Abstract: An optically-monitored and/or optically-controlled electronic device is described. The device includes at least one of a semiconductor transistor or a semiconductor diode. An optical detector is configured to detect light emitted by the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation. A signal processor is configured to communicate with the optical detector to receive information regarding the light detected. The signal processor is further configured to provide information concerning at least one of an electrical current flowing in, a temperature of, or a condition of the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation.

Abstract: A hybrid edge termination structure and method of forming the same. The hybrid edge termination structure in accordance with the invention is based on a junction termination extension (JTE) architecture, but includes an additional Layer of guard ring (GR) structures to further implement the implantation of dopants into the structure. The hybrid edge termination structure of the invention has a three-Layer structure, with a top Layer and a bottom Layer each having a constant dopant concentration in the lateral direction, and a middle Layer consisting of a plurality of spatially defined alternating regions that exhibit the electrical properties of either the top or bottom layer. By including the second layer, a discretized varying charge profile can be obtained that approximates the varying charge profile obtained using tapered edge termination but with easier manufacturing and lower cost.

Abstract: A single turn potentiometer sensor has a substrate, a first and a second carbon print. The first carbon print, with a desired width, extends across a large circumferential angle. Ends of the carbon print are connected to a regulated power supply and ground. The second carbon print, with a width smaller than the first carbon print, surrounds a hole in the substrate and is positioned inside the first carbon print. The second carbon print provides a sensor output. A wiper contacts between the first and second carbon prints. A voltage divider changes value based on a wiper position on the first carbon print. One or more pads are positioned on the first carbon print. The one or more pads provides an input voltage to the sensor.

Abstract: An optically-monitored and/or optically-controlled electronic device is described. The device includes at least one of a semiconductor transistor or a semiconductor diode. An optical detector is configured to detect light emitted by the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation. A signal processor is configured to communicate with the optical detector to receive information regarding the light detected. The signal processor is further configured to provide information concerning at least one of an electrical current flowing in, a temperature of, or a condition of the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation.

Abstract: A railway truck assembly includes a self-lubricating pad disposed therein. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes a first layer. The first layer includes a plurality of self-lubricating fibers inter-woven with a plurality of support fibers. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes a plurality of fiber layers. Each of the plurality of fiber layers includes a plurality of support fibers. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes one or more matrix layers communicating with one or more of the plurality of fiber layers. One or more of the matrix layers are infused into one or more of the plurality of fiber layers.

Abstract: A spheroidal joint for a tuned mass damper system includes a base having a concave seat and a lubricious liner secured thereto. The base defines a first mounting portion under the concave seat and a circumferential rim opposite the first mounting portion. The concave seat tapers radially outward to define a chamfer which terminates at a radially inner edge of the rim. The spheroidal joint includes an inner member that has a convex seat. The inner member has a second mounting portion extending from the convex seat and an indentation circumferentially extending around the inner member between the convex seat and the second mounting portion. The indentation cooperates with the chamfer for misalignment of the inner member relative to the base. The convex seat slidingly engages the lubricious liner.

Abstract: A spheroidal joint for a tuned mass damper system includes a base having a concave seat and a lubricious liner secured thereto. The base defines a first mounting portion under the concave seat and a circumferential rim opposite the first mounting portion. The concave seat tapers radially outward to define a chamfer which terminates at a radially inner edge of the rim. The spheroidal joint includes an inner member that has a convex seat. The inner member has a second mounting portion extending from the convex seat and an indentation circumferentially extending around the inner member between the convex seat and the second mounting portion. The indentation cooperates with the chamfer for misalignment of the inner member relative to the base. The convex seat slidingly engages the lubricious liner.

Abstract: A railway truck assembly includes a self-lubricating pad disposed therein. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes a first layer. The first layer includes a plurality of self-lubricating fibers inter-woven with a plurality of support fibers. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes a plurality of fiber layers. Each of the plurality of fiber layers includes a plurality of support fibers. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes one or more matrix layers communicating with one or more of the plurality of fiber layers. One or more of the matrix layers are infused into one or more of the plurality of fiber layers.

Abstract: A self-aligning track roller bearing includes an inner member having a central axis and a convex surface and an outer member has a concave surface and is angularly displaceable relative to the central axis. A lubricious liner is positioned between the convex surface and the concave surface. The lubricious liner creates a force resisting movement of the inner member relative to the outer member. The bearing includes a snubber engaging an axially facing surface of the outer member and another snubber engaging another axially facing surface of the outer member. Outer rings are coupled to opposing axially facing surfaces of the inner member to retain the snubbers in engagement therewith. One or more of the snubbers are elastically deformable in response to angular displacement of the outer member and have a resilience set to overcome the force and urge the outer member to be concentric with the central axis.

Abstract: A self-aligning track roller bearing includes an inner member having a central axis and a convex surface and an outer member has a concave surface and is angularly displaceable relative to the central axis. A lubricious liner is positioned between the convex surface and the concave surface. The lubricious liner creates a force resisting movement of the inner member relative to the outer member. The bearing includes a snubber engaging an axially facing surface of the outer member and another snubber engaging another axially facing surface of the outer member. Outer rings are coupled to opposing axially facing surfaces of the inner member to retain the snubbers in engagement therewith. One or more of the snubbers are elastically deformable in response to angular displacement of the outer member and have a resilience set to overcome the force and urge the outer member to be concentric with the central axis.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing includes an inner ring defining a convex outer surface and an outer ring defining a concave inner surface. The outer ring encircles the inner ring and one or more of the outer surface and the inner surface have a plurality of pockets formed therein. A solid graphite plug is disposed in one or more of the plurality of pockets and slidingly engages the outer surface and/or the inner surface.

Abstract: A progressing cavity pump is located within a well and has a gas separator for separating gas before reaching the pump. The pump has a rotor that is driven by a string of rods extending to the surface. A drive shaft for the gas separator is coupled to the rotor during pumping operation both for axial as well as rotational movement. The rotor assembly, when lowered through the tubing, stabs into engagement with the drive shaft of the gas separator in one version. In another version, the gas separator drive shaft is lowered through the tubing with the rotor and stabs into a hub sleeve in the gas separator.

Abstract: A retractable vehicle cover apparatus for covering a vehicle comprises an elongated, hollow housing, and axle disposed therein for rotation about a central axis, and an elongated cover having a proximal end coupled with the axle and also having a distal end. The housing includes wall structure having an elongated aperture defined through the wall structure. The cover is fed through the aperture for selective movement between a retracted position where the cover is wrapped around the axle, and an extended position where a substantial portion of the cover extends from the housing. The cover includes an outer layer of aligned cover strips, a middle, elastic layer and an inner layer of aligned padding strips. The elastic layer biases the cover toward a rest width substantially the same length as the aperture to facilitate extension and retraction of the cover, and permits selective expansion of the cover in order to more fully cover the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling telephone calls through a platform independent enabled Internet browser with real-time display of screen pops and user directories.

Abstract: A high speed probe attenuator has an attenuator with a plurality of resistors connected in series between a probe input and an instrument output. A plurality of capacitors are coupled in parallel with pairs of the resistors in an interleaved fashion to spread the frequency correction along the attenuator. The output of the attenuator is coupled by a large diameter coaxial cable to a test instrument. The result is a high speed probe with no dribble-up effect and no overshoot.

Abstract: A d.c. restore circuit for a multi-channel remote video interconnect circuit is situated at the output end of the interconnect circuit for minimum capacitive loading and to reduce power requirements for a video driver at the input end of the interconnect circuit. A resistor/diode voltage divider network is coupled between the output of the interconnect circuit and the cathode or grid of a CRT, with a capacitor in series with the output of the interconnect circuit to block any d.c. component of the video signal from the video driver. A fixed voltage is applied at one end of the divider network and a variable current source is coupled to the other end. The current from the current source determines the d.c. potential at the cathode or grid.

Abstract: A frame member for use in constructing a framework, particularly but not exclusively for use in the construction of a suspended ceiling or partitioning framework having a side face which has a first projecting bearing portion and a first surface extending from the first bearing portion, the first surface having at least a portion which tapers inwardly, the frame member having an end face which has a second projecting bearing portion coplanar with and presented in a direction opposite to the first bearing portion and a second surface extending from the second bearing portion adjacent said first surface and having a portion of complementary taper to the tapered portion of the first surface.