Abstract: A method and system of utilizing waste heat from a plurality of data center equipment comprising the steps of collecting waste heat from a plurality of data center equipment and utilizing said waste heat as the driving heat input for a heat driven engine. Heat recovery means collects waste heat from heat-producing equipment and transfers it in the form of hot water to drive a heat driven engine such as a chiller or heat pump. The output of the heat driven engine may be put to many productive uses, thereby reducing the over all energy load on the data center.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.

Abstract: A versatile system and apparatus for securing a ladder in an operational position by restraining the base of the ladder is presented. The system features a substantially rectangular retaining mechanism, wherein the legs of the ladder are placed within the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism, and a locking mechanism for affixing the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism to a work surface. The locking mechanism may comprise at least one channel in the base of the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism, and at least one anchoring bracket, wherein the anchoring bracket is removably attached to the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism via the channel. The locking mechanism may also comprise at least one aperture in the base of the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism, and at least one stake mechanism, wherein the stake mechanism is driven through the aperture and into a work surface.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.

Abstract: A method and system of utilizing waste heat from a plurality of data center equipment comprising the steps of collecting waste heat from a plurality of data center equipment and utilizing said waste heat as the driving heat input for a heat driven engine. Heat recovery means collects waste heat from heat-producing equipment and transfers it in the form of hot water to drive a heat driven engine such as a chiller or heat pump. The output of the heat driven engine may be put to many productive uses, thereby reducing the over all energy load on the data center.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for electronic publication of original, creative works on a website as well as systems and methods for compensating the author(s) of the original creative works. The electronic publishing systems of the present invention can also be utilized in novel methods of fund raising for charitable and/or non-profit organizations.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes, determining a fuel tank condition parameter based on an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event, in response to the fuel tank condition parameter exceeding a threshold limit, initiating operation of the internal combustion engine and purging fuel vapor from the fuel vapor canister for a predetermined duration, and in response to the fuel tank condition parameter being less than the threshold limit, selectively purging fuel vapor from the fuel vapor canister based on an engine operating condition.

Abstract: A high power narrow band, high repetition rate laser light source optical improvement apparatus and methods are disclosed with a fast angularly positionable mirror having a mirror mounting frame, a reflective optic with a coefficient different from that of the mounting frame, at least one flexure mount fromed in the mounting frame that is flexible having flexure arm attached the flexture to the mounting frame. The apparatus may include a flexure force mechanism having an elongated rod. The force mechanism may pre-stress the flexure. The mirror maybe a grating which includes a substrate with metallic layer formed on the substrate, and a protective coating made of silica formed on the reflective metallic layer. The grating maybe actively tuned using an electro- or magneto-sensitive element. Oxides of the metal in the reflective layer may be removed by a hydrogen purge system exposed to deep ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for providing electrical power from an alternating current (AC) power source to direct current (DC) components. A power supply system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has a power supply element and a load controller, and the power supply element receives an AC signal from an AC power source. In this regard, the power supply element is directly connected to the hot wire carrying an AC signal from the AC power source. For each half cycle of the AC signal, the power supply element uses the AC signal to charge a capacitor during a small portion of the half cycle. During another portion of the same half cycle, the load controller may use the AC signal to power an AC load. During the cycle, the capacitor is discharged thereby providing DC power to various components in the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine gas discharge laser system and control of replenishment of fluorine gas as the gas discharge laser operates and consumes fluorine.

Abstract: A system for a monitoring lithography lasers at integrated circuit fabrication plants. Each laser at each fabrication plant has associated with it a terminal server. With respect to each fabrication plant a central control server unit is in communication with each of the lasers through a local area network. Information from the lasers is collected by the central control server unit and the information is used to provide summary information which is made available in a web site format to interested parties having access authorization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas discharge laser having at least one long-life elongated electrode for producing at least 12 billion high voltage electric discharges in a fluorine containing laser gas. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the electrodes is comprised of a first material having a relatively low anode erosion rate and a second anode material having a relatively higher anode erosion rate. The first anode material is positioned at a desired anode discharge region of the electrode. The second anode material is located adjacent to the first anode material along at least two long sides of the first material. During operation of the laser erosion occurs on both materials but the higher erosion rate of the second material assures that any tendency of the discharge to spread onto the second material will quickly erode away the second material enough to stop the spread of the discharge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas discharge laser having at least one long-life elongated electrode for producing at least 12 billion high voltage electric discharges in a fluorine containing laser gas. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the electrodes is comprised of a first material having a relatively low anode erosion rate and a second anode material having a relatively higher anode erosion rate. The first anode material is positioned at a desired anode discharge region of the electrode. The second anode material is located adjacent to the first anode material along at least two long sides of the first material. During operation of the laser erosion occurs on both materials but the higher erosion rate of the second material assures that any tendency of the discharge to spread onto the second material will quickly erode away the second material enough to stop the spread of the discharge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine gas discharge laser system and control of replenishment of fluorine gas as the gas discharge laser operates and consumes fluorine.

Abstract: The present invention provides gas discharge laser systems capable of reliable long-term operation in a production line capacity at repetition rates in the range of 6,000 to 10,0000 pulses power second. Preferred embodiments are configured as KrF, ArF and F2 lasers used for light sources for integrated circuit lithography. Improvements include a modified high voltage power supply capable for charging an initial capacitor of a magnetic compression pulse power system to precise target voltages 6,000 to 10,0000 times per second and a feedback control for monitoring pulse energy and determining the target voltages on a pulse-by-pulse basis. Several techniques are disclosed for removing discharge created debris from the discharge region between the laser electrodes during the intervals between discharges. In one embodiment the width of the discharge region is reduced from about 3 mm to about 1 mm so that a gas circulation system designed for 4,000 Hz operation could be utilized for 10,000 Hz operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning and passivating laser discharge chambers with plasmas. In one embodiment, an oxygen based plasma is formed in a plasma source external to the laser discharge chamber by applying a radiofrequency signal to oxygen containing gases. The oxygen based plasma is drawn into the laser discharge chamber, where it reacts with contaminants and cleans internal surfaces. After cleaning, a fluorine based plasma is formed in the plasma source and drawn into the laser discharge chamber to passivate internal surfaces. In another embodiment, cleaning with the oxygen based plasma is not used since some level of cleaning is accomplished with the fluorine based plasma. In another embodiment, oxygen based plasmas and fluorine based plasmas are formed in the laser discharge chamber by applying a radiofrequency signal to a laser discharge chamber electrode.

Abstract: A high power narrow band, high repetition rate laser light source optical improvement apparatus and methods are disclosed which may comprise a fast moving angularly positionable tuning mirror comprising: a mirror mounting frame comprising a first material and a relatively flat mounting surface area; a reflective optic comprising a second material having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the first material of the mounting frame; at least two attachment points of attachment between the mounting frame and the reflective optic on the mounting frame surface; and, at least one flexure mount formed in the mounting frame that is flexible in a flexure axis corresponding to a longitudinal axis of thermal expansion of the mounting frame and the reflective optic, positioned at one of the at least two points of attachment.