Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for safely lowering an individual, independent of the weight of the individual, during a fire from the higher floor levels of a tall structure to the ground level at a predetermined speed For this, the present invention provides a device (1) for safely evacuating a: individual (41) during an emergency from a tall structure comprising a rotatable drum (2), a cable (3) of suitable length wound about said drum and rotation regulating means (7) for controlling the rotation speed of said drum comprising a first member encasing an expandible second member rotatable in said first member (8), wherein the expansion of said second member (9) is controlled by the rotation speed of said drum.

Abstract: The invention resides in an internal combustion engine (20) comprising an air intake system (24) operatively connected to a cylinder (21), a gaseous phase fuel delivery system (25) operatively connected to the cylinder (21), and a liquid phase lubricant injection system (10) operatively connected to the cylinder (21). An atomised portion of liquid phase lubricant is injected into a mixture of gaseous phase fuel and air by the liquid phase lubricant injection system (10) to lubricate components of the cylinder (21) prior to burning the mixture in the cylinder (21).

Abstract: A power unit for a motorcycle includes an internal combustion engine provided with a crankcase rotatably supporting a crankshaft with an axial line extending in a vehicle-width direction. An oil pump is mounted on the crankcase with a balancer rotatably supported by the crankcase. Rotational power from the crankshaft is transmitted to a pump driven member provided on a pump shall of the oil pump and to a balancer driven member coaxially interlinked with and connected to the balancer so as to transmit power to the balancer. The power unit is downsized by bringing a balancer and an oil pump into a close arrangement. The pump driven member and the balancer driven member are offset from each other in a vehicle-width direction and are located at such a position so as to at least partially overlap each other as viewed from the side of the vehicle-width direction.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a cylinder with bore and a piston disposed to reciprocate in the bore is operated by moving the piston in the bore between top and bottom dead center positions and applying lubricant to a portion of the piston that protrudes from the bore. Lubricant is wiped from the piston as the piston travels into the bore toward its top dead center position.

Abstract: A device for lifting vehicles and other objects may include a first tubular body and a second tubular body. The second tubular body is mobile in relation to the first tubular body in a longitudinal direction of the first tubular body. A first receiving chamber for a first fluid medium is provided in the interior of the first tubular body. A second receiving chamber is provided for the first fluid medium and a line connection provides fluid communication between the first receiving chamber and the second receiving chamber. The line connection extends through at least a portion of the first receiving chamber. According to various aspects, the device includes a supply line configured to supply a second fluid medium, different from the first fluid medium, to the first receiving chamber.

Abstract: A lift system is coupled between a work platform and a mast on a mast lift. The lift system includes at least one lifting rope connected between the work platform and the mast via an idler roller and a hoist drum connected to the work platform. The idler roller is displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position based on an amount of tension on the lifting rope. A spring is connected to the idler roller and urges the idler roller toward the engaged position. A carriage latch assembly includes a carriage latch hook coupled with the idler roller and a pin secured to the mast. When the idler roller is disposed in the engaged position, the carriage latch hook is engageable with the pin.

Abstract: In the elevator of the invention, the hoisting rope is roped to meet the traction sheave in two different rope grooves, which have differ from each other in respect of their holding properties. In the traction sheave of the invention, at least two adjacent rope grooves have cross-sectional shapes differing from each other.

Abstract: A portable raise climbing system is provided that comprises a starter box for interfacing with an existing raise climb track, a raise climber that is deployed by the system onto the existing track for normal raise excavation operations, and a transporter. The transporter is configured to carry the raise climber from site to site by interfacing with moving equipment. The moving equipment preferably includes a front hydraulic quick connect/disconnect lift system, e.g. front-end loader, forklift, plough, scooptram, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immobilisation device for a wheel of a vehicle, comprising two chocks to be positioned in front and behind a wheel to prevent said wheel from rolling, two arms which are pivotable about a pivot point relative to each other, which function as connecting means by which the chocks are connected together at least during use of the immobilisation device, and tensioning means arranged for tensioning the chocks against the wheel, wherein the arms are each connected to a chock on one side of the pivot point and to a tensioning element on the other side of the pivot point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single motor electronic controlled wedge brake system that can achieve parking brake, frictional correction of pads, and fail safe as well as travel brake through the drive control using a single motor. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a simple configuration of the electronic controlled wedge brake system, reduce manufacturing cost, and facilitate control.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro wedge brake (EWB) system that implements a main braking function by using power generated by one motor. Further, the electro wedge brake system implements various additional functions such as a function for maintaining a set clearance of a pad, a Fail-Safe function, and an EPB function, by using that the forward movement of a push rod shaft screwed using a NSL (Non-Self Locking) type screw is restrained or released on the basis of ON/OFF control of the solenoid mechanism interlocked with the main braking function motor. Accordingly, since only one motor is used to generate power, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and to simplify the structure.

Abstract: A device for braking an elongated rotating body, includes at least two parts with coaxial conical surfaces, able to be slipped onto the body, and one, a so-called male cone, mounted integrally in rotation with the body, and the other, a so-called female cone, mounted fixed in rotation relative to the body. The female cone assumes the shape of a wheel with an axial bore with a conical bearing, and the male cone has a center recess. The cones are controlled in terms of axial relative movement by a control element. The male cone is, when the cones are close to one another, corresponding to the braking position, housed inside the axial bore of the female cone, with its conical external peripheral surface being held, by contact with a support, with the conical bearing of the female cone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disk brake having a brake dirk (22) with a rotational axis (A) and a preferred running direction (1), having an application device, having a brake caliper (12) with a first caliper limb (32) which is arranged on a first side of the brake disk and with a second caliper limb (30) which is arranged on a second side, situated opposite the first side, of the brake disk and is offset relative to the first caliper limb by a predetermined distance (V) in the direction of the brake disk run-out side, having a first brake lining (14) which, during braking, bears by means of a first rear face against a first contact face on the application device, and by means of a first friction face (20) against the brake disk, and having a second brake lining (16) which, during braking, bears by means of a second rear face (26) against a second contact face (28) on the second caliper limb, and by means of a second friction face (24) against the brake disk, and is supported on the second caliper limb in the

Abstract: A fixing and combining device for the brake disc of a remote-controlled model car includes a connecting cup and a brake disc. The connecting cup has one side provided with a cup-shaped transmission member having two opposite sides of its circumferential wall respectively cut with an engage notch for receiving transmission rod therein. The brake disc is bored with a center hole matching with the transmission member and having the opposite sides of its inner annular edge formed with at least two combining projections to be respectively combined with the inner sides of the two engage notches of the connecting cup after the transmission member is inserted through the center hole of the brake disc. Thus, the brake disc can be tightly fixed between the engage notches of the connecting cup and the transmission rod by the combining projections.

Abstract: A pad retention device for a brake calliper for a disc brake for a vehicle comprises four spaced elongate cylindrical abutment pins (11) to (14) dispersed at spaced intervals around the periphery of the pad (10). The pins comprise two leading edge pins (11) and (12) and two trailing edge pins (13) and (14). Pin (13) is disposed adjacent the upper leading edge and a further pin (15) provides a centre locating and retaining pin which extends through an aperture (16) in the back plate of the pad. A cantilever spring (17) is mounted on pin (15) and pin (13). In use the spring (17) bears down on the pad (10), using pin (13) as a reaction point and centre locating and retaining pin (15) as a pivot, on the trailing edge side of the pin (15). This in turn tends to rotate the pad in an anticlockwise direction reducing or eliminating pad to abutment pin air gaps and therefore pad rattle and pad knock. This arrangement also provides improved squeal noise resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brake actuating apparatus which can perform braking without converting a rotational motion into a linear motion. The brake actuating apparatus includes a caliper body with a cylinder. An electric motor is fixed to the caliper body. A pressing piston is installed in the cylinder. A housing or plug is installed in and block the cylinder, and a rotational shaft is installed at the center of the housing to be rotated by the motor. A head is attached to the rotational shaft and defines a fluid-receiving space in cooperation with the housing. The rotation of head varies the volume of space, thereby moving the pressing piston.

Abstract: An industrial truck with at least one driven wheel, which is adapted to being braked during traveling operation by means of a service brake and which is adapted to being immobilized by a parking brake, comprises a braking force generation and braking force transmission apparatus, which is adapted to generating a braking force and to transmitting it to at least one wheel, preferably a driven wheel, the service brake being actuatable mechanically and/or pneumatically and/or hydraulically, wherein the parking brake is actuatable electromagnetically, and the industrial truck comprises a first armature disk, which is associated with the parking brake, has ferromagnetic material and is movable between an active position, in which it activates the braking force generation and braking force transmission apparatus for generating and transmitting a braking force to the at least one wheel, and an inactive position, in which it does not activate the braking force generation and braking force transmission apparatus.

Abstract: A slack adjuster for a fluid-actuated brake comprises a slack adjuster collet (24) having a tubular skirt and an enlarged ring section. The enlarged ring section has opposed axial stop faces notched therein that define a conical lift surface facing the tube axis. A forward stop face has a conical or beveled surface arranged to engage the conical or beveled surface on one stop face of the collet when the collet carried by the actuator rod reaches the forward stop face and a retraction stop face has a conical or beveled surface arranged to engage the conical or beveled surface on the other stop face of the collet when the collet carried by the actuator rod reaches retraction stop face. The conical or beveled surfaces are configured so that when they engage, the force of the collet on the push rod is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a braking disc comprising a braking band and a support bell. The band comprises first connecting means and the bell comprises second connecting means adapted to face the first connecting means. The disc further comprises coupling means, each of which is slidingly associated to one of either said first or said second connecting means and is adapted to alternatively take either a fastening position or a release position. When the coupling means are in said fastening position mutually fasten the band and the bell in the axial direction. On the other hand, when the coupling means are in said release position, they allow a mutual movement between the band and the bell in the axial direction.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston which has at least one compression fluid passage and at least one rebound fluid passage. A compression valve assembly closes the at least one compression passage and a rebound valve assembly closes the at least one rebound passage. An interconnecting passage connects the at least one compression fluid passage and the at least one rebound fluid passage to define an open flow path through the piston.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) piston includes an MR piston core, an MR piston end plate, a shim disc, and a flexible orifice disc. The end plate covers an end of the core to define a chamber and has a through passageway aligned with an MR-piston-core bypass passageway at the chamber. The shim disc and the orifice disc are positioned in the chamber. The orifice disc includes an orifice aligned with the bypass passageway at the chamber and includes an additional orifice. Under fluid pressure in a first direction the orifice disc lies substantially flat against one of the end and the MR piston end plate. Under fluid pressure in an opposite second direction the orifice disc is deflected by the presence of the shim disc to lift the additional orifice from the one of the end and the MR piston end plate.

Abstract: One expression of an embodiment of the invention is for a damper including a damper cylinder and a damper gas cup assembly. The damper gas cup assembly is disposed in, and is slidingly engagable with, the damper cylinder and includes a gas-and-liquid-impermeable damper gas cup and a liquid-permeable member. The damper gas cup has a central longitudinal axis and has an outwardly-facing first circumferential surface with a fully-circumferential first surface groove. The first surface groove is adapted to receive a first seal. The member is disposed outside, and is attached to, the damper gas cup and has an outwardly-facing second circumferential surface with a fully-circumferential second surface groove. The second surface groove is adapted to receive a second seal. Another expression of an embodiment of the invention is for the damper gas cup assembly without mention of the damper cylinder.

Abstract: A damper includes a rod guide assembly which is attached to an open end portion of a cylinder. The rod guide assembly is adapted to guide a piston rod and to seal damping fluid within the cylinder. The damper includes a compressible rebound bumper disposed between, and attached to one of, the rod guide assembly and a piston. The damper includes a rebound travel limiter. In a first expression, the limiter is adapted to limit the compression of the bumper when the limiter is in contact with the rod guide assembly and the piston. In a second expression, the limiter is in contact with the bumper and the one of the rod guide assembly and the piston, wherein the limiter has a modulus of elasticity which is greater than that of the bumper. A damper subassembly is described which includes a compressible rebound bumper and a rebound travel limiter.

Abstract: Presented is a piston-cylinder unit. The piston-cylinder unit includes an outer tube defining a cavity, a working cylinder disposed in the cavity of the outer tube and filling only a portion of the cavity. The unfilled portion of the cavity is a compensating space. The compensating space is divided into an area filled with a damping medium and an area filed with a gas. The piston-cylinder unit further includes a piston rod that includes a damping piston. The piston rod is disposed in the working cylinder and has freedom of axial movement, and is configured to displace the gas. The piston-cylinder unit further includes a reservoir that has a variable volume configured for actuating the compensating space.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus comprises a pulley mounted rotatably on a casing of a rotary device, a hub coupled to the pulley by fitting between depressions and protrusions, a power shutoff member for preventing excessive torque between a rotary shaft and the hub, and an engaging device for engaging the hub and the pulley each other. The engaging device includes a first stepped portion formed radially on the outer periphery of the hub and a second stepped portion formed radially on the inner peripheral wall of a rim of the pulley in such a manner as to engage the first stepped portion in the axial direction.

Abstract: A device for damping vibrations, especially a torsional vibration damper, comprising at least one primary part and a secondary part that are coaxial in relation to each other and limited rotatably relative to each other in a peripheral direction, whereby the primary part and secondary part (4) are coupled with each other by means for transmitting torque and means for damping coupling, and the secondary part can be at least indirectly coupled to a connecting element, especially a transmission input shaft. A ramp is provided that is at least indirectly connected to the secondary part, extends in a peripheral direction over a section, has an axially changing slope and acts on at least one counter element braced against a connecting element via a pretensioning unit.

Abstract: A clutch including: a first piston displaceable to operate a clutch pack; a second piston; a first fluid chamber partially formed by the pistons, wherein the second piston is displaceable by fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber; and a locking means fixable by the second piston to hold the pack closed. In a preferred embodiment, the locking means includes at least one displaceable ball. In another preferred embodiment, in response to a loss of fluid pressure in the first chamber, the second piston is displaceable to enable displacement of the locking means to open the pack. In a further preferred embodiment, the clutch includes a second chamber, separate from the first chamber and partially formed by the first piston. The first piston is displaceable in response to fluid pressure in the second chamber. The pack remains closed after a loss or reduction of fluid pressure in the second chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating armature, in particular brake and/or clutch armature, having a housing (2) in which is arranged a piston (5) which is moveable in a cylinder space (3) by means of an actuating element (7) in order to displace liquid, wherein an equalizing space and/or storage tank (19) is arranged within the cylinder space (3) and/or within the piston (5).

Abstract: Segmented and laminated steel core plates (31,31?) having at least one groove or channel formed at the interface of the core plates for either double sided or single sided wet clutch friction plates or separator plates and a process for making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: One-part stabilizers are designed for road traffic only or for off-road travel only. Two-part stabilizers with a shiftable clutch have drawbacks in terms of quality and safety. A clutch is therefore presented, whose radial carriers (14, 16) are located on the same plane and which are fixed without clearance via a shiftable and axially displaceable locking piston (17) with locking elements (23) or are released over a predetermined pivot angle.

Abstract: A security element comprises at least one oscillating circuit (O1-On) and a digital signature (2). Each oscillating circuit (O1-On) comprises a capacitor (C1-Cn) as resonance frequency setting element wherein the capacitor (C1-Cn) consists of two electrodes (8, 10) which are spaced apart from each other and a dielectric (9) that is sandwiched between the two electrodes (8, 10). The capacitor (C1-Cn) of each oscillating circuit has a random capacitance value which randomness is caused by a non-uniform thickness (d) of the dielectric (9) and/or by an inhomogeneous dielectric material. The digital signature (2) comprises reference values indicative for the resonance frequencies (f1-fh) of the oscillating circuits wherein the reference values are digitally signed with a secret key.

Abstract: An improvement to finishing machines that are used to orient objects. The finishing machine includes a hopper for receiving loose objects, such as lids, and an endless belt for extracting the lids from the hopper. The belt moves vertically upwards with the lids and sorts the lids automatically, such that only correctly-oriented lids are retained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for orienting and aligning articles, of the type that comprises: orientation cavities which can move along a closed path and which are equipped with an upper inlet for loading articles and an open base through which the articles can pass, a plurality of aligning conduits which are disposed below the orientation cavities, means for temporarily supporting the articles in the orientation cavities and for dropping same into the conduits, and support and/or end stop elements in each of the orientation cavities. In addition, each of the cavities comprises several seats or housings at different positions for receiving a first support and/or end stop element of the aforementioned support and/or end stop elements and retaining means for retaining said first support and/or end stop element in any of the seats or housings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer method and an apparatus (1) for transferring articles (2) between a line conveyor (25), on which the articles (2) are transported continuously in one or more lines (21), and a stationary or movable tray (7) for accommodating one or more rows (10) of articles. The transfer apparatus (1) has a row-transfer mechanism (11) with a gripping device (12) for one or more rows (10) of articles, and with a manipulator (15). The transfer apparatus (1) also has an accumulating device (27) for temporarily forming and delimiting accumulated groups (28) of articles and gaps (29) in the continuous line (21) on the line conveyor (25) and for independently transporting the group (28) of articles along the line conveyor (25).

Abstract: A coverlay processing system includes a processing device and a conveyance device. The conveyance device is configured for moving the coverlay to the process device. The conveyance device includes a pulling member, a first securing member, a detector and a controller. The pulling member is configured for driving the coverlay. The first securing member is configured for stopping moving the coverlay. The detector is configured for detecting a moving state of the coverlay and is connected to the controller. The controller is connected to the processing device for managing the operation of the processing device.

Abstract: A belt module having a grid geometry including cavities and ribs associated with an outer surface for attaching a high friction material.

Abstract: A trigger switch has a chassis, a slide member slidably retained in the chassis, a trigger connected to the slide member and projected from the chassis, the trigger configured to slide the slide member when the trigger is drawn towards the chassis, a pair of power-supply connecting terminals connected to a power supply, a pair of motor output terminals connected to a motor, a speed control circuit configured to output a current to the motor output terminal while controlling the current when the speed control circuit is connected to the power supply, a first contact mechanism configured to connect the power-supply connecting terminal to the speed control circuit when the trigger is drawn by a first amount; and a second contact mechanism configured to connect the power-supply connecting terminal to the motor output terminal when the trigger is drawn by a second amount.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly includes a movable contact having a dome shape, a base sheet contacting an upper surface of the movable contact, a columnar portion provided on an upper surface of the base sheet, and a light guide sheet provided on an upper surface of the columnar portion. The light guide sheet has a light-receiving surface for introducing light into the light guide sheet, and allows the introduced light to be emitted from an upper surface of the light guide sheet. The base sheet includes a dome portion having a concave lower surface, and a flat portion connected with an outer edge of the dome portion. The columnar portion is positioned on the upper surface of the dome portion away from the outer edge of the dome portion of the base sheet. This movable contact assembly provides a switch illuminating its upper surface and being activated easily with a preferable feeling.

Abstract: A device 20 includes a substrate 22 coupled with a substrate 24 such that a volume 32 is formed between the substrates 22, 24. Contact posts 48, 50 on the substrate 22 and a cantilever beam structure 36 on the substrate 24 are located within the volume 32. The cantilever beam structure has a conductive trace 38 that is selectively contactable with the contact posts 48, 50 to yield a microelectromechanical (MEMS) switch within the volume 32. Fabrication methodology for making the contact posts 48, 50 entails forming post protrusions 68, 70 on the substrate 22 and shaping post protrusions 68, 70 so that they acquire a rounded shape. Input and output signal lines 42, 44 are constructed such that respective portions of input and output signal lines 42, 44 overly corresponding post protrusions 68, 70 and take on the shape of post protrusions 68, 70.

Abstract: A high-voltage switch configuration having a subdivision housing, which is supported on a frame by an insulating supporting housing, and having a switch which is fitted to this subdivision housing and has an insulator, a switching chamber surrounded by the insulator, and disconnectible contacts which are accommodated in the switching chamber. The switch can be switched via a switching linkage that can be operated by a drive and is arranged within the supporting housing and the subdivision housing. At least three switches are attached to the subdivision housing, and each switch has a separate associated switching linkage with a separate drive.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for providing and using a uniform threshold for capacitive touch sensing in a user interface having a non-flat touch surface. The capacitive touch sensor can to provide a sensor signal using the uniform capacitance threshold level as a function of a location of an object (e.g., finger, stylus, etc.) on or near the non-flat touch surface of a user interface module using a substantially uniform distance between the non-flat touch surface and a capacitive touch sensor layer, and/or using a gradient of a dielectric constant of materials between the non-flat touch surface and the capacitive touch sensor layer according to a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A hybrid method for producing energy from a carbonaceous material including the steps of: heating the carbonaceous material under a reduced oxygen atmosphere in a distillation plant to generate distillate vapours; processing the resulting distillate vapours; transferring the char residue from the distillation plant to a power station boiler; and combusting the char residue in the power station boiler for the generation of electrical power. The char residue is transferred to a power station boiler while the char residue retains heat from the heating in the distillation plant. An integrated energy conversion system including: a distillation plant for the destructive distillation of carbonaceous material to afford distillate vapours and a char residue; a power station boiler; a means of transferring the char residue at a temperature between 300 to 700° C. from the distillation plant to the bed power station; and collection means for the distillate vapours.

Abstract: A microporous membrane for flash distillation comprising at least three layers having distinct properties is disclosed. Generally, the membranes contain outer layers of relatively small pore size, with an interior layer with relatively large pore size. The invention is also directed to a system for desalinization comprising a source of hot brine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process (and a corresponding plant) for the purification of trichlorosilane and/or silicon tetrachloride comprising the following steps of treating technical grade trichlorosilane and/or technical grade silicon tetrachloride: complexation of the boron impurities (trichloride BCI3) and other metallic impurities by addition of diphenylthiocarbazone and/or triphenylchloromethane, with the formation of complex macromolecules having high boiling point, first column distillation of the complexation step products, wherein the complexed boron impurities, together with other metallic impurities are removed as bottoms, and second column distillation of the tops of the previous distillation, wherein electronic grade trichlorosilane (plus dichlorosilane possible present) and/or silicon tetrachloride are obtained as tops and phosphorus chlorides PCI3 and phosphorus containing compounds, arsenic chlorides AsCI3 and arsenic containing compounds, aluminium compounds, antimony compounds and in general

Abstract: A distillation tower for use in a petrochemical or petroleum operation effects liquid and vapor separation by using centrifugal force applied to the feed introduced into a ring from a tangential inlet. The feed is separated into a liquid component that flows into the bottoms section of the tower and a vapor component that flows upwardly through the core of the ring to a wash zone in the tower. De-entrainment devices are provided in the core so that the vapor swirling upwardly impacts the devices and any remaining entrained liquid is separated from the vapor. As a result, overflash with decreased resid can be collected from the wash zone and used as feed suitable for a fluid catalytic cracking operation, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for microwave-based recovery of hydrocarbons from fossil fuels, plastics, tires, drilling fluids, and other carbon-containing compositions. Also disclosed are associated apparatuses.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting wafer charging in a plasma processing system are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for detecting wafer charging in a plasma processing system. The apparatus may comprise a plasma chamber to produce a plasma discharge above a wafer in the plasma chamber. The apparatus may also comprise a biasing circuit to bias the wafer to draw ions from the plasma discharge towards the wafer. The apparatus may further comprise a detection mechanism to detect charge buildup on the wafer by measuring an electric field in one or more designated locations near a top surface of the wafer.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for providing a plasma conduit maintaining ionized particles within a perforation hole in a body, and a power source configured to provide electrical power through the plasma conduit. Methods are disclosed for detonating a plasma generator, the detonation forming a plasma conduit within a body perforation hole, and connecting a power source to the plasma conduit, the power source configured to provide electrical power through the plasma conduit. Systems are also disclosed for generating a plasma conduit. The system includes two or more explosive devices containing ionizable material, and the explosive devices are adapted to, upon detonation, form a plasma conduit in a body by generating intersecting perforation holes including plasma for conducting electrical energy from a power source.

Abstract: Particles are trapped away from a wafer transport zone in a chamber. A first electrode is on one side of the zone. A second electrode is on an opposite side of the zone. A power supply connected across the electrodes establishes an electrostatic field between the electrodes. The field traps particles at the electrodes, away from the zone. For transporting the wafer from the chamber, the second electrode mounts the wafer for processing, and the first electrode is opposite to the second electrode defining a process space. The zone is in the space with a separate part of the space separating the zone from each electrode. Particles are urged away from the wafer by simultaneously terminating plasma processing of the wafer, connecting the second electrode to ground, applying a positive DC potential to the first electrode, and de-chucking the wafer from the second electrode into the zone.

Abstract: A system for producing a fuel gas from a carbon-containing material is provided that includes a non-thermal plasma generator, an electric power source, a process stream inlet, and a product stream outlet. The non-thermal plasma generator includes a high voltage electrode separated from a grounded electrode by a modification passage. Moreover, a dielectric layer exists between the high voltage electrode and the grounded electrode. The electric power source is energizable to create non-thermal electrical microdischarges within the modification passage. As the process gas flows through the system, the carbon-containing material is converted to fuel gas.