Abstract: This invention utilizes data collected in the course of reflection seismic prospecting methods to produce a map, such as a vertical profile or a three-dimensional picture, of subterranean earth formations. This is accomplished by aplanatic mapping of received seismic wave trains in the memory unit of a computer taking into account the travel times of waves, the location of the source, the location of the receiver, and the velocity with which the waves travel from the source point to the deflecting point in the earth and from then to the receiver. The data recorded by each source receiver doublet is digitalized and stored aplanatically in the memory unit, taking into account both signs and amplitudes of the signals. The accumulated data represents a map of the earth formations. Sections of this map are plotted to provide desired views of the formations.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with systems for converting seismic waves received at various points at the surface of the earth into digital signals and the transmission of those digital signals from the geophone stations to a recording truck. Address registers located at the geophones are employed to permit periodic selective interrogation of the individual geophones. Typically, electric signals generated in the geophones, such as digital seismic signals, are time-multiplexed for return to a recorder over a common cable.

Abstract: An improved multiple-mode damper for damping Aeolian vibrations of electrical cables is provided which employs a single mass and two resilient support members that are respectively connected between separate points of the mass and separate points of the cable. One resilient support member is located at or near the center of the mass and the other at a point remote therefrom. The resilient support members are composed of spring components and elastomer components that act in parallel. The elastomer material has a Shore hardness of at least 30 and a damping coefficient that is at least 10% of the critical value. The stiffness of the elastomer component is at least 10% of the stiffness of the spring and it is preferably greater than that of the spring.

Abstract: A self-cleaning, or anti-fouling, shoe spike structure is provided that includes an elongate normally vertical earth-engaging spike with upper and lower ends, means securing the upper end of the spike on a shoe with said spike depending from a normally downwardly disposed earth-engaging surface of the shoe and self-cleaning means comprising an annular debris-repellant barrier positioned about the upper end of the spike. The barrier may be in the form of a movable washer that projects outwardly from the spike and underlies the shoe surface. Or it may be in the form of a stationary non-wetting member surrounding the spike. The barrier operates to allow for substantially free movement of soil and other debris about the upper end of the spike and the portion of shoe surface about the spike thereby preventing accumulation and compaction of soil or other debris on the bottom of the shoe about the spike.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a portable wall structure including a metal cap forming the top of a wall structure, a metal floor track forming the bottom of the wall structure, and a series of channeled load-bearing studs that are secured vertically between the cap member and the floor track member. These vertical studs are composed of steel of about 20 gauge thickness. A vertical steel stud is positioned at each end of the wall structure to provide closed ends of the wall structure. This wall structure forms a separate unit of substantially rectangular configuration which may be prefabricated and separately transported to a building construction site. Some parts, such as top plates, corners, door surrounds, and window surrounds, made of wood, are included in some embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A window assembly is mounted in a socket window opening of a motor vehicle with the interior side of the window frame substantially coplanar with the body flange in the window opening and the exterior side of the assembly. The window assembly is secured in place by means of self-tapping screws or other fasteners that extend through perforations in the window frame in the body flange into the window frame. In the best embodiment of the invention a stationary window and a sliding window are mounted wholly within the space forming the socket and substantially the entire window frame is also mounted within the socket.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved system for employing seismic techniques for surveying the subsurface structures of the earth. The invention relates particularly to an improved system for generating, collecting and processing the data during the course of exploration with a group of trucks that travel over the surface of the earth and intermittently stop to perform the required operations. The processing aids in the performance of the generating and collecting step and in the further processing of the collected data. And the data resulting from processing in this invention are transferred to a computer center for further processing. In this system, use is made of two programmable computers to facilitate concurrent processing of seismic waves received in successive setups in different ways.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved system for employing seismic techniques for surveying the subsurface structures of the earth. The invention relates particularly to an improved system for generating, collecting and processing the data during the course of exploration with a group of trucks that travel over the surface of the earth and intermittently stop to perform the required operations. The processing aids in the performance of the generating and collecting step and in the further processing of the collected data. And the data resulting from processing in this invention are transferred to a computer center for further processing. In this system, use is made of two programmable computers to facilitate concurrent processing of seismic waves received in successive setups in different ways.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved system for employing seismic techniques for surveying the subsurface structures of the earth. The invention relates particularly to an improved system for generating, collecting and processing the data during the course of exploration with a group of trucks that travel over the surface of the earth and intermittently stop to perform the required operations. The processing aides in the performance of the generating and collecting step and in the further processing of the collected data. And the data resulting from processing in this invention are transferred to a computer center for further processing. In this system, use is made of two programmable computers to facilitate concurrent processing of seismic waves received in successive setups in different ways.

Abstract: A two-piece connector plug is provided for terminating a round electric cord of a modular telephone system. A retainer plug having two wedge-shaped legs is pressed through a lateral opening of the connector plug housing to compress and captivate the jacket of a round cord. This plug locks the cord firmly against rotational as well as pulling forces to which the cord may be subject.

Abstract: An elongate checkout counter having a flat counter top, front and rear sides, a left or upstream end and a right or downstream end is provided that is particularly adapted for use in combination with a counter related UPI System scanner, a cash register and a produce scale. The left or upstream end is disposed to facilitate positioning a shopping cart in convenient left-hand reach of a checker stationed at the front side of the counter. A flat scanner panel is positioned in the top adajcent the upstream end, in convenient left-hand reach of the checker. A cash register with a forwardly disposed manually operable keyboard is positioned on the counter top adjacent said upstream end and rear side rearward of the scanner panel. A produce scale with a tray is positioned on the counter top downstream of the cash register and the scanner panel to project forwardly beyond the forward limits of the cash register and an elongate conveyor in the counter top with an upstream end between the tray and said front side.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a portable wall structure for use on the top floor of a multiple story building. The wall structure includes a metal cap forming the top of a wall structure, a metal floor track forming the bottom of the wall structure, and a series of channeled load-bearing studs that are secured vertically between the cap member and the floor track member. These vertical studs are composed of steel of about 26 gauge thickness. This wall structure forms a separate unit which may be prefabricated and separately transported to a building construction site for use on the top floor of a multiple story building. Some parts, such as top plates, corners, door surrounds, and window surrounds, made of wood, are included in some embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to carry both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series.

Abstract: A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to carry both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series.

Abstract: A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to cary both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series.

Abstract: The invention is employed for evaluating particles, such as droplets of aerosol sprays suspended in a gaseous medium. A stream of the particles to be analyzed is flowed into a narrow sample zone across the optical axis of a beam of light. Scattered radiation from the particles is focused on the image plane in which a photosensitive surface is located. Images of particles formed there are reproduced on a fluorescent or phosphorescent display screen of a cathode ray tube. A scale on the screen is employed for measuring the dimensions of the particles. The confinement of the stream of the mixture to about the depth of focus of the objective lens of the camera reduces effects of out-of-focus particles and permits evaluation of individual particles.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a pressure diaphragm that is composed of a nonmetallic material that has been sculptured by etching a plate to form thick motes, or islands, and a thick rim interconnected by thin sheet material. The thick portions are separated by thin flexures in which the deflection of the diaphragm is concentrated, whereby the deflection yields a high value of electric output per unit pressure.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a miniature pressure transducer has its surface sculptured by anisotropic etching to provide gauge areas in the form of narrow thin flexure areas between thick areas in the form of islands or motes. The thick areas act to constrain or stiffen the flexure areas from bending along their lengths while facilitating the bending thereof about axes parallel to their lengths when the diaphragm deflects in response to a pressure change. Linear piezoresistive gauges diffused into the gauge areas are responsive to the bending of said flexure areas to change resistance by an amount corresponding to the pressure change.

Abstract: The transducer of this invention utilizes an annular lithium niobate crystal operated in the compression mode with the sensitive axis of the crystal arranged at an angle of about -51.4.degree. to the Z, or optical, axis of the crystal in the first and third quadrants of the Y-Z plane of the crystal. This accelerometer has high efficiency and operates effectively over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures above 1000.degree. F.