Abstract: A method for calibration of an imaging system includes providing a calibration phantom system including a first phantom element material block having a first surface at a first height, wherein the first phantom element material block at least partially includes a first material having a first attenuation coefficient. Providing a calibration phantom system also includes providing a second phantom element material block having a second surface at a second height different than the first height, the second phantom element material block at least partially including a second material having a second attenuation coefficient different than the first attenuation coefficient, wherein the first phantom element material block and said second phantom element material block are co-positioned on a detector. The method also includes imaging the calibration phantom system to obtain phantom images, processing the phantom images, and extracting a plurality of calibration values from the processed phantom images.

Abstract: A bag comprising two generally parallel sheets (16, 18) forming the main walls of the bag, complementary closure strips (20, 22) fixed to respective ones of the sheets, and a cursor (50) for actuating the strips (20, 22) for closing and opening purposes, the bag being characterized in that it further C comprises, parallel to the closure strips (20, 22) between said sheets (16, 18), and level with the mouth (12) of the bag, a structure (100) disposed on the insides of the closure strips (20, 22), designed to provide sealing by forming a barrier between the sheets (16, 18) in the closed position of the bag, said structure (100) being placed facing the flanks (52, 54) of the cursor (50) to be urged towards their sealing position by the cursor (50) when the cursor is moved towards the sealing position.

Abstract: A coupling structure for bearing and bushing. The structure includes a ball bearing, a washer and an oil-retained bearing housed sequentially in a housing chamber of a bushing. The housing chamber has one end formed a lip opening for anchoring the bearings and the washer such that the bearings and the washer are allowed to attain precise positioning and concentricity, with reduced vibration, and prevent lubrication oil of the oil-retained bearing from flowing to the ball bearing to effectively minimize noise and vibration.

Abstract: An adapter 5 for an optical connector comprises a pair of wall portions 55a and 55b on a mounting surface 56a. The structure allows the adapter to accommodate an optical connector 4 inserted from a direction vertical to the mounting surface 56a, and allows the adapter to accommodate an optical connector 7 inserted along a predetermined axis 8. On this account, it is possible to insert the connector 7 along the predetermined axis 8 to the housed optical connector 4. Since the optical connector 4 is mated to and demated from the optical connector 7 in this sort of adapters, force applied to an optical module 2 is decreased in mating/demating the connector. An optical module product 9 includes the optical module 2, a coated optical fiber 3, the optical connector 4, and the optical connector's adapter 5. An optical module mounting substrate product 1 includes the optical module product 9 and a substrate 10 for mounting thereon the optical module 2 and the adapter 5 for optical connectors.

Abstract: An optical interconnection apparatus comprises an adhesive layer having a 2-dimensional plane, and optical fibers secured on the adhesive layer. The optical fibers are routed on the adhesive layer so as to have at least one of an intersection portion, a bent portion, and a changing portion of fiber pitch, and to have a end portion outwardly projecting from the adhesive layer. The projecting end portion is used for optical interconnection. At least a portion of the circumferential edge surface of the adhesive layer is covered by a flame resistant material at an end of the optical fiber and in the vicinity thereof.

Abstract: A high power expanded beam and methods for making and using the high power expanded beam connector are described herein. Basically, the high power expanded beam connector includes a first lensed optical fiber that is optically coupled to a second lensed optical fiber but physically separated from the second lensed optical fiber. The first lensed optical fiber is capable of expanding a light beam traveling therein and outputting a collimated light beam. The second lensed optical fiber is capable of receiving the collimated light beam and focusing the received light beam such that the light beam travels from the first lensed optical fiber to the second lensed optical fiber. In a similar manner, the high power expanded beam connector can transmit a light beam from the second lensed optical fiber to the first lensed optical fiber.

Abstract: Optical fiber connectors each with a plurality of optical fibers protruding from the front surface of a main body by improved and uniform distances are produced by being subjected to an etching step in which a textile pad free of abrading particles and a slurry containing abrading particles of a relatively larger size are used and thereafter to a final fine polishing step in which a polishing pad with a porous and compressive sponge-like material without affixed abrading particles and a slurry of another kind containing relatively smaller abrading particles are used. The sponge-like material may be polyurethane and is required to have hardness and pores with sizes within specified ranges.

Abstract: An optical module shown in FIG. 2 is disclosed having following components. (1) A substrate on which optical parts and an optical fiber are mounted. An optical fiber is fixed in the V-groove formed on the substrate so that the optic axis of the optical parts and the fiber is adjusted. (2) A bottom plastic package having a concave surface for the substrate mounted thereon and several leads pins being fixed to the first plastic package. (3) A upper plastic package for sealing optical parts and the fiber being fixed to the bottom plastic package, the outer surface of the upper plastic package being plated by metal, and the upper plastic package and at least one of the lead pins conducted. According to this, it is possible to provide optical transmission module or optical module having advantage of capable of using plastic package and electromagnetic interference free with simplified structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning an optical fiber with an optical device having bond pads attached thereto. The apparatus includes a fiber mount assembly having a body portion with an opening provided therein to receive the optical fiber, and two leg portions integrally connecting to and extending from the body portion. Bond pads are also attached to the two leg portions. The apparatus further includes an optical device mount assembly having bond pads attached thereto, and a plurality of eutectic solder bumps provided on the bond pads. The eutectic solder bumps connect the bond pads of the optical device and the two leg portions of the fiber mount assembly to the bond pads of the optical device mount assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for packaging high frequency electrical and/or electro-optical components. The present invention provides a package which may be surface mounted on a board with other electrical components. The shielding provided by the package minimizes electromagnetic interference with other electrical components on the board. The package includes a controlled impedance I/O interface for coupling with the electrical and/or electro-optical component(s) in the package. The package interface may also include a differential I/O capability to further control electromagnetic fields generated at the interface. Additionally, the package may include an optical link provided by one or more optical fibers extending from the package.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system to couple photons between optoelectronic devices and small form factor fiber connectors. An optical block includes refraction surfaces to narrow the distance between two or more light transmission paths through the optical block thereby enabling a module to be coupled to closely spaced fiber optic connectors. In one embodiment, light from a first light path through the optical block is refracted in the direction of a second light path through the optical block. Prior to intersecting the second light path, the light from the first light path is refracted again to provide the first light path closer to, but independent of, the second light path.

Abstract: A shunt voltage regulator for a processor is disposed on the processor package. The shunt voltage regulator responds to AC transients. One embodiment includes a DC power converter voltage regulator that is disposed off the processor package, and that is optimized for DC power conversion. Another embodiment includes a method of improving fabrication yield for a packaged processor.

Abstract: A method and system provide alternative communication paths utilizing overhead channels available on the communication network to permit isolated offices to have access to a data network and hence a remotely located monitor/controller via an office that has direct access to such a data network. In addition, the system permits an arrangement of subnetworks which allows a first subnetwork to act as a back-up or redundant path for obtaining alarm and status information regarding a second subnetwork via overhead channels available on the communication path in the first subnetwork.

Abstract: An ultra-short-reach optical transceiver is described. The ultra-short-reach optical transceiver comprises an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a clock and data recovery unit. The optical transmitter is configured to transmit a first signal. Additionally, the optical transmitter is nominally designed to transmit data at a designed transmit bit rate of between about 0.9 Gbps and about 1.25 Gbps. The first signal has a bit rate of between about 2 Gbps and about 3 Gbps, and exhibits an eye opening of at least about 50%. The optical receiver is configured to receive a second signal and is nominally designed to receive data at a designed receive bit rate of between about 0.9 Gbps and about 1.25 Gbps. The second signal has a bit rate of between about 2 Gbps and about 3 Gbps. The clock and data recovery unit is coupled to the optical receiver.

Abstract: A printing machine for booklet-like medium (2) is disclosed as having a booklet resting surface (4) to which a sheet insertion passage (5) is opened, a booklet pressing unit (10) which presses booklet-like medium, which is centrally unfolded on the booklet resting surface at a bound portion (2b) and whose sheet (2a1) of a page to be printed and inserted through the sheet insertion passage, against the booklet resting surface, a print page positioning unit (40) composed of a pair of sheet hazing rollers (42a, 42b) for positioning the sheet (2a1), of the page to be printed, at a given print position, and a print head section (18) having a pair of right and left print heads (19a, 19b) mounted at both sides of the sheet (2a1) of the page to be printed, respectively.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus connected and capable of transmitting print data to a printing apparatus having a plurality of paper feeds. The information processing apparatus includes (i) means for acquiring information from the printing apparatus, (ii) means for determining whether a cover of a booklet can be printed by the printing apparatus, based on the information obtained by the acquiring means, (iii) means for enabling selection of one of a first paper feed containing cover sheets for printing the cover of the booklet, if the determining means determines that the cover of the booklet can be printed by the printing apparatus, and (iv) generating means for generating print data linked to the paper feeds.

Abstract: A lamination imaging system of the present invention includes a printing system and a lamination module connected to the printing system. The lamination module includes a module logic unit for generating imaging instructions. The lamination module forms an image from a plurality of printed sheets sent from the printing system based on these imaging instructions. In particular, through a lamination finishing sequence, the lamination module laminates the plurality of printed sheets to form the image.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly includes a keyboard body and an interface pivotally arranged on a pivotal axis of the keyboard body and being able to rotate laterally. The pivotal axis has an inclined angle with respect to a vertical line of the interface. The keyboard body is composed of a first panel and a second panel pivotally connected to the first panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel has a receiving space in a symmetrical arrangement to accommodate the interface.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement that assigns alphanumeric and special character symbols to keys based upon the shapes of the symbols in order to facilitate learning to type. Attribute classes are defined according to the number, position, direction, or contours of the line segments that comprise the symbols. As an aid to memorization of a keyboard arrangement, symbols are assigned to keys such that a substantial number of keys in a column of keys belong to the same attribute class. To convert any prior art or other kind of electronic keyboard to a keyboard arrangement within the scope of the invention, hardware and/or software components are provided that reassign the keys so that substantially all keys within the same column will correspond to symbols within the same attribute class.

Abstract: A keycap assembly for using in a keyboard is provided. The keycap assembly includes a keycap having a lever fitting slot disposed in an inner wall thereof, and a lever having a curved portion in contact with the inner wall of the keycap for forming a downward slanting angle with respect to the inner wall of the keycap when the lever is assembled with the lever fitting slot of the keycap, thereby causing the keycap assembly to be assembled with the keyboard easily.

Abstract: An applicator brush for use in connection with a moisture-responsive adhesive, such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive, is made with bristles constructed of filaments of a synthetic polymeric material and treated by fluorination to provide a surface barrier against the permeation of the bristles by moisture. The applicator brush is furnished in an adhesive package in which bristles of the brush are in contact with adhesive carried in a reservoir of a container of the package.

Abstract: A free ink marking instrument for dispensing a fluid is disclosed. The instrument includes a feeder, a passage of reduced capillarity surrounding the feeder for conveying at least one of fluid and air to the reservoir during an increasing pressure differential between air in the reservoir and the atmosphere, a porous buffer configured for storing ink during periods of a decreasing pressure differential between air in the reservoir and the atmosphere, and a divider tube separating the buffer and the passage along a majority of the length of the buffer. The fluid and air may enter the feeder through a minor surrounding portion of the buffer during the period of the increasing pressure differential. An ink and air conveyor for use in a free ink marking instrument is also disclosed. A method for compensating for changes in ambient temperature and pressure in a free ink marking instrument is also disclosed.

Abstract: In addition to a set of dividers having staggered tabs and binder holes, the retail packaging includes a sheet protector pocket having a front sheet and a back sheet and binder holes. The user removes the dividers and pocket from the packaging and custom designs and prints sheet indicia on a paper sheet. He/she then inserts the printed sheet into the pocket whereby the front sheet allows the sheet indicia to be viewed therethrough. The front sheet has pre-printed indicia thereon. With the printed sheet in the pocket and the pocket and dividers assembled in a ringed notebook or other binding system, the sheet indicia and the pre-printed indicia line up with respective ones of the tabs. The indicia thereby form an attractive custom-designed table of contents, which can be easily corrected or changed by the user by simply printing and inserting into the pocket a new sheet. The front sheet can either be transparent or have a window to allow the sheet indicia to be viewed therethrough.

Abstract: A connection coupling forms a line connection for liquid or gaseous substances to microcomponents (1) in platelet form. A coupling body (2), which is substantially U-shaped in cross section, accommodates the edge of the plate-like microcomponent (1) between an upper limb plate (3), which has the line connection (14), and a lower limb plate (5). An edge web (6) forms a transverse stop for an edge (8) of the microcomponent (1). A further stop means, for example a lug (9), forms a longitudinal stop for positioning of the microcomponents (1).

Abstract: A roadway barrier includes a plurality of movable roadway barrier modules forming a barrier chain, hardware for connecting the barrier modules together to form a first length, and a control for resisting increase and decrease of the barrier chain length when the barrier chain is in place on a roadway, and for permitting increase and decrease of the barrier chain length when the barrier chain is raised from the roadway by a transfer machine.

Abstract: A tooth for a land compactor vehicle wheel comprises a base and a wall extending upwardly from the periphery of the base towards a crest. The crest has a peripheral profile defined by the upper edge of the wall and the wall is shaped such that the crest face is generally “M” shaped.

Abstract: A liner for use in casting a drainage block has an arched surface which defines an upper profile of a main drainage channel and the water inlets opening into the outer surface of the block as well as providing clips for supporting and locating reinforcing bars during the casting of the blocks.

Abstract: An in situ thermal desorption (ISTD) soil remediation system may be used to remove or reduce contamination within soil. Heat may be transferred to the soil from resistively heated, bare metal heater elements. The heater elements may be placed directly within the soil. Alternately, the heater elements may be suspended within casings. The heater elements may be conductive heaters, or the heater elements may be radiative heater elements. The ISTD soil remediation system may include temperature-resistant, chemical resistant, flexible conduits that transport off-gas removed from the ground to a treatment facility. A residence time of off-gas within the conduits may be sufficient to allow the off-gas to cool so that the off-gas may pass to a treatment facility through a manifold and piping made of polymeric material.

Abstract: A retaining wall, supported by a footer, foundation or conventional retaining wall, includes a plurality of post-tensioning rods anchored in the underlying support and extending through the cells of blocks forming the courses of the retaining wall. An elongated apertured plate or a plurality of individual plates rest upon the next to last course to penetrably receive the threaded ends of each of the rods. Nuts engage the threaded ends of the rods to draw the rods to the plate and place them in tension. The top course rests upon the plate or plates and may be constructed as a bond beam. The rods extending from the support may be located adjacent the said side of the retaining wall and bent away therefrom to penetrate the plate or plates at the lateral midpoint of the plate or plates and thereafter extend essentially vertically upwardly. To add an extended wall supported on the bond beam, couplings may be threadedly engaged with the rod ends. Further rods threadedly engage the couplings and extend upwardly.

Abstract: A device for transferring pulverulent material, for example, powdery material, including an enclosure (3) wherein the pulverulent material to be transferred is stirred and pressurized; a first pipe (8) and a second pipe (9) which transport the material towards its destination; and a gas intake (14, 15) for introducing gas to the second pipe (9). In one aspect of the invention, pipe (8) forms a nozzle (12), oriented in the direction of the material flow and directed toward second pipe (9). The gas intake (14, 15) may emerge at the lower end of the first pipe (8), outside the nozzle (12), wherein the gas is introduced into the second pipe (9) through a plurality of through orifices (20) oriented substantially parallel to the flow direction of the pulverulent material.

Abstract: A face hobbing cutter including a cutter body having a top surface and a bottom surface and a side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. A plurality of slots are formed within the cutter body extending from the top surface inward into the cutter body. The slots are adapted to receive cutting blades wherein each cutting blade is fixed in position in the respective slot by a wedge clamping assembly. The wedge clamping assembly includes a wedge block and a wedge screw for operatively securing the wedge block within the respective slot. The wedge block includes an outwardly facing locking surface for engaging a side of the cutting blade. The face hobbing cutter further includes an adjustable stop. The adjustable stop is in communication with the slot to support the cutting blade at the desired height from the top surface of the face hobbing cutter.

Abstract: A cutting bit has the basic form of a prism, including two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces and at least three lateral surfaces running substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. A cutting edge is embodied in the transition area from at least one of the lateral surfaces to the top or bottom surface and wherein the at least one lateral surface has alternate projecting and recoiling sections viewed from above or from below. Effective main cutting edges are embodied at least in the area of the projecting sections, and wherein optionally secondary cutting edges extend from the relatively projecting main cutting edges backwards along the recoiling sections for at least at a given cutting depth.

Abstract: Method for machining right toothed bevel gears, wherein: at least a part of the tooth flanks is milled with a disc milling cutter, the left tooth flanks are milled at a different time than the right tooth flanks, the machined bevel gear is rotated by an angle between the milling process of at least one left tooth flank and the milling process of at least one right tooth flank, the inclination of the axis of the disc milling cutter remains unchanged during the milling process of said gear, said angle being not a multiple of the base pitch &agr;.

Abstract: A method of guiding a tool for machining a work piece of a material block, the material-removing work portion of the tool being guided to move along a first guide path while a further point on the axis of the tool, which is located at a distance from the work portion, is guided along a prescribed second guide path, whereby the five kinematic coordinates of the movement of the tool are fully determined.

Abstract: A portal milling machine has an elongated machine bed (10), the longitudinal direction of which defines an X-direction (2) (machine longitudinal direction). Furthermore, the portal milling machine is provided with a portal (20) which is arranged at right angles to the X-direction and has an elongated plan form, the longitudinal direction of which defines a Y-direction (4) (portal longitudinal direction). A milling unit (50) is arranged on the portal (20) so as to be movable in a translatory manner in a first direction and a second direction transversely to the X-direction (2), and a linear guide (14, 16) which leads through the portal in the X-direction (2) and is intended for a slide (30) carrying a work mounting device (32) and movable in the X-direction (2) is attached to the machine bed (10). In plan form, a part of the machine bed (10) projects beyond the portal (20) in the X-direction (2) at least on one side.

Abstract: This invention provides a convenient, inexpensive device for securing objects in place in the load bed of a transporting vehicle, comprising an elongate frame, clamping members arranged for movably mounting opposite ends of the frame to variable positions along opposing rails on the sidewalls of the load bed, and a load securing member arranged for movably mounting to variable positions along the frame to enable direct pressure engagement of an object located a variable positions within the load bed.

Abstract: A fastening element for doubleglass panels has a threaded bolt having a forward end and provided with an expansion cone at the forward end, an annular expansion element pushed onto the expansion cone for expansion in a hole drilled in a rear glass panel and provided with an undercut in a region of a bottom of the drilled hole, a cap placed on the expansion element and resting against an end face of the threaded bolt, and a spacing sleeve arranged on a shank of the threaded bolt so as to rest against the rear glass panel and to pass through a front glass panel, the spacing sleeve having a portion engageable in the hole drilled in the rear glass panel and providing an abutment for the expansion element.

Abstract: A fixing unit includes a threaded terminal portion, with the end face having a hollow imprint with a multilobate shape. The distance between the peripheral edge of the imprint and the external peripheral surface of the portion varies between maximum (d1) and minimum (d2) values, the ratio of which is between about 1.25 and about 1.75, and preferably substantially equal to 1.5.

Abstract: A quick mounting nut (2) movable, at least partially, without being rotated, axially to a threaded bolt (1), with a springing wire clip (4) being located in a nut housing (5) with a continuous coaxial opening (6), with the wire clip (4) at least partially engaging in a bolt thread (3) and having two legs (8, 8′) which spring relative to one another, with the opening (6) having an inner cone (7) which narrows radially from an axial neutral position of the wire clip (4) and with the wire clip (4) being movable axially to a limited extent and contacting at least partially inside the inner cone (7) in its locking position.

Abstract: In a method for adhesive attachment of a cover and a binding strip on the flanks of a spine of an book block comprised of bound printed sheets, the book block is transported in a transport direction on a circulating transport device. A binding strip is placed onto the book block spine such that lateral strip parts project laterally past the spine. The cover is moved into a proper position relative to the book block spine in accordance with the cycle of the book block and in the transport direction of the book block. At least one of the lateral strip parts is loaded on a side facing away from the cover with a pressing element. The cover and the book block pass through a pressing device in order to connect the cover and the book block to one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for pre-registering boards for use in, for example, the manufacture of looseleaf binders and packaging products. Boards are dropped onto the base plate by an automatic process. Spine guides enable the spine portion of the boards to be secured for subsequent registering. The movement of the spine guides allows the spine portion of the boards to be placed accurately. The spine guides are attached to a spine guide rack which is located on the underside of the base plate. The spine guide rack operates through the use of pneumatic cylinders and enables the movement of the attached spine guides. The spine guides move along a spine guide trench and secure boards on the base plate. The spine guides are retracted when the boards are initially placed on the base plate and then start moving medially to squeeze the spine portion of the board such that it becomes perpendicular to the x-axis.

Abstract: A trimming apparatus for a booklet maker is described which provides a compact and low cost booklet maker for desktop publishing. The booklet maker includes a sheet receiving tray for receiving a stack of sheets to be stapled into a booklet, a stapler unit arranged to staple the stack of sheets, and a trimming system for trimming the sheets in a sheet wise manner. The trimming system includes first and second pick and separate mechanisms arranged to separate each of the sheets in the stack of sheets and first and second cutters arranged to cut each of the separated sheets after the have been separated by the first and second pick and separate mechanisms. A controller positions the sheets and controls the trimming system to cut each of the separated sheets at a location determined based on a trimming schedule. The trimming schedule varies the position of the cut depending on a position of the sheet in the booklet and a thickness of the sheets.

Abstract: In a parts handling device and method for handling parts having a central aperture output from a press, the curved slide is provided extending in sloping fashion with its upper end being positioned at the press and its lower end at a location for unloading accumulated parts. A frame is provided for mounting first, second and third clamp assemblies along the curve slide. First, second and third mounting elements are provided beneath the curve surface of the slide in space relationship from one another in alignment with the clamp assemblies. When only two of the clamp assemblies are closed, the tube is rigidly held in its slope position. The control system is provided for selectably opening and closing the first, second and third clamp assemblies in a sequence which permits the parts which are accumulating in front of the first or second clamp assemblies to pass through to the third clamp assembly and eventually to an off-loading station when the third clamp assembly is open.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for filling a silo (1) with a fluidizable material. The arrangement includes conveying devices (5, 9) for supplying material to an upper area of the silo and a central material distributor (10). The material distributor includes a tank (29) which has an inlet (28) and one or more distributor pipes (26, 26′) for distributing material to one or more feed units (11, 11′)which convey the material down towards the surface of the material in the silo.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods, apparatus and systems for retrofitting existing containers for use with vehicles having lifting forks for elevating and maneuvering such containers, and retrofitting the vehicle forks, as well as constructing new equipment to include the invention. An apparatus according to the invention includes a liner formed from a vibration absorbing material for insertion into a pocket associated with a container. Alternatively to or in conjunction with the liner, either a glove formed from a vibration absorbing material can be inserted over a lifting fork on a fork bearing, lifting apparatus, or a rail formed from a vibration absorbing material can be fitted to at least a portion of a lifting fork on the fork bearing, lifting apparatus. The invention is also directed to methods relating to the use and incorporation of the apparatus, and systems incorporating more than one component thereof.

Abstract: A substrate-handling robot comprises an arm drive mechanism with a first arm connected to it. A multiple substrate batch loader is connected to the first arm. The multiple substrate batch loader includes a set of vertically stacked substrate-handling paddles. A control circuit is connected to the arm drive mechanism. A vacuum control system is connected to the multiple substrate batch loader and the control circuit. The vacuum control system includes a set of vacuum control valves corresponding to the set of vertically stacked substrate-handling paddles. The set of vacuum control valves includes a selected vacuum control valve for a selected substrate-handling paddle. A set of vacuum sensors is connected to the set of vacuum control valves. The set of vacuum sensors includes a selected vacuum sensor corresponding to the selected vacuum control valve. The selected vacuum sensor provides a substrate-absent signal when a substrate is not present at the selected substrate-handling paddle.

Abstract: A carrying and loading/unloading apparatus including a slide plate adapted to reciprocally move on a bottom plate such as that of a truck bed, a partition plate provided on the slide plate and the partition plate side ends securable to right and left bed side plates of the truck so that only the slide plate is moved when the partition plate is secured to the bed side plates as the slide plate moves forward and so that the partition plate moves together with the slide plate when the partition plate is released from the bed side plates as the slide plates moves rearward.

Abstract: A pallet dispenser can receive a vertical stack of skewed or misaligned pallets in an interior of a frame of the pallet dispenser and align the pallets as they are sequentially dispensed from the pallet dispenser onto a conveyor below the pallet dispenser. The pallet dispenser that can be quickly manually changed over to accommodate pallets of different sizes and vertically dispense the pallets one by one onto a conveyor below the pallet dispenser. The pallet dispenser is provided-with a quick, manual change over that enables the pallet dispenser to be quickly adjusted to accommodate a vertical stack of large or small pallets to be reoriented and dispensed by the pallet dispenser onto a separate conveyor without appreciable downtime of the pallet dispenser or the conveyor with which it is used.

Abstract: A system for processing semiconductor wafers includes adaptations allowing the selective handling of cassettes for both 200-mm wafers and 300-mm wafers. The system is configured initially for handling standard 300-mm FOUP cassettes. Adaptions for handling 200-mm wafer open cassettes include a load port adapter frame for receiving such cassettes on a input/output platform; a cassette handler adapter configured for reversibly mounting on a cassette handler end effector and for receiving 200-mm open cassettes; a store adapter frame for converting 300-mm FOUP storage compartments into compartments for storing 200-mm open cassettes; and a Transhipment FOUP for holding 200-mm open cassettes upon a cassette transfer platform and bringing such cassettes into an interface with a wafer handler. The Transhipment FOUP has outer surfaces resembling a standard 300-mm FOUP cassette, but is configured to receive a 200-mm open cassette therein.

Abstract: Imperfect design of shroud or identical parts of the blades of steam/gas turbines, including the adjoining seals, leads to the decrease in reliability and efficiency. These drawbacks are eliminated by way of drilling of radial holes in the shroud of the blades. The transfer of steam through the shroud holes results in the relief of the pressures gradient on the surface of the shroud and prevents the formation of metal oxide, salt and other deposits on the inner surfaces of the shroud. The quantity and diameter of the holes, as well as their corresponding disposition and the values of radial clearances in shroud crowning seals regulate their efficiency.