Abstract: A gas turbine engine variable geometry exhaust nozzle including a seal system that facilitates extending a useful life of the engine variable geometry system is described. The seal system includes a backbone and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly frictionally engages the backbone to secure the attachment assembly to the backbone. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies and base sheet fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material. The clamp sub-assemblies are clamped through openings extending through the base sheet, such that a predetermined amount of preload force is applied to the base sheet.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine variable geometry exhaust nozzle including a seal system that facilitates extending a useful life of the engine variable geometry system is described. The seal system includes a backbone and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly frictionally engages the backbone to secure the attachment assembly to the backbone. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies and base sheet fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material. The clamp sub-assemblies are clamped through openings extending through the base sheet, such that a predetermined amount of preload force is applied to the base sheet.

Abstract: A method is provided for retrofitting an existing dead-bolt assembly with an electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312, 800). The electrically operated actuator automatically operates the dead-bolt assembly while preserving manual operation of the lock. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28, 128, 238, 328, 438, 818) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means.

Abstract: Waste tires are disposed of in a cement-manufacturing or other mineral-burning process by introducing the tires into the hot gas stream at at least one point between the mineral-inlet end of a rotary kiln and the lowermost cyclone of an associated preheater system, e.g. into the gas stream within a precalciner vessel or riser duct, the tires being maintained in contact with the hot gas for a sufficient period to effect at least partial combustion of the tires. As an alternative, the tires may be introduced into a Lepol grate preheater.

Abstract: Emission of nitrogen oxides from a mineral-burning process, for example a cement-manufacturing process, is reduced by passing the exhaust gas from the rotary kiln in which the mineral raw materials are burnt to a combustion zone in which solid fuel elements, for example waste tyres, are maintained for a sufficient period and at a sufficient temperature for at least 30% by weight of the volatile combustible content of the solid fuel elements to be combusted, the combustion zone comprising at least one region in which the combustion of the solid fuel elements occurs under sub-stoichiometric conditions. The solid fuel elements may be introduced into the hot gas stream at at least one point between the mineral-inlet end of the rotary kiln and the lowermost cyclone of an associated preheater system, e.g. into the gas stream within a precalciner vessel or riser duct. Preferably, tertiary air from a clinker cooling apparatus is supplied downstream of the combustion zone (relative to the flow of kiln exhaust gas).

Abstract: A method is provided for retrofitting an existing dead-bolt assembly with an electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312, 800). The electrically operated actuator automatically operates the dead-bolt assembly while preserving manual operation of the lock. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28,128, 238, 328, 438, 818) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means.

Abstract: Waste tires are disposed of in a cement-manufacturing or other mineral-burning process by introducing the tires into the hot gas stream at at least one point between the mineral-inlet end of a rotary kiln and the lowermost cyclone of an associated preheater system, e.g. into the gas stream within a precalciner vessel or riser duct, the tires being maintained in contact with the hot gas for a sufficient period to effect at least partial combustion of the tires. As an alternative, the tires may be introduced into a Lepol grate preheater.

Abstract: An electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312, 800) automatically operates dead-bolt assemblies and other locks, while preserving manual operation of the locks. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28, 128, 238, 328, 438, 818) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means.

Abstract: A button attaching system for securing buttons to clothing by utilizing an I-shaped fastener projecting through the button and the clothing without requiring additional sewing equipment. The system includes a plunging structure, a plunger member slidably movable in the interior of the plunging structure, a hollow needle shaft attached to the plunging structure, and an I-shaped connector securing a button to clothing.

Abstract: A method of exposing a radiation-sensitive medium through a mask and using an imaging system having a given depth of focus to control for pattern dependent distortion. The steps comprise: providing the radiation-sensitive medium within the depth of focus of the imaging system; providing radiation to the radiation-sensitive medium through the mask; providing the radiation-sensitive medium fully outside the depth of focus of the imaging system; and providing radiation to the radiation-sensitive medium through the mask. Corrections are automatically made by providing the radiation-sensitive medium fully outside the depth of focus of the imaging system, since in that regime the mask operates as a gray-scale mask, with the amount of light passing through any region of the mask dependent on the transmission of the masking pattern in that region.

Abstract: Multichip semiconductor structures with consolidated circuitry are disclosed, along with programmable electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits for chip input/output (I/O) nodes. The multichip structures include a first semiconductor chip having a first circuit at least partially providing a first predetermined circuit function, and a second semiconductor chip electrically and mechanically coupled to the first semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor device chip has a second circuit that at least partially provides a circuit function to the first circuit of the first semiconductor chip. In one embodiment, the first semiconductor chip includes a memory array chip, while the second semiconductor chip includes a logic chip wherein at least some peripheral circuitry necessary for accessing the memory array of the memory array chip resides within the logic chip. This allows the removal of redundant circuitry from identical chips of a multichip structure.

Abstract: Interchip and intrachip electrical discharge suppression connections or networks are disclosed for three-dimensional multichip semiconductor structures. The interchip suppression networks electrically intercouple the power planes of the semiconductor device chips in the structure. This, in combination with conventional intrachip suppression networks present on the external connects or input/output pins of the individual chips in the structure, provides complete power plane-to-power plane, external connect-to-power plane and external connect-to-external connect protection against electrical discharge events, such as an electrostatic discharge occurring during handling and testing of the structure. The interchip electrical discharge suppression networks can be placed on an end layer or end semiconductor chip of the three-dimensional multichip semiconductor structure and connect to individual chips in the structure via an edge surface metallization.

Abstract: (-)cis-4-Amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(IH)-pyrimidine-2-on e in crystalline form, in particular as needle-shaped or bypyramidyl crystals, pharmaceutical formulations thereof, methods for their preparation and their use in medicine.

Abstract: An electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312) automatically operates dead-bolt assemblies and other locks, while preserving manual operation of the locks. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28, 128, 238, 328, 438) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means.

Abstract: A motor or alternator comprises a number of permanent magnets (34, 36) arranged about the periphery of a rotor (30). The magnets (34, 36) are encompassed by stator coils (44) pressed over and supported on the stator housing (41) between fins (39). The magnets (34, 36) are arranged with their like poles facing each other while the stator coils (44) are arranged in a C-shape or a U-shape configuration about the permanent magnets allowing the magnets (34, 36) to rotate within the toroidal space defined by the stator coils (44). The rotor (30) is made of a non-magnetic material which may include an electrical conductor such as aluminum or a highly resistive material such as a plastics material. The number of stator coils (44) will depend on the phase excitation used (a 3-phase motor is described) with the commutation of the coils being supplied either mechanically or electronically.

Abstract: A method of exposing a radiation-sensitive medium through a mask and using an imaging system having a given depth of focus to control for pattern dependent distortion. The steps comprise: providing the radiation-sensitive medium within the depth of focus of the imaging system; providing radiation to the radiation-sensitive medium through the mask; providing the radiation-sensitive medium fully outside the depth of focus of the imaging system; and providing radiation to the radiation-sensitive medium through the mask. Corrections are automatically made by providing the radiation-sensitive medium fully outside the depth of focus of the imaging system, since in that regime the mask operates as a grey-scale mask, with the amount of light passing through any region of the mask dependent on the transmission of the masking pattern in that region.

Abstract: A conductive layer in a semiconductor device is protected against chemical attack by a photoresist developer by forming a protective film overlying the conductive layer. The protective film is formed using a chemical reaction that occurs through defects in a passivation layer that was previously formed overlying the conductive layer. The chemical reaction substantially occurs at the surface of the conductive layer and chemically converts portions thereof in forming the protective film. Preferably, the conductive layer is aluminum or an alloy thereof containing copper and/or silicon, and the protective film is aluminum oxide formed on the aluminum layer to protect it from corrosion by tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH). The passivation layer is TiN, and the chemical reaction used is oxidation of the aluminum layer through defects in the overlying TiN layer by placing in an ozone asher.

Abstract: Interchip and intrachip electrical discharge suppression connections or networks are disclosed for three-dimensional multichip semiconductor structures. The interchip suppression networks electrically intercouple the power planes of the semiconductor device chips in the structure. This, in combination with conventional intrachip suppression networks present on the external connects or input/output pins of the individual chips in the structure, provides complete power plane-to-power plane, external connect-to-power plane and external connect-to-external connect protection against electrical discharge events, such as an electrostatic discharge occurring during handling and testing of the structure. The interchip electrical discharge suppression networks can be placed on an end layer or end semiconductor chip of the three-dimensional multichip semiconductor structure and connect to individual chips in the structure via an edge surface metallization.

Abstract: Difficulty is experienced where filters are required to provide a high level of noise reduction and a fast step response in systems where a large input step in comparison to the final resolution may occur. A suitable filter comprises a variable length averaging filter, an averaging sample counter, the count of which is reduced by a predetermined factor when the count reaches a maximum value, and a spike counter, the count of which is incremented when the difference between an input sample and the current filter output exceeds a predetermined value, the sample count being reset to 1 when the spike count reaches a predetermined value, the filter output being otherwise maintained at the previous output.

Abstract: A small disassembleable boat is comprised of four pontoons which together define the corners of a rectangle, with each pontoon being made from two halfshells flanged together so that they can be disassembled and seated one inside the other to conserve space for transport. For use as a boat, the halfshells are bolted together through substantially continuous peripheral flanges, with the flanges also serving as mounting points for the boat frame and a superstructure which supports a bench-type seat for the operator above a central deck portion supported on the underlying frame. Optional foredeck panels, aft deck panels, and a transom for use with an outboard motor are provided.