Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for fabricating continuous glass ribbons are disclosed. The method includes forming the continuous glass ribbon by drawing the continuous glass ribbon from a draw housing in a drawing direction, heating at least one portion of a central region of the continuous glass ribbon at a heating location downstream of the draw housing, sensing a temperature of the continuous glass ribbon at a sensed temperature location downstream of the draw housing, and automatically controlling the heating of the at least one portion of the central region of the continuous glass ribbon based on the sensed temperature to mitigate distortion of the continuous glass ribbon.

Abstract: Methods for controlling thickness variations across the width of a glass ribbon (104) are provided. The methods employ a set of thermal elements (106) for locally controlling the temperature of the ribbon (104). The operating values for the thermal elements (106) are selected using an iterative procedure in which thickness variations measured during a given iteration are employed in a mathematical procedure which selects the operating values for the next iteration. In practice, the method can bring thickness variations of glass sheets within commercial specifications in just a few iterations, e.g., 2-4 iterations.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing apparatus is described herein that comprises a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon and a pull roll device which draws the glass ribbon downward from the forming device. The pull roll device has a first roll apparatus, a second roll apparatus, and a third roll apparatus. The pull roll device is configured to at least independently operate the first roll apparatus and the second roll apparatus such that at least one of a first upstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant torque and at least one of a first downstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon are provided.

Abstract: Telemetrical control of a robotic interventional device for minimally invasive surgical procedure is based on an operative interaction between a tracking sub-system, MRI sub-system, navigation sub-system and the robotic interventional device. The tracking sensor sub-system is integrated with the interventional device to produce tracking information corresponding to the robotic interventional device location in the operative site. The navigation sub-system integrates the tracking information with the real-time images of the operative site produced by the MRI sub-system, and displays the integrated information to a user, to enable the telemetrical control of the interventional device for performing an intended procedure (biopsy, tissue resection, etc.). The navigation sub-system, based on the integrated real-time tracking information and real-time images, calculates and dynamically updates coordinates of subsequent imaging slices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a top assembly, a bottom assembly, and a diaphragm assembly. The bottom assembly is coupled to the top assembly to form an overall assembly. The diaphragm assembly includes a ring and a diaphragm flexible member that is attached to the ring. The ring forms an opening and at least one strengthening member is disposed at least partially across the opening. The at least one strengthening member is configured to provide strength and maintain a predetermined compliance of the diaphragm flexible member.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing set cellular cement, including the steps of: (i) mixing cementitious material, water, foaming agent and optionally additives into a free flowing slurry having a slump of at least 100 mm; subsequently (ii) injecting and distributing air into the slurry of step (i) to form a cellular slurry; subsequently (iii) casting the cellular slurry of step (ii); and finally allowing the cellular slurry to set. And, an apparatus for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing apparatus comprises a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon and a control device configured to independently operate a first pull roll apparatus and a second pull roll apparatus such that at least one of a first upstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant torque and at least one of a first downstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon are provided.

Abstract: Non-uniform variable stator vanes for a single stage of a gas turbine engine stage include non-uniform airfoils with a non-uniformity between airfoils of first and second portions of the stator vanes. The variable stator vanes may further include all outer buttons, from which the airfoils inwardly extend, in all of the variable stator vanes being equally sized and shaped and the same all inner buttons if used. The airfoils in the first and second portions may be counter-clockwise and clockwise biased respectively with respect to a nominal airfoil position. The airfoils in the first and second portions may be counter-clockwise and clockwise leaned respectively with respect to the nominal airfoil position. Outer ends of the airfoils in the first and second portions may be counter-clockwise and clockwise shifted respectively with respect to the nominal airfoil position.

Abstract: Apparatus for use during open system diving to support underwater human respiration. In accordance with various embodiments, an air supply provides a supply of air along a supply conduit. A regulator is adapted for engagement with a diver's mouth to receive air from the supply during an inhale cycle and to direct a mixture of water and exhaust air away from the diver along an exhaust conduit during an exhale cycle. An air/water separator separates the exhaust air from the water in said mixture and directs the separated exhaust air through an exhaust air port. In some embodiments, a one-way stop valve is provided within the air/water separator to prevent back flow. In further embodiments, a bubble diffuser emits the exhaust air as a fine mist of bubbles into the surrounding water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the stress in, and the shape of, the glass ribbon (15) formed in a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process) are provided. In certain embodiments, the control is achieved by cooling the bead portions (21a, 21b) of the ribbon (15) at a rate which provides a heat flux Q?b at the thickest part of the bead (23a, 23b) which is given by Q?b=Q?q+?Q?, where (i) Q?q is the heat flux at a transverse position adjacent to the bead portion (21a, 21b) at which the ribbon's thickness equals 1.05*tcenter, where tcenter is the final thickness at the ribbon's center line (17), and (ii) ?Q??(tb/tq?1)Q?q+10 kilowatts/meter2, where tb is the thickness of the thickest part of the bead portion. The cooling can take place along the entire length of the ribbon (15) or at selected locations, e.g.

Abstract: A flange (13) for use in direct resistance heating of a glass-carrying vessel (10), such as a finer, is provided. The flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which include an innermost ring (140) which is joined to the vessel's exterior wall (12) during use of the flange and an outermost ring (150) which receives electrical current during use of the flange. The innermost ring (140) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum and the outermost ring (150) comprises at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. In certain embodiments, the flange can also include one or more rings (190) composed of a platinum-nickel alloy which has a lower thermal conductivity than platinum or nickel and thus can serve to reduce heat loss through the flange.

Abstract: Disclosed are synthetic silica glass body with a birefringence pattern having low fast axis direction randomness factor and glass reflow process. The glass reflow process comprises steps of: providing a glass tube having a notch; and thermally reflowing the glass tube to form a glass plate. The process can be advantageously used to produce fused silica glass plate without observable striae when viewed in the direction of optical axis. Also disclosed are optical members comprising the fused silica glass body and a process for reflowing glass cylinders.

Abstract: Apparatus for shading a user's neck. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a laterally extending central portion configured to support a neckpiece to cover at least a portion of a neck of a user, and opposing leg portions which extend from the laterally extending central portion configured to engage a headwear to support said neckpiece adjacent said headwear. Each of the opposing leg portions is formed into a substantially G-shape that comprises a first flange configured to extend down between a first surface of an external panel of said headwear and an upturned interior hatband of said headwear; a second flange in overlapping relation to the first flange, the second flange configured to extend up against a second surface of said external panel; and a connecting central portion disposed between and in overlapping relation to both the first and second flanges.

Abstract: A production method for producing a semiconductor device capable of improving surface flatness and suppressing a variation in electrical characteristics of the semiconductor chip, and improving production yield. The production method includes the steps of: forming a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate and on a conductive pattern film formed on the semiconductor substrate and reducing a thickness of the first insulating film in a region where the conductive pattern film is arranged by patterning; forming a second insulating film and polishing the second insulating film, thereby forming a flattening film; implanting a substance for cleavage into the semiconductor substrate through the flattening film, thereby forming a cleavage layer; transferring the semiconductor chip onto a substrate with an insulating surface so that the chip surface on the side opposite to the semiconductor substrate is attached thereto; and separating the semiconductor substrate from the cleavage layer.

Abstract: An electrostatic trap such as an orbitrap is disclosed, with an electrode structure. An electrostatic trapping field of the form U?(r, ?, z) is generated to trap ions within the trap so that they undergo isochronous oscillations. The trapping field U?(r, ?, z) is the result of a perturbation W to an ideal field U(r, ?, z) which, for example, is hyperlogarithmic in the case of an orbitrap. The perturbation W may be introduced in various ways, such as by distorting the geometry of the trap so that it no longer follows an equipotential of the ideal field U(r, ?, z), or by adding a distortion field (either electric or magnetic). The magnitude of the perturbation is such that at least some of the trapped ions have an absolute phase spread of more than zero but less than 2 ? radians over an ion detection period Tm.

Abstract: Methods for controlling thickness variations across the width of a glass ribbon (104) are provided. The methods employ a set of thermal elements (106) for locally controlling the temperature of the ribbon (104). The operating values for the thermal elements (106) are selected using an iterative procedure in which thickness variations measured during a given iteration are employed in a mathematical procedure which selects the operating values for the next iteration. In practice, the method can bring thickness variations of glass sheets within commercial specifications in just a few iterations, e.g., 2-4 iterations.

Abstract: A flange (13) for use in direct resistance heating of a glass-carrying vessel (10), such as a finer, is provided. The flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings which include an innermost ring (140) which is joined to the vessel's exterior wall (12) during use of the flange and an outermost ring (150) which receives electrical current during use of the flange. The innermost ring (140) comprises a high-temperature metal which comprises at least 80% platinum and the outermost ring (150) comprises at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. In certain embodiments, the flange can also include one or more rings (190) composed of a platinum-nickel alloy which has a lower thermal conductivity than platinum or nickel and thus can serve to reduce heat loss through the flange.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-performance flexible circuit board having excellent flexibility, a fine wiring pattern, and fine electric contacts, and a manufacturing method thereof. In a flexible circuit board (20), a second insulating layer (24) made of an inorganic material is positioned between a wiring layer (25) and a first insulating layer (23) made of an inorganic material.

Abstract: Methods for controlling thickness variations across the width of a glass ribbon (104) are provided. The methods employ a set of thermal elements (106) for locally controlling the temperature of the ribbon (104). The operating values for the thermal elements (106) are selected using an iterative procedure in which thickness variations measured during a given iteration are employed in a mathematical procedure which selects the operating values for the next iteration. In practice, the method can bring thickness variations of glass sheets within commercial specifications in just a few iterations, e.g., 2-4 iterations.