Abstract: An active package for an integrated circuit may include an integrated circuit and an active component that is part of the circuit topology for the integrated circuit. The active component forms at least a portion of the housing for the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be housed in a shell formed by one or more discrete components. The active package may be formed in the same geometry and dimensions as a standard passive integrated circuit package, or may be formed in a shape to fit inside a standard or specially made battery package, or for another special application. A smart component may include a discrete component or a semiconductor-based resistor, capacitor or inductor, and a separate integrated circuit housed in the same housing as the discrete component or a semiconductor-based resistor, capacitor or inductor. The integrated circuit may control at least one electrical parameter of the discrete component or a semiconductor-based resistor, capacitor or inductor.

Abstract: A directional coupler sensor is provided for measuring the moisture content of a substrate, such as hair. The sensor incorporates a high frequency directional coupler having a pair of generally parallel plates defining a coupling gap therebetween. A high frequency signal generator generates an electromagnetic field across the gap with the substrate placed across the coupling gap. The coupled power relates to the moisture content of the substrate. A pressure sensor is provided to ensure that the desired compactness of the substrate across the coupling gap is achieved to obtain accurate, reliable and consistent results.

Abstract: An active package for an integrated circuit may include an integrated circuit and an active component that is part of the circuit topology for the integrated circuit. The active component forms at least a portion of the housing for the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be housed in a shell formed by one or more discrete components. The active package may be formed in the same geometry and dimensions as a standard passive integrated circuit package, or may be formed in a shape to fit inside a standard or specially made battery package, or for another special application. A smart component may include a discrete component or a semiconductor-based resistor, capacitor or inductor, and a separate integrated circuit housed in the same housing as the discrete component or a semiconductor-based resistor, capacitor or inductor. The integrated circuit may control at least one electrical parameter of the discrete component or a semiconductor-based resistor, capacitor or inductor.

Abstract: An electronics assembly incorporating an interconnect includes a conductive gasket disposed between a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board. The gasket surrounds, and thereby shields, the interconnect while providing an RF ground connection between the two boards with a controlled RF impedance. The second printed circuit board may serve as a connector board for a plurality of modules, or other printed circuit boards, to be coupled thereto. Each module is individually covered with a separate lid. Methods for manufacturing and assembling structures according to the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method allowing for the inexpensive automated construction of interconnections between circuit boards is provided. According to the present invention, printed circuit pins are inserted in a circuit board from the top (component side). Provided the heads of the pins are thin enough to lie beneath a solder stencil, the pins may be pre-installed on the circuit board and solder applied to the pins at the same time solder is applied to other regions of the board. Thus, known surface mount techniques may be employed to form solder connections between the pins and conductive traces on the circuit board, which facilitates the automation of the previously manual operation of soldering the printed circuit pins separately.

Abstract: A method allowing for the inexpensive automated construction of interconnections between circuit boards is provided. According to the present invention, printed circuit pins are inserted in a circuit board from the top (component side). Provided the heads of the pins are thin enough to lie beneath a solder stencil, the pins may be pre-installed on the circuit board and solder applied to the pins at the same time solder is applied to other regions of the board. Thus, known surface mount techniques may be employed to form solder connections between the pins and conductive traces on the circuit board, which facilitates the automation of the previously manual operation of soldering the printed circuit pins separately.

Abstract: Methods and devices for repelling insects are disclosed. The methods and devices provide personal protection from insect bites and insect landings, particularly mosquito bites. The methods and devices employ insect repellents such as pyrethroids at low (parts per billion) levels. The methods and devices effectively minimize the number of mosquitoes landing on a subject properly using the devices.

Abstract: A medical coupling has male and female members (1, 2) which push fit together, and a screw cap (7) which secures the members against separation. To prevent unintentional release of the cap, locking means, such as a ratchet and pawl mechanism, are provided between the cap and female member. An outer shell (25) can enclose the cap for providing an enclosure around the fluid connection to deter bacterial contamination. Alternatively a separate capsule can enclose the coupling for this purpose. The two members and cap are connectable by holding gripping portions which are located remotely from the parts forming the fluid connection to reduce risk of contamination. A valve system is associated with the female member for closing a flexible tube connected to this member and to displace liquid to fill the space left in this member when the male member is disconnected from it.

Abstract: The lock box which includes a container within which is an internal compartment which is to be mounted onto pool furniture immediately adjacent to a pool to temporarily retain therein personal articles of value of a human. An access door, which is to be operated by a key lock, is formed within the container with the access door, when in the open position, providing access into the internal compartment. The first embodiment of container has mounted thereon a pivotable arm which is to removably engage with an exterior object such as a chair frame. When the arm is in the position of capturing a member of the frame of the chair, the arm is locked by a second key operated lock access to which is only permitted through the internal compartment. A second embodiment of lock box has a hanger in the form of a pawl mounted in conjunction with the top surface of the container for locking onto the frame of the chair.

Abstract: For use with RF circuitry in which a DC bias circuit provides bias voltage is provided to impedance-matched circuitry, a structure is provided, in which a dielectric member, having a high dielectric constant, is selectively placed adjacent to a bias feed line coupled between the DC bias circuit and the remainder of the circuitry, to maintain high RF impedance while reducing impedance at lower frequencies. The invention has particular applicability to RF amplifiers, to be used for amplifying modulated carriers, such as video signals made up of an RF carrier and a lower-frequency modulation. Where the carrier has a predetermined wavelength, the physical length of the bias feed line and the dielectric constant of the dielectric member are chosen such that an effective length of the bias feed line is a quarter of the wavelength of the carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber reinforced optical microcable comprised of a buffered optical waveguide coated with a fiber reinforced protective sheath made of a fiber reinforced, ultraviolet light cured resin over which is formed an ultraviolet light cured resin overcoat. The protective sheath is manufactured by soaking reinforcing fibers in the UV curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the buffered optical waveguide, feeding both the fibers and buffered optical waveguide through a die, and curing the resin with ultraviolet light. Then, an ultraviolet light cured resin is flow coated over the protective sheath and cured with ultraviolet light to complete the microcable.

Abstract: In a fluid face seal assembly comprising an elastomeric annular seal for engaging in a recess of a stationary housing or the like component, an axially directed extension on a radially inner limb of the annular seal, an annular face seal carried by said extension and spring means acting between said face seal and said annular seal to maintain a resilient relationship between the two, the invention provides a step constituting a carrier member at the free end of the extension and a thickened free end on the step which retains the face seal in abutment against the shoulder between the step and the remainder of the extension, and a retainer acting to compress the thickened end of the step between itself and a radially adjacent part of the face seal thereby mechanically to lock said face seal onto said carrier member.