Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing tool comprises a plurality of process modules for processing the workpiece, where a number of the process modules include a robot loading window. A control system is included for managing operation of the processing tool including a production route defining movement of the workpiece among a number of the process modules. The control system includes a user interface through which an operator can define the production route and recipes to be performed on the workpiece in each of the process modules, a system controller for controlling execution of the production route, a process module controller associated with each of the process modules for controlling the processing of the workpiece in the process module, and a network connecting the user interface, system controller and each process module controller.

Abstract: A false drum servers used in the manufacture of tires having a hollow cylindrical drum with a perforated surface on the drum through which air is drawn. The drawn air creating a suction surface for holding flat or sheet materials that are to be cut before transferring onto a tire building drum. When smaller pieces of flat materials are being held on the drum, the perforations that are not covered allow air to flow freely into the drum, thereby reducing the suction adhering effect of the perforated surface. The present invention provides methods and apparatus for varying the amount of perforated area through which air can be drawn into the drum, thereby changing the amount of suction adhering surface area of the perforated drum.

Abstract: To label products on a conveyor, a target area for a given product conveyed on the conveyor is determined relative to a frame of reference. One of a plurality of labellers fixed at different transverse positions over the conveyor, which one labeller is at a transverse position which is within the transverse extent of the target area is then activated in order to label the product. Each labeller may have a turret with a number of flexible bellows with an interior air diffuser. The air diffuser has a central opening facing the tamping end of the bellows and at least one side opening. This arrangement can enhance the responsiveness of the bellows. Each labeller may also have a de-mountable label cassette with a drive pinion or geneva gear. The label cassette may have a driven pin wheel for moving the pin holed release tape of a label web.

Abstract: A tape dispenser that reduces accidental injury from contact with a sharp blade used to cut and separate tape from the dispenser when affixing the tape to a surface. The cutting blade, fixed at an angle some distance above an opening, or above the edge of a flexible plate, is not exposed unless enough pressure is applied to bend plate far enough to expose blade through and beyond the flexible plate. This invention provides a simpler, safer, more cost effective method of dispensing, affixing and cutting any material in tape form.

Abstract: A sealing tool for sealing upper and lower surfaces of a flatwire by applying a conformal film to the surfaces. The sealing tool includes a tape holder and a tape roller. The tape roller is sized to fit within the tape holder and includes rollers positioned to apply the conformal film to the flatwire. The sealing tool may also include a base sized to receive the tape holder for positioning the sealing tool relative to the flatwire to be repaired.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to improve privacy, shade, and aesthetic properties of a rigid barrier fence or wall or an outdoor patio. The preferred embodiment is a screen panel with visual and audio impairment properties that extends upward from the top of a barrier wall and effectively increases the overall wall height. Other embodiments affix a shade or aesthetic combination accessory from a barrier fence or wall, roof, or roof support member.

Abstract: To provide a blind slat resistant to bending with keeping good rotation of a slat.

Abstract: A cord shroud for use in cooperation with a window shade assembly of the type having multiple lift cords or a cord loop extending from a headrail has two elongated flexible ribbons, each ribbon having a plurality of apertures sized to permit the lift cords to pass through the apertures. The first end of one ribbon is connected to the headrail or to a tube extending from the headrail. A gripper is attached to the second end of the first ribbon and attached to the first end of the second ribbon. The second end of the second ribbon can be attached to a tassel or a weight. The gripper has a passageway through which the lift cords pass and is constructed such that the cords can pass freely through the passageway when the gripper is in a relaxed condition. The gripper will grip a portion of the lift cords that is in the passageway when a force is applied to the gripper.

Abstract: A method for softening a paper-based product, such as facial tissues, bath tissues, paper towels, etc., is provided. In particular, the method of the present invention includes exposing a cellulosic fibrous material to ionizing radiation (e.g., electron beam radiation). It is believed that the ionizing radiation induces vibrational forces throughout the cellulosic fibrous structure, thereby disrupting hydrogen bonds between adjacent fibers and opening the crystalline structure of the material to result in a softer product.

Abstract: A continuous, alkaline process for the production of pulp from wood chips, wherein the preheated chips are subjected to an extended impregnation step for at least 60 min, preferably longer, at a temperature not exceeding the impregnation liquor boiling point at atmospheric conditions, and a rapid heating and cooking period of less than 65 min, preferably shorter, followed by cooling to below reaction temperature. Fresh alkali is added both during impregnation and the heating/cooking period.

Abstract: An alkaline batch process for the production of pulp from wood chips, wherein the preheated chips are subjected to an extended impregnation step outside the digester for at least 60 min, preferably longer, at a temperature not exceeding the impregnation liquor boiling point at atmos-pheric conditions, and a rapid heating and cooking period in the digester of less than about 90 min, preferably shorter, followed by cooling to below reaction tempera-ture. Fresh alkali is added both during impregnation and the heating/cooking period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wet-laid non-woven sheet made from a essentially binder-free aramid floc, wherein the aramid floc includes at least 25 percent by weight of para-aramid floc based on the total weight of aramid floc only, and a process for making the sheet.

Abstract: Additives for paper making are disclosed herein. Specifically, the additives are wax-free alternatives to conventional coatings, including ASA, AKD and optionally an acrylic containing composition. Other additives may be included in the coating, such as cationic particles or compositions. The coatings may be used at a variety of points during the paper making process, including on the calender stack and in the wet end.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for manufacturing calendered paper or board particularly in the on-line manufacturing method. In the method, a base web is formed from a mixture of water and pulp supplied from the headbox and the web is dried by removing water over the press section and over the dryer section by heating. The formed web is calendered at least once to modify the surface on at least one of its sides. Before calendering the cross-direction thickness profile of the web is standardized and calendering is carried out by means of a long-nip calender, whereby good surface quality is obtained without losing the bulk or stiffness of the web.

Abstract: A die-casting method and a device for use in the die-casting method are disclosed. The casting material, which can be liquid metal, semi-solid metal or metal-matrix composite, in the shot chamber of a die-casting machine is driven to flow with high shear rate to mix homogeneously by the electromotive force induced with at least one low-frequency shifting electromagnetic field. The temperature and the microstructure of the casting material near the shot chamber are further controlled and perturbed by at least one high-frequency electromagnetic field to minimize the temperature difference or the growth of dendritic microstructure. To ensure the efficiency of the electromagnetic fields, the shot chamber is made of non-magnetic material and its wall thickness is less than three times the penetration depth of the electromagnetic fields. The shot chamber is surrounded by at least one solenoid coil, a conducting shield and at least one electric motor stator.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a cylinder for an internal combustion engine by making use of an insert core, which makes it possible to manufacture the cylinder by a die casting method such as a high-pressure die casting method at low cost and in high accuracy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for fabricating of continuous castings with fine and uniform microstructure, which can be used as feedstock for secondary processing routes, such as thixoforming, forging and machining or direct application in industry. An overheated liquid alloy is fed into a high shear device (for example, a twin-screw extruder) and sheared intensively to produce a sheared liquid alloy or a semisolid slurry, wherein the sheared liquid alloy is at a temperature close to its liquidus and the semisolid slurry is then transferred to a shaping device for production of continuous castings with fine and uniform microstructures through a solidification process. The shaping device is any device capable of forming continuous (i.e.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (50) is provided for transferring heat between first and second fluids (52) and (54) having a maximum operating mass flow rate through the heat exchanger (50) and mass flow rates that are substantially proportional to each other. The heat exchanger (50) provides essentially constant outlet temperatures for the first and second fluids (52,54) for all of the flow rates within the operating spectrum of the heat exchanger (50) without the use of an active control system. The heat exchanger (50) is of particular use in the fuel processing system (36) of proton exchange membrane type fuel cell systems.

Abstract: A tube-to-tube heat exchanger for use in an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle has a unitary tube, which is internally longitudinally divided into a first passage and a second passage by a heat conductive primary web. One warm fluid line is directly connected to each end of the first passage, without the need for a separate connector. One cold fluid return line is directly connected to each end of the second passage, without the need for a separate connector. The fluid lines are connected to the heat exchanger by brazing. In one embodiment, the web is substantially planar and the cross-section of each of the first passage and the second passage is substantially D-shaped. The heat exchanger may further include a support web, extending perpendicularly from approximately mid-way along the primary web. In another embodiment, the cross-sections of the first and second passages may be substantially circular, with the primary web being shaped accordingly.

Abstract: A cellular reservoir flexible pressure vessel is formed as a series of closely packed tubes fitted into a pair of opposing end caps. The end caps have individual receptacles sized and shaped to receive the tube ends that are secured with adhesive or radio frequency welding. At least one end cap has a passageway for connection of the vessel. The vessel may be formed in a variety of useful shapes and the tubes may have various internal and external cross-sections. The end caps may be filled with sintactic foam with canals leading to the passageway. Microtubes through the syntactic foam may connect the tubes to the passageway. The vessel is further strengthened by overwrapping with high-strength braiding material, hoop winding or by overlayment with high-strength fabric. The vessel is further strengthened by coating with plastic resin. Apparatus and methods for forming the cellular reservoir flexible vessels are described.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) comprises a housing jacket (11) and tube segments (14-20) disposed concentrically inside the housing jacket (11). Between two receiving plates (12, 13), closing the housing jacket (11) on its face ends, the tube segments (14-20) embody heating chambers (21-24) and product chambers (42-45). While the product to be heated flows in a meandering course through the heat exchanger (10), the heating medium flows through the heat exchanger (10) over short paths from a medium inlet stub (51), in the direction of a medium outlet stub (52). The heat exchanger (10) of the invention is distinguished by a relatively simple construction and is especially suitable for compositions in the candy industry, using steam as the heating medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods according to the present invention preferably utilize electroosmotic pumps that are capable of generating high pressure and flow without moving mechanical parts and the associated generation of unacceptable electrical and acoustic noise, as well as the associated reduction in reliability. These electroosmotic pumps are preferably fabricated with materials and structures that improve performance, efficiency, and reduce weight and manufacturing cost relative to presently available micropumps. These electroosmotic pumps also preferably allow for recapture of evolved gases and deposited materials, which may provide for long-term closed-loop operation. Apparatus and methods according to the present invention also allow active regulation of the temperature of the device through electrical control of the flow through the pump and can utilize multiple cooling loops to allow independent regulation of the special and temporal characteristics of the device temperature profiles.

Abstract: The side tracking system includes a window mill having a full diameter cutting surface and a reduced diameter tapered cutting surface and a whipstock having a ramp engaging the reduced diameter cutting surface. The materials of the whipstock have a first cutablity and the materials of the casing have a second cutability. The reduced diameter cutting surface contacts the whipstock ramp at a first contact area and the full diameter cutting surface contacts the wall of the casing at a second contact area. As weight is applied to the mill, there is a first contact stress at the first contact area and a second contact stress at the second contact area. A cutability ratio is the first cutability divided by the second cutability and a contact stress ratio is the first contact stress divided by the second contact stress. The mill cuts the casing rather than the whipstock by maintaining the product of the cutability ratio and the contact stress ratio less than one.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hanger for either casing or tubing strings that electrically insulates the internal suspension system of the hanger from the hanger's external seal. Electrical power is typically transferred through a hanger via the internal suspension system. If electrical umbilicals are used, connecting devices may be located within the internal suspension system for connecting an upper and lower umbilical and transferring power through the hanger. If a rigid tubular conductor is used, the suspension system may be ported to allow the passage of electrical feedthroughs or, in the case of tubing hangers, the tubing itself maybe charged with electrical power. By insulating the suspension system from the external seal, potential electrical hazards are eliminated.

Abstract: An axial force generating tool for applying a force on a structure positioned within a borehole is taught. The tool includes a housing (19) sized to fit within the borehole in which the tool is required to act; an outer seal (38) disposed about the housing and selected to create a seal between the housing and the borehole; an inner bore (32) through the housing including a seal to prevent flow from the inner bore out through the lower end; an opening (34) to the inner bore above the seal; a bracing means (36) for maintaining the housing against axial movement in the borehole once the housing is in a selected position within the borehole; a piston (27) mounted in sliding engagement wiht the housing for axial movement relative to the housing, the piston positioned to act between a pressure differential establishable between the inner bore and the borehole between the seal and the lower end to drive the piston axially relative to the housing; and a grapple connected to the piston for axial movement therewith.

Abstract: A swabbing tool for wells that filters particulates from fluids passing through the swabbing tool. The swabbing tool comprises a mandrel, at least one swab cup on the mandrel, the mandrel and swab cup being arranged to allow fluids to pass from below to above the swab cup; and a sifter attached to the swabbing tool below the swab cup for filtering particulates from fluid passing from below to above the swab cup. The sifter is barrel shaped and is provided with a sealing element attached to the sifter to force fluid into the sifter. The sifter has an interior and the sealing element is dimensioned to seal against a casing or tubing wall and force fluid into the sifter. The openings in the sand sifting element may be slots, with a size between 0.125 mm to 0.635 mm.

Abstract: A method of protecting against loss of downhole tools in wells, the method comprising the steps of making repeated use of a wire rope to suspend downhole tools in wells, the downhole tools being suspended from a downhole end of the wire rope, testing the integrity of the wire rope from time to time according to a maintenance schedule, and shortening the wire rope when the wire rope fails integrity testing. Tests that may be performed are a test of the longitudinal strength of at least one wire from the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the stretch of the wire rope, a test of the diameter of a wire from the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the diameter of the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the flex strength of a wire from the wire rope, a test of the twist strength of a wire from the wire rope; and a test of the weight of a segment of the wire rope.

Abstract: A tank contains both Zeolite and a hydrate in a gas chamber formed beneath a piston in the sample tank. Out of safety considerations, we avoid using source cylinders of nitrogen whose pressures exceed 4000 psi. Thus, the gas chamber of the sample tank is initially pressurized by the source cylinder to no more than 4000 psi of nitrogen at room temperature at the surface. Nitrogen gas is sorbed onto the zeolite at room temperature. As the tank is heated by being lowered downhole, nitrogen desorbs from the zeolite and the gas pressure increases. However, once this tank reaches a temperature high enough to release the hydrate's water of hydration, the released water is preferentially sorbed by zeolite, displacing sorbed nitrogen, and causing the pressure in the gas volume to increase even further. Because well temperatures are not high enough to desorb water from zeolite, any water sorbed onto a Zeolite sorption site will permanently block released nitrogen from resorbing at that site.

Abstract: A system for controlling a dynamic pressure transient in a well during operations to provide fluid communication between the wellbore and adjacent formation. A method includes determining the characteristics of an adjacent formation, selecting a perforating tool for increasing fluid communication, determining a dynamic pressure transient to enhance the quality of the fluid communication and prevent damage, selecting a wellbore fluid to achieve the desired pressure transient, and performing the fluid communication process based on the selected parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus providing at least one high pressure fluid cutting jet and methods employing same. A gas generator powered by a combustible propellant supplies pressurized gas to propel a fluid through at least one nozzle to form a cutting jet suitable for cutting materials such as structural elements. Furthermore, nozzles may be configured to rotate in order to circumferentially sever a tubular structural element. Two or more fluid cutting jets may be configured to intersect, and may be configured to intersect proximate to at least a portion of the periphery of the tubular structural element to be severed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting one or more longitudinal members, external to a downhole tubular conduit, by pulling upward on a cutter body attached to the tubular conduit, where the longitudinal members are run between cutter knives within the cutter body. The cutter knives are attached to one external longitudinal member. After the main tubular conduit is cut below the cutter body, the tubular conduit is pulled, lifting the cutter body, thereby engaging the cutter knives with sloping surfaces on the cutter body to force the knives together, severing the external longitudinal members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a subterranean well formation to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons utilizing foam diversion in the well formation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure; and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims under 37CFR 1.72.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel (1) provided with a deck (2) and with a device (3) for removing and/or installing a sub-structure (4) of a drilling or production platform, wherein said device comprises a supporting structure (5) which is capable of tilting movement in a direction transversely to an edge (6) of the deck (2), hoisting means (7) connected to said supporting structure for hoisting said sub-structure, and supporting means for supporting said sub-structure mainly during tilting movement of said supporting structure, wherein said supporting means are provided separately from the supporting structure and capable of tilting movement with respect to the edge of the deck.

Abstract: A technique for connecting expandable tubulars. The technique comprises an expandable connector system that facilitates the connection of tubular components, such as tubulars used in wellbore environments.

Abstract: A hammer union comprises a thread end, a nut end and a hammer nut which, when cinched up, compresses a composite seal assembly thereby preventing leakage. The seal assembly comprises a metal insert of a size to pass into the seal groove of conventional hammer unions and a small seal acting between the insert, the thread end and the nut end. The small seal is conveniently an O-ring and is of a size that is compressed when the seal assembly is inserted into the thread end of the hammer union, thereby preventing the seal assembly from falling out of the threaded end when it is inverted. The metal insert provides another groove opposite the small seal to receive a second O-ring which acts as a spring to bias the small seal into sealing engagement, thereby allowing the new seal assembly to accommodate more variation in the length of the existing seal groove in prior art hammer unions.

Abstract: A non-freezing fire extinguishing agent having the simultaneous effect of reducing the flammability of objects, which is made of an aqueous solution of alkali carbonate, citric acid, and ethylene glycol, is disclosed.

Abstract: An installation includes spray nozzles (1) connected to a pressurized extinguishing liquid supply line (3). Fire detecting elements are connected to elements controlling the supply of the nozzles. The installation comprises a compressed gas container (6) connected by a pipe (5) to a tank (4) containing the liquid and which itself is connected to the supply line (3). The conduit (5) is normally closed by a valve (7) with controlled opening so as to enable compressed gas contained in the container to penetrate into the tank to evacuate the liquid towards the supply line of the nozzles. The nozzles are associated with respective electrically driven fans (9) arranged in series so that an electrically driven fan located downstream of an upstream electrically driven fan sucks in the larger volume between the downstream and upstream electrically driven fans.

Abstract: A fire fighting vehicle comprises a chassis mounted on a traction system for moving across broken ground. The vehicle includes a water tank connected to the chassis. A cutting device is mounted at a forward end of the chassis and extends in a forward direction away from the chassis. A first arm is pivotally mounted to the chassis, the first arm being capable of extending in a forward direction away from the chassis, the first arm terminating at a distal end in a grasping mechanism. A second arm is pivotally mounted to the chassis, the second arm terminating in a blower. The second arm supports a line interconnecting the water tank to the blower. The second arm is capable of extending the blower away from the chassis and pivoting the blower 180° about the chassis.

Abstract: What is different about my invention is that the flip fire extinguisher bracket will turn to different positions not allowing the powder to pack in the bottom of the fire extinguisher. The Fire Marshals office reccomends the powdered fire extinguisher be turned over and beat on the bottom to loosen the powder. The Flip Bracketwill aid in keeping the powder from packing in the bottom of the extinguisher.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suppressing a fire utilizing non-azide solid gas propellant generation to produce and transport a suitable gas for suppressing a fire in a normally occupied area. The nitrogen gas produced by the solid propellant gas generation is optionally treated to remove undesirable elements such as water and/or carbon dioxide from the product gas prior to the delivery of the product gas to the protected hazard area.

Abstract: A downhole percussion drilling apparatus includes a housing and a piston rotatably supported within an interior bore of the housing. A first engagement surface serves as a cam surface. A second engagement surface serves as a follower surface. The cam surface has a plurality of inclined planes each of which terminates in a drop off. With each rotation of the piston, the follower surface rises up each of the inclined planes and then falls down each of the drop offs of the cam surface thereby imparting a series of percussive hammering impacts to the piston.

Abstract: A wide band high frequency compatible electrical coaxial cable is provided with an outer conductor, a dielectric, and an inner conductor that is arranged about a plastic core and includes an inner layer of film that is surrounded by and in electrical contact with a plurality of twisted round conductors. A pressurized cooling fluid is circulated within the plastic core for high load applications such as supplying power to a laser.

Abstract: Coupling sleeve with a generally cylindrical shape designed for connection between a mineral-insulated coaxial cable and a matching device which is itself coaxial. The sleeve protects a first contact and directly provides a second contact between two ends respectively of the cable and of the matching device. The sleeve is preferably designed with an aperture to enable filling after final assembly. The filling is done with insulating materials. After filling, the aperture is plugged. Preferably, the sleeve is soldered respectively to the second contact of the cable and to the second contact of the matching device.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor chip whose main surface comprises first electrode pads; a wiring portion electrically connected to the electrode pad and including a bump portion that protrudes upward in a vertical direction with respect to the main surface; a sealing layer covering the perimeter and main surface of the chip; and a re-distribution wiring layer which electrically connected to the wiring portion and extending from a first portion of the sealing layer over the main surface to a second region of the sealing layer outside the first region.

Abstract: A pressure plate for an electrical device includes at least one internal standoff, at least one outboard standoff, and an anti-rotation leg. The internal and outboard standoffs prevent overtightening of the terminal screw. The anti-rotation leg preserves the orientation of the pressure plate and prevents a speed wire arm from being deformed when removing a speed wired wire from the device.

Abstract: The invention provides according to one example a display device for a domestic electric heating appliance, such as for example a glass ceramic hob, the electric heating appliance having at least one heating device. The latter is subdivided into several flat heating areas, which can be activated at least partly independently of one another and/or singly for heating operation. The display device optically displays the heating operation or the activation of individual heating areas. For this purpose it has individually activatable illuminating devices. The illuminating devices are constructed as separate segments of a geometrical basic shape, such as a rectangle or preferably a circle. For each display device there are two basic shapes of the same nature, but different size and having a concentric arrangement.

Abstract: A waterproof cover structure of an electric distribution box includes a first cover member and a second cover member. the first cover member, includes a covering wall, a first side wall formed on the covering wall, and an inner wall formed on the covering wall with a gap between the first side wall and the inner wall, and having a straight wall and a slanting wall. The second cover member has a second side wall to be inserted into the gap. The covering wall has an opening communicating the gap with an exterior. An end portion of the second side wall is disposed above the slanting wall when the second side wall is inserted into the gap.

Abstract: An induction winding (20) consisting of at least one turn, containing current-carrying means (10) comprising stranded conductors (11) arranged in at least one layer (12, 13, 14) where the said at least one layer is electrically insulated from adjacent layers (16, 17, 18) and at least two adjacent strands constituting the said at least one layer are uninsulated.

Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided including a lower interconnect, a base insulating film formed on the lower interconnect, and a via hole formed on the base insulating film, and an upper interconnect connected to the lower interconnect with the via hole. The base insulating film has a thickness of about 3 to 100 &mgr;m and has a breaking strength of about 80 MPa or more at a temperature of 23° C. and when the base insulating film is defined to have a breaking strength “a” at a temperature of −65° C. and a breaking strength “b” at a temperature of 150° C., a value of a ratio (a/b) is about 4.5 or less.