Abstract: A system for modifying ice adhesion strength of ice adhered to an object comprises a composite coating containing wire electrodes covering the surface to be protected. In one embodiment, a composite coating contains electrode wires and insulator fibers. The composite coating is applied to the surface of an object on which the ice adhesion strength is to be modified. The electrode wires are connected to a dc bias source, and they function as cathodes and anodes alternately. The source generates a DC bias to an interface between the ice and the surface when the ice completes the circuit between anode and cathode wires. In another embodiment, a wire mesh is disposed on an electrically conductive surface of the object an opposing DC biases are applied to the mesh and the surface. In another embodiment, the coating has anode and cathode wires woven by insulator fibers as a composite cloth applied to the surface to protect the surface from ice.

Abstract: An aircraft refueling boom load alleviation system uses received light to detect boom displacement and generates a control signal to correct the displacement. Both a set of flight surfaces and a plurality of light imageable targeting sights are disposed on a refueling tube. At least one digital camera converts the light imageable shape of each of the targeting sights to individual pixel images. The pixel images converted by the digital camera are input to a computer system. The computer system recognizes either a displacement of pixel images or a quantity change of pixels between pixel images as a displacement of the refueling tube. The computer system calculates the displacement of any of the pixel images. A signal is generated to control the refueling tube flight surfaces to correct the displacement.

Abstract: Vibrations due to excitation of the natural modes of an aircraft's body are suppressed by an active multi-axis modal suppression system. Dedicated sensors are positioned in the aircraft at optimal locations for sensing modal induced vibrations. The sensor produced signals are processed through control logic which, in response thereto, and in response to aircraft inertial, velocity and altitude related signals produces output control signals. The control signals effect control surface deployment creating forces to suppress the natural mode induced vibrations on multiple geometric axis's. More particularly, symmetric and anti-symmetric control surface deployments are used on one or more geometric axis's to damp lateral, longitudinal, vertical and most importantly torsional vibrational modes.

Abstract: A spoon and lid rest includes a first bowl and a second bowl, either of which is capable of serving as a rest for a spoon or other utensil. An upright member such as an open wire rectangle holds lids in a substantially vertical position, with an edge of the lid retained within either the first or second bowl and a portion of the lid resting against the upright member.

Abstract: A tube position limiter comprises a supporting frame for locking to a wall and a positioning cylinder for receiving a tube. A center of the supporting frame is formed with a receiving hole for receiving the positioning cylinder. A top of the positioning cylinder is formed with a curl lip for receiving the tube. The positioning cylinder is placed into the receiving hole so that the curl lip of the positioning cylinder exactly places on the supporting frame. The helical wound tube is placed in a bottom of the positioning cylinder. A water inlet end of the tube exactly protrudes from a via hole at a bottom of the positioning cylinder. In use of the tube, the curl lip of the positioning cylinder has a round opening so that the tube is taken out easily. When it is desired to wind the tube, the tube is wound easily and conveniently.

Abstract: An adjustable-length shaft implanted in the ground for supporting trees. A helical screw is mounted on the lower end of the shaft. A lever arm, passed into a lever fitting attached to the shaft, is rotated about the shaft, causing the helical screw to penetrate and lodge in the ground. An anchoring bracket is attached to a portion of the shaft immediately above the ground. An anchoring rod is driven through the bracket into the ground, preventing further rotation of the shaft. A rigid fastening arm extends outwardly from the upper end of the shaft. The outer end of the fastening arm has a flexible strap with a free end. After adjusting and securing the shaft at the desired height, the free end of the strap is looped around the tree trunk and back through a ratchet mechanism in the fastening arm, which holds the free end fast.

Abstract: A device used to hold/support a target or multiple targets in the ground for the purpose of target shooting with firearms, air guns, and the like. This target supporting device allows any size or thickness material typically used for target shooting to be securely embedded into the ground, regardless of the slope of the ground to the line of fire. Additionally, any type of card, board, or sign can be supported in the ground to post information such as yard sales, keep off the grass notices, trail maintenance, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective and ergonomic phone holder adapted to be used with various types of cell phones and land line telephone receivers defined herein generally as a phone. A support member is provided having a support surface on one side thereof for receiving a phone and a holding surface on the opposite side thereof for engaging the palm of the user's hand. Also, a device is provided for securing the support surface to the phone for holding the phone in place on the support surface. Gripping means on the side walls of the support member are also provided for gripping and holding the support member during a telephone conversation. Preferably, the support member is made from foam material.

Abstract: An apparatus for identification of a remote control, including identifying the location of a remote control and distinguishing the remote control from among a plurality of remote controls. The apparatus comprises an elongate, flexible identification member sized to allow for identification of an attached remote control.

Abstract: In a support system for supporting objects on an air outlet register, a mounting body is provided with opposite spaced parallel front and rear walls and the rear wall includes adjustable clips for engaging ribs of the register for supporting the mounting body adjacent the register and the front wall of the body includes engagement means for engaging various objects or articles to be supported on the mounting body.

Abstract: An antenna roof mounting platform to which an antenna mount maybe fastened is provided. The antenna roof mounting platform is comprised of a wedge-shaped center section and flange like exterior sections. The wedge-shaped center section has defined portions for guiding an installer in the fastening of an antenna mount to a planar top side of the wedge-shaped center section. The wedge-shaped center section further includes defined portions in a vertical front face for inserting wire couplings. The flange-like exterior section is substantially flat allowing for roof shingles to be layered on top of the flange-like exterior section. The flange-like exterior section and the center section may be formed from a single piece of material, e.g., a sheet of metal formed pressed to create the center section having the defined portions. The antenna roof mounting platform allows for attachment of conventional antenna mountings to the planar top side of the wedge-like center section.

Abstract: An aiming support apparatus dependable from a central portion of a shooting platform is provided. The apparatus includes an arm having a base and an extension selectively extendible from a free end of the arm base. The arm extension includes a socket adapted to receive a shooting staff. The arm base is suspended from a bracket assembly for pivot motion about a pivot axis. The bracket assembly is affixable to the shooting platform so as to substantially underlay a shooter positioned thereon, the socket being swingingly positionable beyond a perimeter of the shooting platform in response to a marksman's torso motions in furtherance of pursuit of a scoped target.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box mounting bracket for mounting large size and small size standard electrical outlet boxes. The bracket has a flat section of material having a cutout pattern formed therein. The cutout pattern has a generally octagonal opening formed therein with a first, a second, a third and a fourth diagonally offset corner, and straight edges therebetween. A first, a second and a third closed keyhole slot is located inwardly of the first diagonal corner of the bracket, the keyhole slots having a wider end and a narrower slot portion with a terminal end. A first, a second and a third open slot are located diagonally opposite the keyhole cutouts in the third diagonal corner and opened therein. The open slots have a terminal end therein.

Abstract: An improved structure of a suspension device for displaying articles is disclosed. The present device for displaying comprises a suspension board and a fixing element for insertion at the bottom end neck portion thereof characterized in that the bottom end neck portion directly extended to an elastic fixing element formed from bending of a plate for the insertably mounting with a work piece, and one end of the plate is extended to a wider plate edge inclined at one direction having a small connection plate connected to the suspension board to form a body thereby the suspension device is safe to hang displaying articles.

Abstract: A stabilizer system for a cylindrical-shaped undersea package orients the package in an upright attitude and eliminates, or reduces motion or rocking due to wave action and/or sea currents. An outrigger base assembly has a flat base surface to rest on the sea floor and is provided with upper surfaces having semi-circular cross-sectional configurations to contiguously fit adjacent to round outer contours of an undersea package. The outrigger base assembly also has laterally extending outrigger portions extending the flat base surface for increased stability. First and second case clamps have curved surfaces with semi-circular cross-sectional configurations that extend above the outrigger base assembly. The first and second clamps clamp the curved surfaces and upper surfaces onto the round contours and secure the undersea package in an upright orientation.

Abstract: A method for forming imprint lithography templates is described herein. The method includes forming a masking layer and a conductive layer on a substrate surface. The use of a conductive layer allows patterning of the masking layer using electron beam pattern generators. The substrate is etched using the patterned masking layer to produce a template.

Abstract: A method for forming imprint lithography templates is described herein. The method includes forming a masking layer and a conductive layer on a substrate surface. The use of a conductive layer allows patterning of the masking layer using electron beam pattern generators. The substrate is etched using the patterned masking layer to produce a template.

Abstract: An elongate form tie extender aids insertion of form ties in form panel structures for thinner concrete walls. The extender passes through form tie holes and has fastening structure at one end to interconnect a form tie. For use a first form panel is established in forming position and form ties are fastened therein extending toward a second panel established in a temporary position spaced to allow a workman to move between the panels. Form tie extenders are interconnected on form ties in the first panel with one end in paired cooperating form tie holes in the second panel. The second panel is moved to forming position adjacent the first panel with form ties extending between the panels. The form tie extenders are removed and the form ties fastened on the second panel.

Abstract: In a charge amount detection circuit, one part of circuit elements constituting a low pass filter circuit and one part of circuit elements constituting a voltage amplifier circuit are commonly use. A charge sensitive amplifier is followed by the low pass filter circuit and the voltage amplifier circuit, respectively, in this order. Since the low pass filter circuit is provided so as to share one part of circuit elements of the voltage amplifier circuit, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the chip size due to the provision of LPF as much as possible so as to suppress the rise of the chip cost as much as possible.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

Abstract: An image sensor array includes image sensors having photo TFTs to generate photocurrent in response to received images. The photo TFTs each have their respective gate electrodes shorted to source electrodes to increase generated photocurrent. Each photo TFT is coupled to a reference TFT to compensate for dark current in a corresponding photo TFT. Storage capacitors are coupled to each photo TFT and discharged upon generation of a photocurrent. Each storage capacitor is coupled to a readout TFT that passes a current from the storage capacitor to a data line. Data lines indicate location of the received image on the image sensor array.

Abstract: Photodetection cell and laser pulse detector furnished with such a cell, as well as laser pulse detection device comprising a matrix of such detectors.

Abstract: A detection apparatus for detecting the process end point in the removal process of a layer on a wafer in an IC or other semiconductor device manufacturing process. This point can be detected in-situ and at high precision even when there is a pattern on the surface, or when there is no distinct change in the polishing layer, or when there is disturbance caused by a difference in the detection position or the slurry. Two or more characteristic quantities are extracted from a signal waveform obtained by irradiating a substrate surface with white light and detecting the reflected signal light or the transmitted signal light or both, fuzzy rules, etc., are used in performing detection by using these two or more characteristic quantities to perform a logical operation, and tuning is performed.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises one or more sensors supported by a base. A first sensor of the one or more sensors is movable relative to the base for receiving a plurality of samples of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Optical navigation upon grainy surfaces whose orientation is inclined at about 45° to the X and Y axes of the navigation mechanism is enhanced by: First, detect that a spatial filter in use is inappropriate for the orientation presently occurring, and; Second, employ a different and more appropriate spatial filter subsequent to such detection. Two spatial filters have been developed that are respectively effective about the 45° and 135° inclinations of the Standard filter. The shape of a correlation surface used in the navigation process is tested for the presence of a transverse ridge in the correlation surface. This generates control metrics whose filtered excursions are tracked by a control system that changes the spatial filter in use. The control system incorporates a time constant to prevent thrashing and excessive sensitivity to isolated random variations.

Abstract: Depending on the RF driving voltage amplitude value and the frequency of each frequency component of wideband auxiliary AC voltages, the wideband auxiliary AC voltage comprising plural different frequency components is optimized so that undesired ions having mass-to-charge ratios within the required range will be resonantly ejected from the ion trap electrodes.

Abstract: An inspection method using an electron beam. Emitted charged particles from an electron gun located inside a primary column are accelerated to form a primary beam. A cross section of the primary beam is shaped a desired shape by a primary optical system located inside the primary column. A trajectory of the primary beam is deflected using a primary deflector located inside the primary column. A sample is illuminated using the primary beam, the sample being on a stage to which a retarding voltage is applied. At least one of secondary electrons, reflected electrons or backwardly scattered electrons that are emerging from the sample on the stage are accelerated toward a second column to form a secondary beam. A trajectory of the secondary beam is deflected using a secondary deflector located inside the secondary column. The secondary beam is guided to a detector located inside the secondary column.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a surface of a sample, particularly but not limited to a semiconductor device, using an electron beam is presented. The technique is called Secondary Electron Emission Microscopy (SEEM), and has significant advantages over both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) techniques. In particular, the SEEM technique utilizes a beam of relatively high-energy primary electrons having a beam width appropriate for parallel, multi-pixel imaging. The electron energy is near a charge-stable condition to achieve faster imaging than was previously attainable with SEM, and charge neutrality unattainable with LEEM. The emitted electrons may be detected using a time delay integration detector.

Abstract: An infrared sensor of this invention is characterized by including a support member including a support film and a substrate that supports the support film, a polysilicon film which ranges from above a concavity to above the substrate, SiO2 which is formed on the polysilicon film and has a first junction hole above the concavity and a second junction hole above the substrate, an aluminum film which is connected to the polysilicon film through the first junction hole and connected to an adjacent polysilicon film through the second junction hole, and a heat absorption layer formed above the concavity to cover a portion above the first junction hole, wherein the aluminum film is stacked on the corresponding polysilicon film via the SiO2 above the concavity.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks and defects in a structure. An ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the structure through a malleable coupler. Ultrasonic energy from the transducer causes the defects to heat up, which is detected by a thermal camera. A control unit is employed to provide timing and control for the operation of the ultrasonic transducer and the camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting under- or over-filling of lenses in packages where ultraviolet radiation is directed to the package.

Abstract: An infrared spectrophotometer is described wherein an infrared source is provided for emitting infrared energy. A sample cell is provided for containing gases to be analyzed and is positioned in the path of infrared energy emitted by the source. A detector assembly includes first, second and third thermopile detectors mounted in thermal proximity to each other and being responsive to impinging infrared energy to produce an electrical response. The first and second detectors are positioned in the path of infrared energy emitted by the source and the third detector is positioned out of the path of infrared energy emitted by the source. The spectrophotometer further comprises a narrow band filter corresponding to an absorption wavelength band for a gas of interest and a narrow band reference filter corresponding to a reference wavelength band.

Abstract: In a scintillator panel comprising a deliquescent scintillator formed on an FOP and a polyparaxylylene film covering over the scintillator, the FOP comprises a protective film peeling prevention rough at a side wall portion thereon coming into contact with the polyparaxylylene film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for radiographic imaging, and nuclear medicine and x-ray mammography in particular, and material composition analysis are described. A detection system employs fixed or configurable arrays of one or more detector modules comprising detector arrays that may be electronically manipulated through a computer system. The detection system, by providing the ability for electronic manipulation, permits adaptive imaging. Detector array configurations include familiar geometries, including slit, slot, plane, open box, and ring configurations, and customized configurations, including wearable detector arrays, that are customized to the shape of the patient. Conventional, such as attenuating, rigid geometry, and unconventional collimators, such as x-ray optic, configurable, Compton scatter modules, can be selectively employed with detector modules and radiation sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for radiographic imaging, and nuclear medicine and x-ray mammography in particular, and material composition analysis are described. A detection system employs fixed or configurable arrays of one or more detector modules comprising detector arrays which may be electronically manipulated through a computer system. The detection system, by providing the ability for electronic manipulation, permits adaptive imaging. Detector array configurations include familiar geometries, including slit, slot, plane, open box, and ring configurations, and customized configurations, including wearable detector arrays, that are customized to the shape of the patient. Conventional, such as attenuating, rigid geometry, and unconventional collimators, such as x-ray optic, configurable, Compton scatter modules, can be selectively employed with detector modules and radiation sources.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for correcting gamma ray intensities detected to account for variation in attenuation effects with energy. The corrected intensity values enable more accurate isotopic analysis to be conducted and render such techniques applicable to low level emission cases. The technique is particularly useful in investigate waste materials with a gamma emitting content which needs to be determined. The attenuation is corrected for using a bi-modal function to account for the attenuation effects arising from low and high atomic mass components of the material in which the emitters are present.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to control a magnetic field strength of a magnetic lens is provided. The apparatus may include a magnetic sensor configured to generate an output signal responsive to a first magnetic field strength of the magnetic lens. The apparatus may also include a control circuit coupled to the magnetic sensor and the magnetic sensor. The control circuit may be configured to receive the output signal from the magnetic lens and to receive an input signal responsive to a predetermined magnetic field strength. The control circuit may be further configured to generate a control signal responsive to the output signal and the input signal. Additionally, the control circuit may be configured to apply a current to the magnetic lens such that a second magnetic field strength may be generated within the magnetic lens closer to the predetermined magnetic field strength than the first magnetic strength.

Abstract: An ion source is disclosed for ion implantation applications, having control apparatus for selectively adjusting a density profile associated with an elongated ion beam being extracted from a plasma confinement chamber. The control apparatus comprises a plurality of magnet pairs proximate an elongated extraction exit through which a ribbon beam is extracted from the ion source, with the magnet pairs individually comprising upper and lower electro-magnets disposed above and below the extraction exit opening to provide adjustable magnetic fields in a pre-extraction region so as to adjust the density profile of an extracted ribbon beam.

Abstract: An ion source is disclosed having an elongated slit for providing a ribbon ion beam for use in an ion implantation system. The source comprises a coaxial inductive coupling antenna for RF excitation of plasma within a cylindrical source housing, as well as circumferential magnets disposed within the housing for generating azimuthal multi-cusped magnetic fields for plasma confinement. Also disclosed is a liner for the housing interior providing thermal barrier between the plasma and the outer housing wall so as to mitigate or reduce condensation within the plasma confinement chamber.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed comprising providing a sample holder having a plurality of sample wells. Inner and outer surfaces of at least one well are configured for total internal reflection of incident light.

Abstract: A method of analyzing sample material having more than one fluorescing species comprises the steps of providing a plurality of intensity-modulated excitation light beams each being modulated at a respective unique frequency; directing the intensity-modulated excitation light beams to interact with the sample material; detecting fluorescence emission light from the sample material to provide signal information representative of detected light intensity versus time; and extracting a plurality of component emission signals from the signal information, wherein each component emission signal corresponds to a respective one of the modulated excitation light beams. Apparatus for implementing the method include flow cytometers and bulk sample analytical optical systems. The invention is helpful in determining species concentrations in cases where the fluorescing species have overlapping or substantially the same emission spectra.

Abstract: Ion implantation systems and beamlines therefor are disclosed, in which a ribbon beam of a relatively large aspect ratio is mass analyzed and collimated to provide a mass analyzed ribbon beam for use in implanting one or more workpieces. The beamline system comprises two similar magnets, where the first magnet mass analyzes the ribbon beam to provide an intermediate mass analyzed ion beam, and the second magnet collimates the intermediate beam to provide a uniform mass analyzed ribbon beam to an end station. The symmetrical system provides equidistant beam trajectories for ions across the elongated beam width so as to mitigate non-linearities in the beam transport through the system, such that the resultant mass analyzed beam is highly uniform.

Abstract: To provide the ultrasonic-welding apparatus, which can attain the above-mentioned requirement, and which can automatically achieve both measurement of the face-deflection the work piece after welding and the welding of work pieces, such as a reel for a magnetic tape.

Abstract: A valve for a flow control comprises adjacent base tubes each defined by an inner contact and a flow path, and a valve shaft having an outer periphery with first and second sections which symmetrically oppose each other. The valve shaft is holed through the sections to form a channel which is defined by an inner periphery, first and second circumferences each bordering the inner and outer peripheries. Each circumference and section are radially tapered to form grooves each defined by side walls and a hypotenuse bottom. The grooves are diagonal to each other on an imaginary plane along a channel axis.

Abstract: A stop valve for water pipes includes a body, and a valve block. The body has a through hole extending from one end to other, and a cylindrical holding hole on one side to communicate with the through hole. The valve block has a transverse hole, and is disposed in the cylindrical holding hole so that water can flow through the through hole when the valve block is open where the transverse hole is aligned with the through hole of the body. In addition, the valve block is formed with a cylindrical shape so that it can be stably held in position by means of those portions of the body that define the cylindrical holding hole to secure a tight contact of the valve block with a leak-prevention ring equipped around one inner end of the through hole.

Abstract: A medical stopcock is provided that is constructed and arranged to withstand high pressures and gamma irradiation. The stopcock generally includes a housing and a valve member. The valve member is trapped within the housing so that, when subjected to relatively high pressures, the valve member is unlikely to become separated from the housing. A handle member is attached to the valve member and allows the valve member to be rotated from open to closed positions. In some preferred embodiments, the handle member locks the valve member within the housing, when attached. All of the components are constructed of gamma-stable materials so that the stopcock may be sterilized, in its package, using gamma irradiation.

Abstract: The ball valve assembly 10 includes a valve body 12, a ball 14, a seat ring 30, a support ring 40, and an actuator sleeve 50 surrounding the ball and axially moveable within the valve body for rotating the ball between the open position and the closed position. A plurality of seals seal with the seat ring, the actuator sleeve, the support ring, and the valve body. The actuator sleeve 50 maintains fluid pressure within the valve body. The ball, support ring and seat ring are each formed from a selective material to enhance life of the ball valve assembly. A pair of pins 80, 82 each extend in a slot within the ball and holes in the sleeve, and preferably the pair of pins and the ball rotate with respect to the sleeve as the sleeve moves axially within the valve body.

Abstract: A method of removing ruthenium silicide from a substrate surface which comprises exposing the ruthenium silicide surface to a solution containing chlorine and fluorine containing chemicals. In particular, said solution is designed to react with said ruthenium silicide film such that water-soluble reaction products are formed.

Abstract: The invention comprises ferroelectric vapor deposition targets and to methods of making ferroelectric vapor deposition targets. In one implementation, a ferroelectric physical vapor deposition target has a predominate grain size of less than or equal to 1.0 micron, and has a density of at least 95% of maximum theoretical density. In one implementation, a method of making a ferroelectric physical vapor deposition target includes positioning a prereacted ferroelectric powder within a hot press cavity. The prereacted ferroelectric powder predominately includes individual prereacted ferroelectric particles having a maximum straight linear dimension of less than or equal to about 100 nanometers. The prereacted ferroelectric powder is hot pressed within the cavity into a physical vapor deposition target of desired shape having a density of at least about 95% of maximum theoretical density and a predominate maximum grain size which is less than or equal to 1.0 micron.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein ozone layer-damaging dichlorodifluoromethane is substituted with a mix of less environmentally damaging refrigerants chlorodifluoroethane and tetrafluoroethane in dichlorodifluoromethane-based air-cooling systems. While less environmentally damaging than dichlorodifluoromethane, the substitute refrigerant has a temperature-pressure relationship similar to that of dichlorodifluoromethane, making the substitute refrigerant suitable for use with dichlorodifluoromethane-based air-cooling systems. The substitute refrigerant can be used alone or in combination with dichlorodifluoromethane. In either event, it is mixed with a relatively small percentage of a hydrophobic lubricating oil which is compatible with both the substitute refrigerant and with dichlorodifluoromethane.