Abstract: An engine system with a gear train to provide engine timing. A technique to minimize backlash and noise caused by the gear train is included. An anti-backlash gear assembly useful to reduce backlash in the gear train is also disclosed. One disclosed gear assembly has at least two gear wheels with the circular thickness of the teeth of one gear wheel being less than the circular thickness of the other gear wheel. A gear assembly is also disclosed that has a bias torque of at least about 100 foot-pounds. A device carried on an anti-lash gear assembly to generally align teeth of the assembly for installation is also provided.

Abstract: A control device for an infinitely variable transmission includes a control lever that is movable along a guide slot and whose position within the slot indicates the commanded speed and direction. The control lever is moved forward from a zero speed position to a maximum forward speed position. Between the zero speed position and maximum forward speed position is a set point position corresponding to a set point speed. A set speed adjuster, such as a potentiometer, enables the operator to adjust the set point speed that is commanded when the control lever is placed in the set point position. The speed for positions of the control lever between the zero and the set point positions varies proportionally between zero and the set point speed. Likewise, the speed for positions of the control lever between the set point position and the maximum forward speed position varies proportionally between the set point speed and the maximum forward speed.

Abstract: A hand brake control mechanism includes a hollow mounting base for coupling to the apparatus with which the hand brake control mechanism is to be used, an operation handle pivoted to the mounting base, an actuating bar pivoted to the mounting base and driven by the operation handle to pull a brake cable being connected thereto, and a link pivoted to the mounting base and acted with the operation handle, wherein the operation handle is turned relative to the mounting base between at least three different positions, and the link controls the relative action between the operation handle and the actuating bar, enabling the brake cable to be controlled by the operation handle to achieve a temporary braking function or a continuous braking function, or to be released from braking operation when the operation handle is not in the state of the aforesaid temporary braking or continuous braking function.

Abstract: An adjusting device designed to adjust the length of control cables made up of two half-cables which are connected by a linking device having two exterior linking bodies and two interior linking bodies. The adjusting device includes a coaxially arranged stem provided with retaining teeth which forms one of the exterior linking bodies, a sheath terminal body, a fixing jacket and a fixing ring provided with retaining teeth. Upon rotation of the fixing jacket and fixing ring, a locking assembly is disengaged and the length of the cable may be adjusted. The adjusting device may also include a thrust sleeve and a thrust spring designed so that the adjusting device is permanently subjected to a force biased to reduce its length when unlocked.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm carrying a pedal and selectively movable relative the upper arm to adjust the position of the pedal. The upper arm has a vertically extending flat or planar portion and a substantially horizontal slot formed at the planar portion. A drive screw is secured to the upper arm and is laterally spaced apart from the planar portion generally parallel to the slot. A drive nut threadably engages the drive screw and moves axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the drive screw. A motor is connected to the drive screw to selectively rotate the drive screw in one direction or the other. The lower arm has a guide extending into the slot which is connected to the drive nut for linear fore-aft sliding movement of the guide along the slot upon rotation of the drive screw and resulting linear fore-aft movement of the pedal.

Abstract: A flywheel structure which has a ring made from a composite material of carbon fiber reinforced plastics and a spoke member inserted in the ring. The spoke member is made from the fiber reinforced plastics having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of the ring. A tapered bush is press-fitted into a center portion of the spoke member. Both of the tapered bush and the spoke member are tightly fixed on a shaft by a first spring supported by a holder, and by a second spring urging the holder so as to effectively prevent vibrations due to looseness thereof.

Abstract: A two-part torque-compensating suspension for a transmission 2 mounted around the shaft 1 of a machine. The suspension includes a rocking plate 3. The rocking plate is preferably symmetrical with respect to a plane extending through the shaft. The plate is fastened to the non-moving parts of the transmission and connected to fixed pedestals 8. Two levers 5 extend between the rocking plate and the pedestals. The levers' inner arms are connected by a secondary connecting rod 6.

Abstract: In a fastening device, to an impact wrench body 2 of an impact wrench 1 a jig holder 5 is detachably fitted. To this jig holder 5 a socket integrated type whirl-stop jig 6 is detachably fitted. The socket integrated type whirl-stop jig 6 is constituted by a whirl-stop jig body 7 which is detachably fitted to a jig holder 5, a socket 8 which is rotatably supported on the jig body 7, and a coupling member 13. The socket 8 and the coupling member 13 are connected to be relatively movable in an axial direction and rotatable in one-piece with each other. The coupling member 13 is connected with the rotary shaft 20 of the impact wrench 1, and a fastener 28 is engaged with the socket 8 to be tightened to the screw 37 of the rotary shaft 36 to which the clutch inner part 33 is fitted. The whirl-stop jig body 7 has a one-piece whirl-stop part 32, which is engaged with the rib 34 of the clutch inner part 33, to whirl-stop the clutch inner part 33.

Abstract: A tool includes a handgrip having a chamber for rotatably receiving a handle and having one or more stop surfaces for engaging with the handle and for limiting the rotational movement of the handle relative to the handgrip. One or more blocks are secured to the handle and rotatably received in the handgrip. A fastener is secured in the handgrip and engaged through an oblong hole of the handle. One or more springs may recover the handle relative to the handgrip. A knob may selectively lock the handle to the handgrip.

Abstract: An improved dual action indexable wrench having a moment arm connected to a wrench body which can be operated in a first configuration to apply force directly and in a second configuration to apply force by reciprocal motion, which can be readily switched between the two configurations by engaging and disengaging a shoulder on the wrench body having a v-shaped notch and a corresponding leading edge on the handle having square corners dimensioned to be received within the notch on the shoulder.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus 10 for tightening a threaded fastener 14 into a component, the apparatus comprising a drive mechanism 12 for rotating the threaded fastener and a detector for detecting a transitional tightening stage when tightening the threaded fastener to the component, wherein the apparatus operably applies a first set of tightening conditions to the threaded fastener during a first tightening stage, and a second set of tightening conditions during a second tightening stage in response to the detection of the transitional tightening stage by the detector.

Abstract: An application for periodically applying a controllable force to a movable part has a force applying member, particularly for cutting a web, and a driver for driving the force applying member. The driver is controlled by a force-indicating signal produced by a lock-in amplifier to which a force-responsive signal and a reference signal are inputted. The lock-in amplifier operates to eliminate or reduce any noise present in the force-responsive signal.

Abstract: A polymer cutter with a rotary cutting head in which the cutting edges are on the circumferential periphery of the head, and in which the cutting edges shear rather than slice the polymer is described. The knife blades on the rotary head have a cutting edge angle of greater than 70°. The apparatus is especially useful for cutting thermoplastics and may be used for preparing polymer granules or pellets.

Abstract: A rotary actuator that can be used in conjunction with drive stabilizers for motor vehicles. The rotary actuator includes an outer body forming a gas-tight connection for a first element capable of being turned opposite from a second element, and an inner body coaxial with the outer body and covered by the outer body axially over a full length of the inner body. The inner body and the outer body define an annular space and turn axially in opposite directions, the inner body forming a gas-tight connection for a second element. A sleeve is disposed in the annular space and includes an annular piston and a bushing axially connected to the annular piston, the annular piston moving on cylindrical surfaces of the inner body and the outer body. The annular piston defines two working chambers capable of being acted upon by pressure. The bushing includes oppositely-angles helical teeth on a radially inner on radial inner and outer sides which engage on the inner body and the outer body.

Abstract: A support spring including a front end having a small diameter and a rear end having a large diameter. The diameter of the rear end can be varied. A cylinder block includes an annular groove, which is coaxial with the support spring. The rear end is elastically deformed in the radial direction and is positioned in the annular groove. This firmly positions the support spring and prevents vibration and noise.

Abstract: A multi-pie maker of generally conventional form is provided with metallic liners that fit snugly against opposing heatable complex surfaces of platens. The liners are preformed into self supporting complimentary shapes that match and fit snugly against the complex heatable surfaces of the platens. The liners are readily removable for washing and cleaning, or replacement when necessary.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus for making soybean milk, wherein a cover body is connected to the opening of a container, and a fixing tank is extended form the cover body toward the inside of the container. A motor is installed in the fixing tank. A reaming blade is extended from the motor. A through passage is installed downwards from a position away from the center of the cover through the fixing tank to a cup-shaped component. A fixedly-joining device is installed at the inner edge of the opening of the cup-shaped component to be correspondingly joined with a fixedly-joined device installed at the bottom end of the peripheral surface of the fixing tank. The reaming blade is placed in the cup-shaped component. The periphery of the cup-shaped component is formed to be a filtering net. An electro-thermal tube is connected from the bottom edge of the cover into the container.

Abstract: An improved low shear extrusion and dehydrating apparatus (10) is provided for the continuous extrusion of various starting materials (e.g., starch-bearing grains or starch fractions thereof, proteinaceous materials and/or nutraceuticals) to yield improved products, especially cold water swelling or soluble starch products. The invention is also useful for forming pre-gelled starch products and for processing starch-bearing materials using little or no surfactant. The apparatus (10) preferably includes an elongated extruder (18) together with a tubular die assembly (20) coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel (32), wherein the volumetric ratio of the die assembly (20) to the free volume of the extruder (18) is from about 3-20, and the ratio of die assembly retention time to the extruder retention time is at least about 5.

Abstract: An object of a high-frequency thawing apparatus is to uniformly thaw an entirety of an article with high efficiency and high-speed, particularly an article having a relatively large thickness. The apparatus is so constructed that a high-frequency power from a high-frequency generating circuit is supplied to a pair of opposing electrodes by way of an impedance matching circuit including a transformer to thaw an article (F) which is carried in between the opposing electrode pair by dielectric heating. The impedance matching circuit includes an electrostatic capacitor section (C) and an inductance section (L). A conductor each constituting the inductance section (L) has such a length that the downstream-located conductor with respect to the transport direction of a conveyor is longer than the upstream-located conductor.

Abstract: A nutcracker is described herein which comprises: a frame; an anvil and hammer movably mounted to the frame; a wedge ramp in a fixed relationship to the frame and having a substantially planar surface; a sliding wedge having opposing, substantially planar surfaces of which one surface is in sliding and flush contact with the surface of the wedge ramp, and the other surface is in contact with the anvil; a striker movably mounted to the frame for striking the hammer; and an anvil and hammer control device for moving the sliding wedge along the wedge ramp while in contact with the anvil so as to move the anvil relative to the hammer from an open position, in which ends of the hammer are at a maximum distance from one another to allow a nut to be received therebetween, to a closed position in which such ends are closed securely upon the nut, whereupon the control device causes the striker to strike the hammer and move it toward the anvil a predetermined distance to thereby crack the nut.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquid and solid substances, particularly for extracting juice from fruit and the like, such as grapes.

Abstract: A calender for manufacturing a material web. A frame is supported at the top and bottom. At least five rolls are mounted on the frame such that axes of the rolls lie in a substantially common plane extending substantially parallel to the frame. The common plane extends at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A press machine includes upper and lower slides respectivelly attached to upper and lower portions of posts movable in the up and down directions; a link mechanism having first and second levers connected with each other to cause bending and stretching motion, one lever having a first fulcrum connected with a frame, and the other lever having a second fulcrum connected with the lower slide, a connecting mechanism for connecting a crankshaft with the link mechanism such that the first and second levers are bent and stretched as the crankshaft is rotated; and an adjusting device for connecting with the link mechanism or the connecting mechanism such that the range of the bent angle made by the first and second levers can be adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing elevations which can be detected in a tactile manner on a flat recording medium, with the following components: at least one stamp with several printing areas which are provided with one or several elevations; at least one printing plate with several recesses; a drive device to move the stamp in a recording direction along the recording medium; an adjusting device to adjust the stamp so as to bring a printing area to a printing position in which the elevations of the respective printing area are opposite of the recesses of the printing plate and a printing device to press the stamp against the printing plate in order to form one or several recesses on the interposed recording medium which correspond to elevations on the opposite side.

Abstract: A stencil printer includes an ink drum having a hollow cylindrical porous support and a pair of flanges supporting opposite ends of the support. Annular elastic members are respectively affixed between the inner periphery of the porous support and the outer circumferences of the flanges. When the ink drum is pressed against a press roller, the elastic members deform and cause an ink roller disposed in the ink drum to be displaced. As a result, the ink roller contacts the inner periphery of the porous support brought into contact with and positioned by the press roller. The ink roller and the inner periphery of the ink drum can therefore contact each other under uniform pressure without the rigidity of the drum being reduced and without any shaking.

Abstract: An ink rail 1 for a printing press has an ink rail body 5 having an ink supplying surface 53 constucted by a concave curved surface able to be opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the fountain roller F at a suitable distance C; an inclination member 4 arranged on a lower face of the ink rail body 5 and having an angle of inclination a between upper and lower faces of the inclination member and an inclining direction set to a transversal direction of the ink rail body 5; a pedestal 3 for supporting the inclination member 4; a supporting member 2 for supporting the pedestal 3; first adjusting means 6 capable of moving the ink supplying surface 53 in a thickness direction of the inclination member 4 with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the fountain roller F; and second adjusting means 7 capable of moving the ink supplying surface 53 in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction provided by the first adjusting means with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the fountain

Abstract: A sheet of elastomeric material that serves as a shock absorber and cushion for use between a flexographic printing plate and a printing cylinder during printing for compensating for variations in thickness, height and centricity of the printing cylinder and flexographic printing plate to prevent distortions in the image being printed that includes providing an elastomeric sheet having a longitudinal direction in the direction of circumferential travel of the cylinder circumference that includes a plurality or array of protrusions formed of the elastomeric material of predetermined cross-sectional shape and area and the material having a durometer to cushion the flexographic plate in such a way to provide the necessary compensation to ensure a high quality printed image at high speed.

Abstract: A method of making printing plates for color newspaper printing almost free from causing color dislocation. The present invention includes an exposure step 12 of directly drawing a desired image on a plate material E from a plate feeding step 11 by laser beam according to image drawing signals from a computer, a development and fixing step 13 of treating the exposed surface to produce a printing plate 5 with the desired image, and a bending and boring step 14 of forming bent edge stoppers 5a, 5b at the two edges of the printing plate 5 for mounting the plate 5 on the plate cylinder 4 and at least one positioning hole 5c for positioning the plate 5 on the plate cylinder 4. In the exposure step 12, pilot marks P in a desired shape are drawn near the two edges of the plate material E at the same time that a desired image T is drawn on the image drawing area Q of the plate material E according to image drawing signals from the computer.

Abstract: A washing device for cylinders of rotary printing presses includes a cleaning cloth, which can be brought into contact with the surface of the cylinder by a pressure element which can be placed against the cylinder to be cleaned. Unused cleaning cloth is stored in the form of a supply roll located on a first spindle, and the used cleaning cloth is allocated to a second spindle as a receiving roll. A is arranged either on the first spindle or on the second spindle and which is connected via a releasable connection, to the beginning of the clean cleaning cloth.

Abstract: A printing unit with more easily removable components, comprising two outer shoulders, which are adapted to support a printing cylinder, and two inner shoulders, which are pivoted to the outer shoulders so as to pass from an open position to a closed active printing position, the pair of inner shoulders supporting an inking cylinder, a tray which is suitable to contain the ink and is arranged below the inking cylinder, and a cylinder bearing the type, the closure position of the two inner shoulders being such as to move the cylinder bearing the type into abutment against the printing cylinder in order to perform printing and such as to move the inking cylinder into abutment against the cylinder bearing the type.

Abstract: A printing press drive system includes at least one drive having a motor with an external rotor equipped with permanent magnets, the one drive being assigned to at least one cylinder of the printing press for driving the cylinder, and with a stator provided with windings and firmly fixed to the side panel of the printing press, at least part of the drive system being implemented via a gear train, and the rotor having a gear rim at a perimeter thereof.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that remotely activates one or more explosive charge by sympathetic detonation (i.e., not requiring explosives to be interconnected by wire). The system includes electronics that control the activation of each explosive charge and which are responsive to an acoustic sensor, a seismic sensor and a hydrophone sensor. In one embodiment an RF transmitter, which prior to detonation of an explosive charge, sends a wake-up signal to another system for a sequentially controlled sympathetic detonation of one or more explosive charges.

Abstract: An igniter for a gas generator comprises at least two connecting leads and an incandescent means arranged between the connecting leads and surrounded by an igniting substance. Several filaments are used as the incandescent means.

Abstract: A detonating cord has a core of highly brisant PBXN-8 explosive surrounded by an inner braided layer of polyamide yarn, a flexible sealing sleeve of silicone rubber coated with glue, and an outer braided layer of polyamide yarn adhered to the sealing sleeve. Booster cups may be crimped to opposite ends of detonating cord to place booster charges adjacent the core to assure more reliable detonation of associated ordnance. The method of manufacture of detonating cord calls for providing a core of explosive PBXN-8 slurry, weaving an inner braided layer of polyamide yarn on the core, squeezing moisture out of the core of explosive PBXN-8 slurry during the weaving of the inner braided layer, applying a flexible sleeve of silicone rubber on the inner braided layer, coating glue on the flexible sleeve, and weaving an outer braided layer of polyamide yarn on the glue. Optionally, squeezing the core of explosive PBXN-8 slurry between rollers may be desirable to further remove excess moisture.

Abstract: An electric contact assembly in combination with a cartridge to be fired from a weapon barrel. The cartridge has a cartridge case including a metal bottom having an externally exposed outer face; and an electronic unit disposed in the cartridge case. The electric contact assembly includes a contact arrangement for establishing an electric connection between the electronic unit and an evaluating and control apparatus situated externally of the cartridge. The contact arrangement includes a contact ring disposed in the case bottom and surrounds the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The contact ring has an outer face which is approximately flush with the outer face of the case bottom. An insulation electrically insulates the contact ring from the case bottom. A magnetic field sensor emits a signal upon closing a breechblock of the weapon in which the cartridge is positioned. A switch is connected between the electronic unit and the contact ring.

Abstract: An electric contact assembly in combination with a cartridge to be fired from a weapon barrel. The cartridge has a cartridge case including a metal bottom having an externally exposed outer face; and an electronic unit disposed in the cartridge case. The electric contact assembly includes a first contact arrangement for establishing an electric connection between the electronic unit and an evaluating and control apparatus situated externally of the cartridge. The first contact arrangement includes a contact ring disposed in the cartridge bottom and surrounding the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The contact ring has an outer face which is approximately flush with the outer face of the cartridge bottom. An insulation electrically insulates the contact ring from cartridge bottom. A second contact arrangement establishes an electric connection between the electronic unit and the evaluating and control apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a truck frame for railway rolling stock with a two-axle undercarriage secured by means of a primary suspension to a frame on which, through the intermediate setting (28, 29) of a secondary suspension, a hinged bracket (30) is mounted, transversally oriented relative to the direction of movement, said hinged bracket (30) being attached through oscillation about an axle oriented longitudinally relative to the car to an inclinable cross-bar bearing the car body. This cross-bar is designed as a frame and has two crossbearers (46, 47) mounted prior to or past the hinged bracket (30), while the crossbearers (46, 47) take their bearing against the hinged bracket in direction of movement and are mounted transversally mobile relative to direction of movement.

Abstract: A construction system for the rapid assembly of three-dimensional structures, especially shelves, having preferably vertical supports to which structural components, particularly shelves, are releasably attachable, in which the supports pass through drillings or recesses in the structural components. The supports, which comprise spacer sleeves inserted over bar members, are removably connected to the structural components through the use of connecting inserts, which are arranged within a drilling or recess in a structural component secured to the latter via the supports. The spacer sleeves are supported at the connecting inserts, which provides added stability to the structure when assembled.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protective device for valuable documents, including a volume capable of being closed and divided into two compartments, one of the compartments being used to receive the documents to be protected while in the second compartment caps contain a pyrotechnic mixture which, when the device is wrongly manipulated, will burst into a flame and penetrate the documents in the first mentioned compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a furnace (1) comprising a flue pipe (11) for discharging the smoke, means (19) of introducing ambient air into the said flue pipe (11) and a smoke extractor (16) arranged in the said flue pipe (11). According to the method, the temperature of the smoke is measured at two points (31, 33), the temperature measured at the second point (33) is subtracted from the one measured at the first point (31), the result of the subtraction is compared with a datum value &Dgr;T, and the ratio of the flow rate of fuel to the flow rate of oxidizing agent introduced into the furnace (1) is decreased when the result of the subtraction is below the datum value &Dgr;T.

Abstract: An equidistant planting system for accurately placing seeds in a furrow thereby providing increased crop yields. The inventive device includes a rim member having a lower opening, a main disk rotatably positioned within the rim member, a plurality of feeder tubes attached to the main disk, a center disk secured to the main disk having a plurality of receiving channels that correspond with each of the feeder tubes, a plurality of first apertures extending through the center disk and the main disk adjacent each of the receiving channels, and a manifold having an end cutout rotatably positioned about the center disk. The manifold is fluidly connected to a seed tube and an air tube wherein the air tube provides pressurized air to the manifold which escapes through the first apertures creating a vertex within the distal portion of the receiving channels which retains the seeds in the proper position.

Abstract: A seed metering system includes a first metering member having a first bearing surface and a second metering member having a plurality of seed engaging surfaces adapted to engage seeds and a second bearing surface positioned against the first bearing surface. The second metering member moves relative to the first metering member. At least one depression extends into the second bearing surface opposite the first bearing surface.

Abstract: A multineedle embroidering sewing machine comprising at least one sewing machine head provided with a plurality of needle bars and a plurality of thread take-up levers corresponding to the needle bars, needle thread deflecting sections, respectively, arranged upstream of the respective thread take-up levers existing in needle thread paths, and thread take-up members provided correspondingly on the respective needle thread deflecting sections.

Abstract: A method of recognizing an embroidery outline and applying a stitch group. In the first step, the angle of rows of stitches is determined based on the coordinate sequence of the stitches. The left and right boundary points are then determined to be those stitches that exist along the ends of these rows and from the vertex of an angle change in the stitching. The lines between these left and right points are then used to determine the outline by expanding the lines into rectangles. A statistical analysis is then performed along the rectangle edges and a curve smoothing algorithm is used the render the final shape.

Abstract: A method for converting a semi-submersible drilling or accommodation rig into a dynamically positioned vessel in which the rig has pontoon bodies submergible below a surface of a body of water for producing displacement, support columns extending upright from the pontoon bodies and oriented for intersecting the surface of the body of water to define a waterline area for the rig, and a work deck supported on the support columns and arranged to be disposed at a position above the surface of the body of water. The conversion method includes prefabricating a rig extension in which the rig extension has a pontoon body extension, a work deck extension and a supplemental support structure connecting the work deck extension to the pontoon body extension. The rig extension is then connected to the semi-submersible rig at locations proximate one of the pontoon bodies and at the work deck. Thruster(s) may be optionally added at the pontoon body extension.

Abstract: An improved planing watercraft hull having reduced surface area in contact with the water resulting in a minimization of drag said hull capable of being adapted for use with a small, easily transportable waterjet propelled watercraft.

Abstract: An antenna cover apparatus for securement to a vertically oriented antenna of an associated vehicle. The antenna cover apparatus includes an exterior casing portion, an insert apparatus, and at least one streamer portion. The exterior casing portion is configured in the shape of a sports helmet and defines an interior cavity for promoting a favorite sports team. The insert apparatus is snugly fitted inside of said interior cavity for enabling said novel antenna cover apparatus to be slid onto the antenna. At least one streamer portion is attached to said insert portion for adding flare to said antenna cover apparatus to provide a more eye-catching promotion than conventional antenna covers.

Abstract: A traffic-control warning cone includes a hollow cone at bottom end of which a proper area extends outwards and is formed as flat bottom, then extending outwards and upwards with a certain height and formed as a circular border. A heavy body is mounted on the flat bottom so that the whole body won't be toppled and be kept in an upright state no matter how it is placed so that the present invention won't be toppled, ensures the warning effect and enhances the convenience in using.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for processing a workpiece in an inductively coupled plasma reactor. Inductive power is applied to the reactor to generate a plasma. A magnetic field is generated within the plasma reactor having lines of force oriented perpendicular to the workpiece surface. It is a feature of the invention to control the electron temperature near the surface of the workpiece by controlling the applied magnetic field. It is a further feature to increase average ion density near the workpiece without otherwise causing damage to the workpiece due to uneven charge build-up. The applied magnetic field can be time invariant or time variant. In both cases processing can be optimized by adjusting the magnitude of the magnetic field to a level just below where damage due to uneven charge build-up occurs. With the time variant field, the average ion density can be adjusted with respect to average electron temperature.

Abstract: A disposable cardboard birdhouse including a cardboard shell having rectangular walls and a roof, the shell having holes in the outer walls thereof for the birds to pass through. Smaller individual cardboard nesting boxes are stacked within the cardboard shells and holes in the nesting boxes align with holes in the shell to allow birds to come in and out of the disposable birdhouse. The entire birdhouse can be discarded at the end of the nesting season.