Abstract: A rectifier circuit produces an output which is a function of the magnitude of an input signal and has a controllable transient response. The circuit requires no rectification diodes. The voltage on a capacitor is sensed and compared with that of an input voltage. The operation of charging and discharging switches is adjusted by a control circuit to charge the capacitor if the magnitude of the input signal is greater than the capacitor voltage and to discharge the capacitor if the magnitude of the input signal is less than the capacitor voltage. The attack and release function of the rectifier is selectable by limiting the rate at which current charges/discharges the capacitor, preferably with constant current sources comprised of current mirrors. Multiple time constants are achieved by replicating the storage capacitor and charge/discharge elements configured with different time constants and then summing the resultant capacitor voltages.

Abstract: A publication distribution system and, more specifically, a computer operated feedback control system for controlling a process such as a paper-making process includes an effective common data base to which Publisher and Subscriber means are connected. An actual Publisher and Subscriber data base allows for a once only subscription to link subscriber means to a selected publisher for transfer of only updated or changed data from the original. Thus, only changed data is transferred across a network and computational load is reduced significantly. In the specific context of the present invention, the Publisher may be a scanning sensor for basis weight of paper being manufactured by a paper-making machine and a Subscriber may be an actuator such as a headbox control unit.

Abstract: A crowd control rail assembly includes at least two foldable plastic barricades constructed from two substantially similar integrally molded planar frame units. A planar cross-panel at the upper end of the barricade includes a vertically elongated slot into which the end of an elongated plastic rail unit may be inserted. Notches are provided at each end of the rail. Dimensions of the rail are chosen so that it must be inserted into the slot substantially perpendicular to the planar face of the upper portion of the frame unit and, then when the notch engages the bottom of the slot and the barricade is unfolded, the rail is automatically and securely retained.

Abstract: A high efficiency fuzzy logic based Stirling cycle cryogenic cooler has increased efficiency by driving the system in the demand mode (near the desired set point cooling temperature) by a more efficient sinusoidal waveform. The compressor pistons of the Stirling compressor are driven by a voice coil actuator between compressing the coolant gas and then releasing and being driven against an opposing return spring. Since a square wave provides faster cool-down, this is utilized during that mode. In addition, to utilize the rebound effect of both the ambient gas pressure and the return springs, the voice coil actuator drive is turned off during one-quarter cycle rebound portions of the cooling cycle.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor made from a structural wafer of single crystal silicon has a pair of proof masses lying in an X-Y plane and supported by a circular frame. The masses are driven into oscillation in the X-direction using an interdigitated comb drive. Rotation of the sensor about the Z-axis induces Coriolis forces which cause the frame to rotate, the rotation of the frame being indicative of the angular rate of the sensor. A parallel plate sensor located outside of the circular frame senses rotation of the frame.

Abstract: A decoupling controller for use with a process such as paper-making having two input variables such as stock flow and steam pressure and two output variables such as moisture and basis weight. Decoupling is accomplished by the use of linked internal model controllers where for each individual unit of the linked pairs, a P.I.D. (proportional, integral, derivative) unit includes all of the feedback loop gains and then the process itself is modeled by a first order transfer function and deadtime units with two cross-linked error signals fed back. A specific technique of cross-linking the internal model controllers eliminates cross-coupling between the input and output variables.

Abstract: A cross-direction dryer for typically drying a continuous web of paper or paper to which coating has just been applied provides both for baseline drying and a linear moisture profile by the use of respectively gas and electric heating portions of the heater units. Profile control is normally provided by control of the voltage to electric heating lamps. Such heating lamps are suspended over a large area gas burner to provide a combined increased infrared heat output. Encapsulation of the heating lamps with quartz provides for reradiation of the medium wavelength radiation produced by the gas burner. Thyristor switching for the quartz halogen heat lamps may be located adjacent to each heater unit and cooled by the combustion air for the gas burners.