Abstract: A metal suicide film and method of forming the same are provided. The method comprises depositing metal silicide layers onto a substrate assembly with alternating layers of silicon. The resulting metal silicide film has a disrupted grain structure and smaller grain sizes than prior art films of the same thickness, which increases the resistance of the material to stress cracks in subsequent thermal processing and reduces the overall residual stress of the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of an oil lubricated bearing based on the phenomenon that the bearing will operate at a reduced temperature for a limited time period after losing its flow of lubricating oil. The invention includes steps and means for comparing the bearing temperature to an average of similar bearing temperatures, and for generating a low temperature alarm when the bearing temperature drops more than a threshold amount. The setpoint of this threshold may be a function of the standard deviation of the temperatures of a plurality of similar bearings. The invention may include steps and apparatus for generating a high bearing temperature alarm and for communicating data to a remote location.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a method of thermal processing comprising: a) providing a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate supporting a material that is to be thermally processed; b) forming a sacrificial mass over the material, the mass comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion having a different composition than the outer portion and being nearer the material than the outer portion; c) exposing the mass to radiation to heat the mass, the exposing being for a period of time sufficient for the material to absorb heat from the mass and be thermally processed thereby; and d) removing the mass from over the material.

Abstract: A metal silicide film and method of forming the same are provided. The method comprises depositing metal silicide layers onto a substrate assembly with alternating layers of silicon. The resulting metal silicide film has a disrupted grain structure and smaller grain sizes than prior art films of the same thickness, which increases the resistance of the material to stress cracks in subsequent thermal processing and reduces the overall residual stress of the material.

Abstract: A racking system (10) for a pick up vehicle (21) including a pair of side frames (11) which are each mountable to an associated side wall (20) of the pick up vehicle (21) including one or more tie bars (16, 17, 18) and which side frames (11) are each pivotable about a longitudinal axis from an extended position to a lowered position and a pair of end frames (12) wherein each end frame (12) is releasably attachable to respective ends (37) of the pair of side frames (11) wherein the racking system (10) is self-bracing in the extended position.

Abstract: A shared persistent memory (e.g., disk) file system provides persistent memory block allocation with multiple redo logging of memory blocks. The file system employs a three part block state indicator (V,A,U). V is a volume indication. A is allocation sequence indication. U is update sequence number indication. The file system (a) generates indication of the allocation sequence in the allocation map in a manner free of initially reading the block from storage memory, (b) records the indication of volume, allocation sequence and update sequence in an entry of the transaction log of the requesting computer node, and (c) sets indications of volume, allocation sequence and update sequence on the subject block in storage memory. Subsequent transactions on the subject block, by the requesting node are recorded in respective entries in the transaction log. Each respective entry reflects state of the subject block by indicating in the block state indicator the volume, allocation sequence and order of update sequence.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a method of thermal processing comprising: a) providing a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate supporting a material that is to be thermally processed; b) forming a sacrificial mass over the material, the mass comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion having a different composition than the outer portion and being nearer the material than the outer portion; c) exposing the mass to radiation to heat the mass, the exposing being for a period of time sufficient for the material to absorb heat from the mass and be thermally processed thereby; and d) removing the mass from over the material.

Abstract: A sport shoe having an upper, a sole having at least an outer sole having a mobile portion at least at the heel portion of the sole which is pivotable about a lateral axis forward of the heel portion. A midsole insert member is insertable between the mobile portion and the upper. The mobile portion includes upper engaging projections cooperating with the upper to prevent the midsole insert from moving laterally relative to the upper when the midsole insert member is introduced between the mobile portion and the upper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiding in positioning during assembly of a locomotive wheel with respect to a drive gear mounted adjacent the wheel during assembly and for maintaining the position of the drive gear during locomotive operation. The apparatus includes a lateral stop including a spacer formed of a semi-elastomeric material having a low coefficient of friction and specially adapted to fit into a stress relief groove of an axle between a hub of the drive gear and a hub of the wheel. The spacer is so designed as to be installable on the locomotive axle after installation of the drive gear, to be self-centering on the axle and to inhibit rotation of the spacer with respect to the axle such that the axle will not be marked circumferentially by spacer rotation.

Abstract: A sport shoe having an upper, a sole having at least an outer sole having a mobile portion at least at the heel portion of the sole which is pivotable about a lateral axis forward of the heel portion. A midsole insert member is insertable between the mobile portion and the upper. The mobile portion includes upper engaging projections cooperating with the upper to prevent the midsole insert from moving laterally relative to the upper when the midsole insert member is introduced between the mobile portion and the upper.

Abstract: A sole member for an article of footwear, comprises a sheet of resilient material displaying cushioning and memory properties. The sheet has a generally longitudinal cavity with outwardly flared sidewalls that deflect horizontally in the presence of a downward force. The cavity is wider in the heel region and curves outwardly toward the lateral forefoot to create a path of least resistance that causes the center of mass of the human body to migrate laterally and thereby reduce predisposition to excessive pronation.

Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, comprises a mass of sole-forming material having provided therein a block of material functioning harmoniously with the remaining mass of material and providing a receptacle in the sole; and a user-selectable, removable insert fitted in the receptacle to impart desired energy characteristics to the sole. The insert can be selected by the user according to his particular needs.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning the interior of pipelines. The apparatus comprises a pig having an elongated body, a bogie assembly adapted to maintain the body in the center of a pipeline, and a seal assembly extending radially from the body and adapted so that the pig may be propelled by fluid flow through a pipeline. The pig further includes an on-board power supply coupled to the bogie assembly to provide and store electrical power for the pig. In addition, the pig includes an odometer, sensor and recording device powered by the power supply. The odometer is coupled to the bogie assembly and provides a motion signal representative of motion of the pig through a pipeline. The sensor includes a scanning ultrasonic surface wave exciter/transponder which generates a data signal representative of the interior condition of the pipeline. The recording device records the motion and data signals for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning the interior of pipelines. The apparatus comprises a pig having an elongated body, a bogie assembly adapted to maintain the body in the center of a pipeline, and a seal assembly extending radially from the body and adapted so that the pig may be propelled by fluid flow through a pipeline. The pig further includes an on-board power supply coupled to the bogie assembly to provide and store electrical power for the pig. In addition, the pig includes an odometer, sensor and recording device powered by the power supply. The odometer is coupled to the bogie assembly and provides a motion signal representative of motion of the pig through a pipeline. The sensor includes a scanning ultrasonic surface wave exciter/transponder which generates a data signal representative of the interior condition of the pipeline. The recording device records the motion and data signals for subsequent analysis.