Abstract: A four chamber gas meter comprises a distributor cover and a rotary distributor sliding on the distributor cover. The distributor is driven by a crank which is kinematically connected to the bellows of the gas meter. The hub of the crank is engaged with clearance in a sleeve of the distributor so that the tilting torque applied to the crank is not applied to the distributor itself.

Abstract: A self-aligned element antiblooming structure for application to charge-coupled devices includes a region in the substrate in which the charge-coupled device is fabricated into which both a P and N conductivity type impurity are introduced. By introducing impurities of different diffusivities, a sink region is created between two very narrow antiblooming barriers. Using appropriate process controls, the potential height of the antiblooming barriers may be adjusted to drain excess charge accumulating in the substrate adjacent the antiblooming barriers. In this manner the antiblooming function is accomplished using only a minimal area of the substrate. The invention is applicable to charge-coupled devices utilizing a variety of different clocking schemes, and to charge-coupled device image sensors using buried channels.

Abstract: Electricity meter fraud is detected by incorporating a unidirectional cyclometer-type register into a meter. The register is actuated each time the meter and cover assembly (which is factory sealed) is removed from its associated socket by an actuating arm assembly which is in contact with the socket. In one embodiment the actuating arm includes a rod which protrudes through an opening formed in the base of the meter and is biased into contact with the socket so that when the meter is removed from the socket the register is actuated. Alternatively, the actuating arm is connected to a sliding-type meter terminal which is actuated upon insertion and/or removal of the meter base with respect to the socket. In a further arrangement, a switch is provided in the base of the meter and is arranged to energize a solenoid to actuate the register whenever the meter is removed from its socket.

Abstract: An optical shaft encoder includes an optical shutter mounted to a shaft, the shutter bearing light transmissive and light reflective areas, at least a first light emitter and a first light detector arranged adjacent one another on one side of the optical shutter, and at least a second light emitter and a second light detector arranged adjacent one another on a second side of the optical shutter and opposite the first light emitter and first light detector. The optical shutter comprises a disk or drum having the reflective and transmissive areas arranged in a predetermined pattern on its surface. The light emitters are alternately energized and the outputs of the two light detectors, which are dependent on the arrangement of reflective and transmissive areas of the optical shutter, are then detected and compared with a predetermined pattern of such outputs representative of the various angular positions the optical shutter and shaft can take. With this arrangement up to 16 different output states are possible.

Abstract: A plastic scintillator comprises a polymethylpentene thermoplastic material containing a fluorescent additive. This plastic scintillator material functions at high temperatures with excellent optical properties in the detection of neutrons.

Abstract: An RMS converter has first and second transistors (40a and 42a) providing a signal representing double the log of the input voltage, a third transistor (40b), matched with the first (40a), providing a signal representative of the log of the output voltage and a fourth transistor (42b), matched with the second (42a). providing a signal representative of the anti-log of the ratio of those signals; the transistors in each matched pair are repetitively interchanged functionally thereby reducing errors caused by slight differences in the transistor operating characteristics.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of direct measurement of a parameter characterizing a fault on an electricity line 1, such as the distance x or the resistance R.sub.d of the fault, the method being based on Ohm's Law including the line inductance L and the resistances R, R.sub.d. The signals respectively associated with the variation of current i(t) and of voltage v(t) at the measuring point M are operated upon by transfer functions the ratio of which is equal to:(2/.tau.) tan .omega..tau./2,.tau. corresponding to the propagation time of a wave over double the distance between the measuring point M and a zone boundary P. The method thus takes into account the distributed capacitances C of the line.

Abstract: A plurality of transmitters synchronized to a common clock each transmit a data signal spread by a common bipolar pseudo-random code having a different assigned code sequence shift. A receiver, synchronized to the clock, discriminates the signals transmitted by a predetermined transmitter from signals transmitted by the others by generating a first pseudo-random code that is a replica of the common bipolar pseudo-random code and has a code sequence shift corresponding to that of the predetermined transmitter, and a second bipolar pseudo-random code that is a replica of the common bipolar pseudo-random code and has an unassigned code sequence shift. The difference between the first and second bipolar pseudo-random code sequences, which is a trinary code sequence, is cross-correlated with the incoming signals. The cross-correlation despreads only the signal having the predetermined code sequence shift.

Abstract: A directional relay for providing indication of the direction of a fault on an electric power transfer network has an adder (9), a subtractor (10) and filters (11) which receive signals from voltage and current transformers (6,7) and derive signals related to fault-induced forward and backward transient waves on the network. To ensure reliable operation even when the relay is close to a low impedance element such as a generator (2), the forward wave related signal is delayed in a delay unit (12) by an amount equal to the propagation time of the wave along the section protected by the relay, before the difference between its square and that of the backward wave related signal are integrated (16) to derive the fault direction signal.

Abstract: A plurality of transmitters synchronized to a common clock each transmit a data signal spread by a common bipolar pseudo-random code having a different assigned code sequence shift. A receiver, synchronized to the clock, discriminates the signal transmitted by a predetermined transmitter from signals transmitted by the others by generating a first bipolar pseudo-random code that is a replica of the common bipolar pseudo-random code and has a code sequence shift corresponding to that of the predetermined transmitter, and a second bipolar pseudo-random code that is a replica of the common bipolar pseudo-random code and has an unassigned code sequence shift. The difference between the first and second bipolar pseudo-random code sequences, which is a trinary code sequence, is cross-correlated with the incoming signals. The cross-correlation despreads only the signal spread by the sequence having the predetermined code sequence shift.

Abstract: A cable outlet adaptor comprises (i) a bush (20) which is threaded over the cable (14) and has a cut-out (30) towards one end; and (ii) a hood (40), having a cap portion (42) and a sleeve portion (44) at a right angle thereto, and split into two sections along a median plane through both portions. The hood can be fitted, even when the cable is already terminated at both ends, by displacing the cable into the cut-out in the bush, placing the cable and bush in one half of the hood and folding the other half over so that the bush extends into the cap portion and the cable emerges from the cut-out into the sleeve portion. A spiral support spring (60) slides over the sleeve portion to hold the two halves together, and pegs (48) in the cap portion engage in holes (32) in the bush to retain the hood on the bush.

Abstract: A pre-payment machine includes a strong-box intended for temporarily storing coins introduced into the machine prior to their collection by means of a connected collection device, this strong-box being especially designed in order to be protected against break-ins. The strong-box is made up of two sections: the first is a receptacle which forms an integral part of the housing itself of the machine and has a collection aperture usually closed by a seal; and the other is a lid secured to the receptacle by means controlled by the seal and disposed substantially within the receptacle. In one embodiment the securing means is a pin which engages the lid and the seal when in its closed position. In a second embodiment the securing means is one or more tabs formed integral with the slide which engage openings formed in a part of the lid, and one or more tabs formed integral with a part of the lid which engage openings formed in the bottom of the receptacle when the seal is in its closed position.

Abstract: A brake apparatus is provided for tape recorders, particularly of the coaxial reel type, in which a single brake pad, mounted on a brake arm, engages a pair of adjacent coaxially disposed drive wheels for coaxial tape reels. The brake arm is biased by a spring into braking engagement with the drive wheels. A solenoid is operable to withdraw the brake arm, thereby disengaging the brake, when energized. The solenoid is controlled to be energized whenever a drive motor for the tape reels is powered, and to be deenergized when the drive motor is not powered. The disclosed structure provides automatic braking for the tape reels whenever the drive motor loses power or is shut off, thus providing positive mechanical braking both in a power loss condition and in a parking condition for the tape reels.

Abstract: In order to ensure that the vibrations of a system under test are in accordance with a reference spectral density Z(w), the system is driven by a signal x.sub.n (t) provided by an inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) with random phases introduced by a function R.sub.n (w) and the response spectral density Y.sub.n (w) provided by a DFT is brought into agreement with Z(w) by a feedback loop. Moreover, in order to ensure that this is done in one iteration, X'.sub.n (w) is derived from x.sub.n (t) by a DFT and divided by Y.sub.n (w) and the quotient is multiplied with Z(w) to provide the new input x.sub.n (w) for the IDFT. The division cancels out the random factor which is present in both X'.sub.n (w) and Y.sub.n (w).The system thus equalizes both rapidly and stably.

Abstract: The measuring apparatus comprises a sensor (11) having a first electrical characteristic (balance of inductance) which is directly modifiable by the magnitude of a quantity or characteristic to be measured (e.g. pressure). A remote electrical power supply (27) excites the sensor over first and second conductors (28, 29) of an electrical link (22) having a second electrical characteristic (e.g. resistance) which is capable of disturbing the measurement. A third conductor (21) in the link is connected to a measuring instrument (24).In order to avoid measurement errors due to leakage currents in the link, the power supply (27) continuously monitors the electrical characteristics of the link and regulates its excitation output as function thereof and in such a manner as to tend to eliminate disturbing effects on the measurement.

Abstract: A system for measuring power in an electrical distribution circuit having at least three wires includes a Hall-effect generator directly coupled to one of the live wires of the circuit and current transformers coupled to the other live wires of the circuit. The output of each current transformer is magnetically linked to the Hall-effect generator. The excitation current for the Hall-effect generator is derived from the line potential between the live wires. The Hall-effect generator acts to produce an output whose magnitude is directly proportional to the product of the vector sums of the currents flowing in the live wires and the potential between the live wires. This power indicative output may be accumulated to produce an indication of energy consumed by a load connected to the live wires. A high frequency A.C. bias is applied to the Hall generator in order to linearize the output of the generator.

Abstract: An electrolyte for electrolytic capacitors comprises an alkyl glycol of 2 to 4 carbons; ammonium formate; and either a dicarboxylic acid of 2 to 8 carbons or its diammonium salt, wherein the ammonium ion is of the formula NH--(R).sub.3 in which R is H, or alkyl or alkanol of 1 to 7 carbons.

Abstract: A capacitor header having the mechanical characteristics of a modulus of elasticity in the range from 50,000 to 200,000 psi and a tensile strength in the range from 3,500 to 80,000 psi has pressure formed therein on the aluminum terminal of which portions thereof have been increased in the range of 0.002 to 0.020 inch larger than the holes provided in the header.

Abstract: A single-turn miniature potentiometer includes a first substrate having an annular conductive track formed thereon and a second substrate facing the first and having an annular resistive track formed thereon. An insulating layer is placed between the two substrates and has an opening provided therein for receiving a disk-like rotor which bears an electrically conductive wiper for simultaneously contacting both the conductive and resistive tracks. Electrical connections are made between the resistive and conductive tracks by means of external U-shaped clips.

Abstract: A roller-type ultrasonic probe comprises a support having two parallel limbs, and two coaxially aligned hubs each extending from a respective limb towards the other. An ultrasonic transmitter is mounted in one hub, a receiver is mounted in the other, and an acoustic screen is disposed between the adjacent ends of the hubs. Respective glycerine-filled rollers are mounted on each hub, and a common (or split) tire fits over both rollers. The respective axes of the transmitter and the receiver are preferably inclined at about 5.degree. and 7.degree. respectively towards the radially extending plane between the transmitter and receiver. The arrangement is particularly compact, and facilitates high-resolution ultrasonic investigation of bond quality in glass or carbon-fibre reinforced plastic sheets and other laminates.