Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting cables to a planar electrical device that has a compression mount connector. In one embodiment, the connector reciprocates within a shroud and is spring-biased outwardly. A pair of latches are pivotally mounted to the shroud. In a second embodiment, the connector has compliant contacts and the latches are pivotally mounted to the connector. In a third embodiment, the latches are spring-mounted to the connector. Each latch has an arm that extends beyond the connector face. A hook at the end of the arm curves through an angle of greater than 90°. The hook face is offset from the edge of the planar electrical device and aligned with the connector face. When the connector assembly is connected to the planar electrical device, the connector spring bias pulls the hook faces against the planar electrical device to securely pull the connector face to the planar electrical device.

Abstract: A fixture for probing circuit boards and microcircuits. A guide plate provides indexing for positioning a probe assembly in one or two dimensions. The guide plate has two opposed mounting sides connected by one or two indexing sides and is mounted to the test unit by screws. The indexing sides and, optionally, the mounting sides have column mounting holes and column markings. A bridge mounts to the indexing sides with its column pointer aligned with the desired column marking. The bridge has row mounting holes and row markings. The probe assembly mounts to the bridge with its row pointer aligned with the desired row marking. Optionally, the bridge is part of the probe assembly and without row indexing elements to be used in one dimension. The probe assembly has a terminator platform and connector plate with electrical cable assemblies extending therebetween.

Abstract: A controlled-impedance cable termination that minimizes the effects of cable expansion and contraction on impedance matching. The terminator has an anchor block, an expansion/contraction compensator (ECC) attached to the cable, a compliant signal contact for making the electrical connection between the cable center conductor and the electrical device. The ECC has an electrically-conductive ferrule with a bore. The ferrule bore may be formed in the anchor block instead of in a separate ferrule. The cable shield is attached at the bore. A solid dielectric insert fits into the ferrule bore. An electrically-conductive center pin fits into a bore in the dielectric insert and has a bore that accepts the center conductor such that the center conductor can expand and contracting while maintaining electrical contact with the center pin. A plate abuts the anchor block face and holds the compliant contacts through apertures.

Abstract: A controlled-impedance cable termination that minimizes the effects of cable expansion and contraction on impedance matching. The terminator has an anchor block, an expansion/contraction compensator (ECC) attached to the cable, a compliant signal contact for making the electrical connection between the cable center conductor and the electrical device. The ECC has an electrically-conductive ferrule with a bore. The ferrule bore may be formed in the anchor block instead of in a separate ferrule. The cable shield is attached at the bore. A solid dielectric insert fits into the ferrule bore. An electrically-conductive center pin fits into a bore in the dielectric insert and has a bore that accepts the center conductor such that the center conductor can expand and contracting while maintaining electrical contact with the center pin. A plate abuts the anchor block face and holds the compliant contacts through apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a controlled-impedance cable using compliant electrical contacts to provide an interface to another device. The terminator includes an anchor block for securing the cable. Optionally, the anchor block is electrically non-conductive. A conductive ferrule is installed on the cable shield and the cable end is dressed. The ferrule/cable assembly is installed in a through hole in the anchor block so the cable end is flush with the anchor block face. An insulating or conductive plate mounted to the anchor block holds the signal contact that electrically connects the center conductor to the device and optional ground contacts that electrically connect the ferrule to the device. The ground contacts surround the signal contact in a pattern that closely mimics the impedance environment of the cable. When using a conductive plate, the signal contact is insulated from the plate by an insulating centering plug or a non-conductive coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a controlled-impedance cable using compliant electrical contacts to provide an interface to another device. The terminator includes an anchor block for securing the cable. Optionally, the anchor block is electrically non-conductive. A conductive ferrule is installed on the cable shield and the cable end is dressed. The ferrule/cable assembly is installed in a through hole in the anchor block so the cable end is flush with the anchor block face. An insulating or conductive plate mounted to the anchor block holds the signal contact that electrically connects the center conductor to the device and optional ground contacts that electrically connect the ferrule to the device. The ground contacts surround the signal contact in a pattern that closely mimics the impedance environment of the cable. When using a conductive plate, the signal contact is insulated from the plate by an insulating centering plug or a non-conductive coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a controlled-impedance cable using compliant electrical contacts to provide an interface to another device. The terminator includes a conductive ground block for securing the cable by its ground shield and providing a common ground. Once the cable is anchored in the ground block, the block face and cable ends are dressed to make a reliable electrical contact with the compliant signal contact that electrically connects the cable center conductor to the device. An insulating or conductive plate mounted to the ground block holds the signal contact and optional ground contacts that electrically connect the ground block to the ground plane of the device. The ground contacts surround the signal contact in a pattern that closely mimics the impedance environment of the cable. When using a conductive plate, the signal contact is insulated from the plate by an insulating centering plug or a non-conductive coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a controlled-impedance cable using compliant electrical contacts to provide an interface to another device. The terminator includes a conductive ground block for securing the cable by its ground shield and providing a common ground. Once the cable is anchored in the ground block, the block face and cable ends are dressed to make a reliable electrical contact with the compliant signal contact that electrically connects the cable center conductor to the device. An insulating or conductive plate mounted to the ground block holds the signal contact and optional ground contacts that electrically connect the ground block to the ground plane of the device. The ground contacts surround the signal contact in a pattern that closely mimics the impedance environment of the cable. When using a conductive plate, the signal contact is insulated from the plate by an insulating centering plug or a non-conductive coating.

Abstract: The electro-conductive substrate of the present invention may comprise filaments extruded from a die orifice and at least one metal powder dispensed from a second orifice of the same die unit by way of a gas or liquid carrier. As the polymeric filament is extruded from the die, one or more metal powders may be simultaneously dispensed to coat the surface of the filament. As the polymeric melt and metal powder is extruded, air pressure is impinged upon the metal powder directing the powder toward the extruded filament. The metal powder adheres to the molten polymer as it is extruded for the die, coating the surface of the filament. The metal powder may also be incorporated into the polymeric melt prior to extrusion.

Abstract: A method of electroforming tissue comprises creating stress in the tissue; and causing a direct current to flow in the tissue to change the stress, strain, or intrinsic mechanical properties including shape of the tissue. Force is mechanically applied to the tissue to create external stresses or material parameters of the tissue are used to create internal stresses in the tissue by causing a current to flow in the tissue. The method further comprises the step of monitoring the stresses in the tissue and controlling the current flowing in the tissue according to the stresses therein by monitoring impedance, the optical properties, the pH, acoustic properties of the tissue, the gas formation in the tissue, the color of the tissue as caused by a chemical dye disposed therein or as caused by electroplating a material thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nonwoven materials, and specifically, to a nonwoven fabric comprised of at least three continuous filament precursor webs, each precursor web being of a thermoplastic polymer dissimilar from the other precursor webs, wherein the resulting durable nonwoven laminate fabric exhibits improved tactile and ductile qualities, as well as improved tensile strength, the nonwoven fabric being eminently suitable for application in improving the comfort and use of hygiene, medical and industrial products.

Abstract: A multi-component nonwoven fabric can be formed with integrated liquid-acceptance and liquid-distribution layers by hydroentanglement on a three-dimensional image transfer device. Appropriate fiber selection promotes efficient fluid management, with the fabric optionally being provided with a liquid-retention layer. The invention further contemplates the formation of liquid-retention layers by hydroentanglement, with such layers exhibiting desirably high structural integrity, while providing the desired absorbent characteristics required for use in disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nonwoven materials, and specifically, to a nonwoven fabric comprised of at least three continuous filament precursor webs, each precursor web being of a thermoplastic polymer dissimilar from the other precursor webs, wherein the resulting durable nonwoven laminate fabric exhibits improved tactile and ductile qualities, as well as improved tensile strength, the nonwoven fabric being eminently suitable for application in improving the comfort and use of hygiene, medical and industrial products.

Abstract: A method of forming flame-retardant nonwoven fabrics by hydroentanglement includes providing a precursor web. The precursor web is subjected to hydroentanglement on a three-dimensional image transfer device to create a patterned and imaged fabric. Treatment with a flame-retardant binder enhances the integrity of the fabric, permitting the nonwoven to exhibit desired physical characteristics, including strength, durability, softness, and drapeability. The treated nonwoven may then be dyed by means applicable to conventional wovens.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact having loops with axes forming with a closed coil with opposed contact points. The axes is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel such that the contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a laminate nonwoven fabric which entails integration of a continuous filament web with a web of cellulosic fiber material, typically wood pulp. In order to abate loss of cellulosic fiber material during integration by hydroentanglement, the present invention contemplates that the continuous filament web is first subjected to hydroentanglement, with the cellulosic fibrous material thereafter integrated, by hydroentangling, into the partially entangled continuous filament web.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nonwoven materials, and specifically, to a nonwoven fabric comprised of at least two continuous filament precursor webs, each precursor web being of a polyolefin polymer dissimilar from that of the other precursor web, wherein the resulting lightweight nonwoven laminate fabric exhibits improved tactile and ductile qualities, the nonwoven fabric being imminently suitable for application in improving the comfort and use of hygiene, medical and industrial products. The lightweight nonwoven fabric is manufactured with a minimum level of processes complexity, and can be either used as a replacement for an existing facing layer, such as a topsheet of a hygiene product, or used in conjunction with an existing construct so as to improve long-term comfort.

Abstract: A system is shown for differentiating two or more cables of two or more respective appliances. The system comprises respective means in the form of tag devices for positioning on and labelling each cable, wherein each tag device is provided in a differentiated form from each other tag device. The tag devices can be pre-printed or supplied with suitable indicia for positioning thereon. Such a system for identification can allow a user to more readily identify the appliance to which the cable is connected, or in the case of use of the system for labelling and identifying containers, to identify a container and its contents. This can be useful in situations where a plurality of cables, or containers, are located in close proximity to one another.