165results about How to "Allowed to operate" patented technology

A process for depositing a thin film material on a substrate is disclosed, comprising simultaneously directing a series of gas flows from the output face of a delivery head of a thin film deposition system toward the surface of a substrate, and wherein the series of gas flows comprises at least a first reactive gaseous material, an inert purge gas, and a second reactive gaseous material, wherein the first reactive gaseous material is capable of reacting with a substrate surface treated with the second reactive gaseous material, wherein one or more of the gas flows provides a pressure that at least contributes to the separation of the surface of the substrate from the face of the delivery head. A system capable of carrying out such a process is also disclosed.

A capacitive sensing circuit may comprise an RC (resistive-capacitive) bridge circuit, with a switching signal simultaneously applied to a reference path, and a signal path comprising the capacitance to be detected. Small perturbations in the capacitance may be detected by mixing / correlating a difference signal representative of the difference between the reference path signal and the signal path signal, to the switching signal. The output of the mixer may be filtered to virtually eliminate all EMI signals. A narrowband approach may also allow filtering of unwanted signals, enabling operation in systems susceptible to high levels of noise. Frequency stepping of the switching signal may minimize inband signal interference, and allow operation in the presence of many signals that would otherwise result in failure of the sensing circuit. Pad calibration may be implemented to free the user from a need to characterize each button channel capacitance and tailor the operation for each channel.

A laparoscopic medical fluid delivery device includes a catheter having an articulating tip formed with shape memory properties and thus having a pre-shaped curvature. A tubular member is reciprocatingly slidable axially on the catheter to selectively cover and uncover portions of the articulating tip to thereby selectively vary the degree of curvature of the articulating tip. An actuator operatively linked to the tubular member selectively moves the tubular member reciprocatingly on the catheter. The pre-shaped articulating tip of the catheter is constrained by the tubular member from articulating to the pre-shaped curvature when the tubular member covers the articulating tip, and bends to a selected degree of curvature when the articulating tip is at least partially uncovered by the tubular member.

A hybrid hydraulic drive system for a vehicle comprises a prime mover, a transmission connecting the prime mover to drive wheels, a fluid energy storage accumulator, and a reversible hydraulic machine in fluid communication with the energy storage accumulator and drivingly coupled to the prime mover upstream of the transmission. The hybrid hydraulic drive system is arranged such that in a retarding mode the reversible hydraulic machine retards the drive wheels of the vehicle by pumping fluid into the accumulator. In a driving mode the reversible hydraulic machine supplies a supplementary power to the drive wheels of the vehicle using the pressurized fluid from the accumulator to assist propulsion of the vehicle. In a neutral mode the reversible hydraulic machine is disconnected from the prime mover to render the reversible hydraulic machine substantially inoperative to exert any significant driving or retarding influence on the drive wheels.

A process for depositing a thin film material on a substrate is disclosed, comprising simultaneously directing a series of gas flows from the output face of a delivery head of a thin film deposition system toward the surface of a substrate, and wherein the series of gas flows comprises at least a first reactive gaseous material, an inert purge gas, and a second reactive gaseous material, wherein the first reactive gaseous material is capable of reacting with a substrate surface treated with the second reactive gaseous material. A system capable of carrying out such a process is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a process of making a zinc-oxide-based thin film semiconductor, for use in a transistor, comprising thin film deposition onto a substrate comprising providing a plurality of gaseous materials comprising first, second, and third gaseous materials, wherein the first gaseous material is a zinc-containing volatile material and the second gaseous material is reactive therewith such that when one of the first or second gaseous materials are on the surface of the substrate the other of the first or second gaseous materials will react to deposit a layer of material on the substrate, wherein the third gaseous material is inert and wherein a volatile indium-containing compound is introduced into the first reactive gaseous material or a supplemental gaseous material.

A digital controller for low-power DC-DC switch mode power supplies (SMPS) suitable for on-chip implementation and use in portable battery-powered systems is provided. The digital controller allows operation at ultra high constant switching frequencies and can be implemented with a simple low-power digital hardware. The digital controller includes a digital pulse width modulator (DPWM), based on a multibit 2nd orders sigma-delta (Σ-Δ) principle, and a dual-sampling mode PID compensator. The output voltage is either sampled at a frequency lower than the switching frequency (undersampled) or sampled at the switching rate. In steady-state, undersampling results in reduced power consumption, while during transients, sampling at the switching rate provides fast transient response. Another aspect of the present invention is a dual sampling / clocking scheme, which is relied on by the DPWM described. A method is also provided for controlling low power DC-DC switch mode power supplies operating at high constant switching frequencies.

Single phase liquid refrigerant cryoablation systems and methods are described herein. The cryoablation systems drive liquid cryogen or refrigerant along a closed fluid pathway without evaporation of the liquid cryogen. A cryoprobe includes a distal energy delivery section to transfer energy to the tissue. A plurality of cooling microtubes positioned in a distal section of the cryoprobe transfer cryogenic energy to the tissue. The plurality of microtubes in the distal section are made of materials which exhibit flexibility at cryogenic temperature ranges, enabling the distal section of the cryoprobe to bend and conform to variously shaped target tissues.

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for simultaneous assessment of a subject's subjective and objective pain states. These include a dolorimeter arrangement for determining a subject's cutaneous pain tolerance level at any site on the body. In certain preferred embodiments, the dolorimeter is hand-held and utilizes a sonar distance-measuring device. In another aspect, the systems, devices, and methods of the current invention include platforms effective for implementing pain monitoring methods that include delivering pain questionnaires to patients over a period of time points. The platforms may harvest analgesic drug data from nurses attending the patients, and may provide simple statistical analysis of collected data useful both at the bedside and at central base-stations. The platforms may provide additional functions based on analysis of patient pain data. Preferred embodiments of the current invention combine the dolorimeter arrangement with the platforms for implementing pain monitoring methods.

A cryosurgical device and system is provided comprising a pressurized container, a metered valve that regulates the retrieval of a coolant solution stored in the pressurized container and regulates the volume of coolant solution dispensed with each actuation of the device, an actuator that engages the metered valve when engaged, and directs the coolant solution to an extension tube, which directs the coolant solution away from the pressurized container, and an applicator head configuring an open-ended enclosure attached to a distal end of the extension tube.

A closed face motorcycle helmet includes a shell with an eyeport and a shield attached for hinged motion between a closed position covering and sealing the eyeport and an open position displaced above the eyeport. A hinge plate is attached to the shell on each side and includes a socket into which a hub of the shield is rotatably disposed for hinged movement of the shield. A lever assembly having a downwardly extending lever and a hub with two dowels is attached to the bottom of the hinge plate. The lever assembly is manually movable between a central home position, a forwardly rotated shield cracking position, and a rearwardly rotated shield restraining position. A motion plate is attached to a lower edge of the shield and covers the hub and dowels of the lever assembly when the shield is closed. Surfaces on the inside of the motion plate interact with the dowels of the lever assembly to provide multiple precision shield control functions. Specifically, flipping the lever forward cracks the shield slightly open to eliminate fog and flipping it rearwardly applies an additional restraining force to the shield preventing it from being blown open by aerodynamic forces, especially at high speeds. A live beam mechanism with micro detents interacts with a projection on the shield to provide fluid-like operation of the shield and the ability to position the shield at virtually any location between fully closed and fully opened.

A system for combining electrical power from two or more power sources includes first and second conversion stages (120) which receive input power from two or more power sources (110), and produce different output voltages, including DC outputs. The input power sources (110) may have different voltage, frequency, and phase characteristics, and may be DC voltages. Various embodiments are disclosed for converting and combining the input power sources (110) to provide at least a DC output voltage and an optional AC output voltage which may have different voltage, frequency, and phase characteristics than the input power sources (110). In another embodiment, a method of power conversion is disclosed.

A laparoscopic medical fluid delivery device includes a catheter having an articulating tip formed with shape memory properties and thus having a pre-shaped curvature. A tubular member is reciprocatingly slidable axially on the catheter to selectively cover and uncover portions of the articulating tip to thereby selectively vary the degree of curvature of the articulating tip. An actuator operatively linked to the tubular member selectively moves the tubular member reciprocatingly on the catheter. The pre-shaped articulating tip of the catheter is constrained by the tubular member from articulating to the pre-shaped curvature when the tubular member covers the articulating tip, and bends to a selected degree of curvature when the articulating tip is at least partially uncovered by the tubular member.

This power and safety control hub for overall power control, safety control and power distribution integrates fault tolerant power disconnect control, software monitoring of disconnect and multi-voltage power distribution and disconnect with non-hazardous power control, EMI filtering and multi-circuit current protection in a single unit. In addition, it implements electromagnetic, single fault tolerant, safety control circuits without using positively driven contact relays. It coordinates the shutdown of any connected mechanical drives such as servo motor drives, stepper motor drives and variable speed drives autonomously commanding them to come to a controlled stop before safety power is disconnected (when networked controls are used). It also integrates segmented hazardous power control (load / unload and main machine / equipment areas) so that the main area can be operating while the load / unload area has power disconnected. Further, it automatically discharges energy sources within connected mechanical drives at the time of safety power disconnect of hazardous power. It also utilizes a safety control and monitoring algorithm that automatically forces the test on e-stop switches and interlocks in a machine each time the machine is powered up or reset. In addition, it has a state driven safety control and monitoring algorithm that pinpoints wiring and device problems for rapid debug. It includes internal self-protection that automatically forces a control safety power disconnect (after warning the host) if the unit should approach its maximum operating temperature, or if a cooling fan stops. Further, it incorporates safety monitoring software for the synchronous de-bouncing of the interlock and e-stop switch inputs (as a vector) to eliminate false trips. It also integrates a comprehensive audible overcurrent trip indicator as well as individual visual overcurrent indicators in the power distribution system and an e-stop reset function into the machine on-off front panel switch. Finally, our power and safety control hub for overall power control, safety control and power distribution includes a “soft-off” circuit that automatically shuts off the machine when the power supply voltage to a host computer is shut down.

A stapler for delivering a staple formed from a shape memory material is disclosed. The staple includes a first tine and a second tine connected by a bridge. The staple may be disposed within the stapler in an open position with the first tine distal of the second tine. The stapler is configured to sequentially deliver the first tine and the second tine, respectively, to opposing body tissues. The stapler includes an elongate shaft (e.g., a catheter) having a working lumen and a control mechanism for delivering the staple. A drive cable extends along the working lumen of the elongate shaft. Upon warming up to a temperature at or above a transformation temperature of the shape memory material, the staple may assume a closed position, thus drawing together opposing body tissues and closing an incision.

An communication apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a receiver that receives a Trigger frame for allocating resource units (RUs) for random access and another frame including Random Access parameter element that comprises a first field indicating an OFDMA contention window (OCW) minimum value (OCWmin) and a second field indicating an OCW maximum value (OCWmax); and control circuitry that controls Uplink OFDMA-based Random Access (UORA) procedure using the OCWmin and the OCWmax.

A discharge port is located at a lower portion of the case of a gas-liquid separator. A discharge valve is located at the discharge port. A water retaining portion is located at the bottom of the case. The water retaining portion is located at a position lower than the discharge valve. An upward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The upward inclination surface is inclined upward toward the discharge valve. A downward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The downward inclination surface is inclined downward toward the upward inclination surface. A cover portion is located in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The cover portion defines a gas passage in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The gas passage is open at a portion closer to the inlet and connected to the discharge valve.

A low fault current isolation arrangement senses a loss of voltage and automatically isolates and de-energizes a down live primary wire if overcurrent protection devices have not cleared the high impedance fault in an electric power distribution network. Incorporating an operator selectable time delay response, the low fault current isolation arrangement permits overcurrent protection devices to attempt to detect and shut down the affected conductor, and then isolates and shuts down the low current fault if the overcurrent devices are not successful. The isolation arrangement continuously monitors AC voltage as remotely provided by smart meters even after a fault location is de-energized, and serves as a back up, and not as a replacement, for existing overcurrent protection schemes. A host computer operates in conjunction with plural smart meters each coupled to an associated customer distribution transformer in conjunction with the fault isolator to detect and shut down high impedance faults.

A table system includes a touch screen having a touch detection surface and a display, and a computer. The touch screen serves as an input device for the computer and the computer is configured to supply a continuous video signal to the display. The touch detection surface is configured to receive an object thereon without interference with detection, to send a first input to the computer in response to a first touch the computer configured to perform a first action on the touch screen in response thereto and, when a second touch occurs at a different location on the touch screen while the first action is being performed on the touch screen, to send a second input to the computer in response to the second touch, the computer being configured to perform a second action in response thereto, so that first and second actions are performed simultaneously.

Disclosed is an internal combustion engine in which it is possible to provide, from the exhaust stroke to the intake stroke, a period T during which both an intake valve (14) and an exhaust valve (15) remain closed, the internal combustion engine being equipped with a fuel injection valve (24) capable of injecting fuel into a combustion chamber (16), the closing time EVC for the exhaust valve (15) being set to be on the advance side with respect to the intake top dead center, the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve (24) being pressurized together with a residual gas inside the combustion chamber (16) during the period T in which both the intake valve (14) and the exhaust valve (15) remain closed.

A navigation apparatus for displaying maps includes a current position detection section configured to detect the current position of the navigation apparatus; a touch-sensitive panel configured to be installed on a display screen of the display section; and a control section configured to control changes in what is displayed on the display section in response to operations performed by a user on the touch-sensitive panel. The control section displays either the current position or route directions in text form in a strip-shaped area along one edge of the display screen, and a map in all or part of the remaining area of the display screen, and according to an instruction given from the user, the control section changes the display of the strip-shaped area to the display of at least a menu for accepting input of operations regarding the map.

A substrate transport container having a carrier box including a container body and a door hermetically sealably covering an opening provided in the front of the container body. Partitions form a circulating flow path in the carrier box. The circulating flow path has a flow path in which air flows toward substrates and a flow path in which air flows toward a fan. A substrate carrying section is disposed in the flow path in which air flows toward the substrates to carry the substrates in such a way that the principal surfaces of the substrates are approximately parallel to the flow path in which air flows toward the substrates. A particle removing filter and a gaseous impurity trapping filter are placed on the upstream side of the substrate carrying section in the flow path in which air flows toward the substrates. A fan motor for driving the fan is incorporated in the carrier box to form an air current for circulating through the circulating flow path.

A sliding pipe plug for working on and testing pipes is presented. The sliding pipe plug includes a center portion and a gasket disposed about the central portion. When towed through the pipe, the sliding pipe plug maintains a substantial seal against water flowing through the pipe. In some embodiments, a flexible gasket can be utilized to allow for substantial sealing while the sliding pipe plug is traversing obstacles in the pipe. The sliding pipe plug according to the present invention can be utilized in pipes where conventional plugs are inconvenient. For example, in FELL testing a sewage line, a sliding pipe plug can be attached to a sonde cable and the testing can proceed without plugging and surcharging all of the section of pipe to be tested. In some embodiments, the sliding pipe plug includes a break-away section that allows the seal against water flowing through the pipe to be broken when the sliding pipe plug is pulled in a direction opposite the towing direction. In some embodiments, the sliding pipe plug includes a centering section that keeps the sliding pipe plug essentially in the center of the pipe.

An image forming apparatus is operative to avoid user confusion during a job-cancelling operation. A job executing portion of the apparatus executes at least one of a copy job, a print job, a facsimile reception job, an e-mail reception job, a facsimile transmission job, and an e-mail transmission job. A suspending portion of the apparatus suspends a printing-out operation of a running job in response to pressing a stop / clear key. A job list screen display controller allows a display portion to display a suspending job list screen for showing a user a suspended job and a waiting job. A cancel job selection receiving portion receives a user selection of a job to be cancelled among the jobs displayed on the suspending job list screen. A job cancelling portion then cancels the job received by the cancel job selection receiving portion.

A portable, convenient scent dispenser and method of operation allows the user to quickly change scents used therein as desired while hunting. A scent receptacle mounted in the lower end of a cylindrical housing is removable for replacing or exchanging scented materials. The scent dispenser provides a cylindrically-shaped housing having a removable cap containing microcontrolled electrical circuitry which includes mode indicators and a select switch. The lower body of the housing contains a battery assembly and an electric fan. The scent dispenser can be manually, selectively operated in a variety of modes to allow the fan to run continuously, cyclically, or cyclically only during daylight hours for economical power consumption.

An ultrasonic generator comprising an input module for receiving a power signal. An output module for outputting an ultrasonic signal is also included in the generator. A motherboard is coupled to both the input module and the output module. The motherboard includes a digital controller adapted to control the input module and the output module.