Abstract: A turbocharger is provided including a turbine housing having a gas inlet passage. A turbine wheel having a plurality of blades is arranged within the turbine housing. A nozzle ring is disposed around the turbine wheel and includes a plurality of vanes with flow channels being defined between the vanes that are in fluid communication the gas inlet passage and with the turbine wheel. A shroud is arranged in surrounding relation to at least a portion of the turbine wheel and in spaced relation from the turbine housing. The shroud is integrally formed with the nozzle ring such that the plurality of vanes extend away from the shroud.

Abstract: A coating system for forming an atomic layer deposition (ALD) or a molecular layer deposition (MLD) barrier coating on interior fluid wetted surfaces of a fluid handling component for a vacuum chamber of a semiconductor substrate processing apparatus. The coating system includes the fluid handling component, wherein the interior fluid wetted surfaces define a process region of the coating system, a gas supply system in fluid communication with the process region of the component wherein the gas supply system supplies process gases to the process region of the component through the inlet port thereof such that an ALD or MLD barrier coating can be formed on the fluid wetted surfaces of the fluid handling component, and an exhaust system in fluid communication with the process region of the component wherein the exhaust system exhausts the process gases from the process region of the component through the outlet port thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a two-speed bicycle transmission that utilizes a backward pedaling power input mode to provide a higher forward driving speed ratio (“lower gear”) inherently, without the intervention of any other means of rider control. Such bicycle transmissions were popular in the early part of the 20th Century and marketed as “Retro-Direct.” Since, bicycle transmissions offering even greater numbers of selectable forward pedaling mode speeds have been developed, but at the expense of complexity and reliability, thereby causing a growing fraction of the cycling public to prefer single-speed bicycles for reasons of lower maintenance and/or minimalist aesthetics. Accordingly, the focus of the present invention is to provide a useful second speed with a minimum of added complexity by adapting a uniquely configured and functionally improved Retro-Direct transmission to the modern bicycle. Additionally, a beneficial backward pedaling exercise mode is reintroduced.

Abstract: A turbocharger is provided including a turbine housing having a gas inlet passage. A turbine wheel having a plurality of blades is arranged within the turbine housing. A nozzle ring is disposed around the turbine wheel and includes a plurality of vanes with flow channels being defined between the vanes that are in fluid communication the gas inlet passage and with the turbine wheel. A shroud is arranged in surrounding relation to at least a portion of the turbine wheel and in spaced relation from the turbine housing. The shroud is integrally formed with the nozzle ring such that the plurality of vanes extend away from the shroud.

Abstract: A method for calculating power input to at least one thermal control element of an electrostatic chuck includes: setting the at least one thermal control element to a first predetermined power level; measuring a first temperature of the at least one thermal control element when the at least one thermal control element is powered at the first predetermined power level; setting the at least one thermal control element to a second predetermined power level; measuring a second temperature of the at least one thermal control element when the at least one thermal control element is powered at the second predetermined power level; calculating a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature; calculating a system response of the at least one thermal control element based on the difference; inverting the system response; and calibrating the at least one thermal control element based on the inverted system response.

Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing chamber and a pedestal arranged in the processing chamber. An edge coupling ring is arranged adjacent to a radially outer edge of the pedestal. A first actuator is configured to selectively move the edge coupling ring to a raised position, relative to the pedestal to provide clearance between the edge coupling ring and the pedestal to allow a robot arm to remove the edge coupling ring from the processing chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Distinct Author Identification System (“DAIS”) for disambiguating data to discern author entities and link or associate authorships with such author entities. The invention provides powerful disambiguation processes applied across one or more databases to yield a disambiguated authority database of authors. An entire database of publications may be processed by the DAIS to group/link authorships and to identify author entities. The author entities may then be matched or associated with actual authors to establish an authority database of authors. After initial evaluation, the DAIS may be used to reevaluate some or all of the database(s) and/or the authority database established by the DAIS may be used to add or update information. DAIS may use “hierarchical clustering” to link authorships and identify authors based on authorship similarity. DAIS evaluates the likelihood that authorships are from the same author.

Abstract: An aspirated smoke detector includes a manifold coupled to a smoke sensing chamber of the smoke detector. The manifold couples ambient smoke from a plurality of locations to the smoke sensing chamber. A location of the origin of the smoke can be determined by associating a member of a plurality of a different type of smoke sensor with each of the locations. When smoke is detected in the sensing chamber, the members of the plurality can be interrogated to determine the location of the origin of the smoke in the sensing chamber.

Abstract: Control of separate computer game elements is described. In one example, a computer game system displays a computer game to a user, the computer game comprising at least one avatar and an environment. Manual input commands are received from a hand-operated controller operated by the user, and are used to control the display of the avatar in the computer game. Substantially concurrently with the manual input, a stream of images from an image capture device depicting the user is also received. A portal, separate to the avatar, is displayed in a region of the computer game display, which shows the received stream of images to the user. The stream of images of the user is analyzed and a gesture performed by the user is recognized. The recognized gesture is used to control displayed interaction between the portal and the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Distinct Author Identification System (“DAIS”) for disambiguating data to discern author entities and link or associate authorships with such author entities. The invention provides powerful disambiguation processes applied across one or more databases to yield a disambiguated authority database of authors. An entire database of publications may be processed by the DAIS to group/link authorships and to identify author entities. The author entities may then be matched or associated with actual authors to establish an authority database of authors. After initial evaluation, the DAIS may be used to reevaluate some or all of the database(s) and/or the authority database established by the DAIS may be used to add or update information. DAIS may use “hierarchical clustering” to link authorships and identify authors based on authorship similarity. DAIS evaluates the likelihood that authorships are from the same author.

Abstract: A latching mechanism selectively joins two surfaces and/or objects and includes a latch and a catch. The latch includes a pivoting locking member with respect to the latch that pivots between a locked position and an unlocked position. An electromagnetic coil housed within the latch is selectively energized to cause pivotal movement of the locking member. The catch defines at least one pocket for receiving a portion of the locking member when the locking member is in the locked position and the latch and the catch are engaged. The latching mechanism may be normally-locked, such that the energizing of the coil moves the locking member to the unlocked position, or normally-unlocked, with the energizing of the coil moving the locking member to the locked position.

Abstract: A method for calculating power input to at least one thermal control element of an electrostatic chuck includes: setting the at least one thermal control element to a first predetermined power level; measuring a first temperature of the at least one thermal control element when the at least one thermal control element is powered at the first predetermined power level; setting the at least one thermal control element to a second predetermined power level; measuring a second temperature of the at least one thermal control element when the at least one thermal control element is powered at the second predetermined power level; calculating a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature; calculating a system response of the at least one thermal control element based on the difference; inverting the system response; and calibrating the at least one thermal control element based on the inverted system response.

Abstract: A semiconductor plasma processing apparatus used to process semiconductor components comprises a plasma processing chamber, a process gas source in fluid communication with the plasma processing chamber for supplying a process gas into the plasma processing chamber, a RF energy source adapted to energize the process gas into the plasma state in the plasma processing chamber, and a vacuum port for exhausting process gas from the plasma processing chamber. The semiconductor plasma processing apparatus further comprises at least one component wherein the component has a body which has a relative magnetic permeability of about 70,000 or greater and a cold sprayed electrically conductive and nonmagnetic coating on a surface of the body wherein the coating has a thickness greater than the skin depth of a RF current configured to flow therethrough during plasma processing.

Abstract: A coating system for forming an atomic layer deposition (ALD) or a molecular layer deposition (MLD) barrier coating on interior fluid wetted surfaces of a fluid handling component for a vacuum chamber of a semiconductor substrate processing apparatus. The coating system includes the fluid handling component, wherein the interior fluid wetted surfaces define a process region of the coating system, a gas supply system in fluid communication with the process region of the component wherein the gas supply system supplies process gases to the process region of the component through the inlet port thereof such that an ALD or MLD barrier coating can be formed on the fluid wetted surfaces of the fluid handling component, and an exhaust system in fluid communication with the process region of the component wherein the exhaust system exhausts the process gases from the process region of the component through the outlet port thereof.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an atomic sensing system. The system includes an atomic sensing device configured to generate an output signal along an output axis in response to a plurality of control parameters. The system also includes a signal generator configured to apply a reference signal to a cross-axis that is approximately orthogonal to the output axis. The system also includes a phase measurement system configured to demodulate the output signal relative to the reference signal to measure a relative phase alignment between the output axis and a physical axis of the atomic sensing device based on the reference signal.

Abstract: An aspirated smoke detector includes a manifold coupled to a smoke sensing chamber of the smoke detector. The manifold couples ambient smoke from a plurality of locations to the smoke sensing chamber. A location of the origin of the smoke can be determined by associating a member of a plurality of a different type of smoke sensor with each of the locations. When smoke is detected in the sensing chamber, the members of the plurality can be interrogated to determine the location of the origin of the smoke in the sensing chamber.

Abstract: Manual and camera-based avatar control is described for example, in computer game systems. In one embodiment, an image capture system tracks motion of a player's arm holding a real world object and the player also makes input to the game system at the same time, using a manual controller. In an example, tracked motion of a player's arm is used to control aim of a virtual dart in a game display and the player makes manual input at the controller to fire the dart. In various embodiments, position of a part of a player is detected and mapped to screen space using a mapping function which may vary. For example, a mapped position of a player's hand in screen space is used to control the position of an avatar's hand by extending the avatar's arm. In examples, conditions are met before camera-based control of an avatar.

Abstract: We disclose herein a wire guard that is used to keep wire and other debris from wrapping around the axles of landfill trash compactors, thereby reducing the chance of damage to these axles and sealing systems. The wire guard is comprised of multiple segments that are individually welded to the edge of the wheel wrapper. The individual segments are through hardened and are, therefore, resistant to wear. Furthermore, they may include an overhanging lip that protects the edge of the wheel wrapper. This device is an improvement to other existing wire guards.

Abstract: A two piece edge ring assembly is configured to surround a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber wherein plasma is generated and used to process the semiconductor substrate. The edge ring assembly comprises upper and lower rings which have an outer protective coating. The upper and lower rings are configured such that the upper ring is supported on an outer portion of the upper surface of the lower ring and the protective coatings are on plasma exposed surfaces of the upper and lower rings.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing educational and instructional programs to users through wireless and cellular technology is disclosed. The method is designed to be highly flexible to allow the user a broad range of course selections, instruction difficulty level, and format of the instruction provided to the user. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the core steps comprise (a) authorizing the subscriber information; (b) identifying the selected curriculum, grade level, and format for the requested instruction; (c) selecting an appropriate question; (d) transmitting the selected question to the subscriber's cellular device; (e) receiving the subscriber's answer to the transmitted question; (f) determining whether the subscriber's answer is correct; (g) advising the subscriber whether the transmitted answer was correct; (h) recording and tracking the subscriber's answers in a database and then repeating the selecting process, and updating and analyzing the subscriber's progress.