Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer such as an audio loudspeaker, whose diaphragm assembly and motor both have a highly elongated shape in which the long dimension is at least 3× greater than the short dimension. The diaphragm may be obround, and the motor's magnetic air gap may comprise a pair of elongated, parallel, linear gaps. A novel “boxcar” device is used to hold the bobbin and voice coil in an obround shape, maintaining the parallel, linear shape of their elongated sides. The lower suspension may be disposed only at the ends of the motor, enabling the narrowest possible configuration.

Abstract: An alkaline battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte contacting the anode and the cathode. The separator includes a first generally cylindrical body. The first generally cylindrical body includes a first wall section, a second wall section, and a first folded section. The first folded section is radially outwardly disposed from the first wall section.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming a reliable metallurgical bond during the implementation of a wire bonding process on leadframe-based integrated arrangement, which improves the stress-resistance of a metallurgical bond during and subsequent to a wire bonding process wherein the leadframes of integrated circuit packages utilize a metal plating on recessed regions of the leadframe base or substrate material to which the wires are bonded.

Abstract: A QFN package with improved joint solder thickness for improved second level attachment fatigue life. The copper leadframe of a QFN chip carrier is provided with rounded protrusions in both the chip attach pad region and the surrounding lead regions before second level attachment. The rounded stand-off protrusions are formed from the copper itself of the copper of the leadframe. This may be achieved by punching dimples into one surface of the copper plate of the leadframe before plating to form protrusions on the opposing surface. This method of forming the rounded protrusions simplifies the process of forming stand-offs. The protrusions provide a structure that increases wetting area and allows the use of a larger quantity of solder for increased solder joint thickness and better die paddle solder joint area coverage. As a result of the increased solder joint thickness, second level fatigue life is significantly improved.

Abstract: A drive unit to control the peak pressure of air for the inflation of a left ventricular assist system is disclosed. The control of the peak pressure can address the problem of the “kick” experienced by patients when the peak inflation pressure reaches approximately 200 mm Hg. The peak pressure of the air released for the inflation cycle of the system is reduced either by the reduction of the inner diameter of the interconnect line running from the compression tank to the valve manifold or the use of a multi-valve manifold with independently controlled valves and an electronic controller to selectively open and close the valves of the manifold. Either technique, whether used alone or in combination, reduces the peak pressure of the air released for the inflation cycle to below the levels associated with the “kick,” while still meeting the operating specifications to properly inflate and deflate the system's blood pump.

Abstract: A window assembly incorporating a composite seal is provided. The composite seal has a first sealing member and a second member stiffer than the first sealing member.

Abstract: Polymeric structures produced with a controlled number and distribution of small, closed cells. The polymeric structures are characterized by an opaque, whitening appearance attributed, at least in part, to the distribution of closed cells and thus, at least in part, to light scattering resulting from the distribution of small, closed cells or voids. The light scattering thus provides an enhanced whitening effect. The whitening effect may be uniform or non-uniform along the length and width of the structure.

Abstract: The pan release coating is provided which includes water, mono and diclycerides, polysorbate, and an antimicrobial effective amount of acetic acid, citric acid and sodium benzoate. Desirably, the composition of the present invention is composed of water in an amount of 77% to 95% by weight, acetic acid in the amount of 0.3 to 1% by weight, citric acid in the amount of 0.02 to 1.0% by weight, sodium benzoate in an amount of 0.02 to 0.3% by weight, monoglycerides and diglycerides in the amount of 2 to 8% by weight and polysorbate in the amount of 2 to 7% by weight. Desirably, lecithin is also included. The resulting product has a pH of 4.5 or below, desirably between about 3.5 and 4.5, and most desirably a pH of 3.6 to 3.9. The product has a shelf life of 12 months or longer at room temperature, without refrigeration or a sealed container.

Abstract: Polymeric structures produced with a controlled number and distribution of small, closed cells. The polymeric structures are characterized by an opaque, whitening appearance attributed, at least in part, to the distribution of closed cells and thus, at least in part, to light scattering resulting from the distribution of small, closed cells or voids. The light scattering thus provides an enhanced whitening effect. The whitening effect may be uniform or non-uniform along the length and width of the structure.

Abstract: A composite facer material for use with cementitious wallboards, where the composite facer is embedded in a top and bottom face thereof. The composite facer material, in a most preferred embodiment, comprises two layers. The first layer is preferably a carded polyester nonwoven mat, which is bonded to a second layer comprising preferably a tri-directional laid scrim fabric reinforcement layer made of continuous glass fibers. The two layers are preferably bonded together using an acrylic adhesive, which offers superior adhesion between the layers as well as superior adhesion between the composite facing material and the cementitious core.

Abstract: Arrays modified with chemiluminescent enhancing materials and methods of detecting chemiluminescent emissions on solid supports in the presence of chemiluminescent enhancing materials are described. The arrays include a solid support having a surface layer, a plurality of probes disposed on the surface layer in discrete regions and a chemiluminescent enhancing material. The array may be a high density array. At least some of the probes can be bound either directly or indirectly to an enzyme conjugate comprising an enzyme capable of activating a chemiluminescent substrate. The surface layer can be contacted with a composition comprising the chemiluminescent substrate in the presence of the chemiluminescent enhancing material and the resulting chemiluminescent emissions can be detected. The probes can be polynucleotide or polypeptide probes.

Abstract: The pan release coating is provided which includes water, mono and diclycerides, polysorbate, and an antimicrobial effective amount of acetic acid, citric acid and sodium benzoate. Desirably, the composition of the present invention is composed of water in an amount of 77% to 95% by weight, acetic acid in the amount of 0.3 to 1% by weight, citric acid in the amount of 0.02 to 1.0% by weight, sodium benzoate in an amount of 0.02 to 0.3% by weight, monoglycerides and diglycerides in the amount of 2 to 8% by weight and polysorbate in the amount of 2 to 7% by weight. Desirably, lecithin is also included. The resulting product has a pH of 4.5 or below, desirably between about 3.5 and 4.5, and most desirably a pH of 3.6 to 3.9. The product has a shelf life of 12 months or longer at room temperature, without refrigeration or a sealed container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a four stage transimpedance amplifier having a grounded base transistor preamplifier input stage, a common emitter voltage amplifier stage, and an amplifier stage having a common collector transistor, an output buffer stage, and a bias circuit coupled to the preamplifier stage to prevent the grounded base transistor from going into saturation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid within tubing disposed within a downhole wellbore. The present invention provides an inverse Venturi meter inserted within tubing with an enlarged inner diameter portion. Pressure differential is measured between the enlarged inner diameter portion and another portion of the inverse Venturi meter. Flow rate is determined from the pressure differential and the density of the fluid.

Abstract: A protein free glaze forming composition is provided which is storage stable at room temperature. The glaze forming composition includes water, a modified food starch, one or more antibacterial preservatives, a vegetable gum, an alginate and an edible food grade acid. The resulting composition is storage stable at room temperature. It is protein and milk free. It is also sugar free. In use, the surface glaze is sprayed on the bakery product either before or after baking to provide a high gloss shine. The surface glaze composition according to the invention is particularly useful on pies to provide a glaze that is crack resistant and on baked products with flaky crusts.

Abstract: A composite facer material for use with cementitious wallboards, where the composite facer is embedded in a top and bottom face thereof. The composite facer material, in a most preferred embodiment, comprises two layers. The first layer is preferably a carded polyester nonwoven mat, which is bonded to a second layer comprising preferably a tri-directional laid scrim fabric reinforcement layer made of continuous glass fibers. The two layers are preferably bonded together using an acrylic adhesive, which offers superior adhesion between the layers as well as superior adhesion between the composite facing material and the cementitious core.

Abstract: A method of controlling an intelligent appliance network includes allowing a user to select a desired instruction sequence to be executed by a remote appliance. The instruction sequence contains commands to be completed by both the user and the appliance, as regulated by a CPU, with the sequence being paused when input is needed by the user and wherein the appliance commands are performed automatically. When applied to a cooking appliance, such as an oven, the appliance will automatically perform certain cooking functions according to a recipe being followed by a CPU. When applied to a washing machine, the factory set operating parameter of the machine can be altered to follow an instructed control sequence applicable to the task performed.

Abstract: The pan release coating is provided which includes water, mono and diclycerides, polysorbate, and an antimicrobial effective amount of acetic acid, citric acid and sodium benzoate. Desirably, the composition of the present invention is composed of water in an amount of 77% to 95% by weight, acetic acid in the amount of 0.3 to 1% by weight, citric acid in the amount of 0.02 to 1.0% by weight, sodium benzoate in an amount of 0.02 to 0.3% by weight, monoglycerides and diglycerides in the amount of 2 to 8% by weight and polysorbate in the amount of 2 to 7% by weight. Desirably, lecithin is also included. The resulting product has a pH of 4.5 or below, desirably between about 3.5 and 4.5, and most desirably a pH of 3.6 to 3.9. The product has a shelf life of 12 months or longer at room temperature, without refrigeration or a sealed container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a four stage transimpedance amplifier having a grounded base transistor preamplifier input stage, a common emitter voltage amplifier stage, and an amplifier stage having a common collector transistor, an output buffer stage, and a bias circuit coupled to the preamplifier stage to prevent the grounded base transistor from going into saturation.

Abstract: A semiconductor module includes a semiconductor chip, a lead frame having lead fingers, and a down set member within an encapsulant for reduce warpage and providing a more planar package by balancing thermal stress between the lead fingers and the encapsulant. The down set member can be a bent portion of the lead frame. It can also be a separate body, such as a dummy semiconductor chip.