Abstract: A programmable memory element for a programmable read only memory. The programmable memory element includes a nichrome fusible link with a first metallization layer formed in contact with the nichrome fusible link. An insulating layer is formed over the first metallization layer and over a portion of the nichrome. The insulating layer is formed by first chemically vapor depositing a relatively thin layer of silicon dioxide at atmospheric pressure and then chemically vapor depositing a thicker layer of silicon nitride over the thin silicon dioxide layer, such silicon nitride layer being chemically vapor deposited in a vacuum. The layer of silicon dioxide is thin enough so that any cusps formed around the corners of the first metallization layer are relatively small. The deposition of the silicon dioxide layer is performed at atmospheric pressure and allows the silicon dioxide to provide moisture protection to the nichrome.

Abstract: A system of combining a microwave oven and ventilator over a range top or the like wherein the ventilator comprises an assembly including a central oven receiving compartment and air handling components providing for an exhausting of the range top atmosphere and a maintenance of the oven in a relatively contamination free environment. The ventilator includes a downwardly directed filter-mounting cavity underlying the oven. A pair of vertically extending air directing channels are provided to each side of the oven receiving compartment and extend vertically from communication with the underlying cavity to a pair of chambers located above the oven compartment and in direct communication with an exhaust blower positioned centrally therebetween. The exhaust blower is communicated with the ambient atmosphere above the oven compartment for introduction of cooling uncontaminated air.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) logic gate wherein a plurality of FETs is coupled to an output enhancement mode FET through a noise immunity circuit, such noise immunity circuit including a Schottky diode. A biasing network ensures that any conducting one of the input transistors produces a forward voltage drop between its input and output less than the forward drop of the Schottky diode circuit ensuring that the voltage at the gate electrode of the output transistor is less than the threshold voltage of such output transistor in the presence of noise. In one embodiment the logic gate includes a coupling FET having a gate electrode coupled to the gate electrode of the output transistor through the noise immunity Schottky diode circuit, and a source electrode coupled to the plurality of input transistors.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) logic gate wherein a plurality of FETs is coupled to an output enhancement mode FET through a noise immunity circuit, such noise immunity circuit including a Schottky diode. A biasing network ensures that any conducting one of the input transistors produces a forward voltage drop between its input and output less than the forward drop of the Schottky diode circuit ensuring that the voltage at the gate electrode of the output transistor is less than the threshold voltage of such output transistor in the presence of noise. In one embodiment the logic gate includes a coupling FET having a gate electrode coupled to the gate electrode of the output transistor through the noise immunity Schottky diode circuit, and a source electrode coupled to the plurality of input transistors.

Abstract: A very high resolution laser gyroscope system having a phase-locked loop operatively coupled to the output of a laser gyroscope cavity. A difference frequency signal is formed between two output beams from the gyroscope cavity. The phase of the difference signal is compared with that of a reference clock to produce a signal representative of the phase difference between the reference clock and difference signal. The latter signal is amplified and coupled to a coil which produces a field within a Faraday rotator body disposed in the wave propagation path within the laser gyroscope cavity. The phase of the difference signal is thus phase-locked to that of the reference clock signal so that the frequency difference between the two beams in the cavity is maintained constant over a wide range of rates of rotation.

Abstract: Control system for a microwave oven or a combination microwave and convection oven where the on time of a microwave generating system is decreased while convection heater on time may optionally be increased as a food product cooks to a predetermined, desired temperature. A temperature probe inserted in the product senses temperature and connects to a wheatstone bridge. A differential amplifier connects to the wheatstone bridge, an up/down integrator circuit connects to the differential amplifier, and a comparator connects to the integrator and which includes a latch to generate a signal to control a triac for controlling the microwave generating system and to provide a closed loop feedback signal to the temperature probe. The control system starts the oven cooking with substantially one-hundred percent power and, as the desired predetermined temperature is reached, the microwave power level is decreased through the control system.

Abstract: A gas surface range having modular burner cartridges and a down draft ventilation system. The cartridges can be removed for repairing, cleaning, or changing the range top configuration. For example, one cartridge type may include tubular burners and an igniter mounted in a pan so that a grill may be positioned thereover to form a grilling surface. A second cartridge type may include conventional top surface burners and an igniter mounted in a pan. Each range compartment into which the cartridges insert have two orifice hoods and an electrical connector rigidly secured therein. The positioning of an inserted cartridge is such that the mixer heads of the burners align with the respective orifice hoods and a rigid conductor of the igniter makes electrical contact with the connector. The connector also has a second terminal for providing an electrical return for the igniter. One type of cartridge also includes an extending post which permits it to only be inserted in one particular compartment.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a directional rotating antenna axially supported on an axis of one wall of a microwave oven cavity of the microwave oven which provides circularly symmetric uniform energy distribution of microwave energy within the microwave oven cavity and consistent heating of a product in the microwave oven cavity. The directional rotating antenna includes a two-by-two array of antenna elements where each element is an end driven half-wavelength resonating antenna element supported by a length of conductor perpendicular to the wall of the microwave oven cavity. A parallel plate transmission line connects to each of the supports, four of which join at a junction which connects to a cylindrical probe antenna. The probe antenna is excited by microwave frequency currents of a waveguide adjacent to the wall of the microwave oven cavity. The directional antenna is rotated by a moving stream of air circulated through the microwave oven cavity.

Abstract: A burner box divided into two chambers by a partition having two orifice hoods and an electrical connector rigidly mounted thereto, the hoods and connector facing into one of the chambers which functions as a compartment for removably inserting a modular gas burner cartridge. The cartridge may include a pan having two burners and an igniter attached therein. The positioning of the cartridge is such that the mixer heads of the burners align with the respective orifice hoods and the igniter couples to the connector. The connector has a recessed entrance for the high voltage receptacle so that a tapered ceramic insulator sleeve of the igniter conductor terminal fits therein.

Abstract: A gamma camera having an array of photodetectors arranged to locate a flash of light produced by a scintillator in response to an incident gamma ray photon. A current pulse is produced by each one of the photodetectors in response to each incident gamma ray photon, the amount of charge produced by each one of such photodetectors being a measure of the portion of the energy of the photon detected by such one of the photodetectors. Each integrator produces a voltage which rises from an initial reference level, typically ground potential, to a peak level, such peak voltage level being representative of the amount of charge in the current pulse and hence the peak level of such voltage is a measure of the portion of the energy of the photon detected by such one of the photodetector. The outputs of the integrators are combined to provide X and Y coordinate location signals.

Abstract: A microwave egg cooking utensil having a microwave transparent container for water, a metal tray with at least one depression for holding the egg, and a metal lid. Both the tray and the lid are supported by a lip of the container such that there is a small gap between the outer perimeter edge of the tray and the inner surface of the lid. The combination of the tray and the lid provides substantial microwave shielding of the interior there defined; the separation of these metal parts prevents arcing therebetween. It is preferable that the edge of the tray be raised from the lip so that the small gap is not filled with condensation which would minimize the effect of the gap. The water in the container is heated to boiling by radiation of microwave energy. The steam heats the tray and the egg cooks by conduction rather than by microwave radiation.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled microwave oven having a scale for providing a signal corresponding to the weight of a food body in the cavity to a microprocessor which calculates the microwave exposure time period as a nonlinear function of the weight. Generally, as the weight of the food body is increased, the time period of exposure per weight unit is decreased by a factor equal to the weight of the food divided by the weight of the food plus a constant where the constant may preferably be 0.1.

Abstract: A distributed, fault-tolerant, self-repairable, reconfigurable signal processing system with redundant elements comprising signal processors, mass memories and input-output controllers interconnected by redundant busses forming a high reliability system. The input-output controller element has redundant busses for interconnecting multiple fault-tolerant distributed signal processing systems into a network configuration. One signal processor element in a system is initially designated as the executive and assigns processing tasks from a mass memory to the other elements or other systems. When a failure is detected, the executive verifies the failure, isolates the faulty element and reassigns the task to another spare element. If another element is not available, the executive reconfigures the system to permit degraded operation using the available elements. The executive element, itself, is fault monitored by one of the other elements which is capable of assuming the role of executive as required.

Abstract: A microwave oven feed system having the output probe of the magnetron inserted directly into the microwave enclosure. A rotating feed structure positioned within the enclosure couples the microwave energy from the probe into a directive radiation pattern towards the food. The feed structure may be located in a well extending from the enclosure and separated from the processing cavity by a layer of microwave transparent material, the functions of the layer being to provide thermal isolation and to provide a protective covering for the feed structure. A microwave choke around the periphery of the well prevents leakage of microwave energy from the enclosure. The choke may be elevated from the floor of the cavity to prevent food drippings and spilled soups from running into the feed structure well.

Abstract: A modular gas operated heating cartridge adapted for inserting into a compartment of a surface gas range. The cartridge includes a pan in which is mounted an igniter and at least one gas burner. When positioned in the compartment, the mixer head of the burner aligns with an orifice hood secured within the compartment. Also, the igniter makes electrical contact with a connector secured within the compartment. The modular cartridge can be removed for repairing, cleaning, or changing the configuration of the range surface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning combination microwave and electrically heated oven having a rotating microwave radiator positioned beneath a microwave transparent protective cover of high temperature material with air being blown by a microwave source into the oven through the radiating system and impinging on the cover, thereby cooling and assisting in preventing deposition of cooking vapors on the cover. During the self-cleaning cycle, air is drawn by convection through the oven to maintain the radiating system below 650.degree. F. while the interior oven surfaces are raised to temperatures above 900.degree. F. by resistive-heating elements in the oven.

Abstract: A method of depositing material onto an object in an ionization chamber having a shutter therein which has an object-obscuring portion comprising the step of confining particles of matter deposited on the object-obscuring portion of the shutter to such object-obscuring portion while the object is being deposited with material. The object-obscuring portion of the shutter includes an open ended container, the open end thereof being formed in an upper portion of the shutter. During ionization a glow region is formed in the chamber separated from a source of the material by a dark space region. The upper surface of the shutter is disposed in the dark space region and the bottom of the container is separated from the source sufficiently to enable ionization.