Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a microelectronics device. In one aspect, the method comprises depositing a protective layer (510) over a spacer material (415) located over gate electrodes (250) and a doped region (255) located between the gate electrodes (250), removing a portion of the spacer material (415) and the protective layer (510) located over the gate electrodes (250). A remaining portion of the spacer material (415) remains over the top surface of the gate electrodes (250) and over the doped region (255), and a portion of the protective layer (510) remains over the doped region (255). The method further comprises removing the remaining portion of the spacer material (415) to form spacer sidewalls on the gate electrodes (250), expose the top surface of the gate electrodes (250), and leave a remnant of the spacer material (415) over the doped region (255).

Abstract: A pressure regulating system having a tamper-proof safety feature. A pair of seats are mounted to an annular pipe. A first bleed pipe, with a fixed restriction, extends from an inlet conduit to a first chamber. The first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a second diaphragm. A second bleed pipe extends from the second chamber to an outlet pipe. A bleed off mechanism is sealed within the outlet conduit and includes a compressible bellows. When compressed, which occurs when a predetermined pressure level is attained in the outlet conduit, a third seat is moved out of sealing relation with the outlet conduit and the first chamber. This creates an imbalance of the pressures in the chambers that leads to the pair of seats being moved to seal off apertures in the inlet conduit, thereby inhibiting flow into the outlet conduit.

Abstract: An underground vault security system. The security system includes a portal covering which is capable of being latched, a fluid-operated latching mechanism, and a wireless communication device. The communication device sends signals to a solenoid valve to allow fluid from a fluid source to be transported to the piston to retract the bolt and allow the portal covering to open. In one embodiment, the communication device also sends signals to the solenoid valve to allow fluid from the piston to return to the fluid source, allowing the bolt to extend into and lock the portal covering. In another embodiment, a cable is attached to the bolt and pulled through a one-way ratchet assembly to lock the portal covering.

Abstract: A pressure regulating system having a tamper-proof safety feature. A pair of seats are mounted to an annular pipe. A first bleed pipe, with a fixed restriction, extends from an inlet conduit to a first chamber. The first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a second diaphragm. A second bleed pipe extends from the second chamber to an outlet pipe. A bleed off mechanism is sealed within the outlet conduit and includes a compressible bellows. When compressed, which occurs when a predetermined pressure level is attained in the outlet conduit, a third seat is moved out of sealing relation with the outlet conduit and the first chamber. This creates an imbalance of the pressures in the chambers that leads to the pair of seats being moved to seal off apertures in the inlet conduit, thereby inhibiting flow into the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A lockable valve having features which impede unauthorized removal of the valve from a conduit to which the valve is connected. The housing of the valve has a passageway. A valve element is movably mounted to the housing for occluding the passageway. A structure operatively associated with the valve element impedes disengagement of the valve from the conduit when the valve element is in a first position. Preferably, the housing of the valve is attachable to the conduit by a fitting which is movably mounted to the housing and such fitting is accessible only through the passageway of the housing when the valve is mounted to a conduit. When the valve element occludes the passageway, it blocks access to the fitting and hence serves as part of the disengagement-impeding structure. The valve may include lugs for connecting the fitting to the housing for movement therewith when valve element is in a second position.

Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting the wall of a pipe from within the bore of the pipe. The cutter includes a blade and mechanisms for supporting the blade within the pipe to be cut, urging the blade outwardly of the pipe to engage it with the pipe wall and moving the blade relative to the pipe so that the blade cuts the wall. The cutter may include an expansible gripper assembly for engaging the pipe wall to retain the blade against movement axially of the pipe during the cutting operation. The gripper assembly is preferably operative upon operation of the blade movement mechanism. The blade may be a circular saw, the blade movement mechanism may be arranged to move the saw in orbital fashion around the axis of the pipe and the gripper assembly may be connected to the blade so that the gripper assembly prevents rotation of the saw about its axis during the cutting operation. When this arrangement is utilized, all of the teeth of the saw are successively engaged with the pipe wall.

Abstract: A shield is rotatably mounted to a threaded element of the closure on an axis coincident with the axis of the threaded element, so that the shield impedes access to the threaded element. The shield can be removed from the threaded element or connected to the threaded element only upon actuation of the closure by an appropriate key. Absent such actuation, the threaded element cannot be rotated for disengagement from the conduit by rotating the shield. The closure is protected against attempts to disengage it from the conduit by bonding the shield to the threaded element with an adhesive and rotating the shield.