Abstract:
An array of dielectric vias formed in the insulating layers of a unitized multilayer circuit structure wherein the dielectric vias have a dielectric constant different from the dielectric constant of the insulating layers in which they are formed.
Abstract:
A system for detecting the presence of contaminants in a flowing stream of supercritical fluid. A sample stream is removed from a flowing stream of supercritical fluid as it exits the cleaning chamber (12) through an exit port (16), and is introduced into a second chamber (22). The sample stream is subjected to reduced pressure in a contaminant measurement zone (24). The supercritical fluid turns into gas (as represented by lines 30) at the reduced pressure with the contaminants remaining in a non-gaseous form. An attenuated total reflectance plate (36) is used to spectrophotometrically detect the presence of the non-gaseous contaminants which deposit on the surface (48) of the plate within the contaminant measurement zone (24). The system is useful for spectrophotometrically detecting the presence and identity of contaminants in supercritical fluids and is useful in monitoring both cleaning processes and extraction processes.
Abstract:
A real-time, interactive, motion-based, simulator entertainment system that employs a computer generated video game (or network of video games) that interact with a motion-based, operator-controlled control station or simulator. The system employs a computer processor, helmet-mounted projection display technology, a motion-based cockpit, control yokes or joy sticks, a sound system, and computer-generated video games. A plurality of (typically two) participants interact with selective and timed video scenarios to achieve an objective. Interaction is achieved using the control yokes and buttons. Each simulator operates independently of the other, except that groups of participants may play the same scenario, possibly at the same time by ganging or networking sets of simulators. Each motion-based simulator is designed and cosmetically enhanced to appear as an armed space vehicle, for example, and comprises an interactive, video scenario virtually displayed on a windshield screen allowing the participants to interact with the system to achieve the predetermined game objective. The simulator system incorporates selection devices (yokes or joy-sticks), display networks, and selection buttons and controls that permit interaction with the system by the participants in response to information from the scenarios presented on the display.
Abstract:
To reduce the sidelobe levels in a beam produced by an optical phased array, the array is arranged so that the output fields of the emitters have the amplitude and phase given by the inverse Fourier transform of the desired radiation pattern.
Abstract:
A spark-excited fluorescence sensor (10) is provided, which enables monitoring of various gas species (14), such as H2, COx, NOx, O2, N2, NHx and hydrocarbons added to a system as source fuels and/or additive agents, or discharged from a system as exhaust including pollutants, for more efficient use of fuels for optimizing performance of the system, and, also, for reducing pollutants in the atmosphere. The spark-excited fluorescence sensor of the invention comprises a spark plug (12) to excite molecules of the gaseous species, an optical fiber window (18) and an optical fiber bundle (20) to collect and transmit, respectively, the fluorescence, bandpass filters (24) to select predetermined wavelengths corresponding to the gases to be detected, detectors (26), and signal processor (28). The output from the signal processor is then used to improve overall performance of the system.
Abstract:
A programmable fiber optic delay system employs multiple programmable fiber optic delay lines, and switches among the delay lines for inclusion in an overall delay path. Switching among the delay lines is coordinated with the programming of those lines so that only a delay line with a settled delay programm is included in the overall delay path. Each delay line consists of a plurality of fiber optic segments of varying length. The line's delay is programmed by switching in particular segments whose aggregate lengths correspond to a desired delay period. The multiple delay lines are used to simulate target speed and distance for use in testing a radar system. The programming of each individual delay line and the switching between lines is preferably controlled by a computer resident in the target simulator.
Abstract:
A dislocation-free, composite-substance crystal having a lattice constant which decreases over the length of the crystal (38) convergently focuses beams of hard X-rays or gamma rays (11). A single-substance, dislocation-free crystal (34) collimates diffuse beams of hard X-rays or gamma rays and projects the collimated radiation (11') to the focusing crystal (38). A mask (36) is interposed between the collimating crystal (34) and the focusing crystal (38) causing the collimated radiation (11'') to carry an image of the mask (36). The focusing crystal (38) produces a convergent hard X-ray beam or gamma ray beam (11''') to focus a reduced image of the mask (36) upon the photosensitive layer (41) of a wafer (39). An example of a dislocation-free crystal having a lattice constant which decreases over its length (38) is a dislocation-free silicon-germanium crystal (20) wherein the proportion of germanium to silicon varies over the length of the crystal.
Abstract:
A visual simulation system (10') and method for digital computer graphics processing is described whereby the system (10') generates a plurality of digital computer images for parallel display on a plurality of output display devices (22'). Time Division Multiplexed Image Generation (TDMIG) is accomplished by providing a computer model (32') and a plurality of display channel definitions (34') as inputs to the image generation channel (24') for processing in the display processing unit (16') in a time-divided sequence and directing the outputs of the display processing unit (16') to separate display channels (26'). Each display channel (26') is serviced by the full capacity of the image generator (14') and, therefore, retains the maximum graphics processing and resolution capability of the image generator (14'). However, each display channel is updated at a rate of 1/N times the frame update rate of the image generator (14'), where N equals the number of display channels (26') in the visual simulation system (10') configuration.
Abstract:
Optical interconnectors and methods for optically interconnecting structures, such as printed circuit boards. The optical interconnectors (40) comprise at least two optical fibers (42) having one end (44) embedded in a structure such as a printed circuit board (56) and at least one sleeve (48) for housing termination portions (47) of two optical fibers. The termination portions (47) of the fibers are positioned and secured within the sleeve (48) so that end surfaces of the optical fibers are abutted together. The resulting optical interconnectors have low loss and occupy a small amount of space while maintaining a flat profile.
Abstract:
An ion-conductive article and method of making the same. A charge material is formed that includes an ion-conductive polymer and a generally non-ion-conductive polymer. The charge material is fabricated into an ion-conductive article.