Abstract: A method of preventing the scrapping of semiconductor substrates due to improper deposition of thin films in a thin film vaporization system is disclosed. This is accomplished by providing a method of self-calibrating and testing the flow of liquid precursors in the vaporization system prior to the start of the deposition process. The vaporization of the liquid precursor in the deposition chamber and the concomitant pressure change in the chamber are correlated. This correlation is then used as a real time monitoring mechanism for self-calibrating and testing the flow of liquid precursors through the vaporization system. That the pressure change due to vaporization in the chamber is used as the key parameter, the thin film deposition is hence monitored by that parameter which directly predicts the film deposition characteristics. Consequently, each thin film run is assured of a successful run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring catalyst requirements of a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst injection system is provided. In one embodiment, a method for monitoring catalyst requirements of a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst injection system includes the steps of communicating with a memory device of a control module of the catalyst injection system that is adapted to control the amount of catalyst injected into a fluid catalyst cracking unit and determining if catalyst inventory needs to be replenished. The method enables both suppliers and processors to remotely monitor inventory requirements and take appropriate action if inventories fall below a predefined level or reorder point.

Abstract: A system and method for in-situ verification and calibration of flow control devices includes a first network physical layer connecting the flow control devices to a flow verification device. A controller of the flow verification device is programmed to communicate with each of the flow control devices through the first network physical layer, receive gas specific information and a transfer function from each of the flow control devices, and verify the flow of each flow control device. The controller of the flow verification device is further programmed to communicate with each of the flow control devices through the first network physical layer and, if necessary, calibrate the flow control devices. The verification and calibration of the flow control devices is preferably carried out based upon a single command provided through a tool controller connected to a second network physical layer connected to the flow control devices.

Abstract: Process for calibration of the mobile core spring of a solenoid valve comprising an electromagnet subassembly associated with a pneumatic switching subassembly with a valve plug, the valve plug being moved in the body of the pneumatic switching subassembly firstly by a spring located in the mobile core of the electromagnet subassembly through a pusher, and secondly by a spring located under the valve plug and bearing around the lower seating of the pneumatic switching subassembly, this process comprising the following steps: a force sensor is put into position, either at a predetermined distance from the upper face of the mobile core, this distance being equivalent to the actual travel distance of the mobile core, or directly in contact with the face of the core when it is required to adjust the spring based on its force after the travel distance (core in contact on the yoke); the spring is installed in a reaming providing for this purpose in the axis of the mobile core: an elastic split pin is put into po

Abstract: An adjusting apparatus and method for automatic setting of injectors are disclosed. The setting is carried out via accurate adjustment of the distance between an actuator and a lever element. In the process, an injector to be set is provided in the correct position in a measurement and setting station and is coupled to a pressure generating device. The setting element of the injector is then rotated in such a way that the injector switches through at a specific setting of the setting element. At the same time, the current values for the torque applied to the setting element, for the angular position of the setting element, for the exciter voltage applied to the actuator and for the pressure drop caused by the switching-through action are registered and compared with predefined parameters. If all the measured values agree with the predefined parameters, then the injector has been set correctly.

Abstract: A sheath liquid supplying apparatus includes a syringe including a piston and a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a stepping motor for causing the piston to slide in the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an injection/suction hole of a sheath liquid positioned at a distal end thereof and a gas introducing hole positioned at a side wall thereof for introducing gas into the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the procedure for quantifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instrument. The apparatus of this invention comprises (a) at least one weigh cup; (b) at least one standard mass; (c) at least one transducer assembly to convert a value of weight to an electrical response; and (d) at least one electronic circuit for converting the electrical response to a measurement of volume. This invention provides a method for calibrating readings of the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instruments so that absolute measurements of the volume of liquid dispensed can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow meter whereby movement of fluid causes screw spindles or other movable elements to rotate and generate electronic pulses. The invention compensates for non-linearity in the relationship between the flow rate and the number of pulses, occurring particularly at low flow rates, by providing a device in the form of a transducer which assigns volume a value to each pules, which volume values are accumulated such that when certain predetermined value is exceeded a transducer generates a counter signal. Thus, the present invention enables compensation for non-linearity to be made and pulses output corresponding to a standard unit of volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ calibration of quantity measurement of a fluid flowing in a channel, in which a device for measuring the volume of the fluid is disconnected from the fluid flow, measuring fluid is accumulated in a pre-determined amount on site of the calibration, this pre-determined amount of measuring fluid is led through the measuring device with a pre-determined volume flow, in the course of which the volume values measured by the measuring device are saved, then the measured volume values and the real values of the fluid led through are compared to each other and, with this, the quantity measurement of the flowing fluid is calibrated.

Abstract: An adjusting apparatus and method for automatic setting of injectors are disclosed. The setting is carried out via accurate adjustment of the distance between an actuator and a lever element. In the process, an injector to be set is provided in the correct position in a measurement and setting station and is coupled to a pressure generating device. The setting element of the injector is then rotated in such a way that the injector switches through at a specific setting of the setting element. At the same time, the current values for the torque applied to the setting element, for the angular position of the setting element, for the exciter voltage applied to the actuator and for the pressure drop caused by the switching-through action are registered and compared with predefined parameters. If all the measured values agree with the predefined parameters, then the injector has been set correctly.

Abstract: A vacuum network control system includes a vacuum network controller hub communicating over a public high-speed network, where the hub has an address registered with respect to the non-local network and communicates over a first local high-speed network. Vacuum network controllers (VNCs) communicate with the hub over the first local network. Each VNC has a dynamically assigned local address and communicates with at least one component intrabus module over a second local high-speed network. Each module has a dynamically assigned local address and further communicates with one or more monitor and control end units over a local device network. Each monitor and control end unit has a dynamically assigned address. Monitor and control end units include taps, which provide at least one of analog, digital or serial I/O, and components, for example, vacuum pumps.

Abstract: An automated sample collection workstation comprises a motor actuated sealing assembly having upper (23) and lower (25) clamping plates and fixtures to which particle-containing components of a particle testing unit such as an inertial impactor are mounted. The workstation also includes a sampling module (SM) including a plurality of sampling needles (SN) movable along two axes, and a solvent flow-through system. The solvent flow-through system includes a pump and multi-position valve arrangement communicating with the sealing assembly and the sampling module. The workstation can also include a pump calibration system communicating with the solvent flow-through system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simulating a package pressure burst condition for calibrating a package pressure burst detector, where the package pressure burst detector is connected to a pressure tank, and the detector applies an air flow into the tank to gradually increase the tank pressure, and the tank has an output relief conduit connected to a pressure relief valve via a pressure switch, wherein the pressure relief valve is activated for a predetermined time when the pressure switch detects a preset pressure in the tank.

Abstract: A sheath liquid supplying apparatus includes a syringe including a piston and a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a stepping motor for causing the piston to slide in the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an injection/suction hole of a sheath liquid positioned at a distal end thereof and a gas introducing hole positioned at a side wall thereof for introducing gas into the cylinder.

Abstract: An adjusting apparatus and method for automatic setting of injectors are disclosed. The setting is carried out via accurate adjustment of the distance between an actuator and a lever element. In the process, an injector to be set is provided in the correct position in a measurement and setting station and is coupled to a pressure generating device. The setting element of the injector is then rotated in such a way that the injector switches through at a specific setting of the setting element. At the same time, the current values for the torque applied to the setting element, for the angular position of the setting element, for the exciter voltage applied to the actuator and for the pressure drop caused by the switching-through action are registered and compared with predefined parameters. If all the measured values agree with the predefined parameters, then the injector has been set correctly.

Abstract: A single meter blending fuel dispensing system utilizing a pair of proportional flow control valves each having a pressure transducer positioned aft of the valve flow control mechanism. A computer controller is used to program a desired fuel mixture by varying the pressure for each flow control valve. A pressure decrease in one valve produces a corresponding pressure increase in the other valve. A third pressure transducer can be situated downstream of the valves and is set such that the pressure it receives cannot exceed that of the two valve pressures. Flow meters can be substituted for the pressure sensors. A calibration method for calibrating the positive displacement meter is also disclosed. At installation the positive displacement meter is at its most accurate and is synchronized with the less accurate pressure sensors or flow meters.

Abstract: For avoiding evaporation-related errors in the calibration of a dispenser by weighing liquid units delivered by said dispenser, an absorbent (9) in a weighing vessel (8) is arranged on a weighing pan (2) and binds the liquid units delivered onto said absorbent. To prevent falsifications occurring as a result of liquid being precipitated onto the absorbent (9), the environment of the weighing pan (2) is kept dry by a cylindrical weighing insert (10) put over said weighing pan. Said weighing insert forms a cavity (15) which receives the weighing pan (2) and is accessible from above through a longer channel (16). Both are surrounded by an inner wall (12) made of gas-permeable material, e.g. porous ceramic, through which they interact with a drying agent (18) which fills the intermediate space between the inner wall (12) and an outer wall (11) a distance away from it.

Abstract: A drug pump testing system and method comprise a pump control module having tube engaging members, with the pump control module coupled to a calibration cassette. The calibration cassette houses a reservoir bag comprising a fluid chamber and a collection area. The fluid chamber contains a known test volume prior to the initiation of the test cycle. The fluid chamber of the reservoir bag is coupled with a tube leading to the collection area, and the tube is positioned along the calibration cassette for occlusion by the tube engaging members of the pump control module. The reservoir bag comprises a fluid chamber and a collection area. The cassette can be a dual purpose cassette which tests sensors on the pump control module and also tests the accuracy of the pump control module.

Abstract: A sheath liquid supplying apparatus includes a syringe including a piston and a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a stepping motor for causing the piston to slide in the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an injection/suction hole of a sheath liquid positioned at a distal end thereof and a gas introducing hole positioned at a side wall thereof for introducing gas into the cylinder.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cylinder interior fuel injection valve and an apparatus for adjusting a fuel injection amount used therefor may sufficiently cope with a fluctuation in fuel pressure or combustion gas pressure that would occur in an actual engine. According to this manufacturing method, a position of an adjuster is adjusted (step 110), a fuel injection amount is measured (step 111), and it is judged whether or not the measured value of the fuel injection amount falls within a range of a rated value (step 112). Then, if the fuel injection amount is out of the range of the rated value, the process is returned back to the step 110, and if it falls within the range of the rated value, the process shifts to a subsequent step 113. Subsequently, a spring force of a valve closing spring is measured (step 113), and it is judged whether or not the measured value of the spring force falls within a control range (step 114).

Abstract: A pump system and method for controlling and monitoring the aspiration of a liquid and the subsequent dispense of the liquid. As a pump is operated to either aspirate or dispense a liquid, a processor circuit receives input from a liquid air detector to sample the detected conditions in relation to the operation of the pump. In one embodiment, the pump employs a stepper motor, and the processor records information regarding the detected contents of the pathway at intervals correlating to the motor activity. A profile of detector output versus motor intervals is thus created from the point an aspiration cycle is commenced at least until a fluid-to-air boundary is detected, or from the point a dispense cycle is commenced, through an air-to-fluid boundary. Each profile is then compared against a standardized profile to determine if the detected transition occurred at a desired point in the profile.

Abstract: A closed loop calibrator and process for calibrating a liquid metering device in a closed atmosphere such that the liquid being metered is not exposed to the atmosphere. In one embodiment, a calibrator is disclosed which comprises a body member containing a calibration chamber, and first and second fluid passage within the body member in spaced relationship to the calibration chamber, where when the first fluid passage is connected to a device to be calibrated and the second fluid passage is connected to a container, a closed system is formed having no exposed passages to the atmosphere. Additionally, the first fluid passage is in fluid communication with a lower end of the calibration chamber, and both the first and the second fluid passage are in fluid communication with an upper end of the calibration chamber.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and testing the operation of a vapor recovery system within a fuel dispensing device. The system utilizes strategically placed sensors within the fuel dispensing device to gather data pertaining to each pump and hose combination for that fuel dispensing device. The gathered data is forwarded to an internal digital controller processing device where calculations are performed and results are compared to baseline results stored in memory within the digital controller. Anomalous results are displayed and/or printed. The system operates in both automatic and manual diagnostic modes. The automatic diagnostic mode runs continuously without interfering with the normal operation of the fuel dispensing device.