Abstract: Disclosed herein is a module for supporting a device configured to manipulate charged particle paths in a charged particle apparatus, the module comprising: a support arrangement configured to support the device, wherein the device is configured to manipulate a charged particle path within the charged particle apparatus; and a support positioning system configured to move the support arrangement within the module; wherein the module is arranged to be field replaceable in the charged particle apparatus.

Abstract: An electron beam apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an e-beam source configured to generate an electron beam, a first part configured to support a substrate, the first part comprising an object table for supporting the substrate, the first part further comprising a short stroke actuator system for actuating the object table relative to the e-beam source, the short stroke actuator system comprising a short stroke forcer. The apparatus further comprises a second part configured to movably support the first part and a long stroke actuator system configured to actuate movement of the first part with respect to the second part, the long stroke actuator system comprising a long stroke forcer, wherein the short stroke forcer and/or the long stroke forcer is configured to be switched off while the electron beam is projected onto the substrate.

Abstract: Precision digital chronography based on detected changes in state of a processor is described. The changes in state may be detected by another processor and an averaged time interval generated. A signal corresponding to the averaged time interval may be communicated to a distributed database and propagated to remote systems. Devices associated with the remote systems may adjust or set a device clock in accordance with the averaged time interval.

Abstract: Disclosed here are pipette tips useful for acquiring or dispelling liquids, and include one or more design that may increase fluid delivery precision and/or accuracy, and may reduce certain repetitive motions.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power generation system includes a RF power source that generates a RF output signal delivered to a load. A RF power controller is configured to generate a control signal to vary the RF output signal. The controller adjusts a parameter associated with the RF output signal, and the parameter is controlled in accordance with a trigger signal. The parameter is adjusted in accordance with a cost function, and the cost function is determined by intruding a perturbation into an actuator that affects the cost function. The actuator may control an external RF output signal, and the trigger signal may vary in accordance with the external RF output signal.

Abstract: A RF generator includes a RF power source and a RF control module coupled to the RF power source. The RF control module is configured to generate at least one control signal to vary a respective at least one of an RF output signal from the RF power source or an impedance between the RF power source and a load. The RF output signal includes a RF signal modulated by a pulse signal, and the RF control module is further configured to adjust the at least one control signal to vary at least one of an amplitude or a frequency of the RF output signal or the impedance between the RF power source and the load to control a shape of the pulse signal. The at least one of the amplitude, the frequency, or the impedance is adjusted in accordance with respective feedforward adjustments that vary in accordance with a respective sensed pulse parameter detected between a matching network and the load.

Abstract: A system for enabling end user devices to access third party cloud-based resources. For example, the system may include a first party cloud-based resource for converting sound into a format accessible to the third party cloud-based resource, storing and/or maintaining state information related to the an open communication session between the end user device and the third party cloud-based resources, and converting text-based audio announcements into audio that may be output by the end user device. In some cases, the first party cloud-based resource may transmit user responses together with stored state information to the third party cloud-based resources in a manner that the third part cloud-based resources may treat each interaction with the end user as a separate communication session.

Abstract: A programmable replacement controller that has a number of embedded applications corresponding to a number of OEM vehicle systems and a selected application within the controller can be called to service or activated through the programming feature of the replacement controller.

Abstract: Precision digital chronography based on detected changes in state of a processor is described. The changes in state may be detected by another processor and an averaged time interval generated. A signal corresponding to the averaged time interval may be communicated to a distributed database and propagated to remote systems. Devices associated with the remote systems may adjust or set a device clock in accordance with the averaged time interval.

Abstract: A sensing unit for use in-body comprises a variable impedance circuit for connection to the distal end of a transmission line and reflecting a carrier signal received from the transmission line. The variable impedance circuit comprises a variable impedance component having an impedance which varies non-linearly with applied voltage, a sensor for generating a voltage in response to a stimulus and a voltage bias system for creating a voltage bias for the variable impedance component. The voltage bias sets the operation point of the variable impedance component, such that the voltage changes from the sensor change the impedance of the variable impedance component non-linearly.

Abstract: Provided herein is a pipette tip tray that includes a base and a connected pipette tip receptacle plate, where the base includes a plurality of axially-disposed base ribs disposed on two or more internal wall surfaces, the pipette receptacle plate includes a plurality of plate ribs disposed on the distal surface of the plate, and a portion of at least a subset of the plate ribs is in contact with at least a portion of an end of at least a subset of the base ribs.

Abstract: A slack adjuster for use with a braking system which has an increased let-out length that enables the use of brake shoes having an increased thickness. The slack adjuster includes a dual spring and canister assembly, an external yoke trigger, or a combination of both the dual spring and canister assembly and the external yoke trigger. A method of retrofitting a truck-mounted brake system is provided, in which the slack adjuster is positioned within the brake system in order to increase the let-out length while maintaining a predetermined spatial envelope within the brake system. The slack adjuster has an increased let-out length enabling the use of thicker brake shoes without requiring modification of the interacting components of the truck mounted brake system since the overall size of the slack adjuster remains the same.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power generation system includes a RF power source that generates a RF output signal delivered to a load. A RF power controller is configured to generate a control signal to vary the RF output signal. The controller adjusts a parameter associated with the RF output signal, and the parameter is controlled in accordance with a trigger signal. The parameter is adjusted in accordance with a cost function, and the cost function is determined by intruding a perturbation into an actuator that affects the cost function. The actuator may control an external RF output signal, and the trigger signal may vary in accordance with the external RF output signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic inductive sensing device (30) comprising a loop antenna (10) for inductively coupling with electromagnetic (EM) signals emitted from a medium in response to stimulation of the medium with electromagnetic excitation signals. The device includes an electromagnetic shield (36) element which is arranged such as to intercept electromagnetic signals travelling to or from the antenna. The shield element is formed of conductive material such as to block electrical field components of incident signals but further incorporates a non-conductive gap in the material so as to prevent the formation of eddy currents. A loop of the antenna is broken by an opening, the opening being bridged by a capacitor, and the device comprises a signal processing means which is electrically coupled to the antenna via only a single point of the antenna, located to one side of the opening.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic inductive sensing system for sensing electromagnetic signals emitted from a body in response to electromagnetic excitation signals applied to the body. The electromagnetic signals are generated and sensed by the same loop resonator which comprises a single-turn loop antenna and a tuning capacitor. The loop antenna of the resonator and a signal generation means for exciting the resonator to generate excitation signals are together configured so as to optimize the value of a ratio between the radial frequency of the generated electromagnetic excitation signals and a reference frequency of the antenna, where the reference frequency is the frequency for which one wavelength of the generated excitation signals (waves) matches the circumferential length of the antenna. This ratio, which corresponds to a normalized radial frequency of the generated excitation signals, is maintained between a value of 0.025 and 0.50.

Abstract: A catheter delivery system (10) includes: (i) an introducer sheath (12); (ii) a catheter (14) disposed at least partially within the introducer sheath and movable axial along the introducer sheath; (iii) an invaginating tube (16) sealably secured at or near a first axial end (16a) of the invaginating tube to the introducer sheath at or near a first axial end (12 a) of the introducer sheath; (iv) a runner (28) slidably connected to the catheter; (v) the invaginating tube being sealably secured at or near a second axial end (16b) of the invaginating tube to the runner, such that the runner with inavaginating tube secured thereto is sealably connected to the catheter and movable axially along at least a portion of the catheter; and (vi) means for pressurising the annular space defined between the introducer sheath, the catheter and the invaginating tube.

Abstract: A store profile generation method includes moving a mobile base around a product facility which includes an arrangement of product display units for displaying products. Product labels are associated with the display units. The product labels display product-related data for the displayed products. With an image capture assembly mounted on the mobile base, images are acquired of the product display units at a sequence of locations of the mobile base. With a computer processor, the product-related data is extracted from the acquired images and a store profile is constructed, based on the extracted product-related data, a spatial characterization of the image capture assembly, and information on the locations of the mobile base when the images were acquired, which indicates locations of the product labels throughout the product facility.