Abstract: A process for fabricating a droplet plate for the printhead of an ink-jet printer, which process provides design flexibility, precise dimension control, as well as material robustness. Also provided is a droplet plate fabricated in accord with the process.

Abstract: A sound damping filter for an ear protector placeable in the auditory duct of a person. The sound damping filter comprises a sound damping canal with a passage extending from a sound inlet opening to a sound outlet opening. The passage of the sound damping canal is closed off by means of an air-permeable, sheetlike membrane, such that transport of air through the filter is possible. The invention also relates to an ear protector and a method for manufacturing a membrane for a sound damping filter.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a droplet plate for the printhead of an ink-jet printer, which process provides design flexibility, precise dimension control, as well as material robustness. Also provided is a droplet plate fabricated in accord with the process.

Abstract: An integrated lifting apparatus for attaching a sling or other lifting means to a load having an upright and substantially hollow post. A bore is provided near the upper extent of such hollow post, extending horizontally through the hollow post. A threaded bolt having an enlarged head on one end, preferably constructed of high strength and/or shear resistant material, is disposed through the bore. A lock nut having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of said bore is threaded onto the end of the bolt. If desired, a cotter pin can also be used to secure such lock nut on the bolt.

Abstract: A method is provided of automated rail loading of automotive vehicles. The method includes the steps of attaching tags to the automotive vehicles and performing an automated railcar identification. The method also includes the step of generating an automated load makeup based on the identified railcar and the automotive vehicles. The method includes the step of locating the automotive vehicles and loading the automotive vehicles on a railcar specified in the automated load makeup. The method further includes the step of shipping the automotive vehicles via the railcar to a final destination specified in the automated load makeup.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a droplet plate for the printhead of an inkjet printer, which process provides design flexibility, precise dimension control, as well as material robustness. Also provided is a droplet plate fabricated in accord with the process.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a droplet plate for the printhead of an ink-jet printer, which process provides design flexibility, precise dimension control, as well as material robustness. Also provided is a droplet plate fabricated in accord with the process.

Abstract: An integrated lifting apparatus for attaching a sling or other lifting means to a load having an upright and substantially hollow post. A bore is provided near the upper extent of such hollow post, said bore extending horizontally through said hollow post. A threaded bolt having an enlarged head on one end, preferably constructed of high strength and/or shear resistant material, is disposed through said bore. A lock nut having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of said bore is threaded onto the end of said bolt. If desired, a cotter pin can also be used to secure such lock nut on said bolt.

Abstract: A highly-efficient thermal inkjet printhead. The printhead includes a primary layer of polycrystalline silicon (preferably doped) having at least one portion thereof which functions as an ink expulsion resistor. Positioned over and above the primary layer is a secondary layer of material having at least one section produced from a selected metal silicide compound and at least another section fabricated from undoped polycrystalline silicon. The metal silicide-containing section functions as an interconnect structure and is operatively connected to the resistor in the primary layer (which is positioned beneath the secondary layer). The undoped polycrystalline silicon section is at least partially aligned over and above the resistor. As a result, the resistor is “buried” beneath the secondary layer and the various portions thereof. This system provides improved reliability, greater dimensional simplicity, optimized electrical/thermal properties, and superior versatility.

Abstract: A highly-efficient thermal inkjet printhead. The printhead includes at least one doped polycrystalline silicon resistor which communicates with an external signal source using a unique interconnection system. Specifically, a primary layer of electrically conductive material (optimally a metal silicide) is connected to the resistor. An additional layer of electrically conductive material is attached to and above the primary layer. The additional layer terminates at a position which is spaced outwardly and apart from the resistor to form a gap therebetween. However, the underlying primary layer electrically links the additional layer to the resistor. Alternatively, a dielectric layer is attached to and above the primary layer, with the additional layer being secured to the dielectric layer. At least one electrically conductive contact member is provided within the dielectric layer to link the primary and additional layers.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method and system provides the ability to assign requests for data objects made by clients among multiple network servers. The invention provides a distributed computing system and methods to assign user requests to replicated servers contained by the distributed computing system in a manner that attempts to meet the goals of a particular routing policy. Policies may include minimizing the amount of time for the request to be completed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a door and a door. A first step involves molding a first door skin. A second step involves molding a second door skin. One or both of the first door skin and the second door skin have molded in place rails. One or both of the first door skin and the second door skin have molded in place stiles. A third step involves integrally bonding the first door skin and the second door skin. This produces a door having a body with integrally formed skins, rails, and stiles. A lock latch area and hinge pockets can also be integrally molded into the door.

Abstract: A spool for filamentary material such as optical fibers and others consists of two members which are locked together to form a drum with two opposed flanges defining a winding space. The two members may be separated to allow material wound on the drum to be removed at will. After the material is removed, the two parts may be locked again making the spool reusable.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the speed of an induction motor includes a first winding and a second winding. The first winding and second winding are adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC input signal. A first switching device is coupled to the first winding and a second switching device is coupled to the second winding. Each of the switching devices is operative in a low impedance state enabling current to flow through the associated winding of each switching device and a high impedance state preventing significant current flow through the associated winding of each switching device. A controller switches each of the switching devices from the high impedance state to the low impedance state in a sequence for controlling the current in the windings, which induces a phase shift between the AC voltages across the windings.

Abstract: A power supply for a variable speed AC motor includes a waveform generator for generating a periodic pulsed waveform according to a desired motor speed, an adjustable source of DC potential, and an inverter coupled to the waveform generator and to the source of DC potential. The inverter provides an AC pulse train to the AC motor, the pulse train having waveform characteristics according to the pulsed waveform generated by the waveform generator to obtain the desired speed. The voltage amplitude of the pulse train provided to the motor is proportional to the DC potential whereby motor currents can be controlled at the desired motor speed by varying the DC potential.

Abstract: A kit is provided for constructing model buildings. The kit includes modular blocks, which are interlocked to form a roof and structral walls corresponding to the outer shell of the building, and also includes construction brackets which are abutted in side-by-side alignment at the top edge of a structural wall to form a supporting ledge. Such ledges are used to form setbacks and overhangs in the building structure and for supporting the roof. Each bracket includes a generally horizontal main wall with bounding inner and outer edges and two lateral edges each extending between the inner and outer edges. At each of the inner and outer edges, the bracket is provided with lower and upper connectors. The lower connector is designed to secure the bracket to the top edge of a structural wall disposed below the bracket, and the upper connector is designed to secure the lower edge of a structural wall disposed above the bracket.

Abstract: A speed responsive engaging mechanism, adapted for use in a hydrodynamic device to couple the turbine and impeller members, including an annular support secured to the turbine member having a series of cam surfaces formed in the periphery thereof with a series of engaging devices or friction shoes mounted on said ramps. The friction shoes engage with the impeller member at a predetermined speed of rotation of the turbine element. A series of springs engage each of the friction shoes to urge them toward a disengaged position.

Abstract: An improved technetium-99m labeled colloid and method of preparation comprising reducing technetium-99m with stannous oxalate and stabilizing with sodium phytate. This radiodiagnostic agent is useful in the scintigraphic examination of the recticuloendothelial system, particularly the liver. In addition, by autoclaving this product with saline, it becomes a superior bone marrow scanning agent.

Abstract: A method of preparing improved technetium-99m labeled radiodiagnostic agents by reducing technetium-99m with stannous tartrate. Such radiodiagnostic agents are useful in scintigraphic examinations of the bone and lung.

Abstract: A manually operable animated toy clacker having particular utility as a device for the display of advertising material, the device being made from sheet material such as relatively stiff paper or the like and having relatively large, opposed, flapable portions joined to a middle portion by symmetrical, oppositely curved score lines and having also animation parts attached to the flaps or to the middle portion so that, when the latter is squeezed endwise, it and the flaps move in different directions and at different rates and thereby cause the attached animation parts to move in a controlled manner to produce a uniquely interesting, always attractive and sometimes humorous effect.