Abstract: A method of preparing a transparent conductor for application on a polymeric substrate is described. The method includes introducing a functional group onto a surface of the conductor to form a modified conductor, and mixing the modified conductor with a dispersant at slightly elevated temperatures to form a conductive material composition. The dispersant is at least bifunctional. The conductive material composition may then be applied to the polymeric substrate. The dispersant acts as a linker, bonding the transparent conductor and polymeric substrate such that they are fully integrated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an adhesive layer and a conductive elastic material layer. The adhesive layer is capable of being placed in a channel for a joint. The adhesive layer is capable of resuming an original shape after being deformed. A conductive elastic material layer is on the adhesive layer. The coating covers the conductive elastic material layer and is capable of resuming the original shape after being deformed.

Abstract: A method of making a transparency is provided, the method comprising the steps of: layering at least two pieces of transparent thermoplastic, wherein a portion of at least one of the pieces of transparent thermoplastic is treated with a near infrared absorbing material; and, fusing the layered pieces of transparent thermoplastic together using a heat source to form an optically transparent and undistorted transparency. There is also provided a transparency comprising at least two layers of transparent thermoplastic, wherein the layers of transparent thermoplastic have been fused together using a heat source, such that the transparency is optically transparent and undistorted.

Abstract: A high power PIN diode single pole double throw (SPDT) switch for use in radar systems transmitting at over 50 watts of power. These systems require a switch that will provide adequate isolation for the sensitive amplifier circuits in the receiver subsystem of the radar from the high power transmit pulses in the event there is a bias failure such that the PIN diodes are at zero bias. By utilizing one single pole single throw (SPST) switch assembly between the transmitter and the antenna and at least two SPST switch assemblies between the antenna and the receiver, this isolation is achieved.

Abstract: A high power PIN diode single pole double throw (SPDT) switch for use in radar systems transmitting at over 50 watts of power. These systems require a switch that will provide adequate isolation for the sensitive amplifier circuits in the receiver subsystem of the radar from the high power transmit pulses in the event there is a bias failure such that the PIN diodes are at zero bias. By utilizing one single pole single throw (SPST) switch assembly between the transmitter and the antenna and at least two SPST switch assemblies between the antenna and the receiver, this isolation is achieved.

Abstract: A drill bit, and associated method of manufacture, characterized by the presence of a low friction coating on the drill flute surfaces and the absence of such coating from the facets on the cutting surfaces of the drill bit. In one form, a tungsten carbide based microdrill bit is coated with a high temperature diamond like carbon to a layer thickness measured in microns. The cutting facets of the microdrill bit are then ground to expose the tungsten carbide material. The microdrill bit formed thereby is particularly useful in creating holes through multilayer printed circuit boards as a part of forming electrical vias. Low friction flute surface coated microdrills exhibit materially longer drill life, better drill location accuracy, can operate at materially greater chiploads, and produce higher quality holes through printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A minimum phase shift microwave attenuator circuit, providing very low insertion phase change with changing attenuation levels. Three PIN diodes are biased in parallel from a common node. The PIN diodes are held at zero or reverse bias for the "no attenuation" state, and are made slightly lossy to produce the attenuation state. In the attenuation state, the PIN diodes are utilized as current controlled lossy capacitors which change resistance with applied bias, but maintain constant capacitance, thereby providing low insertion phase deviation across wide attenuation levels.

Abstract: An adjustable microwave power divider circuit (50), providing the capability of adjusting the power division ratio after the device has been fabricated. The device includes three 90 degree transmission line networks (60, 70, 80) incorporating open transmission line stubs (66, 76, 86), two networks (70, 80) as power division networks, and the third network (60) as an input impedance matching network. A series isolation resistor (90) is connected across the outputs of the power division networks. In operation, an input signal is split between the two power division networks (70, 80) with equal voltage and phase. The power split between the two outputs is adjusted by adjusting the open stub length, thereby varying the characteristic impedance level between the two power division networks. Any signal reflected back into any one of the power divider networks is absorbed by the isolation resistor. The stub length can be trimmed after device fabrication using a laser or abrasion system.

Abstract: A phase shifting circuit (10) which is especially suitable for use as a 180.degree. phase bit for an antenna element in a phased radar antenna array includes a first transmission line (16) connected between first and second diodes (22,24), which are connected to input and output terminals (12,14) respectively. Second and third transmission lines (18,20) are connected in series with each other between the input and output terminals (12,14). A third diode (26) is connected between the junction (28) of the second and third transmission lines (18,20) and ground. The first transmission line (16) is less than one-quarter wavelength long at the operating frequency of the circuit (10), whereas the second and third transmission lines (18,20) are each approximately three-eighths wavelength long. Forward biasing the diodes (22,24,26) causes substantially all of the signal to propagate from the input terminal (12) to the output terminal (14) through the first transmission line (16), producing minimum phase shift.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a mask which extends beyond the outer edges of a semiconductor wafer bonded thereto. The apparatus includes a base having a vacuum chamber opening onto the upper surface of the base, a vacuum valve separating the vacuum chamber from a vacuum source, an actuating lever and a mask discharge facilitator. The discharge facilitator comprising a horizontal plate having a plurality of vertical pins around the periphery thereof. When the lever is actuated, it opens the vacuum valve and lifts the discharge facilitator forcing the vertical pins into contact with the mask. The simultaneous application of the vacuum holding force, and vertical force applied by the pins causes the separation of the mask from the upper surface of the wafer.

Abstract: Nickel and copper are plated over a thick anodic coating on an aluminum substrate as a step in the manufacture of printed circuit board substrates.

Abstract: A torch igniter for attachment to a torch nozzle having a nozzle tip through which a fuel is passed includes an igniter attachment on which a flint and abrading wheel is mounted. The flint is biased against the rim of the abrading wheel at a location thereon generally facing the nozzle tip so that rotation of the wheel generates sparks which are projected in front of the nozzle tip to ignite the fuel passing therefrom. A small electric or pneumatic motor may be connected to the flint wheel to rotate the wheel upon energization of the motor. Compressed gas fed to the torch nozzle may be utilized to drive the pneumatic motor; electric batteries are provided in the case of an electric motor. The igniter attachment is fixedly positioned rearwardly of the nozzle tip and laterally offset therefrom so that the attachment and motor are not adversely affected by the flame.

Abstract: A substantially two-dimensional integrated phase shifter and radiator module wherein a plurality of phase shifting elements are deposited in microstrip configuration on one side of a common substrate, and at least one radiating element is constructed from ground plane metallization on the other side of the substrate. Electrical coupling between the output of the phase shifter and the radiator is accomplished by means of a pin interconnect which extends vertically through the substrate. The phase shifting elements are serially connected and positioned in predetermined patterns on the substrate so as to maximize circuit density, without any adverse electrical interaction with the radiator. Additionally, the serially connected phase shifting elements are each connected to individually receive a separate DC control voltage in order that varying degrees of phase shift may be introduced into microwave signals which are coaxially fed into the input terminal of the phase shifting circuitry.

Abstract: The use of electronically variable phase shifters is required in phased array radar systems. Diode phase shifters are particularly well suited for use in phased array radar systems because they have size and weight advantage over other types of phase shifting components such as ferrite devices and traveling wave tubes and, in addition, offer the potential of cost reductions through the application of batch processing techniques. In accordance with the present invention, a phase bit is provided by the appropriate forward or reverse biasing of one series and one shunt diode to switch between a .pi. circuit and a loop transmission line circuit shunting the equivalent capacitance of the series diode when reverse biased.

Abstract: The use of electronically variable phase shifters is required in phased array radar systems. Diode phase shifters are particularly well suited for use in phased array radar systems because they have size and weight advantage over other types of phase shifting components such as ferrite devices and traveling wave tubes and, in addition, offer the potential of cost reductions through the application of batch processing techniques. In accordance with the present invention, a 180.degree. phase bit is provided by two series diodes with three transmission line segments shunting each junction to ground through a common shunt diode. Operation is effected by the simultaneous forward or reverse biasing of the series and shunt diodes, thereby introducing a 180.degree. phase difference in a signal transmittal therethrough.