Abstract: A control system for remotely actuating a laser processing head includes a laser processing head and an actuation mechanism located remotely from the laser processing head. A translation mechanism is connected between the laser processing head and the actuation mechanism. The translation mechanism translates movement of the actuation mechanism into movement of the laser processing head. The translation mechanism includes a cable control having a first end coupled to the laser processing head and a second end coupled to the actuation mechanism. The laser processing head is slidably coupled to a robot arm. The actuation mechanism imposes relative linear motion of the laser processing head with respect to the robot arm. A height sensing system includes a height sensor for generating a height signal based on a measurement between the laser processing head and a work-piece. A height sensor electronics module is located remotely from the height sensor and receives the height signal.

Abstract: A method for cold-forming a nozzle for a laser includes placing a slug or tube of oxygen-free copper into a die. A mandrel is forced into the copper slug or tube. The resultant compressive force causes the copper to cold flow around the mandrel and the die to define an inner shape and an outer dimension of the part.

Abstract: A technique for tracking and managing account movement using a delinquency movement matrix is described. Customer Service Representatives or other agents may receive a promise for a payment amount for an account, after which the invention may record the baseline delinquency of the account at the time the promise is received, retrieve updated account information after a predetermined time period, and compare the baseline delinquency of the account to the updated delinquency of the account to determine the movement of that account through delinquency stages. The CSR staff may be awarded points based on the number of levels they are able to advance an account, for instance weighted or multiplied by the balance of the account. Other weightings by risk factors or other variables may be used. Because the CSR staff are incentivized to advance accounts to higher levels of currency, the risk of chargeoffs may be reduced and overall portfolio currency increased.

Abstract: An ovality measurement tool for measurement of ovality of a circumferentially deformable cylindrical element having a cylindrical element support, a sensing element for traversing the circumference of the cylindrical element, which sensing element is movable radially with respect to the cylindrical element, and a readout device for reading the amount of movement of the sensing element as it traverses the circumference of the cylindrical element.

Abstract: A latched receiver circuit capable of receiving data and clock simultaneously. New data is latched at every clock cycle without delay or buffering of the data or the clock. The latched receiver may also receive and latch small signals without the aid of a receiver preamp or added delay.

Abstract: A quartz halogen outdoor floodlight assembly, having an improved lamp, reflector, and housing therefor for increased adjustability and overall performance. The housing comprises a two component unit, having upper and lower separable housing members, interconnected through a quarter turn fastening system comprising at least one key extending from the lower housing member, a receiving keyway formed in the upper housing member, and a camming ramp formed internally in the upper housing member. A lens in secured to the face of the upper housing member by a sealing adhesive, which simultaneously retains a reflector within the upper housing. A lamp operatively secured within a socket disposed in the lower housing member is operatively positioned in the reflector upon assembly. The lamp preferably includes an internal reflector which aligns with the external reflector to increase longitudinal light output.

Abstract: A quartz halogen outdoor floodlight assembly, having an improved lamp, reflector, and housing therefor for increased adjustability and overall performance. The housing comprises a two component unit, having upper and lower separable housing members, interconnected through a quarter turn fastening system comprising at least one key extending from the lower housing member, a receiving keyway formed in the upper housing member, and a camming ramp formed internally in the upper housing member. A lens in secured to the face of the upper housing member by a sealing adhesive, which simultaneously retains a reflector within the upper housing. A lamp operatively secured within a socket disposed in the lower housing member is operatively positioned in the reflector upon assembly. The lamp preferably includes an internal reflector which aligns with the external reflector to increase longitudinal light output.

Abstract: A skimmer for recovering spilled oil plows through the water at relatively high speeds and operates under a variety of weather conditions. To counteract the pitch and roll of the skimmer while traveling through choppy seas, the skimmer is attached to the propelling vessel by a biaxial mount, which has the shaft perpendicular to the center line of the vessel and horizontal to the water line. This allows the nose section of the skimmer to travel in a vertical direction in concert with oncoming swells and waves. The main control frame of the skimmer is hinged perpendicularly to the vessel shaft yoke to allow the main frame to roll in concert with cross waves and swells. This biaxial mounting allows the nose of the skimmer to remain at a fairly uniform depth in the water no matter which direction the waves are approaching, which allows the skimmer to be attached to virtually any vessel with size and characteristics to accommodate the mass of the skimmer.

Abstract: A quartz halogen outdoor floodlight assembly, having an improved lamp, reflector, and housing therefor for increased adjustability and overall performance. The housing comprises a two component unit, having upper and lower separable housing members, interconnected through a quarter turn fastening system comprising at least one key extending from the lower housing member, a receiving keyway formed in the upper housing member, and a camming ramp formed internally in the upper housing member. A lens in secured to the face of the upper housing member by a sealing adhesive, which simultaneously retains a reflector within the upper housing. A lamp operatively secured within a socket disposed in the lower housing member is operatively positioned in the reflector upon assembly. The lamp preferably includes an internal reflector which aligns with the external reflector to increase longitudinal light output.

Abstract: A power supply for an arc lamp. It includes a DC converter which has an input, an output, and a circuit for increasing the voltage received at the input and for supplying the increased voltage to its output. A current sensing circuit is provided for controlling the amount of current delivered to the output. An output "H" bridge is coupled to the output of the DC converter for generating a squarewave in response thereto. The power supply is capable of quickly igniting and re-igniting arc lamps, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and it relatively light in weight. The power supply can accept either an AC or DC source over a wide voltage range and increases or decreases the input voltage compared to the output voltage.

Abstract: A power supply for an arc lamp. It includes a DC to DC converter which has an input, an output, and a circuit for increasing the voltage received at the input and for supplying the increased voltage to its output. A current sensing circuit is provided for controlling the amount of current delivered to the output. The power supply is capable of quickly igniting and re-igniting arc lamps, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is relatively light in weight. The power supply can accept either an AC or DC source over a wide voltage range and increases or decreases the input voltage compared to the output voltage.

Abstract: A power supply for an arc lamp. It includes a DC converter which has an input, an output, and a circuit for increasing the voltage received at the input and for supplying the increased voltage to its output. A current sensing circuit is provided for controlling the amount of current delivered to the output. An output "H" bridge is coupled to the output of the DC converter for generating a squarewave in response thereto. The power supply is capable of quickly igniting and re-igniting arc lamps, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is relatively light in weight. The power supply can accept either an AC or DC source over a wide voltage range and increases or decreases the input voltage compared to the output voltage.

Abstract: Detergent compositions based on sodium carbonate as a detergency builder also contain finely divided calcium carbonate having a surface area of at least about meters square metres per gram (m.sup.2 /g), preferably frm about 30 to 100 m.sup.2 /g, together with a detergent active compound or mixture of compounds which does not form during use an insoluble calcium salt. The added calcium carbonate tends to improve the detergency building action of the sodium carbonate, and so increase detergency, whilst inhibiting the tendency for the newly precipitated calcium carbonate to be deposited on the washed fabrics.

Abstract: An anode assembly capable of performing an electrical function including support means of an electrically conducting, dense material. The support means has an enlarged portion and an elongated portion. The enlarged portion of the support means includes a recessed section. The opening of the recessed section faces away from the elongated portion of the support means in a direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the elongated portion. A continuous, porous deposit of particulate, electrically conducting material such as particulate metal is over the recessed section. The porous deposit is capable of performing as an anode upon further processing.