Abstract: The invention regards a system and method for using a handheld programming device to configure a lighting control system wirelessly. In one embodiment, at least one device configured with a processing section is installed in the lighting control system. A communications receiver that is operable to receive a signal from the handheld programming device is also installed in the lighting control system, wherein the signal includes an instruction for configuring the lighting control system. Further, the signal is wirelessly sent from the handheld programming device to the communications receiver, and the instruction is transmitted from the communications receiver to a device in the system. The instruction functions to configure the lighting control system.

Abstract: The invention regards a system and method for using a handheld programming device to configure a lighting control system wirelessly. In one embodiment, at least one device configured with a processing section is installed in the lighting control system. A communications receiver that is operable to receive a signal from the handheld programming device is also installed in the lighting control system, wherein the signal includes an instruction for configuring the lighting control system. Further, the signal is wirelessly sent from the handheld programming device to the communications receiver, and the instruction is transmitted from the communications receiver to a device in the system. The instruction functions to configure the lighting control system.

Abstract: A composite of nanoscale oxide ceramic phases is dispersed in a non-oxide ceramic matrix material. The non-oxide ceramic phase may be silicon-carbon-nitrogen-based, and imparts resistance to mechanical degradation, resistance to chemical degradation, and resistance to oxidation at temperatures up to 1800° C. The nanodispersed oxide phase is selected according to desired functional properties, including coefficient of thermal expansion, rheology, ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic properties, superdielectric properties, and superpiezolectric and electrostrictive properties. A method is provided for making a nanocomposite ceramic fiber having a nanodispersion of zirconia in a silicon-carbon-nitrogen ceramic phase. A method is provided for making a soft ferromagnetic ceramic having a nanodispersion of ferrite in a zirconia in a silicon-carbon-nitrogen ceramic phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely monitoring the level of lubricant in a sump of an internal combustion engine on a vehicle and remotely transferring lubricant from the engine sump including a lubricant tank mounted on the vehicle external to the vehicle's engine. The lubricant tank and the engine may each contain a quantity of gas above the respective lubricant levels in the tank and the sump with the pressure of gas contained in the lubricant tank being regulated relative to the pressure of gas contained in the engine such that the level of lubricant in the tank is indicative of and varies along with the level of lubricant in the engine sump. The apparatus may include an equalization connection between the sump and the tank and an evacuation connection to the tank for transferring lubricant from the tank. The tank may include a plurality of internal chambers situated for lubricant to flow between them to prevent lubricant from being drawn out of the sump below a lubricant low-level limit of the sump.

Abstract: A ceramic micro-glow plug made from three primary constituents, silicon, carbon and nitrogen by forming a precursor liquid polymer in a mold or by photolithograpy, drying, pyrolizing and annealing. A U-shaped design with two arms joined at thin tip, and the composition of the silicon carbon-nitride ceramic allow the tip to reach a high operating temperature with a minimum power applied across the electrical contacts. When the tip is at the highest operating temperature, the remainder of the structure remains relatively cool. In an embodiment, an additional component such as boron is added to the silicon carbon-nitride to increase the electrical conductivity of the micro-glow plug. In another embodiment, a plurality of micro-glow plugs are attached to a body wherein when the operational micro-glow plug fails, the next successive micro-glow plug receives power across its electrical contacts.

Abstract: Graphical user interfaces are provided for administrators to perform administration type operations. Sets of users granted administrative privileges may further grant and delegate administrative privileges to other sets of users to perform administration type operations on site objects over which they have administrative privileges. The types of graphical user interfaces includes server consoles and site consoles. Server consoles enable the performance of administration on all objects within the framework. Site consoles enable the performance of administration within a respective site.

Abstract: A liquid delivery system for a chemical vapor deposition apparatus, and a method of using the same employs one or more ultrasonic atomizing nozzles to inject one or more liquid precursor solutions directly into a CVD reactor chamber. The liquid delivery system can be operated either in a continuous mode or in a pulsed mode. In the pulsed mode, measured pulses of the liquid precursor solution are injected by the one or more ultrasonic atomizing nozzles so that control of film deposition rates as fine as monolayers per pulse can be obtained. Use of the ultrasonic nozzles insures that the liquid will be vaporized in the reactor chamber so that uniform deposition of films on one or more substrates in the reactor chamber is achieved.

Abstract: Novel diamond thin films deposited on a metal or ceramic composite comprising a matrix having dispersed therein finely divided diamond or diamond-like particles are useful in improving the erosion resistance of materials used for long wave infrared transmitting applications such as domes and infrared windows.

Abstract: New composites useful for infrared transmitting applications comprise a dispersion of small particles of diamonds in a matrix having infrared transmission properties (from about 1 to at least 10 .mu.m wavelength) and refractive index substantially similar to that of diamond. The composites exhibit mechanical toughness and durability 2-4 times that of the similarly treated matrix alone without adverse effect on optical properties.

Abstract: A continuous thin film metal coated ceramic substrate is provided by employing intimate mixtures of transition element metal and element different from the transition element metal which is from the same group of the Periodic Table as the metallic or semimetallic atom of the ceramic of the substrate.

Abstract: Shrinkage is substantially reduced or eliminated in the x-y plane during co-firing interposing predominantly ceramic layer between predominantly glass layers in the green multilayer assembly. The ceramic is preferably aluminum nitride.

Abstract: Metal-ceramic interfaces of enhanced strength are produced by positioning bodies of ceramic oxides and transition element metals or alloys containing such in abutting relationship, and heating in air at a temperature ranging from 500.degree. C. to just below the melting point of the metal of the metal body to join said bodies and then subsequently heat treating said joined bodies in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of 300.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. to form intermetallic compound layer at the interface.

Abstract: A non-contacting superconducting rotating assembly is described which includes a floating, unsupported and stable rotor. The assembly includes first and second bearings comprised of a material which exhibits Type II superconducting properties. The rotor includes a magnetic pole at each of its extremities, each pole resting in a bearing. The polar axis of each pole is colinear with the rotating axis of the rotor. A temperature bath is provided for maintaining the bearings at or below their critical superconducting temperature and a motive mechanism provides for rotation of the rotor. Each magnet pole is thereby levitated and adapted to rotate in a stable, non contacting position by the field and pinning effects generated by the associated bearing.

Abstract: A non-contacting superconducting rotating assembly is described which includes a floating, unsupported and stable rotor. The assembly includes first and second bearings comprised of a material which exhibits Type II superconducting properties. The rotor includes a magnetic pole at each of its extremities, each pole resting in a bearing. The polar axis of each pole is colinear with the rotating axis of the rotor. A temperature bath is provided for maintaining the bearings at or below their critical superconducting temperature and a motive mechanism provides for rotation of the rotor. Each magnet pole is thereby levitated and adapted to rotate in a stable, non-contacting position by the field and pinning effects generated by the associated bearing.

Abstract: A novel ceramic-ceramic composite of a uniform dispersion of silicon carbide fibers in a matrix of MgO.multidot.nAl.sub.2 O.sub.3 wherein n ranges from about 1 to about 4.5, said composite comprising by volume from 1 to 50% silicon carbide fibers and from 99 to 50% MgO.multidot.nAl.sub.2 O.sub.3. The composite is readily fabricated by forming a powder comprising a uniform dispersion of silicon carbide fibers in poorly crystalline phase comprising MgO and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in a mole ratio of n and either (a) hot pressing or preferably (b) cold pressing to form a preform and then forging utilizing a temperature in the range of 1100.degree. C. to 1900.degree. C. and a strain rate ranging from about 10.sup.-5 seconds .sup.-1 to about 1 seconds .sup.-1 so that surfaces cracks do not appear to obtain a shear deformation greater than 30%.

Abstract: The invention relates to producing relatively flaw free zirconia ceramic shapes requiring little or no matching by superplastic forging of a fully sintered or partially sintered preform. The preform is prepared by providing a starting powder comprising by weight from about 70% to about 100% zirconia and from about 0 to about 30% of stabilizing additives, e.g. commerically available TZ-3Y powder, cold pressing to obtain a preform of green density ranging from about 30% of theoretical density to about 75% of theoretical density and partially or fully sintering at atmospheric pressure, e.g. in argon or air at a temperature ranging from about 900.degree. C. to about 1900.degree. C. The superplastic forging is carried out by isothermally pressing the partially or fully sintered preform into substantially final shape utilizing a temperature and strain rate such that surface cracks do not occur, e.g. utilizing a temperature of 1310.degree. C.

Abstract: Alpha-alumina whiskers are produced by forming a film of boehmite gel seeded with alpha-alumina seed material, preferably sapphire, and heating at 900.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. for 5 minutes to 2 hours.

Abstract: The invention relates to producing relatively flaw free silicon nitride ceramic shapes requiring little or no machining by superplastic forgingThis invention herein was made in part under Department of Energy Grant DE-AC01-84ER80167, creating certain rights in the United States Government. The invention was also made in part under New York State Science and Technology Grant SB1R 1985-10.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of improved high density nitrogen based ceramics by liquid-phase densification of silicon nitride or a compound of silicon-nitrogen-oxygen-metal, e.g. a sialon. In the process and compositions of the invention minor amounts of finely divided silicon are employed together with the conventional liquid phase producing additives to enhance the densification of the resultant ceramic.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of improved high density nitrogen based ceramics by liquid-phase densification of silicon nitride or a compound of silicon-nitrogen-oxygen-metal, e.g. a sialon. In the process and compositions of the invention minor amounts of finely divided silicon are employed together with the conventional liquid phase producing additives to enhance the densification of the resultant ceramic.