Abstract: An lower skin portion structure is integrally molded by employing a front spar and a rear spar having rib posts, lower stringers, a lower skin prepreg, and lower rib chord prepregs, then an upper skin portion structure is integrally molded by employing upper stringers, an upper skin prepreg, and upper rib chord prepregs, then ribs are fastened to the rib posts and the lower rib chords of the lower skin portion structure by mechanical fastening device, and then the lower skin portion structure and the upper skin portion structure are coupled by fastening the upper skin portion structure to the front spar and the rear spar by fasteners and then fastening upper rib chords of the upper skin portion structure to the ribs by the mechanical fastening device, whereby a composite material wing is manufactured.

Abstract: Systems in which anti-icing fluids may be automatically mixed with water, and by which de-icing fluids may be heated and mixed with water, to provide variable temperatures and ratios of de-icing fluid-to-water to local aircraft de-icing fluid application devices in an instantaneous manner. Also contemplated herein are systems that additionally are configured for applying decontamination fluid and/or corrosion control fluid to military aircraft or other vehicles.

Abstract: A deltoid kite structure configuration incorporates a series of improvements over the conventional Rogallo wing configuration. The present kite structure includes a central keel and separate leading edge members, but the flexible lateral spar is not attached to the keel. This allows the flexible lifting surface to bow upwardly as required, with the leading edge members also moving upwardly and inwardly to relieve aerodynamic gust and other loads. The lateral spar accommodates this movement of the leading edge members by bowing above the keel. Plural lateral spars may be used as required, to tune the flexibility as desired. The lifting surface includes a rearwardly extending portion integral therewith, to provide additional lateral stability for the kite. Advertising or display panels may be removably attached to the kite, and/or electrical lighting may be carried as desired. The central keel may comprise a hollow tube for battery carriage.

Abstract: A returnable and reusable space vehicle including a main body separate from and releasably mounted to a booster rocket assembly. A crew compartment module is provided that is separate from and releasably mounted to the main body. A propellant system is operably coupled to the crew compartment module so as to propel the crew compartment module from the main body during an emergency procedure. An orientation control system is coupled to the propellant system such that the orientation control system maintains the crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during the emergency procedure. A pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extend from the main body to provide aerodynamic lift to the main body to permit the main body to return from the orbit and land.

Abstract: A spacecraft protected by a coating includes a spacecraft such as a communications satellite has an external surface and a coating on the external surface of the spacecraft. The coating is formed of a binder, and a plurality of pyroelectric/ferroelectric pigment particles, preferably ferroelectric particles, bound together by the binder. Each ferroelectric pigment particle includes a ferroelectric pigment material having a ferroelectric/paraelectric transition. The coating may also include active secondary particles and/or inert particles. The coating may operate in a passive mode or an active mode with the application of a bias voltage to the coating.

Abstract: An orbit transfer vehicle for transporting cargo between a low Earth orbit and a higher Earth orbit having a body and an engine operably coupled to the body. A reaction control system is further provided and is operably coupled to the body. The reaction control system having a plurality of thrusters capable of maneuvering the orbit transfer vehicle. The orbit transfer vehicle further includes an energy absorbing panel operable to gather energy and an energy storage device operable to store the energy. Still further, a payload interface mechanism is provided having a payload container area and a payload retaining device. The payload retaining device is connectable to the cargo. Lastly, a controller for autonomously controlling the engine, the reaction control system, and the payload interface mechanism to control the orbit transfer vehicle so as to transport the cargo between a low Earth orbit to a higher Earth orbit.

Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.

Abstract: A plate to reinforce a shear panel that has been weakened by an opening extending through the panel is provided. The plate is selected to have a shear load capacity greater than the shear panel without the opening. The plate has a plate opening similar to the panel opening, and is secured to the panel with a predetermined strength and arrangement of panel fasteners. The plate is sized to fit between adjacent structural members. Opposing side flanges extend outwardly from the plate. Flange fasteners of predetermined strength and spacings are used to secure the flanges to the structural members.

Abstract: A pipe supporting structure includes a cylindrical sleeve mounted around a pipe, and first and second wall members. The first wall member is spaced from the second wall member by an interval smaller than a length of the sleeve. The first wall member has a first aperture formed therein while the second wall member has a second aperture formed therein. The sleeve is inserted through the first and second apertures such that the pipe is supported by the first and second wall members.

Abstract: There exists a significant need to improve the ergonomic and dimensional efficiency of keyboard supporting devices. By supporting a keyboard device on a six axis fully adjustable cantilevered platform having appropriate friction and stops on all axis results in a mechanically and economically efficient structure with unparalleled ergonomic benefits. This device is especially beneficial for properly positioning and supporting notebook or laptop style computers and other accessories.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing a pedestal to a roof tile has a baseplate including a downwardly depending first hook at one end for receiving a first edge of the tile, an upwardly depending flange at an opposing end of the baseplate and a laterally extending stabilizer for engaging the surface of the tile. The mounting assembly includes a detachable bracket having an upwardly depending flange at one end and a downwardly depending second hook at an opposing end of the detachable bracket for receiving the second edge of the tile. The bracket is detachably coupled to the baseplate. The pedestal is secured to the baseplate.

Abstract: A pole-mounted lighting support system includes first and second bracket members, each of which includes upper and lower contact members. Each contact member includes two contact faces for contacting a pole. The upper and lower contact members on each bracket member are arranged in opposing relationship about a tent pole, and a fastener such as a bolt is used to connect opposing upper members and opposing lower contact members and to cause the contact faces to bear against the pole to secure the bracket members to the pole. Each bracket member includes fixture supports connected between the upper and lower contact faces and extending radially outward therefrom. The fixture supports include a plurality of apertures for interconnecting lighting fixtures to the supports.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an improved display system that is compatible with a variety of different fixtures. In an illustrative embodiment, an integral hook and bracket system can be mounted to both wire grid and hanger bar fixture systems. After attachment of an adapter unit, the system of the illustrative embodiment can also be mounted to pegboard and slot wall fixture systems. In another aspect, the invention relates to an improved display device that incorporates a product information display member. In another illustrative embodiment, an integral hook and bracket assembly compatible with a plurality of different fixture systems includes a horizontally extending product information placard.

Abstract: There is provide an adjustable roofing bracket having a base, a platform support and a rotating brace. The base includes a frontal portion and a rear portion. Opposing sidewalls extend upwardly from the rear portion of the base. A plurality of angular channels are disposed in the sidewalls. The platform support is rotationally mounted to the opposing sidewalls. The rotating brace is rotationally mounted at its top to the platform support. Near its bottom the rotating brace is adapted to cooperate with angular channels. Therefore, to adust the angle of the platform support with respect to the base, the roofer merely chooses which angular channels in which to set the rotating brace. A strike plate contiguous with a backwall of the base provide a surface which a roofer strikes to remove the bracket after use. A gusset disposed between the inner surface of the backwall and the rear portion of the base absorbs and transfers the force away from critical areas of the roofing bracket.

Abstract: In an in-vehicle monitor support structure of the present invention, a rotation support section 16 which rotates about a vertical axis is provided on one of seats 11 and 12 positioned on the left and right of a vehicle with space provided therebetween, and a monitor 60 is supported by the rotation support section 16 in a state in which one side of the monitor is adjacent to the aforementioned axis and the other side is positioned laterally from the axis. Consequently, movement between the front and rear seats is easily achieved.

Abstract: An axial urging mechanism comprises a support device, a connecting seat, a pivotal shaft, and a pressing device. The support device provides two opposite lateral walls with a connecting end respectively. The connecting seat has two opposite wing ends corresponding to the connecting ends and is disposed between the connecting ends in a way of the connecting ends adjoining the wing ends respectively. The pivotal shaft passes through the connecting ends and the wing ends and provides a limit device at the inner wall surface of the respective wing end to press against the inner wall surface. The pivotal shaft has a thread screw section with a positive sense and a reversed sense at two end parts thereof respectively. The pressing device provides two follower levers and each follower lever has a lever base with a thread screw hole engaging with the respective thread screw section and the inner wall surface of the respective follower lever is attached to the respective connecting end of the support device.

Abstract: An adjustable keyboard support assembly, which generally includes a housing comprising a first side panel having a first guide rail system and a second side panel spaced from the first side panel and having a second guide rail system. The assembly further includes a generally U-shaped member comprising a support member with first and second ends, a first side arm attached to the first guide rail system and extending from the first end of the support member, wherein the first side arm comprises at least one notch, and a second side arm attached to the second guide rail system and extending from the second end of the support member, wherein the second side arm comprises at least one notch. The first and second side arms have rotatable and slideable connections with the guide rail system of their respective side panels. A keyboard platform is rotatably attached to the support member of the U-shaped member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a positioning system that includes at least three positioner assemblies. Each positioner assembly includes a housing with a coarse adjustment assembly and a fine adjustment assembly disposed within the housing. The positioner assemblies are releasably coupled to a wafer chuck and operable to selectively position the chuck. More particularly, the fine adjustment assembly includes a piezoelectric actuator that is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A container holder includes a case and a tray. The tray is provided with an opening portion for allowing a container to be inserted therein, and a holder member for holding the container. The holder member is supported in the opening portion. The holder member is raised and fallen down by a stand-up-fall-down device, while a portion of the holding member facing an opening of the case slides relative to the opening.

Abstract: A cup holder for a beverage has a frame portion, a receiving portion and a housing portion. The frame portion has two insertion holes. The frame portion has a holding member for abutting on the external surface of the vessel for a beverage which is inserted in the insertion hole, thereby holding the vessel. The holding member is constituted by a holding member on the center side and a holding member on the outer peripheral side, and the holding members are supported to be individually rotatable and to be protruded inwardly from an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, respectively. The arrangement is carried out such that an amount of protrusion in the holding member on the center side from the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole and an amount of protrusion in the holding member on the outer peripheral side from the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole are different from each other.

Abstract: A sturdy and non-marking standoff is inserted between a piece of furniture and a supporting surface and comprises a platform supported by a plurality of radially extending, non-marking vanes. When supporting furniture over wet carpet, the carpet is permitted to dry due to air spaces formed between the vanes and between the carpet and the platform. Preferably, an upstanding rim is added about the perimeter of the platform for cooperating with additional standoffs to enable stacking; the vanes of one standoff being laterally constrained by the rim of an adjacent and lower stackable standoff.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display with a ball-and-socket mounting joint is provided. The liquid crystal display comprises a display body, a ball-and-socket mounting joint and a base. The ball-and-socket mounting joint is disposed on the display body. The base is connected with the display body via the ball-and-socket mounting joint so that the display body is rotatably disposed on the base. Thus, the liquid crystal display can rotate smoothly with a simpler structure and at a lower cost.

Abstract: In a longitudinal adjusting device for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first seat rail (5), a second seat rail (8) which can be displaced relative to the first seat rail (5) in the longitudinal direction, and a mounting part (12) which is arranged on the second seat rail (8), the first seat rail (5) on the one hand and the second seat rail (12) with the mounting part (12) on the other engaging alternately one around the other, a roof-shaped element (24) which limits, as a stop, the displacement in the longitudinal direction is formed on the mounting part (12).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a longitudinal adjustment device for vehicle seats, in which the seat is attached along each of its long sides to runner rails 10, mounted with freedom to slide in guide rails 15, which are attached to the vehicle. Each runner rail 10 has a locking device, which can be released from its connection to the guide rail 15. The locking device comprises a release lever 21, 22, supported with freedom to swivel on each runner rail 10, to move the device into its released position, which lever is to be shifted via rods 31, 32 of an actuating element 30 supported on the runner rails 10. The adjusting moment exerted on the actuating element 30 is transmitted to the rods 31, 32 via a differential, where the rods 31, 32 are disconnected from each other. As a result, each rod can be moved until the locking device has been moved completely into the position in which it is released.

Abstract: A multipod apparatus having either a bipod mode of use or pair-of-monopods mode of use comprising a head member having a pair of brackets having a central portion, a monopod-dedicated leg portion, and a support leg portion. The brackets are pivotally connected together with central portions being abutted in side-by-side relationship for limited relative rotation. A pair of monopod members have at their top ends a longitudinally-extending threaded stud which may be screwed in to threaded bores in the monopod-dedicated leg portions of the brackets to provide a bipod apparatus. Alternatively, the monopod members may be individually and selectively disconnectable from the head member to provide monopod apparatus.

Abstract: An A-frame stand for supporting display boards is made from a pair of like, inverted, generally V-shaped end members and a pair of rigid cross pieces that extend between the end members to maintain them in spaced, vertical planes, and in registry with each other. A pair of board supporting tracks are adjustably mounted by a plurality of hanger elements to one or to both sides of the A-frame stand to extend between the end members in vertically-spaced, parallel relation to each other. Each hanger is in the form of a metal strap secured intermediate its ends to one side of a track at one end thereof, with opposite ends of the strap extending around a leg of an end member and being releasably secured together so as to allow vertical adjustment of each track on the stand. Each track has at least two longitudinally extending recesses or grooves in both its upper and lower surfaces for slidably accommodating one edge of a display board.

Abstract: A novel book stand arrangement capable of sustaining common reading material above the surface of water. An angled shelf capable of accommodating books, magazines, and folded newsprint is positioned at a height and angle optimal for users lounging and submersed within pools, spas, hot tubs, indoor jet tubs, or conventional residential bathtubs. The shelf is attached to a horizontal buoyant base and angled in such a way so that the weight of the reading material distributes the displacement evenly onto the base to promote stability and balance. The rear support arm may detach from the base and swivel flush onto the back of the shelf. The shelf may then swivel down and rest on the base to fold the unit flat for storage and transport. A clear plastic retainer is provided to hold bound material like paperbacks and hard/soft cover books in place against the shelf. The retainer slides down the front of the shelf to provide a transparent cavity for which the bound material can reside.

Abstract: An auxiliary equipment bracket is formed into a substantially U-shaped configuration having a pair of stays which face each other with a support portion of an engine main body and a supported portion of auxiliary equipment being interposed therebetween and a connecting body which connects the two stays together, and formed in each of the respective stays are a first bolt passing hole for allowing a tightening bolt to pass through the support portion between the respective stays and a second bolt passing hole for allowing a tightening bolt to pass through the supported portion between the respective stays.

Abstract: A fogging unit includes a flexible belt mount looped around a motor bracket on a motor and hooked to means for suspending the motor from a support frame. The fogging unit also includes a motor with an impeller attached to a shaft driven by the motor. A bracket is mounted to a motor housing of the motor, and a flexible belt is secured intermediate the bracket and motor housing, and extends above the bracket for attaching the fogging unit to an overhead oscillator or frame structure. A baffle is mounted to a back end of the motor housing in spaced relation to the motor housing to inhibit water from passing through the motor housing.

Abstract: An assembly of concrete forms for use in the placement of concrete, the assembly having a pair of longitudinal form members and a ground engaging member that is in contact with at least one of the longitudinal form members. A first longitudinal form member slidably overlaps a second longitudinal form member such that the length of the combination of longitudinal form members is adjustable. Inverted U-shaped channels are provided at the top of each of the longitudinal form members which allow a male/female overlapping relationship and provide a location to receive the ground engaging member. A radius form member includes a longitudinal form member with a horizontal component or inverted U-shaped channel having successively spaced apart slots thereon, so that the radius form member is flexible. To create an angle, a corner forming bar is also provided for the assembly, extending between two of the longitudinal form members.

Abstract: A method for making a poured-in-place concrete building having a plurality of rooms includes assembling an outer form around a periphery of a floor and positioning a plurality of unitary room forms within the periphery of the floor. Each unitary room form may include a plurality of rigid panels connected together along respective adjacent sides thereof defining a closed shape with an open bottom and an open top and having a draft thereto to facilitate removal as a unit. The method may also include pouring concrete between the outer form and adjacent unitary room forms and between adjacent unitary room forms to provide outer concrete walls and interior concrete walls, respectively, to define the rooms. Further, each of the unitary room forms may be removed as a unit from adjacent concrete walls, the outer form may be disassembled, and a roof may be provided over the rooms.

Abstract: A casting apparatus for receiving electrophoretic gel trays is disclosed. The casting apparatus includes a flat-surfaced base with upright walls at proximal and distal ends, thus forming a U-shaped chamber with open sides and top. Shafts extend parallel with the base from the outer ends of the proximal wall to supporting elements mounted between the proximal and distal walls. The bars pass through holes drilled through a moveable partitioning wall that is parallel to the end walls, and able to slide along the bars. An open-ended gel tray of varying size may be placed in the interior casting chamber formed between the sliding and distal walls. Contact between the gel tray and the casting apparatus is achieved by means of compression springs on the shafts, proximal to the sliding wall, which apply constant pressure against the sliding wall towards the gel tray and distal wall.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system is configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a thin film transistor through conversion of an amorphous silicon film into a polysilicon film to be an active layer of the thin film transistor by a laser annealing treatment, a laser annealing apparatus comprising a plurality of semiconductor laser devices arranged performs the laser annealing treatment by irradiating the surface of the amorphous silicon film with laser light uniformized in the light intensity of the laser light radiated onto the surface of the amorphous silicon film, whereby the crystal grain diameter of the polysilicon film obtained through recrystallization is uniformized, and it is possible to obtain a thin film transistor with transistor characteristics enhanced by using the polysilicon film as the active layer.

Abstract: A light-responsive controlling device for automatically controlling a headlamp and/or a sunshade curtain is disclosed. The control device includes a photo-sensor mounted on a vehicle for generating a sensing signal in response to the intensity of an environmental light, a discriminating circuit electrically connected to the photo-sensor for optionally generating a triggering signal according to a comparing result of the sensing signal with a reference signal, a hold circuit electrically connected to the discriminating circuit for outputting a confirming signal in response to the triggering signal uninterrupted for a predetermined period, and a drive circuit electrically connected to the hold circuit and a headlamp or a sunshade curtain of the vehicle for providing a drive current in response to the confirming signal for the headlamp to emit a certain level of light or for the sunshade curtain to perform opening/closing operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calibration method used in an image-capture apparatus. The method comprises providing a calibration chart not built in the image-capture apparatus. Users can select any kind of calibration chart by themselves. The calibration chart consists of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array, which can prevent dark lines on the output of a scanned article. The information of the calibration chart is captured by the image-capture apparatus and then subjected to a correction means, such as a low-pass filter, whereby corrects aberrance of the information.

Abstract: The image sensing device incorporates a charge multiplication function in its serial register. The design layout is compact in size and the charge multiplication register consists of multi-channel sections that are evenly positioned around the periphery of the image sensing area. The individual charge multiplying register sections are coupled together by only 90-degree multi-channel turns located at the image area array corners. The device allows for the optical image sensing area center to be located near the chip center and consequently near the mechanical package center with the minimum silicon chip area sacrifice.

Abstract: A digitizer combining functions of stereovision, color 3D digitizing and motion capture of a target object. The digitizer has a base supporting two cameras and two projection arrangements with projectors, one of which is provided with a grating element for projection of an encoded pattern on a surface of the target object and used for an active 3D range sensing, the other being used for an acquisition of texture information of the target object. The cameras and the light projectors are angled with respect to each other and arranged so that they have optical axes converging through a single point. A computer operates the projectors and processes the video signals generated by the cameras according to the selected function.

Abstract: Optical receiving methods and systems are disclosed. One such optical receiving system includes an optical amplifier operable to produce amplified optical signals satisfying a filterless detection specification limit, and an optical detector locatable in unfiltered communication with the optical amplifier to receive the amplified optical signals therefrom.

Abstract: An optocoupler package is disclosed. The optocoupler package comprises a carrier substrate and a plurality of conductive regions on the carrier substrate. An optoelectronic device, an optically transmissive medium, and a plurality of conductive structures can be on the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A laser activated switch includes a substrate, such as a sapphire or a silicon carbide substrate, with two opposed major surfaces including a ground layer on one surface. Extending laterally across the first surface of the substrate, the laser activated switch includes at least one pair of first and second electrically conductive electrodes. Each electrode of the pair of electrodes is spaced apart from one another to thereby define a gap. Additionally, the laser activated switch includes at least one III-nitride-based photoconductor extending laterally across at least part of the surface of the substrate opposite the ground layer, and extending across the gap defined between the pairs of electrodes. Upon being illuminated, the photoconductor becomes conductive and changes the switch from an “off” state to an “on” state. In one embodiment, the laser activated switch further includes first and second terminals electrically connected to the first and second electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: This invention discloses the several means by which transient noise due to capacitance related displacement current can be excluded from the optical signal coming from a silicon detector used in opto-couplers. The exclusion of such noise permits a high degree of detector sensitivity which permits the use of low efficiency silicon based LEDs for opto-coupler applications.

Abstract: An approach is provided for detecting EM waves using a photodetector coupled to an amplifier stage. The amplifier stage uses capacitive feedback to reduce or cancel intrinsic capacitance of the photodetector. A variety of capacitance structures may be used to provide the capacitive feedback such as shielded capacitors and capacitor arrays. The amplifier stage may be either single-ended or fully differential, depending upon the requirements of a particular application. Noise cancellation circuitry may also be included to reduce noise and offset sources present in the amplifier stage. The approach is applicable to a variety of contexts and applications. Example applications include, without limitation, detection of both brightness and Time of Flight (TOF) in 3D sensing applications. The approach may also be used to detect EM wave intensity in 2D sensing systems and, in general, for any application requiring simultaneously high speed and high sensitivity EM detection.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically attenuating optical signals transmitted in optical systems. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time mutual alignment of the center wavelength of an optical signal having a peaked spectrum function and transmitted through the optical system, and a center wavelength of a wavelength selective device such as an optical filter element implementing a peaked passband function. The wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology particularly is capable of real-time aligning the center wavelength of an optical signal in a range between maximum overlap with the center wavelength of the peaked passband function of the optical filter for maximum transfer of output optical signal by the filter element and minimum overlap with the peaked passband function of the optical filter so that output optical signal may be attenuated in the optical system.

Abstract: An angle measuring system that includes a drive shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation, an encoder and an encoder attachment system that has a Belleville disk spring that generates a radial pressure with respect to the axis of rotation so as to attach the encoder to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An interfacial force microscope includes a differential-capacitance displacement sensor having a tip mounted on an oscillating member. The sensor generates displacement signals in response to oscillations of the member. A scanner is adjacent the sensor and supports a sample to be imaged. The scanner is actuable to move the sample relative to the sensor to bring the tip into intermittent contact with said sample as the member oscillates. A controller is in communication with the sensor and the scanner. The controller includes a sensor feedback circuit receiving the displacement signals and an AC setpoint signal. The AC setpoint signal has a frequency generally equal to the frequency at the peak of the displacement versus frequency curve of the sensor. The output of the sensor feedback circuit is applied to the sensor to oscillate the member. The controller also provides output to the scanner in response to the displacement signals to control the separation distance between the sensor and the sample.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the illustrative method defines an engine cycle comprising several state changes that allow for a net gain of energy from an underlying source force field. The potential for a net energy gain via the method results from the discovery that a Casimir force system can be rendered non-conservative. This is done by appropriately altering one or more of a variety of physical factors that affect the Casimir force, or by altering any of a variety of environmental factors that affect such physical factors. In various embodiments, the extracted energy is stored, used to power energy-consuming devices or used to actuate a micromechanical device. In one embodiment, the method is implemented using an energy extraction apparatus that comprises two spaced Casimir force-generating boundaries that are operatively coupled to an energy transformation system. The energy transformation system includes a first device that is operable to alter at least one physical factor of the system.

Abstract: The positive and negative ion beam merging system extracts positive and negative ions of the same species and of the same energy from two separate ion sources. The positive and negative ions from both sources pass through a bending magnetic field region between the pole faces of an electromagnet. Since the positive and negative ions come from mirror image positions on opposite sides of a beam axis, and the positive and negative ions are identical, the trajectories will be symmetrical and the positive and negative ion beams will merge into a single neutral beam as they leave the pole face of the electromagnet. The ion sources are preferably multicusp plasma ion sources. The ion sources may include a multi-aperture extraction system for increasing ion current from the sources.

Abstract: A means and method are disclosed whereby ions from an ion source can be selected and transferred to a time-of-flight mass analyzer via an arrangement of multipoles in such a way that fragmented ions may be generated by collision-induced dissociation or surface-induced dissociation. First, ions from the source are collisionally cooled by a first multipole. Second, the m/z range of the ions is then selected by a second multipole (preferably a quadrupole). Third, the selected ions are allowed to collide with a “collision surface” capable of producing fragment ions. Fourth, these fragment ions are collisionally cooled in a third multipole and delivered into a TOF mass analyzer for subsequent analysis of the fragmented ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio in a range of mass-to-charge ratios of a mass spectrum. Initially ions of interest and background ions having mass-to-charge ratios within the range of mass-to-charge ratios are generated. The ions of interest and the background ions are then subjected to an activation energy sufficient to cause dissociation of background ions to an extent greater than the dissociation of the ions of interest. The dissociation of the background ions causes the background ions to have mass-to-charge ratios that fall outside of the range of mass-to-charge ratios. The mass-to-charge ratios of the ions of interest are then detected.