented inward, toward the platform middle section. The protruding arms (37a), (37b) and side horns (26a), (26b) are nonlinearly aligned relative to one another as viewed in plan view.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the non-destructive evaluation of welds joining metal bodies employing infrared thermography; the method comprising the steps of applying thermal energy to a weld and observing temperature differentials that occur on the weld's surface. The apparatus comprises a device for applying thermal energy to welds being inspected; a device for scanning the weld surface for infrared radiation being emitted therefrom; a device for capturing the emitted radiation and converting it to a signal representative of the thermophysical characteristics of the weld; and a device for visually displaying the signal in a form suitable for interpretation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the non-destructive identification of coated and uncoated metal parts employing infrared thermography. The apparatus comprises a means for directing infrared radiation onto the surface of a part; a means for scanning the part surface for reflected infrared radiation; a means for capturing the reflected radiation and converting it into a signal representative of variations in radiation reflected from the surface of the part; means for etching an identifying code into the surface of the part; and means for displaying the signal as a video image. The method comprises altering the surface reflective characteristics of a part to produce an identifying code, irradiating the part with infrared radiation of a specific wavelength and detecting differences in the amount and intensity of radiation reflected from the part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the non-destructive identification of coated and uncoated metal parts employing infrared thermography. The apparatus comprises a means for directing infrared radiation onto the surface of a part; a means for scanning the part surface for reflected infrared radiation; a means for capturing the reflected radiation and converting it into a signal representative of variations in radiation reflected from the surface of the part; means for etching an identifying code into the surface of the part; and means for displaying the signal as a video image. The method comprises altering the surface reflective characteristics of a part to produce an identifying code, irradiating the part with infrared radiation of a specific wavelength and detecting differences in the amount and intensity of radiation reflected from the part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the non-destructive identification and location of subcoating corrosion on a coated metal surface employing infrared thermography. The apparatus comprises a heat source for directing pulsed infrared radiation onto a test surface; a scanner for scanning the test surface for infrared radiation being emitted therefrom; a detector for capturing said emitted radiation and converting it into a signal representative of the thermal characteristics of the surface; and video display apparatus for visually displaying the signal as a thermal map of the surface. The method comprises the steps irradiating a test surface and detecting temperature differentials that occur on the irradiated surface.

Abstract: A hinge latch (10) is comprised of a first hinge latch plate (20) having a pair of pintle recesses (34) separated by a hinge boss (36) including hinge bores (42) disposed toward the pintle recesses; a second hinge latch plate (22) having a pair of pintle guides (56) of complementary geometric configuration with respect to the pintle recesses, these pintle guides bounded by a pintle guide recess (60) for receiving the hinge boss when the pintle guides are disposed within the pintle recesses; a first (66) and a second (68) pintle member, each comprised of a hinge pin member (70) received within a respective one of the pintle guides in a slot (58) formed therein and having a free distal end for projection within a respective one of the hinge bores for pivotal hinging movement of the first and second latch plates about a transverse axis, and a hinge pin plate (72) secured to the hinge pin having a lateral leg (74) terminating at its distal end in a diagonally disposed abutment edge (76); a biasing member (86) for