Abstract: A document processing system including a video camera and raster scan television monitors. The apparatus comprises a document transport that sequentially passes documents by both a machine readable data reader and a video camera. The data reader reads and stores in a digital memory the machine readable data encoded on the documents. The video camera captures the entire image of each document and stores the images in a video memory. In one embodiment the images are stored as analog signals and in another embodiment as digital signals. The system further includes a plurality of video terminals at which the operators of the system can recall and display on command both the machine readable data and the video images of the documents.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly is disclosed herein and includes a solar panel arrangement having a main body which defines internal passageways, between inlet and outlet headers, a corrugated glazing sheet located on the top side of the panel body and at least one but preferably two corrugated support sheets located under the panel body. The assembly also includes a header cover on each end of the panel which, in part, encloses a corresponding one of the headers and which, in part, nests against the corrugated glazing sheet and one of the corrugated support sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the movement of one or more elevators in a hoistway. The apparatus includes a power control sub-system containing moving machinery for imparting motion to the elevator car and to the elevator car doors, together with a plurality of control contacts operating to actuate the moving machinery to urge the elevator car and the doors in appropriate directions. A number of selectable control contacts or switches are provided in the elevator car and at elevator floor landings. A supervisory control sub-system containing control programs is coupled to the power control sub-system for the purpose of reading input data from the moving machinery, control contacts, and selectable switches, and to provide instructions to the power control sub-system in accordance with the supervisory control programs, and the status of the selectable switches and the control contacts.

Abstract: A secure communication system for transmitting and receiving an encoded information signal. The system generates at transmitting and receiving locations a predetermined unique pseudorandom code. A synchronized tracking signal is imposed on the information to be transmitted and added to the information to form an intermediate signal. The pseudorandom code is then multiplied by the intermediate signal directly so that the ultimate result appears to assume the character of pseudorandom noise, which is then transmitted to the receiving location. The synchronization and transmitted encoded portion is decoded at the receiver and used to generate a base signal for a pseudorandom generator at the receiving location, as well as initiate initial clocking pulse time for operation of the receiver pseudorandom generator.

Abstract: A thermocouple linearizer circuit for use in a device for digitally displaying the temperature of a thermocouple. The circuit includes a plurality of proportional correction means, each connected to receive a non-linear electrical signal representing the temperature of a thermocouple. The correction circuits generate a correction signal proportional to the difference between a non-linear electrical signal and a predetermined reference signal. The correction signals are initiated when the non-linear signal exceeds the respective reference signal in each correction circuit. An arithmetic unit is included for adding the correction signals and the non-linear signal thereby forming a signal corresponding to a linear function of the temperature of the thermocouple.

Abstract: An integrated message accounting system for use in a telephone system operating in time frames each consisting of a plurality of time slots. The system includes line groups each having a number of primary and secondary input and output portions for receiving input data signals and transmitting output data signals where one or the other of the primary and secondary portions is activated for receiving and transmitting the input and output signals. The system also includes a second number of time slot interchangers for connecting the active input portions to the active output portions where one of the interchangers is activated for connecting the input portions to the output portions. The system also includes a system controller for activating the primary or secondary portions and one of the interchangers.

Abstract: A vacuum type current interrupter is provided having a low mass movable electrode which can be moved into electrical contact with a stationary electrode for carrying large currents associated with power lines. A third electrode is positioned in the vacuum envelope in opposing relation to the stationary electrode and adjacent the movable electrode. When the stationary and movable electrodes are separated an arc will appear between their contact surfaces. The third electrode is conductively connected to the movable electrode so that the arc will spread from the latter to the relatively larger surface of the third electrode, to reduce local overheating of the electrodes during arcing.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying slab gels having a metal platen with electrical strip heaters mounted on one side thereof and a depression formed in the other side which serves as a drying chamber. The slab gel is laid on a sheet of porous filter paper over which is laid a sheet of non-porous material having non-adhesive qualities relative to the slab gel. The mounted and covered slab gel is placed in the depression and a compliant cover sheet is placed over the top of the depression overlapping the platen around the periphery of the depression. An open passage is formed through one edge of the platen in communication with the depression therein. The strip heaters are connected to an electrical power source and the open passage is connected to a vacuum source. The pressure in the depression is reduced relative to ambient pressure causing the compliant cover to be forced against the platen around the periphery of the depression for sealing the drying chamber.

Abstract: An end load for a microwave oven for efficiently attenuating microwave energy escaping from an oven access port. The end load has a circular configuration and consists of an inner cylindrical member and a concentrically mounted, outer conductive member. The members are spaced apart to provide a tuned annular volume through a lossy liquid, such as water, is passed. The inner member is made of a microwave lossy material having a dielectric constant that optimumly matches the energy transfer from air to water and has a wall thickness that is also tuned to trap microwave energy. The outer member is made of a conductive material that provides an inwardly reflective surface for confining the microwave energy.

Abstract: A padlock is disclosed in which a U-shaped shackle is mounted in a lock body of laminated metal construction. The heel and toe ends of the shackle are slidably mounted within openings formed in the body. A pair of lock plates are captured for sliding movement within a laminated subassembly in the body. Detents on the lock plates engage notches which are formed on sides of the heel and toe when the shackle is moved to its locked position. A key-operated lock barrel is provided with an operating member which turns a pair of cams to slide the lock plates inwardly and away from their normally locked positions. Springs are mounted within the subassembly for yieldably urging the lock plates apart toward their locked positions.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for inspecting conditions of parts of electrical ignition type engines are provided wherein standard electrical waveforms representative of normal and abnormal conditions of parts of an electrical ignition type engine to be inspected are pre-recorded and an actual electrical waveform indicative of the condition of a part of the engine under operation and the corresponding one of the pre-recorded standard waveforms are displayed to permit visual comparison of them.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for excavating and removing a settled body of discrete mineral solids (e.g., a tailings pond from a mining operation) by procedures which progress downwardly from the surface of the body. High pressure streams of liquid are traversed along a path in a pulping zone lowermost in first region of the body. The liquid forms a pumpable slurry with the mineral solids in the zone, and the slurry is then pumped from the zone leaving an undercut cavity sufficient to cause collapse of the overburden of solids. The collapsed overburden is then formed into additional pumpable slurry which is removed by pumping. Successive stages of excavation are carried out by moving the streams of liquid downwardly to a second region where the foregoing steps are repeated. In the apparatus a caisson is disposed vertically in the body and stabilized by means of a plurality of circumferentially positioned pilings.