Abstract: A dome switch can include a dome mounted to a circuit board and secured by a sheet constructed from a material that is impermeable to air. To allow air enclosed by a volume between the dome and the circuit board to be expelled when the dome is depressed, the sheet can include at least one venting hole through which air can flow to the environment of the switch. To prevent contaminants from accessing the volume between the dome and the circuit board through the at least one venting hole, the dome switch can include a membrane positioned over the venting hole. The membrane can be constructed from a material that is permeable to air, but impermeable to contaminants. In some cases, the membrane can be constructed from a mesh material.

Abstract: A D/A integrated pressure key for a keyboard is shown. A digital signal output first when a pressure is applied on the single key, and then an analog signal output while applying a bigger pressure over the same key. The magnitude of the analog signal output is positively related to the magnitude of the pressure applied on the integrated pressure key.

Abstract: A push button switch 1 is so constructed as to disengage the movable contacts 55b, 56b from the fixed contacts 55a, 56a through operation of the push button 2 held in the switch case 3. A first leaf spring 550 is provided in the switch case 3 to act as an opening-biasing means to bias the movable contacts 55b, 56b away from the fixed contacts 55a, 56a. The movable contact 55b is disposed at an end of the first leaf spring 550 and adapted to engage with and disengage from the fixed contact 55a. The first leaf spring 550 is adapted to be at a position where the movable contact 55b is open relative to and disengaged from the fixed contact 55a at zero displacement of the first leaf spring 550.

Abstract: A touch sensor is provided. The touch sensor includes a first buffer layer disposed on a substrate, a first electrode layer disposed on the first buffer layer, a second buffer layer disposed on the first electrode layer and a second electrode layer disposed on the second buffer layer and electrically connected with the first electrode layer, wherein the first and second buffer layers are formed of the same material including an insulated metal oxide, and the first and second electrode layers are formed of the same material including a doped metal oxide.

Abstract: An Escort-Based Sorting (EBS) mail sorting and distribution center system configured and controlled for optimum mail flow and dispatch, minimal sorting center space usage, and elimination of peripheral storage and retrieval equipment. A plurality of input stations each include a mechanism for loading mailpieces and obtaining mailpiece data. A plurality of sorting banks each having a plurality of sorting modules, each sorting module adapted for the face-to-face conveyance of mailpieces for sorting by transferring select mailpieces from a first to a second conveyance path. The sorting modules define at least one row and a plurality tiers operatively coupled by a plurality of elevators. The elevators move mailpieces to and from tiers of the respective sorting bank. A system controller, operatively coupled to the input stations, sorting banks, and elevators, creates an association between the mailpiece information and the escort device, and sorts and dispatches mailpieces according to a dispatch schedule.

Abstract: The method relates to the field of mineral enrichment. It involves setting a threshold value for the intensity of a luminescence signal after a given time following the end of a pulse of exciting radiation, measuring, in the course of registering the intensity of the luminescence signal of a mineral, the intensity of the luminescence signal after a given time following each pulse of exciting radiation, recording the intensity value obtained for each luminescence signal if the signal registered exceeds the set threshold value, comparing the value measured in the current period with the values obtained in the preceding periods, determining the period in which the intensity value was at its peak, and processing the luminescence signal in which the value of the measured intensity was at its peak in order to determine the separation parameters; a decision to separate the mineral to be enriched is taken in the event that the separation parameters are inside the range of given values.

Abstract: An improved arc extinction apparatus that can be used in an improved DC switch apparatus includes a pair of magnetic field elements in the exemplary form of permanent magnets to apply Lorentz forces to the arcs. The magnetic fields are arranged in the vicinity of the air gaps that form between the ends of a pivoting conductor and a pair of contacts such that the system is optimized to extinguish an arc at one air gap when current is flowing through the conductor in a first direction and is further optimized to extinguish an arc at the other air gap when current is flowing in an opposite direction through the conductor. This is accomplished by providing a magnet at each air gap of the circuit, with the magnetic fields being oriented parallel with the pivot axis and having their north poles pointed in the same direction.

Abstract: A high-voltage switch includes a contact arrangement having two arcing contacts, one of which is supported displaceably against the action of a pretensioned spring. When the contact arrangement is closed, the free ends of the two arcing contacts are supported on one another. When the contact arrangement is opened, the two arcing contacts separate and during this process an arcing zone, accommodating compressed arc gas, is produced which is limited axially by free ends of the two arcing contacts and radially by an insulating nozzle toward the outside. To prevent the displaceably supported arcing contact from returning against the action of the pretensioned spring when a large short-circuit current is interrupted, the switch includes a piston/cylinder system functioning as a restoring device, which communicates with the arcing zone and which, with increasing pressure of the compressed arc gas produced in the arcing zone, generates a restoring force supporting the repelling force of the pretensioned spring.

Abstract: A method of identifying and selecting welding electrodes and welding output parameters on a welding power source is provided. The method includes identifying electrodes and/or electrode packaging with distinct colors and/or patterns which correspond to properties of the electrode. The method also may include employing distinguishable identifying markings on a power supply which correspond to the electrodes to be used to allow for easy setting of output parameters.

Abstract: A high-energy density beam welding process for two panels includes a step that include placing a metal band on the upper face of at least one panel, in the axis of the desired welded joint before welding the panels, so that the metal band is inserted between the panels and the high-energy density beam during the welding step, and so that the thickness of this metal band integrates all of the geometric faults present on the surface of the welded joint.

Abstract: A connector assembly for coupling a plasma torch to a receptacle including a connector body configured to receive a mating connector body. The connector body is attachable to a power supply or a plasma arc torch. One or more circumferentially shaped blades extend axially from a surface of the connector body and form a blade ring. One or more gaps can be disposed relative to the surface of the connector body. The plurality of gaps are defined by and between the circumferentially shaped blades. A distance of the gaps between the circumferentially shaped blades extends along a portion of the circumference of the blade ring. The plurality of gaps can be asymmetrically distributed about the blade ring to facilitate proper rotational alignment, and are shaped to align with corresponding circumferentially shaped blades of the mating connector body.

Abstract: A glass substrate laser cutting device according to the invention includes: a working table that has a plurality of vacuum absorbing grooves; a laser cutter; a pressure sensor that measures a pressure sensor when suctioning the glass substrate in a vacuum state; a calculation processing unit that compares the vacuum pressure measured by the pressure sensor with a predetermined threshold pressure and determines whether the glass substrate is broken; a laser cutter that includes a leaser head moving along the cutting direction of the glass substrate and emitting a laser beam; and an optical sensor that is attached to the laser head so as to move together and is disposed at a point in front of the laser beam emitted to the outside so as to detect the breakage of the glass substrate.

Abstract: A welding tool is configured with a housing enclosing a fiber laser system which is operative to produce a weld seam for connecting two workpieces. The fiber laser system includes a focusing optic configured to focus the output beam of the system so that it propagates through an elongated slit formed in the bottom of the housing. The fiber laser system is capable to move along a predetermined path extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slit and limited by the perimeter thereof. The output beam is generated only when the slit sits upon at least one of the workpieces.

Abstract: An optical transmitting unit transmits a pulsed laser beam oscillated by a pulsed laser beam oscillator to a focusing unit in a laser processing apparatus. A wavelength band expanding unit expands the wavelength band of the pulsed laser beam, and a pulse width expanding unit increases the pulse width of the expanded pulsed laser beam. A focusing lens focuses the expanded pulsed laser beam. An optical fiber transmits the focused pulsed laser beam through a collimating lens and a pulse width compressing unit compresses the pulse width of the collimated pulsed laser beam to restore the original pulse width for transmission.

Abstract: The subject matter herein discloses a method for producing a fuselage section of an aircraft via large-sized, in particular long, shell segments. The method includes joining at least two skin segments to form a large-sized skin field, welding a plurality of integral stringers onto the skin field, and welding a plurality of integral and closed ring frames to the skin field.

Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes an engine, a generator coupled to the engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a controller configured to soft start the compressor. A method, in another embodiment, includes soft starting an air compressor in a portable welding unit having the air compressor, an engine coupled to the air compressor, and a welding generator coupled to the engine.

Abstract: A system and method is provided where a coated work piece is welded at high speeds with minimal porosity and spatter. The coating on the work piece is removed or ablated by a high energy heat source prior to being welded in a welding operation, such that high welding speeds are attained. The high energy heat source is positioned upstream of the welding operation to vaporize any surface coatings on a work piece.

Abstract: A system having a welding wire hub with a wire-specific interface. The wire-specific interface may be configured to enable mounting with a first wire spool and configured to prevent mounting with a second wire spool. In some embodiments, the first and second wire spools have different welding wire types.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.

Abstract: A method for operating a cooking appliance having a cooking appliance control system and a door. The method includes automatically opening the door using the cooking appliance control system when a cooking process is complete, and automatically closing the door when a physical quantity falls below a predetermined threshold value stored in a memory of the cooking appliance control system. In addition, a cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber, a door, a cooking appliance control system having a memory, a sensor disposed in the cooking chamber, a guide device, and a door opening device including a positioning motor and a rod. The cooking appliance control system is configured to actuate the positioning motor as a function of the output signal so as to automatically open the door when a cooking process is complete and automatically close the door when a physical quantity falls below a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: According to another aspect, the subject application involves an oven and a method of controlling an oven for cooking a food item. The oven includes a cooking cavity, a user interface comprising an input device to be actuated with a single actuation event by a cook to select a predetermined cooking mode for cooking the food item, a heating element operable to produce heat required to cook the food item within the cooking cavity, and a control unit. The method includes receiving a cooking signal in response to actuation of the input device with the single actuation event by the cook, and establishing a cooking parameter for the predetermined cooking mode based on the cooking signal. The cooking parameter can be specific to the food item to be cooked according to the predetermined cooking mode of the oven. The method also includes initiating the predetermined cooking mode associated with the input device, and detecting that cooking of the food item according to the predetermined cooking mode is complete.

Abstract: To improve jump characteristic of BaTiO3—(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3 material. There is provided a process for producing a semiconductive porcelain composition in which a part of Ba is substituted with Bi—Na, the process including a step of preparing a (BaQ)TiO3 calcined powder (in which Q is a semiconductor dopant), a step of preparing a (BiNa)TiO3 calcined powder, a step of mixing the (BaQ)TiO3 calcined powder and the (BiNa)TiO3 calcined powder, a step of molding and sintering the mixed calcined powder, and a step of heat-treating the obtained sintered body at 600° C. or lower; and a PCT heater employing the element prepared by the above steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for the inductive heating of oil sand and heavy oil deposits by way of current-carrying conductors is provided. The conductors include individual conductor groups, wherein the conductor groups are designed in periodically repeating sections of defined length defining a resonance length, and wherein two or more of the conductor groups are capacitively coupled. In this way, each conductor can be advantageously insulated and may include a single wire.

Abstract: An induction stove assembly that utilizes pads between the cook-top of the stove and cooking vessels placed on the stove for heating. The pads are easily removable and interchangeable with other similar pads. The pads help protect the cook-top from damage, make clean-up more efficient, and insulate the cook-top from excessive heating.

Abstract: A baking oven for producing baked molded products. The baking oven has an input station, a baking area and an output station. In addition, the oven has baking plates, which are arranged along a circulation path passing through the baking area, and a conveying device for the baking plates. The baking plates are in the form of susceptor plates, which can be heated inductively without contact. An induction heating device is provided in the baking area. This device includes at least one elongated inductor, which is arranged parallel to the circulation path of the baking plates and extends along the circulation path over a plurality of susceptor plates. The elongated inductor produces a large-area, broad magnetic field, which simultaneously inductively heats a plurality of baking plates in the form of susceptor plates without any contact.

Abstract: A device is described for magnetic heat induction and subsequent heat exchange to mobile streams of matter. The device can provide efficient heating of moving gaseous, liquid, or solid masses. A cold mass is made to flow past an induction heated workpiece, whereby the cold mass becomes heated via thermal transfer from the workpiece to the cold mass. The device can include a material susceptible to heating by magnetic induction that is inserted into a tube or other containment structure. The tube can be the transport conduit for the material to be heated. An induction coil can surround the tube. The coil can be connected to a high energy LC (inductance-capacitance) resonance circuit. Resonance generates magnetic flux in the coil. The flux can interact with the workpiece inside the tube. Heat can be generated in the workpiece and can then be transmitted to the cold mass as it is conveyed past the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for hardening the teeth (2) of gear wheels by inductive heat treatment provides for at least two hardness inductors (3), which are distributed over the circumference.

Abstract: A microwave oven which accepts user-placement of a cook item on a turntable accessed through a usually front-facing door. The turntable is rotated during a preset cook-time. The turntable returns to the original user-placement situation near the door and concurrently stops at the end of the cook-time. This results in a simultaneous end of turntable rotation and an end of cooking, enabling the cook-item to be conveniently reparked adjacent with the access door thereby enabling safe and convenient removal immediately upon completion of the cook-time. The cook-time and the turntable operational and reparking parameters are factored to enable a maximum extent of turntable rotation during the cook time and still assure the return to the original starting location concurrent with cook-time completion.

Abstract: The present invention includes, in various aspects and embodiments, a method and apparatus for guiding a laser guided munition to an offset aim point relative to the laser spot. In one aspect, the laser guided munition comprises a propelled explosive ordnance; an optical sensor; means for indicating an offset from a laser designation; and a flight control system. The flight control system is responsive to an output from the optical sensor to: home on the laser designation during the descent of an arcing trajectory for the propelled explosive ordnance; determine that the propelled explosive ordnance traversed a predetermined point in the descending trajectory; and upon traversing the predetermined point, guide the propelled explosive ordnance to the position defined by the offset indicator. In a second aspect, the laser guided munition is deployed as part of a system that also includes a laser designator.

Abstract: A vision measuring device includes: a camera which images a workpiece and transfers image information of the workpiece; a position control unit which controls an in-focus position of the camera and outputs the in-focus position as position information representing a position in a Z-axis direction; and a vision measuring machine which performs vision measurement on the workpiece based on image information and position information. The position control unit acquires and retains position information in response to a trigger signal output from the camera or the position control unit to the other at a certain timing of an imaging period during which the camera images the workpiece. The vision measuring machine calculates position information representing a position of image information in the Z-axis direction based on image information transferred from the camera and position information output from the position control unit, and performs auto-focusing control.

Abstract: An opto-electronic measuring arrangement being independent from extraneous light includes a transmission light source and a compensation light source which sequentially emit light on a clocked phase basis. The emitted light is respectively phase-shifted. The light sources can be controlled such that the clock-synchronous signal difference between different phases becomes zero. A basic coupling light source transmits light directly to the optical receiver without the light being influenced by the measuring object. The basic coupling control current is so that a desired sensitivity of the measuring arrangement is achieved and/or a desired operating point can be set. The controllable current source for generating a clocked transmission control current and the controllable basic coupling current source for generating a clocked basic coupling control current are phase-synchronously clocked.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a coordinate recognizing apparatus includes plural light emitting elements, plural light receiving elements, a memory, and a controller. The memory stores, concerning plural pairs of the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements set in advance, reference values used for determination of blocking of a light path. The controller performs, concerning the respective pairs, actions for collecting, plural times, a difference between first intensity indicated by a detection signal output from the light receiving element, which is a pair of the light emitting element, in a state in which the light emitting element is caused to emit light and second intensity indicated by a detection signal output from the light receiving element during non-light emission of the light emitting element and updating the reference value of the pair stored in the memory using a minimum of differences collected plural times.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate provided with an effective pixel region including a light receiving section that photoelectrically converts incident light; an interconnection layer that is provided at a plane side opposite to the light receiving plane of the semiconductor substrate; a first groove portion that is provided between adjacent light receiving sections and is formed at a predetermined depth from the light receiving plane side of the semiconductor substrate; and an insulating material that is embedded in at least a part of the first groove portion.

Abstract: A method of operating a CMOS pixel is disclosed. The CMOS pixel includes a photodiode (PPD), a transfer gate coupled to the PPD, and an anti-blooming drain coupled to the transfer gate. A potential barrier is formed between a potential well underlying the PPD and the transfer gate. Charge is accumulated in the potential well in response to electromagnetic radiation during a first integration time. Excess charge is removed from the potential well to the anti-blooming drain that exceeds the first potential barrier. A size of the potential barrier is increased. Charge is accumulated in the potential well during a second integration time.

Abstract: A production method of a solid-state imaging device in which microlenses are arranged adjacent to each other on a substrate, includes: a first process of forming first microlenses on a surface of the substrate leaving space therebetween for providing second microlenses; and a second process of applying an overcoating material onto the surface of the substrate on which the first microlenses are formed, drying the overcoating material, exposing the overcoating material to light using a gray scale mask, and developing the exposed overcoating material, so as to form second microlenses in the space between the first microlenses adjacent to each other.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides photodetectors and components thereof having multi-spectral sensing capabilities. In some embodiments, photodetectors of the present invention provide a first photosensitive element comprising at least one accessway extending through the element and an electrical connection at least partially disposed in the accessway, the electrical connection accessible for receiving a second photosensitive element.

Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device and an imaging device, transistors on a first substrate are configured as N-type transistors. Of transistors on a second substrate, a sampling transistor and an analog memory reset transistor connected to an analog memory are configured as P-type transistors. A difference between the potential of back gates of the sampling transistor and the analog memory reset transistor and a potential at the time of resetting the analog memory is less than a difference between the potential of a back gate of the N-type transistor and the potential at the time of resetting the analog memory.

Abstract: A single photon detection system and method are disclosed which have a control block for helping to monitor and optimize performance, especially at high detection rates. The system is based on photon detectors constructed with avalanche photodiodes (APD) gated in time to operate in the Geiger mode. An electrical reference frequency is generated which is subtracted from the APD output in order to better isolate the breakdown event. The resulting signal is sampled and analyzed to allow the control unit to optimize the magnitude and phase of the electrical reference frequency. The control unit may also change the gate pulse shape and phase, including by the use of a digital-to-analog converter. The gate pulse can be shifted off an input optical pulse so as to estimate dark count rate, or shifted to measure a reference input signal to estimate detection efficiency.

Abstract: A gesture sensing device includes one or more sensors and a processor for processing sensed voltages output from the sensors based on ambient light and/or reflected light received by the sensors. The processor determines an ambient light level and/or a distance between the target and the sensors such that, if the ambient light level exceeds an ambient light threshold and/or the distance is less than a distance threshold, the processor determines the motion of a target relative to the sensors based on the ambient light instead of the reflected light.

Abstract: A control circuit is applied into a projector and an operation method is provided for the projector. The projector includes a photo sensor provided for generating a sensing voltage according to light intensity sensed by the photo sensor. The control circuit includes a first voltage-comparing unit, a reference voltage generating unit and a second voltage-comparing unit. The first voltage-comparing unit is provided for comparing the sensing voltage and a first reference voltage, to generate a first comprising result. The reference-voltage generating unit is provided for generating a second reference voltage and determining whether adjusting the second reference voltage according to the first comparing result. The second reference voltage is relatively larger than the first reference voltage. The second voltage-comparing unit is provided for comparing the sensing voltage and the second reference voltage, to generate a second comparing result.

Abstract: An embodiment of a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode includes a body of semiconductor material having a first conductivity type, a first surface and a second surface; a trench extending through the body from the first surface and surrounding an active region; a lateral-isolation region within the trench, formed by a conductive region and an insulating region of dielectric material, the insulating region surrounding the conductive region; an anode region having a second conductivity type, extending within the active region and facing the first surface. The active region forms a cathode region extending between the anode region and the second surface, and defines a quenching resistor. The photodiode has a contact region of conductive material, overlying the first surface and in contact with the conductive region for connection thereof to a circuit biasing the conductive region, thereby a depletion region is formed in the active region around the insulating region.

Abstract: A pattern method is provided for testing an optical lens. The method provides a lens for test, including a first lens surface with a focal plane in object space and a second lens surface with a focal plane in image space. Also provided is a pattern test fixture including an imaging device and a target pattern. The lens is positioned so that the imaging device is located outside the object space focal plane and the target pattern located is outside the image space focal plane. The imaging device, such as a microscope, magnification device, human eye, or camera, is used to view the target pattern. A viewed image representation of the target pattern is received in the imaging device and compared to the target pattern. More typically, the viewed image representation is compared to a target pattern copy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switch with multiple trigger function, which comprises: a touch switch having a button thereon; a first sensor having a sensing zone; and a microcontroller coupled to the touch switch and the first sensor; when the button is pressed by an object, the touch switch is conducted, and the microcontroller executes actions corresponding to the touch switch, thereby driving a controlled device; or when the object enters the sensing zone, the first sensor senses the signal change, and the microcontroller enables the touch switch to be conducted according to the signal change, or generates a signal the same as the signal for conducting the touch switch for executing corresponding actions, thereby driving a controlled device.

Abstract: An interrogator for a plurality of sensor fiber optic gratings. The interrogator includes a broadband optical source; at least one beam splitter directing output of the optical source to the sensor fiber optic gratings; at least one linear filter for converting changes in peak reflection wavelength to changes in intensity; at least one optical receiver; and at least one amplifier associated with each optical receiver. The interrogator also includes an analog integrator following the at least one amplifier.

Abstract: A sensor of the type for liquid and/or gas analysis, which is connected to a measuring and/or evaluating system or, respectively, to a higher-ranking control system and has a sensor housing. The circuit for the collecting, processing and transmitting measured values to the measuring and/or evaluating system or to the control system (19) are provided in the sensor housing (2). This circuit has analog sensor electronics (3), an analog-digital converter (14) for converting the detected analog measured values into digital measured values, a processing unit (15) and communication device (17) for processing and transmitting the digital measured values to the measuring and/or evaluating system or to the control system (19) according to a standard communication protocol of process technology.

Abstract: A method and system for controlled fractionation of particles. A sample having a plurality of particles of different size distributions. A uniform array for the preparing of optical traps having a selected array lattice constant. The plurality of particles for inputting the plurality of particles to the uniform array of optical traps at a driving direction angle ? and the plurality of particles separating along different directions ?v based on variable particle attributes.

Abstract: A method for operating tandem ion traps is provided, involving a) accumulating ions in the first ion trap at a first time; b) transmitting a first plurality of ions out of the first ion trap and into the second ion trap at a second time, the first plurality of ions having masses within a first mass range; c) retaining a second plurality of ions in the first ion trap at the second time, the second plurality of ions having masses within a second mass range different from the first mass range; d) transmitting the first plurality of ions out of the second ion trap at a third time; and, e) transmitting the second plurality of ions out of the first ion trap and into the second ion trap at the third time.

Abstract: A two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field is provided. The field comprises a quadrupole harmonic of amplitude A2 and an octopole harmonic of amplitude A4, wherein A4 is greater than 0.01% of A2, A4 is less than 5% of A2, and, for any other higher order harmonic with amplitude An present in the field, n being any integer greater than 2 except 4, A4 is greater than ten times An.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for LC/IMS/MS analysis involve obtaining noisy raw data from a sample, convolving the data with an artifact-reducing filter, and locating, in retention-time, ion mobility, and mass-to-charge-ratio dimensions, one or more ion peaks of the convolved data.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer has a reaction region separated from a drift region by an electrostatic gate. A doping circuit supplies a dopant to the reaction region but the drift region is undoped. Two high field ion modifiers are located one after the other in the drift region. One ion modifier can be turned on to remove dopant adducts from the admitted ions, or both ion modifiers can be turned on so that the ions are also fragmented. In this way, several different responses can be produced to provide additional information about the nature of the analyte substance and distinguish it from interferents.