Abstract: A traverse probe for insertion transversely with respect to the direction of bulk flow of an air or gas stream to sense and average a traverse of the static pressure and separately to sense and average a traverse of the combination of static and velocity pressure or total pressure of the stream. The probe includes along its length a spaced set of total pressure ports in the tube wall substantially aligned with the direction of flow in the zone of positive total pressure at the tube wall facing the direction of flow and first and second spaced sets of static pressure ports in the tube wall, one set aligned in each of the zones of static pressure only that lie at the tube wall adjacent to and on each side of the zone of positive total pressure. The set of total pressure ports is aligned on the bisector of the included angle between the sets of static pressure ports where the included angle is in the range of about 78.degree.-80.degree. for useful probe diameters.

Abstract: A phased array acoustic imaging system including an array of electromechanical transducers, a dedicated signal processing channel for each transducer and electronic control and delay circuits for them, transmits to and receives ultrasonic energy from a body in a controlled, steered and focused fashion. The electronic delay circuits use a unique cyclically symmetrical arrangement of identical delay cells, each with an electronically variable delay element and each dedicated to a receive signal derived from at least one transducer, to form a summing delay line. The individual delay cells are switched under microprocessor control for efficient combined linear-sector scanning or linear or sector scanning alone. The system includes means to achieve dynamic focusing and dynamic apodization in conjunction with the delay cell architecture.

Abstract: A hand-held manipulative probe for automated liquid dispensers for dispensing reagents or diluting samples with reagent automatically in accord with a programmed local microprocessor or remote computer control which grips the flexible pipette tubing, provides remote hand control and provides dispenser status indication.

Abstract: A pear orienting apparatus for receiving, orienting and subsequently feeding oriented pears with the stem-end lowermost to peeling and coring devices in a machine of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,058,502 and 3,797,639 including a canted reciprocable shaker pan feeding singulated pears to at least one channeled lifter that tumbles the singulated pears over spaced divergent guide plates onto an inclined and intermittently gated delivery chute.

Abstract: An automated liquid dispenser for dispensing reagents or diluting samples with reagent automatically with enhanced accuracy, precision and speed, which comprises a dispenser frame carrying demountable precision metering syringes that are reciprocated and a rotary valve for each syringe that is stepped in accord with a programmed local microprocessor or remote computer control to connect the syringe selectively in sequence to one of a sample probe, reagent reservoir, atmosphere or another syringe cylinder.

Abstract: A servo controlled actuator for an automated liquid dispenser for dispensing reagents or diluting samples with reagent automatically in accord with a programmed local microprocessor or remote computer control. The dispenser has at least one reciprocable syringe, valving for it and a syringe actuator driven by a hybrid servo control. The actuator includes a bi-directional variable speed motor and an encoder developing a pulse train which in number is representative of the position of the syringe piston and in repetition rate is representative of piston velocity. A microprocessor controls the piston stroke from the pulse train by comparison to a memory-stored count and controls piston velocity in predetermined relation to the terminal end of piston travel.

Abstract: A method of controlling the sex of mammalian offspring by separating spermatozoa into fractions having the desired sex characteristics and artificially inseminating the female to produce offspring of the desired sex. The sperm is separated by applying a buoyant force or forces to a mixture of sperm in nutrient media so that separation occurs according to density of the sperm. The nutrient media is controlled as to density characteristics and can have a uniform density gradient from top to bottom so that buoyant forces within such media are selectively applied to sperm of different density to effect separation of the sperm and to hold sperm fractions of different density in suspended relation within the nutrient media. Substantially pure sperm fractions (having the desired male or female sex characteristics) are isolated at the top or at the bottom of a separation column for use in artificially inseminating the female.

Abstract: A syringe valve and clamping mechanism for an automated liquid dispenser using a demountable precision metering syringe for automatically dispensing reagents or diluting samples with reagent.

Abstract: A vacuum filler is described which has an improved filling head particularly adapted for vacuum filling steel cans containing more-or-less compressible and tacky food products, such as tuna fish or salmon, with filling liquids of low viscosity, such as vegetable oil or water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which uses sputter cathode material in an ion sputter pump to discriminate between hydrogen or its isotopes and the pumped impurities by virtue of their different permeability or diffusion rates through and solubility in a film of sputtered cathode material. Iron and specific hydride-forming cathode materials are examples.

Abstract: A method of controlling the sex of mammalian offspring by separating spermatozoa into fractions having the desired sex characteristics and artificially inseminating the female to produce offspring of the desired sex. The sperm is separated by applying a buoyant force or forces to a mixture of sperm in nutrient media so that separation occurs according to density of the sperm. The nutrient media is controlled as to density characteristics and can have a uniform density gradient from top to bottom so that buoyant forces within such media are selectively applied to sperm of different density to effect separation of the sperm and to hold sperm fractions of different density in suspended relation within the nutrient media. Substantially pure sperm fractions (having the desired male or female sex characteristics) are isolated at the top or at the bottom of a separation column for use in artificially inseminating the female.

Abstract: An easy open container end having a pair of generally annular double-reverse folds with a common scored band between them that defines a removable panel wherein a smooth edge of each of the double-reverse folds protects the severed edge of the score upon removal of the panel from the container and a method for forming the improved easy open container end.