All The Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for forming a prosthesis comprising:
forming a first tube;
forming a second tube;
twisting said second tube into a helical configuration;
maintaining said second tube in said helical configuration;
coaxially disposing said second tube relative to said first tube; and,
fixing said second tube to said first tube.
2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said first tube includes ePTFE.
3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said second tube includes ePTFE.
4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said fixing includes sintering.
5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said fixing includes bonding.
6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising twisting said first tube in a helical configuration in a rotational direction different from said helical configuration of said second tube.
7. A method as in claim 1, further comprising coaxially disposing a radially-expandable support member relative to said first tube or said second tube.
8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising coaxially disposing a radially-expandable support member relative to said fixed first and second tubes.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A casting device for producing semiconductor material foil, comprising a casting frame and a substrate band, the casting frame being arranged for holding a molten semiconductor material and comprising sidewalls of which an exit sidewall is located at an output position for the semiconductor material foil, the exit side wall being provided with an exit slit, wherein the casting device further comprises a local force exerting means to exert at the location of the exit slit a local relatively enlarged external force on the molten semiconductor material to enlarge locally an outer pressure on the molten semiconductor material at the exit slit.
2. The casting device according to claim 1, wherein the force exerting means comprises a gas jet generator for producing a gas jet with relatively high pressure compared to the ambient pressure at the location of the exit slit; the gas jet generator being arranged for directing the gas jet towards the exit slit.
3. The casting device according to claim 2, wherein the gas jet generator comprises an inlet for pressurized gas, a duct and an outlet for producing the gas jet; the inlet being connected to the duct and the duct being connected to the outlet.
4. The casting device according to claim 1, wherein the force exerting means comprises an overpressure device; the overpressure device being arranged at the exit sidewall of the casting device and is adapted for producing at the location of the exit slit an overpressure relative to the outer pressure.
5. The casting device according to claim 4, wherein the overpressure device comprises an inlet for pressurized gas, a pressure leveling chamber, and an overpressure chamber; the inlet being connected with an entrance of the pressure leveling chamber, an exit of the pressure leveling chamber being in communication with the overpressure chamber, the overpressure chamber being located at the exit slit of the casting frame.
6. The casting device according to claim 5, wherein the pressure leveling chamber extends along the width of the exit side wall and is adapted for leveling the pressure of the gas along the width of the exit side wall and the overpressure chamber extends substantially along the full width of the exit slit.
7. The casting device according to claim 6, wherein the pressure leveling chamber is connected to the overpressure chamber over the full width of the side wall so as to create a substantially constant pressure in the overpressure chamber over the full width of the exit slit.
8. The casting device according to claim 5, wherein the overpressure device comprises a second pressure leveling chamber arranged in between the pressure leveling chamber and the overpressure chamber; the pressure leveling chamber being connected to the second pressure leveling chamber and the second pressure leveling chamber being connected to the overpressure chamber.
9. The casting device according to claim 1, comprising a conductive coil as force exerting means, the conductive coil being located asymmetrically around the casting frame and being adapted for conducting an alternating electric current, wherein the conductive coil is adapted as force exerting means by inducing currents in the molten semiconductor material for causing an electromagnetic force in the molten semiconductor material.
10. The casting device according to claim 9, wherein the conductive coil and the casting frame are arranged for causing the electromagnetic force to produce an additional pressure at the location of the exit slit to enlarge the outer pressure.
11. The casting device according to claim 10, wherein the conductive coil comprises one or more windings, the windings being oriented in an oblique manner, the windings at the side of the exit side wall being positioned at relative closer distance to the substrate band than the windings at the opposite side wall that are positioned at relative larger distance from the substrate band.
12. The casting device according to claim 10, wherein the conducting coil comprises one or more windings, wherein the windings at the side of the exit side wall are positioned at relative closer horizontal distance along the substrate band to the exit side wall than the windings at the opposite side wall that are positioned at relative larger horizontal distance from the opposite side wall.
13. The casting device according to claim 9, wherein the alternating electric current is a high frequency current and has a frequency between about 2 kHz and about 50 kHz.
14. The casting device according to claim 9 wherein the conductive coil is additionally adapted for heating of molten semiconductor material by the inducted currents in the semiconductor material.
15. The casting device according to claim 14, wherein the casting device further comprises a secondary heating system for heating the molten semiconductor material.
16. The casting device according to claim 15, wherein the secondary heating system is a system for radiative heating.
17. The casting device according to claim 1, wherein the exit side wall at the exit slit comprises a knife edge end beveled on the inner side of the side wall.
18. The casting device according to claim 1, comprising a flow restriction wall, the flow restriction wall being attached to the lower end of the exit side wall proximate to the substrate band; the flow restriction wall being adapted to extend the length of the exit side wall in the moving direction of the substrate band.
19. A method for casting semiconductor foil, said method comprising
pouring molten semiconductor material into a casting frame, the casting frame comprising sidewalls of which an exit sidewall is located at an output position for the semiconductor material foil, the exit side wall being arranged with an exit slit;
setting up a substrate band to pass underneath the casting frame at a specific speed for producing the semiconductor foil on a downstream side of the casting frame;
exerting at the location of the exit slit a locally relatively enlarged external force on the molten semiconductor material to enlarge an outer pressure on the molten semiconductor material at the exit slit.
20. Semiconductor material foil, produced by a method according to claim 19.
21. Semiconductor material foil produced with a casting device according to claim 1.

1. A thrust bearing assembly for a washing machine, the washing machine including a cabinet substantially enclosing an outer water-retaining tub and a basket located within the tub, the machine further including a transmission coupled to an electric motor by an input shaft, the transmission including a transmission housing, a pulley engaged to the input shaft at one end thereof and a belt extending around the pulley and coupled to the motor, the input shaft coupled to and extending from the pulley, the shaft extending through a pulley hub and a brake assembly to a pinion gear located within the transmission housing, said thrust bearing assembly comprising:
a thrust bearing coupled to the input shaft at an upper end thereof; and
a flange bearing supporting said thrust bearing on the transmission housing.
2. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said thrust bearing comprises a cage and bearing assembly.
3. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 2 further comprising at least two washers, said cage and bearing assembly located between said washers.
4. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein a bore extends through said flange bearing, and the input shaft extends through the bore to the flange bearing.
5. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flange bearing comprises an annular flange.
6. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said annular flange is in contact with, and supported by, the transmission housing.
7. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein a lubrication reservoir is formed by the transmission housing, and said thrust bearing is lubricated by lubrication in the reservoir.
8. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein axial forces are transferred through the brake assembly, the pulley hub, and the input shaft to said thrust bearing.
9. A thrust bearing assembly for a washing machine, the washing machine including a transmission coupled to an electric motor by an input shaft, the transmission including a housing, said thrust bearing assembly comprising:
a thrust bearing coupled to the input shaft; and
a support for supporting said thrust bearing on the transmission housing.
10. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein said thrust bearing comprises a cage and bearing assembly.
11. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 10 further comprising at least two washers, said cage and bearing assembly located between said washers.
12. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein said support comprises a flange bearing.
13. A thrust bearing in accordance with claim 12 wherein a bore extends through said flange bearing, and the input shaft extends through said bore.
14. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein said flange bearing comprises an annular flange.
15. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said annular flange is in contact with, and supported by, the transmission housing.
16. A thrust bearing assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein a lubrication reservoir is formed by the transmission housing, and said thrust bearing is lubricated by lubrication in the reservoir.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of coupling an end effector to a base of a robotic component, the method comprising:
aligning at least one alignment member of the end effector with at least one indentation of the base of the robotic component, wherein the at least one alignment member extends from the end effector, and wherein the at least one indentation corresponds in position with the at least one alignment member, and further wherein the end effector is adapted to be coupled to the base of the robotic component and is further adapted to operably engage an inspection probe at a distal end of the end effector from where the end effector is adapted to be coupled to the base of the robotic component, wherein the end effector is further adapted to provide at least one of degree of motion to the distal end of the end effector independent of the control of the robotic component and during an inspection operation, and wherein the at least one degree of motion comprises at least one of the degrees of motion selected from the group of (i) a telescoping extension of the inspection probe from the end effector and the robotic component and (ii) an angular rotation of the inspection probe relative to the end effector and the robotic component,
wherein the base of the robotic component comprises at least one ferromagnetic material, and wherein the end effector comprises at least one magnet; and
positioning the at least one ferromagnetic material of the base of the robotic component and the at least one magnet of the end effector in proximity to cause magnetic attraction between the at least one ferromagnetic material of the base of the robotic component and the at least one magnet of the end effector,
wherein the magnetic attraction pulls the end effector and the base of the robotic component together to permit the at least one alignment member of the end effector to protrude into the corresponding at least one indentation in the base of the robotic component, thereby aligning the end effector and the base of the robotic component when magnetically coupled.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a magnetic coupling offset release clamp comprising at least one extension adapted to adjustably protrude between the end effector and the robotic component, wherein the magnetic coupling offset release clamp is connected to the end effector or the robotic component thereby permitting separation of the end effector and the robotic component when the at least one extension of the magnetic coupling offset release clamp is protruded between the end effector and the robotic component;
protruding the at least one extension of the magnetic coupling offset release clamp between the end effector and the robotic component to separate the end effector and the robotic component prior to positioning the at least one ferromagnetic material of the robotic component and the at least one magnet of the end effector in proximity to cause the magnetic attraction, thereby permitting adjustment of the alignment of at least one of the end effector and the robotic component with respect to the other; and
decreasing the protrusion of the at least one extension of the magnetic coupling offset release clamp between the end effector and the robotic component, thereby decreasing the separation between the end effector and the robotic component to permit the end effector and the robotic component to magnetically couple.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a magnetic coupling offset release clamp comprising at least one extension adapted to adjustably protrude between the end effector and the robotic component, wherein the magnetic coupling offset release clamp is connected to the end effector or the robotic component thereby permitting separation of the end effector and the robotic component when the at least one extension of the magnetic coupling offset release clamp is protruded between the end effector and the robotic component; and
protruding the at least one extension of the magnetic coupling offset release clamp between the end effector and the robotic component to separate the end effector and the robotic component, thereby at least partially decreasing the magnetic coupling of the end effector and the robotic component.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a force mechanism interoperably coupled to a telescoping arm of the end effector and a tube of the end effector, wherein the tube is configured for receiving the telescoping arm to be at least partially disposed within the tube; and
exerting a force by the force mechanism to dynamically extend the arm from the tube.
5. A method of inspecting a structure, the method comprising:
aligning at least one alignment member of an end effector with at least one indentation of a base of a robotic control system, wherein the alignment member extends from the end effector, and wherein the at least one indentation corresponds in position with the at least one alignment member, and further wherein the end effector is adapted to be coupled to the base of the robotic control system and is further adapted to couple an inspection probe at a distal end of the end effector from where the end effector is adapted to be coupled to the base of the robotic control system, wherein the end effector is further adapted to provide at least one of degree of motion to the distal end of the end effector independent of the control of the robotic control system and during an inspection operation, and wherein the at least one degree of motion comprises at least one of the degrees of motion selected from the group of (i) an extension of the inspection probe from the end effector and the robotic control system, (ii) a telescoping extension of the inspection probe from the end effector and the robotic control system, and (iii) an angular rotation of the inspection probe relative to the end effector and the robotic component,
wherein the base of the robotic control system comprises at least one ferromagnetic material, and wherein the end effector comprises at least one magnet;
positioning the at least one ferromagnetic material of the base of the robotic control system and the at least one magnet of the end effector in proximity to cause magnetic attraction between the at least one ferromagnetic material of the base of the robotic control system and the at least one magnet of the end effector,
wherein the magnetic attraction between the at least one ferromagnetic material of the base of the robotic control system and the at least one magnet of the end effector pulls the end effector and the base of the robotic control system together to permit the at least one alignment member of the end effector to protrude into the corresponding at least one indentation in the base of the robotic control system, thereby aligning the end effector and the control system when magnetically coupled;
coupling the inspection probe to the end effector;
positioning the inspection probe against a surface of the structure; and
translating the inspection probe across at least a portion of the surface of the structure, wherein the end effector is further adapted to provide the at least one degree of motion while the inspection probe is translated across the surface of the structure.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of coupling an inspection probe to the end effector comprises:
coupling a telescoping arm to the inspection probe;
coupling a tube for receiving the telescoping arm to the end effector; and
recessing the telescoping arm at least partially into the tube.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of providing a cut-off switch configured for determining separation of the end effector from the base of the robotic control system for indicating when the magnetic attraction between the end effector and the base of the robotic control system has been decreased during inspection due to contact by at least one of the end effector, telescoping arm, tube, and inspection probe with another object which prohibits the translation of at least one of the end effector, telescoping arm, tube, and inspection probe by the base of the robotic control system.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
dynamically extending the telescoping arm from the tube using a force mechanism interoperably coupled to the tube and the telescoping arm, wherein the force mechanism is configured for exerting a force inclined to extend the telescoping arm from the tube, and wherein dynamically extending the telescoping arm presses the inspection probe against the structure.
9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of fixing the rotation of the telescoping arm within the tube.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of fixing the rotation of the telescoping arm within the tube comprises the step of providing the tube and the telescoping arm with corresponding, non-circular cross-sectional shapes to prevent rotation of the telescoping arm within the tube.
11. The method of claim 5, further comprising controlling inspection of the structure with the control system, wherein the control system is a robotic, multi-axis control system.
12. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing a cut-off switch configured for determining separation of the end effector from the control system for indicating when the magnetic attraction between the end effector and the control system has been decreased during inspection due to contact by at least one of the end effector and inspection probe with another object which prohibits the translation of at least one of the end effector and inspection probe by the control system.