Abstract: A magnetic rail brake device includes a magnetic main part and pole shoes with friction surfaces. The friction surfaces of the pole shoes are made of the material of the main part in first regions and of a different material in second regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer resting on a contact element has a spatially distributed force applied to its frontside and an equal and opposing force applied to its backside. The contact element comprises a solid immersion lens (SIL), and has an area less than the area of the wafer, but no less than the larger of the area of an optical collection area and an electrical probe assembly. The equal and opposing forces cause the wafer to conform to the shape of the contact element. Measurements, including electrical testing, optical probing and wafer characterization are performed on the wafer.

Abstract: A personal protection apparatus includes a wearable covering, a reservoir supported on the wearable covering and containing a sprayable fluid and includes a valve operable to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir. The apparatus further includes a circuit having a force-sensing resistor for actuating the valve. The force-sensing resistor is disposed on a thumb covering and is activated under pressure when the wearer's thumb is positioned between the index finger and middle finger. Pressure on the force-sensing resistor decreased its resistance in the circuit. With the resistance lowered, current is allowed to flow and a power supply powers a servomotor coupled to a cam that opens a valve to allow fluid to be sprayed.

Abstract: A SPM head incorporates a probe and a cantilever on which the probe is mounted. The cantilever has a planar reflecting surface proximate a free end of the cantilever. The cantilever extends from a mechanical mount and a single-mode optical fiber is supported by the mechanical mount to provide a beam axis at an angle away from normal relative to the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A near-field optic has a high refractive index waveguide with a planar far field facet more than half of a wavelength across for coupling propagating light and a near field facet with the near field zone of the waveguide supporting only the fundamental optical mode in each polarization. A tapered waveguide section extends from the near field facet to transform the fundamental optical mode. A cantilever supports the tapered waveguide section.

Abstract: A personal protection apparatus includes a glove; a reservoir supported on the glove, and housing a sprayable repellant therein; a valve electrically operable to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir into a delivery tube; and a switch for actuating the valve. The switch includes contacts on thumb and index finger portions of the glove so as to close the switch and activate the spray of repellant when the thumb is positioned between the index finger and middle finger.

Abstract: Automated mechanical handling systems (AMHS) for integrated circuit fabrication, system computers programmed for use in the AMHSs, and methods of handling a wafer carrier having an inlet port and an outlet port are provided. An exemplary method of handling the wafer carrier includes providing a plurality of carrier storage positions that are adapted to receive the wafer carrier. The carrier storage positions include a presence sensor and a gas nozzle. The wafer carrier is loaded into one of the carrier storage positions. The presence of the wafer carrier in the carrier storage position is sensed with the presence sensor. A malfunction in gas flow through the inlet port is identified in the carrier storage position that contains the wafer carrier. The wafer carrier is relocated to another carrier storage position in response to identifying the malfunction.

Abstract: A magnetic rail brake device includes a magnetic main part and pole shoes with friction surfaces. The friction surfaces of the pole shoes are made of the material of the main part in first regions and of a different material in second regions.

Abstract: Systems, machines, and methods for monitoring wafer handling are disclosed herein. A system for monitoring wafer handling includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is capable of being secured to an assembled wafer handling machine. The controller is in electronic communication with the sensor and includes control logic. The control logic is configured to store a reference output of the sensor when the wafer handling machine is aligned and is configured to generate an indication signal when a difference between the reference output and a current output of the sensor exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A plug for temporarily plugging a lateral line from lateral opening in a main pipeline. A distal end of the plug is inserted in the lateral line from the main pipeline. The plug includes a fitting tube and a wedge constructed for deforming a deformable portion of the fitting tube outward to plug the lateral opening. Axial movement of the wedge with respect to the fitting tube toward a flow area of the main pipeline causes deformation of the deformable portion. A gripping member may be positioned on an outer surface of the fitting tube. The plug may include a fitting on the fitting tube to facilitate gripping of the plug by a tool. A cutting and brushing assembly may be used to remove the plug from the lateral line. Methods of installing and removing lateral plugs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for controlling a bulge radius of a pressure member in a belt-roll fuser. The belt-roll fuser has a first pressure member. The belt-roll fuser also has a fuser belt having a portion that faces a surface of the first pressure member at a region defining a fusing nip. The belt-roll fuser further has a second pressure member that faces another portion of the fuser belt at the fusing nip such that the fuser belt is entrained between the first pressure member and the second pressure member. The belt-roll fuser additionally has a deformation member configured to deform the first pressure member.

Abstract: A self-positioning belt roll fuser stripping apparatus and system includes an internal pressure roll entraining a fuser belt. The internal pressure engages an external pressure roll to form a fusing nip. The internal pressure roll includes an internal pressure roll bearing to which a mounting plate is attached, allowing the mounting plate to move about a rotational axis of the internal pressure roll. A strip bar is attached to the mounting plate, and configured to force the fuser belt toward the external pressure roll. A mounting plate ski is configured to contact an external pressure roll bearing to limit movement of the mounting plate, positioning the strip shoe as desired when the mounting plate is moved to guide the strip show toward the fusing nip.

Abstract: A belt-roll fuser system includes a belt-roll fuser apparatus wherein a belt is entrained about at least a first internal pressure roll and a second internal pressure roll. The first internal pressure roll and the second internal pressure roll are configured to force a belt against an external pressure roll at a fusing nip, the belt conforming to the external pressure roll across substantially a length of the fusing nip. A passive belt support may interpose internal pressure rolls for ensuring a consistent fusing pressure across the length of the nip. A pressure belt may interpose the fuser belt and the internal pressure rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for controlling a bulge radius of a pressure member in a belt-roll fuser. The belt-roll fuser has a first pressure member. The belt-roll fuser also has a fuser belt having a portion that faces a surface of the first pressure member at a region defining a fusing nip. The belt-roll fuser further has a second pressure member that faces another portion of the fuser belt at the fusing nip such that the fuser belt is entrained between the first pressure member and the second pressure member. The belt-roll fuser additionally has a deformation member configured to deform the first pressure member.

Abstract: A personal protection apparatus includes a glove; a reservoir supported on the glove, and housing a sprayable repellant therein; a valve electrically operable to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir into a delivery tube; and a switch for actuating the valve. The switch includes contacts on thumb and index finger portions of the glove so as to close the switch and activate the spray of repellant when the thumb is positioned between the index finger and middle finger.

Abstract: A belt-roll fuser system includes a belt-roll fuser apparatus wherein a belt is entrained about at least a first internal pressure roll and a second internal pressure roll. The first internal pressure roll and the second internal pressure roll are configured to force a belt against an external pressure roll at a fusing nip, the belt conforming to the external pressure roll across substantially a length of the fusing nip. A passive belt support may interpose internal pressure rolls for ensuring a consistent fusing pressure across the length of the nip. A pressure belt may interpose the fuser belt and the internal pressure rolls.

Abstract: A self-positioning belt roll fuser stripping apparatus and system includes an internal pressure roll entraining a fuser belt. The internal pressure engages an external pressure roll to form a fusing nip. The internal pressure roll includes an internal pressure roll bearing to which a mounting plate is attached, allowing the mounting plate to move about a rotational axis of the internal pressure roll. A strip bar is attached to the mounting plate, and configured to force the fuser belt toward the external pressure roll. A mounting plate ski is configured to contact an external pressure roll bearing to limit movement of the mounting plate, positioning the strip shoe as desired when the mounting plate is moved to guide the strip show toward the fusing nip.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer resting on a contact element has a spatially distributed force applied to its frontside and an equal and opposing force applied to its backside. The contact element comprises a solid immersion lens (SIL), and has an area less than the area of the wafer, but no less than the larger of the area of an optical collection area and an electrical probe assembly. The equal and opposing forces cause the wafer to conform to the shape of the contact element. Measurements, including electrical testing, optical probing and wafer characterization are performed on the wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer resting on a contact element has a spatially distributed force applied to its frontside and an equal and opposing force applied to its backside. The contact element comprises a solid immersion lens (SIL), and has an area less than the area of the wafer, but no less than the larger of the area of an optical collection area and an electrical probe assembly. The equal and opposing forces cause the wafer to conform to the shape of the contact element. Measurements, including electrical testing, optical probing and wafer characterization are performed on the wafer.

Abstract: A plug for temporarily plugging a lateral line from lateral opening in a main pipeline. A distal end of the plug is inserted in the lateral line from the main pipeline. The plug includes a fitting tube and a wedge constructed for deforming a deformable portion of the fitting tube outward to plug the lateral opening. Axial movement of the wedge with respect to the fitting tube toward a flow area of the main pipeline causes deformation of the deformable portion. A gripping member may be positioned on an outer surface of the fitting tube. A tool such as a ratchet assembly is mounted on a robot sized and configured for navigating the main pipeline for installing the plug. The plug may include a fitting on the fitting tube to facilitate gripping of the plug by the tool. A cutting and brushing assembly may be used to remove the plug from the lateral line. Methods of installing and removing lateral plugs are also disclosed.