Abstract: A power controller for controlling the intermittent supply of current to a load, such as a cooker hotplate, has a pivotally mounted snap switch controlled by a heated bimetal member which is heated in dependence upon the connected power. A compensating bimetal strip, for taking ambient temperature into account, is arranged on the snap switch and parallel thereto. A control cam acts on the free end of the compensating bimetal strip. The latter is shielded from the heat of the heated bimetal member.

Abstract: A power controller for controlling the intermittent supply of current to a load, such as a cooker hotplate, has a pivotally mounted snap switch controlled by a heated bimetal member which is heated in dependence upon the connected power. A compensating bimetal strip, for taking ambient temperature into account, is arranged on the snap switch and parallel thereto. A control cam acts on the free end of the compensating bimetal strip. The latter is shielded from the heat of the heated bimetal member.

Abstract: A power controller for controlling the intermittent supply of current to a load, such as a cooker hotplate, has a pivotally mounted snap switch controlled by a heated bimetal member which is heated in dependence upon the connected power. A compensating bimetal strip, for taking ambient temperature into account, is arranged on the snap switch and parallel thereto. A control cam acts on the free end of the compensating bimetal strip. The latter is shielded from the heat of the heated bimetal member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for forming apertures in cement or similar hardenable, plastic materials. The device, intended for use where holes of several inches in length are desired, comprises a body portion having affixed therein a threaded nut or coil. The body portion may be, for example, cylindrical in shape and be a solid elastomeric material having an aperture which extends axially through the body portion and communicates with a nut. The nut should be located adjacent the topmost portion of the body portion. A threaded rod may be inserted in the body aperture and screwed into the nut. A U-shaped bracket is provided which is placed on the hardened cement with the legs of the U-shape disposed on either side of body member. The joining member (which completes the U-shape) is spaced above and from the body portion by the legs. The joining member has a slot for receiving the bolt. The device is removed by threading a nut on the bolt down upon the joining member of the bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of an optionally substituted N,N-2-trimethyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-methanamine, Compound II, by rearrangement of a N,N,N-trimethyl-]1,1'-biphenyl]-2-methanaminium compound, Compound I. Compound I is treated with at least one equivalent of sodium or lithium methylsulfinyl carbanion in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide at a temperature in the range of 0.degree. to 70.degree. C. to give Compound II. The process is conveniently conducted by adding lithium hydride or sodium hydride to excess dimethylsulfoxide to produce a solution of the lithium or sodium methylsulfinyl carbanion, then adding Compound I to the solution thus formed.Compound II is a useful intermediate for the preparation of insecticidal pyrethroid esters of formula IV. Compound II may be converted into ester IV by treatment with ethyl chloroformate or cyanogen bromide to give intermediate III, followed by reaction with an alkali metal or ammonium salt of the desired pyrethroid acid.

Abstract: A crop cutting apparatus having an elongated cutterbar, a plurality of guards, and reciprocating knife disposed in the usual arrangement wherein cylindrical cup-like retainer members are mounted by the guard mounting bolts to the top side of the cutterbar. A hold down clip slips over the retainer members and has a rearward portion contacting the cutterbar, a medial portion displaced from the cutterbar, and a forward portion including a horizontal surface acting against the knife and a vertical surface acting against the front side of the knife back. A single tie down bolt disposed between the retainer cups adjustably hold the clip in position to resist upward movements of the knife assembly.

Abstract: Changes in the support forces on a structural member when it is touched are used to compute the location of the point at which the structural member is touched.

Abstract: A phosphate ore flotation process subjecting a phosphate ore containing carbonate mineral impurities to froth flotation in the presence of modifying agents, said modifying agents being alkyl phosphonic acids and hydrofluoric acid, and a collector, said collector being fatty acids; collecting the phosphate and carbonate minerals as rougher concentrate from the overflow; subjecting the phosphate and carbonate mineral concentrate to a differential desorption with an acid to remove the fatty acid from the surface of the phosphate mineral; removing the separated carbonate minerals from the overflow; and recovering the phosphate values in the underflow.

Abstract: Full color dry transfers are prepared economically and in a semiautomated manner using a mimeograph duplicator in which a full color original is used to prepare one each of yellow, magenta and cyan stencils in an electronic facsimile scanning device, then each stencil together with the correspondingly colored mimeograph ink is used in a mimeograph duplicator to produce in seriatum a full color dry transfer according to the disclosed process.

Abstract: A disposable garment comprising, a gown having a pair of sleeves, a front, and a pair of side margins defining an open back for the gown. The garment has a first belt having one end secured to the gown and the other end being free. The garment has a second belt having one end secured to the gown. The garment also has a transfer card having a lower side edge, and a pair of generally aligned slits extending from the side edge and defining a tongue. The other end of the first belt is releasably attached to the card, with the card tongue being received behind the second belt to hold the card in place on the gown.

Abstract: A restraint assembly for an infant, and particularly for a premature infant, which takes the form of a shirt or vest which is to cover the torso of the infant from which extends sleeves to be located about each arm of the infant. Each sleeve is to be closable by a closing flap preventing the infant's hands from extending exteriorly of the sleeve. The vest includes a closable center opening located across the chest of the infant. The straps are to be securable to each sleeve and are to be secured to an exterior structure, such as the table on which the infant is located. Booties are to be provided which are located about each foot of the infant. The outer end of each bootie is openable and closable also through the use of a closing flap. Securing straps are also to be secured to each bootie. A hood is to be located about the head of the infant. The hood is to be removably secured to the vest.

Abstract: A universal costume mask armature is disclosed in which a rigid, preferably lattice, infrastructure including skull-shaped cranium and face portion is utilized. The face portion is preferably generally flattened and includes a pair of eye ports. A nose plate between the eye ports forms a continuation of the face and serves to receive and support nose features of a mask mounted on the armature. The face portion also includes a maxilary plate located below the nose plate to receive and support upper lip features of a mask. Use of this armature will enable a very wide range and variety of masks to be interchanged because the construction of the face portion of the armature is designed to support unlimited combinations of nose, eyebrows, beak, etc. without regard to their weight or size.

Abstract: A garment and accessories formed substantially entirely of textile fabric having a series of parallel raised ribs at generally equally spaced intervals to form channels through which air may circulate and which also serves to maintain a distance when the garment is worn beneath a non-porous outergarment such as personal body armour worn by law enforcement and military personnel, asbestos clothing worn by foundry workers, rubberized garments for work and recreation, and the like. In one embodiment, the ribs are formed by stitching a fabric-enclosed fiberfill cord of substantial diameter, using a knit stitch formation which causes or allows the base fabric to enclose approximately seven eighths to three quarters of the circumference of the cord thereby eliminating any lateral shifting of the cords when the garment is worn under tension. When the wearer moves in any direction the undergarment maintains the supple, pliable and flexible properties of the base fabric which enclose the cords.

Abstract: A first wall and a second wall coact with a portion of a head covering section of a head covering to define an inner pocket and an outer pocket. The first wall is taller than the second wall to define a flap-forming portion; and a fold in that first wall permits that flap-forming portion to be moved outwardly over and downwardly below the level of the upper edge of the second wall to block the entrance to the outer pocket. That fold has a curved configuration in plan view so it tends to hold the flap-forming portion adjacent the outer face of the second wall as long as that fold exists. When the flap-forming portion is moved upwardly away from the outer face of the second wall to a position wherein it is generally in register with the lower portion of the first wall, a curved configuration of that lower portion of the first wall will resist movement of that flap-forming portion outwardly over and downwardly below the level of the upper edge of the second wall.

Abstract: An aortic prosthetic valve for supra-annular implantation comprising a valve body of generally annular configuration and a valve element movably mounted on the valve body for opening and closing the valve. The valve body terminates in a generally annular base surface, and a scalloped suture ring circumscribes the valve body adjacent the base surface. The suture ring is configured to approximately fit the contour of the Sinuses of Valsalva at the base of the aorta. The base surface of the valve body is of a wavy configuration and is configured such that it does not project into the annulus at the base of the aorta, and accordingly, the valve body does not interfere with flow through the annulus. The suture ring has three lobes which fit the Sinuses of Valsalva at the base of the aorta. The valve is configured to minimize disruption of the vortices which develop in the Sinuses of Valsalva to assist in closing the valve.

Abstract: Heart valve prostheses have annular valve bodies with central passageways and valve members supported for pivotal and translational movement between open and closed positions. The occluders, which may be either of a bileaflet or single occluder design, are supported within the bodies by pairs of ears extending from opposite locations to interengage with corresponding arcuate depressions to guide the occluders between their closed positions where they seat against upstream protuberances of the valve bodies and their open position where they are positioned between the upstream protuberances and downstream protuberances.

Abstract: An intraocular lens and method of positioning the same in a human eye in which the lens has, for example, two body portions which are separable outside the eye and two position-fixation members extending therefrom. The individual lens body portions and position-fixation members can be snaked into the eye through a smaller opening in the eye than the diameter of the lens body and the individual lens portions are connected together inside the eye by the surgeon to form the lens which is then positioned and seated in the eye by the surgeon.

Abstract: Rotary joint apparatus for a prosthesis and the like having a first section 10 and a second section 16 joined by the joint is disclosed including a housing member A connected to one of the sections and a housing member B connected to the other of said sections. A shaft C rotatably connects the housing members. A roller bearing clutch assembly D rotatably connects the housing member B to shaft C and includes an outer bearing race 18 connected to housing member B having a plurality of circumferentially spaced tapered camming portions 32 forming generally wedge-shaped camming surfaces. A plurality of roller bearings 34 are positioned in the camming portions bearing against shaft C. The roller bearings have a first position in the camming portion in which the bearings are locked between a surface 32b of the camming portion and shaft C for locking and preventing rotation relative to the shaft in a first direction.

Abstract: This invention related to solid and/or cushioned toilet seat assemblies. More specifically this invention is directed to a toilet seat assembly wherein the seat and cover have magnetic elements to prevent the seat from falling down while in use of while the toilet bowl is being cleaned.

Abstract: A sanitizer dosing dispenser for immersion in a body of water such as a toilet tank whose water line can be lowered from an upper level to a lower level by flushing, which includes a product chamber for containing a solid, water soluble material, first and second walls defining a first flow path therebetween for providing a predetermined volume of water from the body of water to the product chamber along the first flow path in response to the level of the body of water falling from the upper level to the lower level. The first wall is flexible and located so that hydrostatic pressure from the body of water presses the first wall against the second wall to close the first flow path against water flow therealong when the level of the body of water is above the first wall, and permits the predetermined volume of water to flow into the product chamber to dissolve a portion of the soluble material therein when the level of the body of water is below the first wall.

Abstract: A local washing device of flush toilet for cleaning the user's body part with heated water ejected toward the part under varying pressures preventing drastic initial ejection. The device comprises a heated water tank supplied with water from a flushing water reservoir, a nozzle arm connected at an end to the tank and rotatable between extruded and retreated positions at the other free end forming water ejecting nozzle, and means for controlling water-ejecting pressure to be initially low and gradually high enough for achieving desired washing.

Abstract: A water disperser, carried by the water closet of a flush toilet, to dispense water to wet toilet paper before use. Water is provided by the water closet supply system and the unused portion is wasted to upon associated toilet bowl. The device disperses water on manual activation through a secondary reservoir in relatively low volume flow, in a linear pattern of some length and for a pre-determined period of time.

Abstract: A bed comprises a flexible web, preferably of mesh or net form, on which a patient is supported and which is slung between two parallel shafts. The ends of the web are respectively wound on to the two shafts which can be turned by end winding handles through drive clutch/brake units of the shafts. At the other ends the shafts have plain bearing assemblies. The drive units are non-rotatably received in support crutches of a frame of the bed, and these crutches can pivot about inclined axes in the manner of the rowlocks of a rowboat. The bearing assemblies are received in fixed crutches formed to allow a permissible range of angularity of the shafts in these crutches when removed from the drive end crutches.

Abstract: The medical couch contains a lower frame, an upper frame for carrying a table top, and a link mechanism interconnecting both frames. The link mechanism includes pivotally interconnected support arms which are operated in a scissor action to lift and lower the upper frame with respect to the lower frame. An electronic motor drive system containing an electric motor and a lead screw is provided for performing such operation. The drive system is pivotally connected to the lower frame such that the lead screw extends towards the upper frame. The pivoting axis is arranged horizontally. A nut element which is mounted on the lead screw travels therealong when the motor is in operation. The nut element is provided for supporting the link mechanism and pivotally connected therewith. The nut element will be pivoted about an upper horizontal axis when it travels along the lead screw. The nut element moves the upper frame to a selected horizontal position above and parallel to the lower frame.

Abstract: The pocketed upholstery springs of the disclosed assembly, made from strips of pocketed springs and intended for use in mattresses or cushions, are connected together in "square" array, i.e., each spring disposed in mutually perpendicular rows, by connecting the pocket sheeting of adjacent strips together between adjacent springs of each strip, the firmness of the assembly being increased by the nature of the interstrip connection, namely, an elongated connection centered at mid-height of the spring coils.

Abstract: An electrical wire handling tool (10) is disclosed. This tool is useful for cutting jumper wires to any required length and at any location, for installing jumper wires into slotted beam connectors, and for removing no longer needed jumper wires from such connectors. The tool is comprised of a handle (20) which has first and second recesses (23,27 and 25,29) in oppositely disposed ends (24,28 and 26,30). In the first handle recess there is affixed means (40) for coupling electrical wires to the connectors. In the second handle recess there is affixed means (60) for removing electrical wires from connectors. The tool further includes a third recess (32) in an intermediate, internal region (31) of the handle which has housed therein means (80) for cutting electrical wires.

Abstract: A tool for stripping insulation from coaxial or multiple conductor cables is disclosed. The tool consists of a support assembly (1) with an integrally connected spring (5) which swivels between an up and down position. The support assembly (1) contains a channel (2) which runs along its length where the spring (5) rests in its down position. A semicircular slot (4) receives the insulated cable. Embedded within support assembly (1) is a knife blade (7), a portion of which is exposed in the slot (4). The knife blade penetrates the insulation when the spring (5) is in its down position causing an incision through the insulation. A ring is placed at one end of the tool in which the user can insert a finger and thereby twirl the tool around to effect relative rotation of the tool and cable to cut through the cable over its entire circumference.

Abstract: A safety shoe having a closed bottom lining is assembled by a method in which a slip last is inserted into a closed bottom lining and a net-fit upper portion is attached to the lining. The forepart of the upper portion is lasted to the lining after a steel toe sub-assembly is fastened to the lining toe portion. An outsole and heel portion are attached to the bottom surface of the upper after the upper and lining are lasted.

Abstract: A suspension bridge has a first deck supported from a pair of suspension cables by hangers and a second deck independently supported from a pair of suspension cables by hangers. The two parallel decks are separated by a gap whose width is not less than that of either of the decks and is preferably three or more times the width of a deck. The decks are joined at intervals along their length by stiff transverse girders 22 and intervening diagonal shear braces so that the two decks behave essentially as a single rigid body in regard to torsional movement. This results in very high aerodynamic damping of both torsional and bending modes of oscillation.

Abstract: An engine driven blower/dust collector in which the suction opening and the discharge opening are arranged in the same plane in a side-by-side relation, and an air-switching slide pipe is provided to slide on the plane of these openings so as to permit the blower/dust collector to operate selectively as desired as a blower for blowing off and drifting together dust or the like and as a vacuum dust collector for collecting the dust or the like.

Abstract: The suspension device for a power-driven handtool such as a humane killer comprises a yoke having two arms pivotally mounted on two pivots whose common horizontal geometrical axis passes substantially through the center of gravity of the handtool unit. The apex of the yoke is constituted by a bow having the shape of a circular arc whose center is located at the center of gravity of the handtool. Said bow is supported by and capable of traveling on a roller which is freely rotatable on a spindle supported by two arms of a shackle, the central portion of which is attached to a suspension cable.

Abstract: A hand held power driven skinning device includes a housing having a handle connected thereto and having a blade assembly mounted thereon. A driven tooth roll assembly is provided with a shaft that is journaled on the housing. A clean-out bar assembly is mounted in the housing and engages the tooth roll assembly. A retainer element on the blade assembly and a locking element on the shaft for the tooth roll assembly coact to releasably lock the blade assembly, the tooth roll assembly and the clean-out bar assembly on the housing. Manipulation of the locking element permits ready disassembly and reassembly of the tooth roll assembly, the blade assembly and the clean-out bar assembly on the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for consecutively metering discrete amounts of a divisible mass, particularly sausage meat, including feeding means (7, 96) for said mass adapted to be operated in time with the metering operation and followed by a power-operated cutoff device, the control element (6) of which is adapted to be controlled by a measuring device (28, 29, 30) also effective to control the control element (9) of the feeding means (7, 96) in proportion to the mass flowing therethrough, wherein positive control and coordination of the movements of the cutoff device (1) and the feeding means (7, 96) and substantially full utilization of the installed driving power at any moment is accomplished by providing that the control elements (6, 9) for the cutoff device (1) and the feeding means (7, 96) are actuated by one and the same fluid and are interconnected in series and/or by providing that the control element (6) for the cutoff device (1) is continually supplied with the full fluid flow from a fluid pressure source (10).

Abstract: A crimp-type hose clamp wherein the ends of the clamp are joined in a double-layered top portion of the hat section of the clamp.

Abstract: A clasping device which has a body and a manipulatable lever pivotally connected to the body. The body has at least two connecting members extending between a pair of side plate members thereof, one of the connecting members can contact a strap connected to the lever means during the usual use to firmly hold the lever in a locked position. The other of the connecting members can contact the strap when the assembly of the body and the lever is turned upside down, to hold the lever in the locked position. A large part of the lever is housed in the pair of side plate members of the body substantially in parallel to the body in the locked position, whereby the construction of the assembly is easy to handle and so firm as to be resistant to any big loads.

Abstract: A slide apparatus for joining ends of a belt of the type having a plurality of transverse interlocked spiral elements. The slide apparatus includes two tapered overlapping channels for the reception of the overlapping belt ends so that upon movement of the slide apparatus the overlap of the belt ends will be reduced. The tapered channels terminate in a common narrow channel having a width equal to the overlapped end spiral elements so that upon passage of the two belt ends from the narrow channel a spring biased pusher element will force the overlapped spiral elements into meshing engagement, wherein a pintle wire, inserted into the passage defined by the intermeshed spiral elements, connects the belt ends.

Abstract: A locking element or latch is embodied from a metal plate and comprises a first pair of articulation tabs, a second pair of tabs to receive strains, these tabs being received in corresponding openings formed in the flanges of the base. The retaining member of the latch is guided in displacement in an L-shaped cutout and is associated with a floating contact with a rocker articulated on an ejector. A push button comprises engagement surfaces cooperating selectively with the locking member and ejector and ramps to assist the lifting of the latch. A single spring serves to actuate, and place under tension, all of the moving parts of the buckle.

Abstract: A rotor assembly and methods for securing rotor blades within and removing rotor blades from rotor assemblies. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor disc defining a plurality of blade grooves, and including a plurality of tenons disposed between the blade grooves and defining a plurality of pin sockets radially extending inward from outside surfaces of the tenons; and a plurality of rotor blades, each blade including a root disposed within a blade groove to secure the blade against radial movement, and a blade platform overlaying a tenon and defining a radially extending pin aperture. The rotor assembly further comprises a plurality of locking pins radially extending through the pin apertures and into the pin sockets to secure the rotor blades against axial movement, each pin including a head and a base to limit radial movement of the pin.

Abstract: A method of producing multiple coil, multiple tube heat exchanger from circular tubes, in which alternating turns in each coil have a warmer liquid and other turns a cooler liquid, by coating the outside of each coil with a heat conductive mastic and winding the next coil against the mastic to force the mastic into spaces between adjoining tubes of the first coil, into spaces of adjoining tubes of the second coil and into spaces between opposed tubes of first and second coils. Mastic applied to outside of each coli or into grooves between turns as next coil wound. Double tubes of each coil preferably wound into grooves between turns of preceding coil. Second tube of each coil started across coil from first tube and continued at end of coil past first tube. Succeeding coils wound against mastic in same manner. Turns of first coil attached together, as by soldering, while first and last turns of succeeding coils similarly attached to adjacent turn of coil beneath.

Abstract: A detent device for removably securing a dental prosthesis in a patient's mouth, having a spring loaded plunger movably disposed in an externally threaded tubular member with an end portion of the plunger projecting outwardly therefrom. A positioning spring member is enclosed in the dental prosthesis for determining the location of the tubular member therein, and for receiving the threads of the tubular member for retention thereof in the dental prosthesis. An externally threaded plug member is engaged in the spring member when the dental prosthesis is being formed to provide an internally threaded opening in the dental prosthesis for receiving the threaded tubular member after the plug member is removed from the dental prosthesis. A dental tool engages a front portion of the tubular member for threading the tubular member into the dental prosthesis to a selected position therein.

Abstract: A filter block for filtering melt synthetic plastic materials in a process of manufacturing plastics filaments includes a plurality of layers of wire fabric arranged in superimposed relationship. From the top to the bottom the filter block comprises inlet layers, intermediate layers and outlet layers. All the layers of the intermediate portion of the filter block are of identical mesh size which is smaller than mesh size of the inlet and outlet layers. The filter block is produced by cold forming exclusively in a stamp provided with an elastic suport for a pressure plate on which filter layers to be compressed are positioned and with a rigid support, which elastic support and rigid support operate successively to obtain inlet, intermediate and outlet filter layers of differing porosity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotatably positioning an uninflated tire relative to its wheel about the axis of the wheel whereby a predetermined relationship between wheel and tire will exist upon inflation. In the system of the invention an uninflated tubeless tire is placed upon its wheel in a random manner, both tire and wheel having indicia defined thereon indicating a desired final orientation. Automatic sensing apparatus determines the angular relationship between the wheel and tire indicia about the wheel axis, records and analyzes the position of the indicia, and thereupon the wheel and tire are automatically rotated relative to each other with respect to the wheel axis an angular degree which will locate the wheel and tire indicia in a predetermined relationship, usually at a 0.degree. deviation with respect to each other.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring counterbalance extensible link including a closed end cylinder with an end connector a piston and rod assembly within the cylinder and maintained therein by the crimped over end portion of the cylinder retaining a rod bushing and rod to cylinder seal. The cylinder is pressurized prior to assembly of the complete piston and rod into the cylinder. The piston assembly includes orifice by-pass means either in the piston periphery or in a piston ring, and the piston may include a fail-safe provision in the event the orifice is clogged. A crimping die assembly is used in assembling and completing final assembly of the counterbalance components while simultaneously maintaining the link in a pressurized environment, utilizing sealed arrangement between the crimping dies to maintain pressurization of the interior of the dies and the counterbalance components prior to assembly of the components.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for installing sleeves onto elongated substrates such as electrical wiring or cable, where the sleeves are slideably arranged on fingers extending from a carrier belt. The apparatus includes a base having a belt path for receiving the carrier belt and a finger guideway for receiving a finger of the carrier belt. Stripping means are slideably mounted on the base for forcing a sleeve from a finger onto a substrate. An indexing element is provided for moving the carrier belt to a position so that a finger having a sleeve arranged thereon is in the finger guideway each time after a sleeve is stripped from a finger. In use of the device, the sleeve can be stripped from a finger into the die in two stages, where an elongate substrate is inserted into the removed portion of the sleeve between the two stages. For installing non-cylindrical sleeves on cylindrical substrates, a die is mounted to the base at a position to receive the sleeve as it is stripped from a finger.

Abstract: A heat transfer tube assembly comprising a pair of fluid circulation tubes disposed co-axially one within the other, the inner tube being held substantially concentric within the outer tube by a plurality of pairs of diametrally opposed depressions or dimples formed in the peripheral surface of the outer tube at regular intervals. Each depression or dimple projects inwardly such as to engage and indent the peripheral surface of the inner tube and to cause a corresponding portion of the inner tube to bulge inwardly during forming of the dimples in the periphery of the outer tube by forming punches or, preferably, by two pairs of diametrally opposed rolls, each provided with an appropriate dome-shaped protuberance on its peripheral surface for roll forming the dimples as a result of longitudinally feeding the outer tube, with the inner tube disposed within the outer tube, between the rotating rolls.

Abstract: A crane system sheet feeder method and apparatus employed for depositing collections of bundles of sheets in locations related to specific ones of sheet feeders, such that each collection of bundles can be utilized by an overhead crane to deliver the individual bundles to a specific one of the sheet feeders in accordance with the supply of sheets on that feeder. The bundles are initially bound, and the overhead crane has apparatus for removing the binding and removing the end boards from the bundles so that the bundles are deposited in the feeders free of any bindings.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed which allows an ohmic electrical contact with P-type semiconductor material using metallic foil at low temperature without significant diffusion of the metal into the semiconductor. The contact exhibits opposition to physical separation and has a predetermined electrical resistance.

Abstract: A solar cell fabrication procedure is described which is characterized by (1) formation of a "polysilazane" coating on a silicon substrate, (2) photo-lithography of the polysilazane coating to form a plating mask pattern, (3) a heating step which removes residual photoresist and converts the polysilazane coating to a denser form of silicon nitride having a reduced etch rate, and (4) use of densified silicon nitride as a mask for the plating of electrode metal and also as an anti-reflection coating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and eliminating short circuit current paths through photovoltaic devices of the type including at least one semiconductor region overlying a substrate and a layer of conductive light transmissive material overlying the at least one semiconductor region are disclosed. The short circuit current paths which are eliminated extend through the at least one semiconductor region from the substrate to the layer of conductive light transmissive material. The resistivity of the short circuit current path is increased substantially at the interface between the conductive light transmissive material and the semiconductor region by isolating electrically the conductive light transmissive material from the short circuit current path.The isolation can be provided by removing the transparent conductive material from electrical contact or connection with the short circuit current path.

Abstract: An improved lift-off process for forming metallized interconnections between various regions on a semi-conductor device relies on the use of a particular polyimide in forming a protective mask over the device. The polyimide is a copolymer of an aromatic cycloaliphatic diamine and a dianhydride which allows the resulting structure to withstand particularly high temperatures in the fabrication process. In particular, the polyamide when subjected to high temperature metallization under vacuum remains sufficiently soluble to be substantially completely removed from the device by immersion in common organic solvents. This allows high temperature metallization as interconnects for integrated circuits.