Abstract: An apparatus comprises an optical pane transparent to infrared radiation. The pane includes first and second sides, a periphery, and a retention region. A frame defines an opening that can accept the pane and includes a pane retention region. Additionally, a retainer is configured to secure the optical pane in the opening and includes a retaining surface mated to the pane support surface of the frame and configured to support the optical pane at the retention region. The pane, frame and retainer are configured to have mating features which can include a bead, a retaining ridge, a labyrinth configuration and protrusions, recesses, channels, or steps or a combination of these features.

Abstract: A slag composition containing from about 85 to about 99 weight percent of steelmaking slag and from about 1 to about 15 weight percent of a foaming additive. The steelmaking slag is at a temperature of from about 2500 to about 3100 degrees Fahrenheit. The foaming additive contains from about 20 to about 80 weight percent of a source of elemental carbon, from about 5 to about 80 weight percent of calcium carbide, and from about 25 to about 75 weight percent of anoxide compound. The weight ratio of the source of elemental carbon to the calcium carbide is at least 2.

Abstract: The system for controlling the back pressure in the reservoir of an ink-jet pen includes a pump for removing air from the reservoir and a vacuum regulator to ensure that the back pressure within the reservoir does not exceed a level that would cause the print head to fail.

Abstract: A method and system for regulating the temperature of a hot melt ink wherein light reflected from a phase change material adjacent to the ink is detected, and a closed loop control signal proportional to the intensity of the reflected light is generated. The control signal is applied to a heater element for the ink and provides good temperature control thereof. In addition, the phase change material is used to generate an ink level indication signal which is also processed in a closed loop servo system in order to provide control over levels of the hot melt ink during operation of an ink jet printhead. In the embodiment of the present invention for controlling both ink temperature and ink levels within a pen body housing, there is provided a means and method for simultaneously sensing the liquid level and temperature at the solid/liquid interface within the pen body housing.

Abstract: A process of refining steel in a ladle using solid granules or briquettes made from recycled LMF slag and raw materials to make a desulfurizing addition, a slag conditioner or synthetic refining slag is described. The preferred recycled LMF slag material generally comprises of 35% to about 65% CaO; 10% to about 35% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; 1% to about 10% SiO.sub.2 ; 3% to about 15% MgO; 0.3% to about 10% FeO; 0.1% to about 5% MnO; 0% to about 0.5% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 ; and 0.1% to about 0.5% S. The ladle refining additive comprises from about 10% to about 90% of a recycled ladle metallurgy furnace slag and the balance of raw materials selected from the group consisting of: a calcium oxide source; soda ash; fluorspar; borax; calcium carbonate; aluminum source; calcium aluminate; alumina source; metallic calcium, magnesium, sodium and their oxides, fluorides and carbides; and mixtures of all of the foregoing.

Abstract: An apparatus for a scanning-head printer in which a single motor is used to provide movement to a print head carriage and to advance the paper along a paper path. The single motor is coupled to the print head carriage to provide movement of the carriage back and forth across the width of the paper. As the carriage is moved across the paper, the print head applies print to the paper. An advancement mechanism is located near the edge of the paper path. As the print head carriage reaches the edge of the paper, the carriage contacts the advancement mechanism which, in turn, causes the paper to be advanced along the paper path. Thus, a single motor advances the paper and moves the carriage across the paper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a large-area, pass-through projection mask for excimer ablation. In a preferred embodiment, a laser-transparent window is spaced apart from the projection mask to provide a thermal escape path. The thermal escape path receives a liquid flow which is in direct contact with patterned masking material of the projection mask. The liquid, preferably deionized water, is caused to flow in a laminar fashion. The liquid intersects the laser energy of the excimer laser. In a second embodiment, the liquid flow is along the periphery of the patterned masking material.

Abstract: An orifice plate is thermally bonded to a thick film photopolymer spacer fabricated on a print head substrate using heat and compression. The compression is applied by pressurized gas to a pliable sheet covering the orifice plate and substrate assembly. Heat can be supplied through a vacuum chuck on which the assembly is mounted or from a heating element embedded in the pliable sheet. An apparatus comprising an air actuated ram with a flange having an o-ring seated within is used to seal the pliable sheet against the vacuum chuck circumferentially about the assembly. The ram includes a chamber with an open end which is sealed against the pliable sheet when in an engaged position. By filling the chamber with gas under sufficient pressure while heating the spacer forms a bond between the orifice plate and the assembly. After thermal bonding, curing of the photopolymer spacer can be completed in an oven.

Abstract: A push-button switch mechanism suitable for use with printed circuit boards is disclosed comprising a body that has a slidable plunger for actuating a cantilevered contact attached to the body. A button is attached to the plunger and when the button is depressed, the plunger deflects the cantilevered contact toward conductors on a printed circuit board to which the body is attached. A leaf spring in the body holds the plunger in an up or extended position and returns the plunger to this position after the button has been depressed. When the button is depressed the leaf spring is compressed along its longest axis and buckles, thereby providing tactile feedback. The switch may be provided with a light which is connected to the printed circuit board and is located in a cavity in the plunger. Illumination from the light may be seen through a translucent portion in the button.

Abstract: A keyboard is disclosed comprising a printed circuit board having conductors on only one side. Resilient switching elements are supported by selected ones of the conductors and may be deflected into contact with other selected ones of the conductors by keys supported above the switching elements.

Abstract: An array of curved metal strips is supported over an array of conductors, and a key is supported over each intersection of a metal strip and a conductor. When a user depresses a key, a metal strip is pressed against a conductor to make an electrical connection. As the metal strip is deflected by the key, it snaps or buckles, providing tactile feedback to the user.