Abstract: A sewing machine including a sewing machine upper portion with a frame, a needle rod and a sewing foot rod, which rods are guided in the frame for back and forth movement parallel to one another, a rack connected with each of the rods and which racks are driven by separate pinions driven by separate electric motors. These motors and possibly other motors for positioning other parts of the sewing machine are separately controlled independently of one another by a program controlled control unit so that the movement of needle road and of the sewing foot rod can be independently program controlled during a sewing procedure.

Abstract: A fabric guide device for a sewing machine has an upper plate and a middle plate, and is disposed at the fabric feed side of the presser foot of the sewing machine. The upper plate is disposed on the sewing machine bed in a state of keeping a certain clearance from the sewing machine bed, and its fabric feed side portion is warped upward. The middle plate is disposed beneath said warped portion of the upper plate, and is free to project and retreat from and into the sewing machine bed. The middle plate has upper and lower surfaces for guiding the upper and lower bodies. When sewing said bodies together, first the middle plate projects from the sewing machine bed to insert between the bodies. Then the bodies are pulled forward, and the over-edge chain stitching portions are engaged with the middle plate to be tilted to the fabric feed side.

Abstract: A threading apparatus for a sewing machine includes a threading member for passing a thread through a needle eye, an operating member for executing a threading operation by the threading member, and a moving mechanism for moving the threading member between a first position where the threading member is close to the needle eye and a second position where the threading member is away from the needle eye. The moving mechanism includes a supporting member provided to be movable for supporting the threading member, a moving actuating member moved between a non-operative position and an operative position according to an operation of the operating member, and a moving string-shaped member including a middle portion hooked on the moving actuating member and having one of both ends fixed to a stationary portion and the other end mounted on the supporting member.

Abstract: A foot for a quilting machine, adapted to be used with templates. The foot is preferably generally bowl shaped, instead of disk shaped, and has substantially vertical sides of sufficient height to prevent the foot from slipping over or under a template when a user attempts to follow the outline of the template. In an alternative embodiment, the foot is substantially cylindrical in shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric tensing device for stretching fabric on a sewing machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric tensing device for stretching fabric on a sewing machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric tensing device for stretching fabric on a sewing machine.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is disclosed that improves the visibility of a boat or other object at night.

Abstract: Process for the production of semiconductor crystals with high resistivity of the CdXTe type, wherein X═Zn, Se, ZnSe or 0, characterized in that it consists in carrying out a multiple doping with iron and with at least one second doping element selected from the group formed by the elements of group III of the periodic chart of the elements.

Abstract: The GaN single-crystal substrate 11 in accordance with the present invention has a polished surface subjected to heat treatment for at least 10 minutes at a substrate temperature of at least 1020° C. in a mixed gas atmosphere containing at least an NH3 gas. As a consequence, an atomic rearrangement is effected in the surface of the substrate 11 in which a large number of minute defects are formed by polishing, so as to flatten the surface of the substrate 11. Therefore, the surface of an epitaxial layer 12 formed on the substrate 11 can be made flat.

Abstract: A process for preparing a single crystal silicon in accordance with the Czochralski method, is provided. More specifically, by quickly redueing the pull rate at least once during the growth of a neck portion of the single crystal silicon ingot, in order to change the melt/solid interface shape from a concave to a convex shape, the present process enables zero dislocation growth to be achieved in a large diameter neck within a comparably short neck length, such that large diameter ingots of substantial weight can be produced safely and at a high throughput.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling the rate of vapor diffusion between a crystal growth solution and a reservoir solution comprising placing a device between the crystal growth solution and the reservoir solution, the device having defined therein a discrete diffusion pathway, wherein the pathway controls the vapor diffusion rate between the crystal growth solution and the reservoir solution.

Abstract: An inexpensive method of coating silicon shot with boron atoms comprises (1) immersing silicon shot in a boron dopant spin-on solution comprising a borosilicate, a polymer precursor, and a volatile solvent, and (2) removing the solvent so as to leave a polymeric coating containing borosilicate on the shot. A precise amount of this coated shot may then be mixed with a measured quantity of silicon pellets and the resulting mixture may then be melted to provide a boron-doped silicon melt for use in growing p-type silicon bodies that can be converted to substrates for photovoltaic solar cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel magnetic material having an epitaxially grown single crystalline film of spinel ferrite such as hematite and magnetite as a magnetic layer formed on a substrate. In place of a single crystal substrate of, e.g., magnesium oxide, on which an epitaxial spinel ferrite film is directly grown, the spinel ferrite film in the inventive magnetic material is epitaxially grown on a mica plate as the substrate with intervention of a buffer layer which is a single crystalline thin film of magnesium oxide epitaxially grown on the substrate surface. The thus prepared magnetic material can be used in magnetic devices by virtue of the inexpensiveness and high magnetic properties.

Abstract: A method of making an oriented fluoride crystal blank for transmitting below 250 nm ultraviolet light includes irradiating a fluoride crystal blank with an x-ray beam, detecting the x-ray beams diffracted from the fluoride crystal blank, generating a diffraction pattern from the x-ray beam diffracted from the fluoride crystal blank, determining an angular deviation of an optical axis of the fluoride crystal blank from a specific crystallographic direction, and, if the angular deviation is not within a predefined range, modifying the fluoride crystal blank in a manner such that that the resultant angular deviation between the optical axis of the fluoride crystal blank from the specific crystallographic direction after modifying falls within the predefined range.

Abstract: A method of growing single-crystals of a cubic (zinc blende) form of gallium nitride, the method comprising the steps of:

Abstract: After a Group III-V compound semiconductor layer, to which a p-type dopant has been introduced, has been formed over a substrate, the compound semiconductor layer is annealed. In the stage of heating the compound semiconductor layer, atoms, deactivating the p-type dopant, are eliminated from the compound semiconductor layer by creating a temperature gradient in the compound semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition is used to provide a solid film on a plurality of disc shaped substrates. The substrates are entered spaced apart in a boat, in a furnace and heated to deposition temperature. In the furnace the substrate is exposed to alternating and sequential pulses of at least two mutually reactive reactants, in such way that the deposition temperature is high enough to prevent condensation of the at least two reactants on the surface but not high enough to result in significant thermal decomposition of each of the at least two reactants individually.

Abstract: A pizza sauce dispenser simultaneously dispenses and spreads a precisely controlled amount of sauce onto a pizza dough base without manually handling the sauce or the dough during operation. The dispenser includes a selectively rotatable disc and an arm that selectively extends over the disc. At lease one nozzle is supported by the arm and selectively dispenses the sauce onto the dough. A control mechanism controls: (1) a selected rate and direction of disc rotation; (2) a selected pivot rate and direction of the arm; and/or (3) a selected rate of dispensing sauce through the nozzle. In use, with pizza dough placed on the disc, the disc is rotated and the arm pivoted over the dough so that the nozzle traverses a path from the outside edge of the dough to the center of the dough or vice versa. Sauce thus is deposited in a spiral or other desirable pattern.

Abstract: An installation for coating objects with a powder, in particular for powder painting, comprises a booth, in which powder can be applied to the objects, a recovery device for the excess powder, which does not adhere to the objects during coating, a storage container for fresh powder and a mixing container, which can be supplied with excess powder from the recovery device and fresh powder from the storage container. A screening machine is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the mixing container, preferably directly beneath the latter, and serves at the same time as an application container, in which mixed powder can be temporarily stored for removal by the application device. The screening machine is not subjected to any low-frequency vibrations, so that a weighing device, which continuously measures the weight of the screening machine, measures the instantaneous consumption of mixed powder in real time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating sheet material with thermoset material. In certain embodiments, first and second different induction furnaces are provided, with the coated sheet first proceeding into and through the first furnace, and then into and through the second furnace. The first furnace may be maintained at a temperature less than the second furnace, so that out-gassing of volatile materials is achieved in the first furnace and thereafter heightened cross-linking conversation rates are achieved in the second furnace at higher temperature(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing high aspect ratio domes employed to enhance aerodynamic performance in missiles and aircraft. The apparatus and method of the present invention also provide transmissive domes for infrared sensors used for navigation, targeting and guidance systems. The apparatus is employed in chemical vapor deposition furnaces for chemical deposition of materials on mandrels to form domes. The mandrels of the apparatus are arranged in the deposition chamber such that the flow of gaseous reactants does not impinge on the mandrels. The reactants diffuse onto the mandrels to form domes with high aspect ratios.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention a unique ion source for depositing thin films on a substrate in a vacuum chamber that neutralizes the positive electric charges that develop on the substrate and vacuum chamber apparatus that may cause arcing and degradation of the film deposition. A power supply with a reversing voltage waveform is utilized that neutralizes the electric charge on the substrate and the vacuum chamber apparatus. A pulsed operation can be used that is applicable to a low voltage mode of the source wherein current may not be limited by the discharge voltage so average current cant be kept high by increasing peak current during the duty cycle. Also, in the high voltage mode neutralization can be achieved with no significant loss of ion beam etch rate despite a shortened duty cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shutter for use in physical vapour deposition apparatus having a chamber. The shutter, generally indicated at 5, is located in a side housing 6 of the vacuum chamber 7, whilst sputtering is taking place. Once the substrate 2 is treated, the substrate is removed from the chamber and the shutter is brought in to an operative position above a wafer pedestal or support 1. The shutter is mounted on an arm 8 using a fixing boss 10, the arm and the boss being magnetically coupled.

Abstract: A reactor for heat treatment of a substrate includes a process chamber within a substrate enclosing structure, and a support structure configured to position a substrate at a predetermined spacing between the upper part and the bottom part within the process chamber during processing. Streams of gas may lift the substrate from the support structure so that the substrate floats. A plurality of heating elements is associated with at least one of the upper part and the bottom part and are arranged to define heating zones. A controller controls the heating elements individually so that each heating zone is configured to have a predetermined temperature determined by the controller. The heating zones provide for a non-uniform heating laterally across the upper part and/or lower part adjacent the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaporizer comprising a vaporization chamber for a CVD material, a CVD material feed portion supplying the CVD material for the vaporization chamber, a vaporized gas exhaust port and a heating means for heating the vaporization chamber, characterized in that the CVD material feed portion has passageways for the CVD material and for a carrier gas respectively and the passageway for the CVD material has a pressure loss-inducing means for the CVD material. At the same time, the present invention provides an apparatus for vaporizing and supplying that feeds a CVD material to a vaporizer via a liquid flow controller, and after vaporizing the CVD material that supplies the vaporized gas for a semiconductor production apparatus, characterized in having a pressure loss-inducing means for the CVD material between the liquid flow controller and the vaporizer.

Abstract: A multiple nozzle thermal evaporation source includes a plurality of nozzles having a tapered shape. The nozzles may comprise a thermally conductive material having a low emissivity material.

Abstract: An improved animal litter with granules having high hardness coupled with high absorbency, thereby rendering the animal litter long lasting and durable, dust and odor free, easy to clean and maintain, and inexpensive in contrast to conventional animal litters. The improved animal litter is a composition comprising granules having calcium bentonite clay, illite clay, and/or kaolinite clay. A method of fabricating the improved animal litter includes the step of providing a composition comprising granules having calcium bentonite clay, illite clay, and/or kaolinite clay. Additional steps may also be included, namely: crushing the composition; screening the composition; kilning the composition; and washing the composition.

Abstract: A waterfall aquarium cleansing system provides a tank that includes a base, a pair of first sides, a pair of second sides, the first and second sides having a height all defining a main chamber. A filter is provided that is in fluid communication with the base and is disposed relative thereto to define a retention area. The base defines at least one aperture that is in communication with the retention area. The retention area is configured for agitation-free collection of sediment from the main chamber for subsequent removal through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A bird cage having a frame including a base assembly, cover assembly and corner towers that join the base and cover assemblies. The front, back, sides and top of the cage are enclosed by wire grills. The towers are made of light pervious material such as clear or translucent plastic and carry feeding stations. The cage is expandable. The base assembly includes an easily removable tray for collecting droppings in the cage, and the tray carries a wire grill platform within the cage which may be removed by partially withdrawing the tray and without otherwise disturbing the base assembly.

Abstract: A corral apparatus has a pair of mounting brackets for securing at spaced locations on a surface of a vehicle, livestock trailer, or building, a pair of side panels each having a first end pivotally connected to a respective bracket, and an end panel pivotally secured between the second ends of the side panels, whereby the apparatus can be pivoted between an operative condition in which each side panel extends transverse to the surface and the end panel extends between the ends of the side panels, and a storage position in which the panels are folded flat against one another and the surface. The side panels are adjustable in length to vary the size of the coral.

Abstract: A corral apparatus has mounting brackets for securing at spaced locations on a wall of a vehicle, livestock trailer, or building, a pair of side panels each having a first end pivotally connected to a respective bracket, and an end panel pivotally secured between the second ends of the side panels, whereby the apparatus can be pivoted between an operative condition in which each side panel extends transverse to the surface and the end panel extends between the ends of the side panels, and a storage position in which the panels are folded flat against one another and the surface. The side panels are adjustable in length to vary the size of the coral.

Abstract: A corral apparatus has mounting brackets for securing at spaced locations on a wall of a vehicle, livestock trailer, or building, a pair of side panels each having a first end pivotally connected to a respective bracket, and an end panel pivotally secured between the second ends of the side panels, whereby the apparatus can be pivoted between an operative condition in which each side panel extends transverse to the surface and the end panel extends between the ends of the side panels, and a storage position in which the panels are folded flat against one another and the surface.

Abstract: A wall mounted animal self-grooming device that rotates a cylindrical rubbing means having bristles on its exterior surface about its axis by utilizing a small electric motor. The electric motor is mounted within a housing and coupled to the rubbing means through an opening in the housing base. A transformer and plug assembly is removably stored within the housing and is electrically connected to the electric motor by a length of electrical cord, the unused portion of which is also coiled and stored in the housing. The transformer and plug assembly have at least two prongs that extend from a surface thereof for insertion into a standard electrical wall outlet. In one embodiment, the housing is removably attached to a house wall over the electrical wall outlet having the transformer and plug assembly plugged therein. The transformer and plug assembly protrudes into the housing through a hole in the back wall of the housing.

Abstract: A light weight animal grooming brush has a contoured gripping handle and head attached to the handle having a working surface carrying grooming implements such as tines. The working surface is contoured and is disposed at an angle to the handle.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine under high charge dilution conditions using a hydrogen-rich fuel is disclosed. The high charge dilution conditions are attained by diluting the hydrogen-rich fuel with gases such as excess air or recycled exhaust gas. The mixture to be charged to the combustion chamber is thoroughly mixed before it is introduced into the combustion chamber while the combustion chamber maintains a substantially quiescent state such that the charge mixture is introduced with an angular momentum lower than that of a typical low emission engine. The result is an internal combustion engine with both high efficiency and low emissions, particularly, low NOx emissions.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio engine includes a support shaft positioned eccentrically relative to rotating shafts. A restricting projection is provided at one location in the circumferential direction on the rotating shafts so as to project outward in the radial direction. A rocker member has a pair of engagement portions with respective phases displaced from each other and which engage the restricting projection. The rocker member is spring-biased in a direction in which one of the two engagement portions engages the restricting projection and is mounted on a shaft member so as to be able to rock around the axis of the shaft member. An actuator is driven by the engine negative pressure and is connected to the rocker member so as to swing the rocker member in a direction opposite to the spring-bias direction.

Abstract: A link mechanism of an engine includes: an upper link having a first end connected to a piston pin of a piston; a lower link connected to the upper link via an upper pin having a center, the lower link being connected to a crank pin of a crank shaft; a control shaft extending substantially in parallel with the crank shaft, the control shaft having a rotational center; and a control link including: a first end swingably connected to the control shaft, and a second end connected to the lower link. In a process of the center of the upper pin moving nearer to the axial line of the piston pin, the center of the control pin moves in the upward direction, thus inclining the lower link and allowing the center of the upper pin and the center of the piston pin to move in the downward direction.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine (1) for a work apparatus includes a combustion chamber (3) configured in a cylinder (2). The engine includes a piston (5, 21) which drives a crankshaft (7) via a connecting rod (6). The crankshaft (7) is rotatably journalled in a crankcase (4). The two-stroke engine (1) includes at least three transfer channels (10, 11, 20) which connect the combustion chamber (3) to the crankcase (4) at pregiven control times. At pregiven control times, fuel is injected in the region of a transfer channel (10, 11, 20). A first component quantity of the fuel is transfer synchronously injected into the channel and a second component quantity from a preceding injecting cycle exits from the crankcase (4) into the combustion chamber (3). For this purpose, an injection nozzle (19) is mounted in at least one transfer channel (10). The injection nozzle (19) injects fuel into the transfer channel (10) open to the cylinder (2).

Abstract: A valve stroke control for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle has a control device for adjusting a valve stroke. It interacts with a camshaft and a control shaft. The control device is actuated by a hydraulic medium and has a first control element and a second control element movable relative to one another. The first control element is sleeve-shaped and the second control element is received in the first control element. A rocker lever is acted on by the camshaft. The first control element is supported on the rocker lever and the second control element is supported on the control shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the stroke of a valve that is actuated by a camshaft having at least one cam is provided. A valve lever having an outer lever and an inner lever is provided and has a first end region supported on a fixed component, and a second end region for actuating a valve. The U-shaped outer lever includes two arms and a crosspiece that faces the fixed component. At least one of the arms is provided with an abutment surface for contacting the at least one cam. The inner lever is mounted on a free end of the outer lever between the arms, and has an abutment surface, for contacting cams, that is disposed between the mounting axis of the inner lever on the arms and the support of the first end region of the valve lever on the fixed component. A blocking device is provided for fixing the crosspiece of the outer lever on an end of the inner lever remote from the valve, this end being supported on the fixed component and containing the blocking device.

Abstract: A two-step finger follower rocker arm assembly for cooperating with high-lift and low-lift cam lobes of an engine camshaft. The rocker arm assembly includes a follower body for engaging an hydraulic lash adjuster and a valve stem. A central well contains a roller for following the central low-lift cam lobe. Pivotably mounted on the body are lateral high-lift followers, including sliders or rollers, for following the lateral high-lift cam lobes. A latch block disposed on the body surface is slidable by piston and spring means between first and second positions to engage and thereby alternatively latch and unlatch the high-lift followers. In latched position, the rocker arm assembly acts in high-lift mode; in unlatched position, in low-lift mode.

Abstract: For making an interconnection between a valve head and stem, the interconnection between these parts is made by pouring a cast alloy around the stem end. A connection and a valve are also provided.

Abstract: To provide peak cylinder pressure control, an eccentric bearing is biased toward a first angular position wherein an attached piston is raised to a maximum compression ratio position in the cylinder. The compression ratio may remain constant at lower loads and above until a predetermined force generated by cylinder pressure is reached. At this point, the force acting on the eccentric lever arm or eccentricity of the bearing overcomes the restraining biasing force, causing the eccentric bearing to rotate in the connecting rod to move the eccentric end of the rod outward, away from the cylinder. This motion effectively shortens the length of the connecting rod and moves the piston downward relative to a connected crankpin. In this manner, the effective compression ratio of the cylinder is temporarily reduced and the pressure developed in the cylinder is controlled by the mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: To enable the miniaturization of a crankcase side cover to lighten it in a casing of an engine and to enable the reduction of the area of each joined face to make performance for sealing the joined faces of a crankcase and the crankcase side cover satisfactory. In a casing of an engine composed of a crankcase, a crankcase side cover the inner end of which is joined to one side end of the crankcase and which covers a primary reduction gear and a clutch cover which is joined to the outer end of the crankcase side cover and which houses a clutch together with the crankcase side cover, the inside diameter d of the joined faces of a clutch enclosure enclosing the clutch of the crankcase side cover and the crankcase is set so that the inside diameter is smaller than the outside diameter D of a clutch outer in the clutch.

Abstract: A device to convert energy having exterior and interior rotors where the number of legs (&Lgr;) of an interior rotor divided by the number of chambers (X) defined by the fins of the outer rotor is equal to the effective radius of the inner reference circle r1 divided by the effective radius of the outer reference circle ro (i.e. &Lgr;/X=r1/ro). Where the surface of the fins of the outer rotor and the toe and heel portion of the interior rotor allow for a sealed chamber for a finite amount of rotation of the inner and outer rotors.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a spark ignition direct injection engine includes an injection having plurality of spray holes formed in a generally semicircular pattern wherein the spray holes have a L/D (length over diameter) ratio of not more than 2.0. In a preferred embodiment, the injector nozzle has an internal sac and an end wall with part spherical inner and outer surfaces formed with a common center, the pattern of the spray holes includes a semicircle formed by an arc having ends connected by a straight line wherein the spray holes have outlet openings that are spaced along the arc and slightly below the straight line, and the spray holes lying on the semicircle extend from the common center while the spray holes lying below the straight line have axes extending from above the common center. In an engine, the flat side of the spray is aimed toward the near side of a piston bowl recess.

Abstract: A four-stroke reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection device, which is arranged centrally in a combustion space and which introduces the fuel in the form of an injection cone into the combustion space, and includes at least one spark plug for each combustion space, the electrodes of which spark plug are arranged at the edge of the injection cone. At least two spark plugs are provided, of which the second spark plug has a markedly higher spark gap than the first spark plug.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for controlling the idle speed of an engine that provides uniform control efficiency and rapid control response. An embodiment of the invention activates the ignition system based on a target ignition timing, which corresponds to a target torque ratio and is found using a predetermined relationship between ignition timing and torque ratio. The target torque ratio is calculated based on engine speed and engine load.

Abstract: In the invention an apparatus and method direct an engine speed to converge to a target idle speed by detecting a current engine speed, calculating a dynamic reference speed based on the current engine speed, calculating a target idle speed actuator (ISA) opening based on the dynamic reference speed and the current engine speed, and actuating the ISA based on the target ISA opening.