37results about How to "Simple to fabricate" patented technology

A method and apparatus for implementing a colorless polarization independent Mach-Zehnder-interferometer (MZI)-based tunable dispersion compensator (TDC) that has only three MZI stages (two in a reflective MZI-TDC) and two adjustable couplers which are responsive to one control voltage, making it compact, low power, and simple to fabricate, test, and operate. Polarization independence is obtained by using a half-wave plate positioned across the midpoints of the two path lengths of middle stage MZI of the three stage MZI-TDC and by using a quarter-wave plate in front of a reflective facet of the reflective MZI-TDC. A cascaded MZI-TDC arrangement with also only a single control is formed by cascading two MZI-TDC arrangements and driving all adjustable couplers with the same control signal.

A sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter-offers advantages such as noise shaping and high frequency operation. However, a sampling circuit needed to provide a highly oversampled discrete-time sample stream with low noise characteristics is difficult to design and implement. The present invention provides a sigma-delta mixer 300 with such a sampling circuit 310. The present invention discloses a sampling circuit using switched capacitors 307, 308, and 309 with low noise characteristics and at the same time is capable of providing a highly oversampled discrete-time sample stream.

A phase change memory (PCM) device includes a substrate, bottom electrodes disposed in the substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed on the substrate, second dielectric layers, third dielectric layers, cup-shaped thermal electrodes, top electrodes, and PC material spacers. In the PCM device, each cup-shaped thermal electrode contacts with each bottom electrode. Second and third dielectric layers are disposed over the substrate in different directions, wherein each of the second and third dielectric layers covers a portion of the area surrounded by each cup-shaped thermal electrode, and the third dielectric layers overlay the second dielectric layers. The top electrodes are disposed on the third dielectric layers, wherein a plurality of stacked structure composed of the third dielectric layers and the top electrodes are formed thereon. The PC material spacers are formed on the sidewalls of each stacked structure and physically and electrically contact the cup-shaped thermal electrodes and the top electrodes.

An airbag inflator system and method of manufacture is disclosed which may be stored in a small area, is simple to fabricate, directs exhaust gas from a standardized inflator, sufficiently cools and diffuses the exhaust gas, and catches hot gas generant residue. The system includes an airbag inflator within a sleeve. Solid sections of the sleeve circumscribe the inflator and are positioned to divert exhaust gas leaving an exit port of the inflator. The configuration of the solid sections provides that the inflator need not be rotated during assembly to position exit ports below solid sections. The diverted exhaust gas unrolls the sleeve to form an exhaust passage. The gas passes through the exhaust passage and is dispersed by the permeable section before entering the textile airbag. In this way, a simple, effective diffusion system for curtain airbag inflators is provided.

Multi-band photodetectors can be formed by series connecting unipolar and, optionally, bipolar semiconductor structures, each having different photodetection bands. Under default mode of operation, the detector with highest resistance and lowest current will be the current limiting device and will be the active photodetector. When the active photodetector is illuminated with strong light in its own detection band it will be optically biased. This active photodetector will no longer be the highest resistance device, and the next photodetector will be the active photodetector. Repeating this operation pattern, allows switching photodetection bands of the multi-band photodetector. The resistances, dark current and photocurrent of the devices should be engineered to have proper switching. Moreover, the illuminating surface, and photodetector placement should be optimized for proper light biasing. The current passing through the device will always be equal to the current of the active photodetector.

Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprise first and second conductive elements (e.g. electrical leads) electrically coupled to and separated by a chemically sensitive resistor which provides an electrical path between the conductive elements. The resistor comprises a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive organic polymer) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material) transverse to the electrical path. The resistor provides a difference in resistance between the conductive elements when contacted with a fluid comprising a chemical analyte at a first concentration, than when contacted with a fluid comprising the chemical analyte at a second different concentration. Arrays of such sensors are constructed with at least two sensors having different chemically sensitive resistors providing dissimilar such differences in resistance. Variability in chemical sensitivity from sensor to sensor is provided by qualitatively or quantitatively varying the composition of the conductive and / or nonconductive regions. An electronic nose for detecting an analyte in a fluid may be constructed by using such arrays in conjunction with an electrical measuring device electrically connected to the conductive elements of each sensor.

A suspension device for coupling a surface maintenance appliance to a surface maintenance machine is disclosed. The suspension device includes a carriage member movably supported upon the maintenance machine through a plurality of linkages coupled to the carriage member. Together the plurality of linkages permit the carriage and surface maintenance appliance to follow undulations in the floor surface during operation of the surface maintenance machine. An actuator engages a lost motion device to lift the carriage member away from the ground surface. A variety of different floor surface maintenance appliances may be coupled to surface maintenance vehicles according to aspects of the present invention.

A method and apparatus for implementing a colorless polarization independent Mach-Zehnder-interferometer (MZI)-based tunable dispersion compensator (TDC) that has only three MZI stages (two in a reflective MZI-TDC ) and two adjustable couplers which are responsive to one control voltage, making it compact, low power, and simple to fabricate, test, and operate. Polarization independence is obtained by using a half-wave plate positioned across the midpoints of the two path lengths of middle stage MZI of the three stage MZI-TDC and by using a quarter-wave plate in front of a reflective facet of the reflective MZI-TDC. A cascaded MZI-TDC arrangement with also only a single control is formed by cascading two MZI-TDC arrangements and driving all adjustable couplers with the same control signal.

A method and apparatus for implementing a new type of colorless Mach-Zehnder-interferometer (MZI)-based tunable dispersion compensator (TDC) that has only three MZI stages (two in a reflective version) and two adjustable couplers which are responsive to one control voltage, making it compact, low power, and simple to fabricate, test, and operate.

A waste or storm water pumping station and system used to pump water from a lower elevation to a higher elevation during the process of moving or managing the water is disclosed herein. The pumping station has a wet well collection chamber with a sloped floor and an integral valve vault chamber cast within the pump station body, which results in increased storage capacity in the wet well chamber for pump station components. Additionally, the pumping station may be installed as a single unit of equal depth to eliminate differential settlement and multiple or uneven excavations.

A volume or fluid level sensing system as taught by the present invention comprises a flexible bladder, a solenoidal coil, a means for volume or fluid level measurement, and a user interface. Means for volume or fluid level measurement are preferentially means for inductance measurement which may be selected from the set including timing inductive measurement means, AC voltage divider inductive measurement means, resonance inductive measurement means. A user interface may be selected from the set including a digital display, a data interface, a voltage level display device, or a current level display device. The solenoidal coil may be embedded in the flexible bladder or in a flexible sock encompassing the flexible bladder. In addition, a bladder volume or fluid level indicating method as taught by the present invention comprises the steps of inductance measurement, volume or fluid level inference, and volume or fluid level reporting.

A color filter substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of buffer layers respectively on the substrate, the plurality of buffer layers being spaced apart from adjacent buffer layers with an interval such that they have the shape of a matrix, a plurality of color filter layers on the buffer layers such that the plurality of color filter layers have the shape of matrix, each color filter layer having first and second portions, the first portion disposed in the gap between two adjacent buffer layers while the second portion is disposed on upper surfaces of the two adjacent buffer layers, the plurality of color filter layers being used for the transflective LCD device; and a common electrode on the plurality of color filter layers. In fabricating the color filter layer, the first and second portions of the color filter layer are integrally formed. Therefore, a simple fabricating process is achieved.

In accordance with one embodiment, the hollow cathode is comprised of a first tantalum tube, tantalum foil, and a second tantalum tube. The foil is in the form of a spiral winding around the outside of the first tube and is held in place by the second tube, which surrounds the foil. One end of the second tube is approximately flush with one end of the first tube. The other end of the second tube extends to a cathode support through which the working gas flows. To start the cathode, a flow of ionizable inert gas, usually argon, is initiated through the hollow cathode and out the open end of the first tube. An electrical discharge is then started between an external electrode and the first tube. When the first tube is heated to operating temperature, electrons are emitted from the open end of the first tube.

A method and apparatus for implementing a new type of colorless Mach-Zehnder-interferometer (MZI)-based tunable dispersion compensator (TDC) that has only three MZI stages (two in a reflective version) and two adjustable couplers which are responsive to one control voltage, making it compact, low power, and simple to fabricate, test, and operate.

An apparatus for storing a firearm, particularly a long gun, in a secure manner but in which the firearm is readily available to an authorized person. The apparatus may be mounted on a vertical wall. A door assembly is pivotally connected to a main housing and can be locked in a closed position to secure the interior of the housing against unauthorized entry. Adjustable access inhibitor components allow the apparatus to be customized for use with a user-selected model of firearm without compromising security. Movable components within the housing interior hold the selected firearm in a desired position.

Multi-band photodetectors can be formed by series connecting unipolar and, optionally, bipolar semiconductor structures, each having different photodetection bands. Under default mode of operation, the detector with highest resistance and lowest current will be the current limiting device and will be the active photodetector. When the active photodetector is illuminated with strong light in its own detection band it will be optically biased. This active photodetector will no longer be the highest resistance device, and the next photodetector will be the active photodetector. Repeating this operation pattern, allows switching photodetection bands of the multi-band photodetector. The resistances, dark current and photocurrent of the devices should be engineered to have proper switching. Moreover, the illuminating surface, and photodetector placement should be optimized for proper light biasing. The current passing through the device will always be equal to the current of the active photodetector.

A combo transducer includes a base, a proof mass, a membrane unit and a plurality of transducing components. The base is formed with an aperture. The proof mass is disposed in the aperture and has a surface that is formed with a cavity. The membrane unit includes a supporting part connected to the base, a covering part disposed to cover the surface of the proof mass, and a resilient linking part interconnecting the supporting part and the covering part such that the proof mass is movable relative to the base. The transducing components are disposed at the membrane unit. At least one of the transducing components is disposed at the covering part and is registered with the cavity.

The effective photosensitive area of a solid-state photosensor is controlled with a multitude of electrodes (E1, . . . , Ei, . . . , En) on top of an insulator layer (O) covering a semiconductor substrate (S). Photogenerated charge carriers move laterally under the influence of the voltage distribution on the various electrodes (E1, . . . , Ei, . . . , En), and they are collected at the two ends of the photosensor in diffusions (D1, D2). The voltage distribution on the electrodes (E1, . . . , Ei, . . . , En) is such that the voltage at the two furthermost electrodes (E1, En) is maximum (if photoelectrons are collected), minimum at an interior electrode (Ei), and monotonously decreasing in between. The lateral position of the electrode (Ei) with minimum voltage defines the effective photosensitive area of the photosensor. This photosensor can be used as pixel device in image sensors, either for dynamic exposure control, for optoelectronic mixing or for demodulation, such as required in optical time-of-flight range cameras.

An apparatus for storing a firearm, particularly a long gun, in a secure manner but in which the firearm is readily available to an authorized person. The apparatus may be mounted on a vertical wall. A door assembly is pivotally connected to a main housing and can be locked in a closed position to secure the interior of the housing against unauthorized entry. Adjustable access inhibitor components allow the apparatus to be customized for use with a user-selected model of firearm without compromising security. Movable components within the housing interior hold the selected firearm in a desired position.

An offshore oil well riser system comprises one or more tubular conduits suspended from a floating platform and having bottom ends extending downward substantially vertically toward the sea floor. A bottom end connection and tensioning assembly is disposed at the bottom ends of the conduits and comprises a jumper for connecting the bottom end of each conduit to an associated sub-sea oil well, a weight for applying a vertical tension in the conduits, and an apparatus for constraining the bottom end of the conduits against horizontal movement, while enabling them to move freely in a vertical direction and to pivot freely at their bottom ends in response to motions of the platform on the water surface. The riser system is useful with a wide variety of floating platforms, and can be employed in either dry tree or wet tree completion systems.

Commutators for electro-dynamic machines such as electric motors comprise a cylindrical shell of insulated commutators bars, each of which has an outer layer with tangs extending from the outer layer and an inner layer with anchoring tabs extending therefrom. The commutating bars are typically produced from two strips of copper or other conductive metal. The inner layer may be formed of a thinner but stronger material, even of a non-conductive material, but is normally preferable to use two strips of copper to facilitate fusion of the materials together. The first strip, which is typically somewhat thicker than the second, is formed by punching so that partially formed tangs extend laterally from the side of the strip. The second strip is formed in a similar process to provide anchoring tabs extending from the sides of the second strip. These commutators can be produced economically and efficiently and can be adapted to a wide variety of applications and requirements.

A keyboard includes a key module and a base. The key module includes at least a second anchor portion. The base has a first anchor portion corresponding to the second anchor portion that is engageable with each other to couple the key module with the base. The base further has a signal transmission module to form electric connection with the key module. The keyboard thus formed is thinner. Assembly is simpler and production cost is lower.

Provided is a solar cell panel that hardly retains any moisture between a solar cell panel body and a frame and enables automation of the process of attaching the frame to the solar cell panel body. The solar cell panel includes a solar cell panel body, a frame, and a joint. The solar cell panel body includes a substrate having a first surface on which photoelectric conversion elements are mounted. The frame has an approximately L-shaped cross-section. The joint bonds the frame and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, of the substrate.

The invention provides an antireflective film and method for making thereof. The antireflective film includes a transparent substrate with a hard coat layer thereon. A low refractive index layer having a plurality of nanoparticles is formed on the hard coat layer. The antireflective film can increase transmittance and reduce the reflectance thereof because of the nanoparticles.

A keyboard includes a key module and a base. The key module includes at least a second anchor portion. The base has a first anchor portion corresponding to the second anchor portion that is engageable with each other to couple the key module with the base. The base further has a signal transmission module to form electric connection with the key module. The keyboard thus formed is thinner. Assembly is simpler and production cost is lower.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric discharge chamber of a generally axially symmetric ion source has a hollow cylindrical shape. One end of the discharge chamber is closed with a dielectric wall. The working gas is introduced through an aperture in the center of this wall. The ion-optics grids are at the other end of the discharge chamber, which is left open. The inductor is a helical coil of copper conductor that surrounds the cylindrical portion of the dielectric discharge chamber. The modification that produces uniformity about the axis of symmetry is a shorted turn of the helical-coil inductor at the end of the inductor closest to the ion-optics grids.

The present invention provides systems and methods for the incorporation of glitter particulates in flocked pile fabrics, as well as fabrics manufactured using the same. The fabrics produced according to the invention comprise flocking and glitter particulates at the exposed surface of the adhesive used to attach the flocking and glitter particulates to the fabric. By adhering the glitter particulates to the exposed surface of the adhesive layer—rather than admixing the glitter particulates with the adhesive—the decorative effect is maintained while reducing the amount of glitter particulates used in the manufacturing process. In addition, the process does not require the passage of glitter particulates through an adhesive deposition tool, thereby eliminating shape and size restrictions imposed by the use of such tools.

An equipment for rehabilitative respiratory physiotherapy is described, comprising a mask or mouthpiece, supplying means to supply air to the mask or mouthpiece, a pressure gauge arranged in fluidic connection with the mask or mouthpiece and means for producing pneumatic vibrations in the air supplied to the mask or mouthpiece. The supplying means supply an air flow rate lower than 250 cm3 / s, or lower than 15 liters / minute, at a pressure substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure. The pressure gauge is designed to detect the depression the self-sufficient patient generates in the mask or mouthpiece when he / she starts inhaling air and to generate a corresponding activation signal of the means for producing pneumatic vibrations.

The present disclosure describes a tank comprising an ultrasonic sensor, a first cylindrical reflector, and a second cylindrical reflector. The ultrasonic sensor may be disposed on the floor of the tank for measuring the signal propagation time through a liquid located in the tank and comprise a transmitter / receiver.