Abstract: A conveyor comprises an endless loop of linked wheeled chassis members running in a guide track. The chassis members are T-shaped with the wheels of each member being attached to the ends of the cross-member of the T. A carrier is releasably attached to each of the chassis members and electrical power is generated by a hub-mounted generator attached to at least one of the wheels of each chassis member. The carriers are preferably in the form of cross-belt units driven by a.c. motors on the carriers whereby items placed on the units can be discharged transversely of the direction of movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: An air gun for releasing compressed air into the environment. Two opposing shuttle valves selectively open ports to release compressed air more quickly from the air gun. A centering mechanism returns the first and second shuttle valves to the initial position. The centering mechanism can comprise a pressure compensation system or mechanical stop for positioning the first and second shuttles at the selected position.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is for an improved electrical connector assembly used on couplers and program modules in marine streamers used in offshore seismic exploration. In particular, the invention disclosed herein is comprised of a deformable seal ring with a plurality of holes formed therein through which pass individual conductor wires through which are transmitted signals from various hydrophones disposed along the marine streamer. Deformable nipples are disposed on each side of the seal disk 16 around each of the openings extending through the seal disk. The seal disk and nipples are deformed around the conductor wires passing through the openings in the seal disk through use of a compression disk and spring which provides dynamic spring loading of the seal disk-conductor wire interface, thereby maintaining the integrity of the seal established between those components.

Abstract: An improved negative charge pump system for erasing a memory array in a memory which has a supply voltage and a negative charge pump. The negative charge pump system includes (a) a device for selecting a memory array to be erased; (b) a device for switching on the supply voltage Vnn for the charge pump; (c) a device for pumping the supply voltage Vnn with the charge pump to produce a pumped negative voltage; (d) a device for erasing the selected array with the pumped negative voltage; (e) a device for stopping the pumping; and (f) a device for providing a discharge path for voltages trapped in the charge pump.

Abstract: A fluid control valve, which allows selective change of the flow rate of fluid through the valve in the face of high temperatures and high pressures without undue wear to the integral downstream sealing seat, includes a body, having a passageway which consists of a first section and a second section, and a ball disposed in the second section of the passageway. The ball is rotatable around a central axis and has a first through hole of one diameter and a second through hole having a minimum diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. A sacrificial annular upstream seat is disposed upstream from the ball and has an internal diameter smaller than both the diameter of the first through hole and the diameter of the first section of the passageway through the body.

Abstract: An improved sense amplifier for a computer having non-volatile memories, each non-volatile memory having an array of memory cells, each cell having a drain, and the drains of all the cells for one column of cells connected to a drain-column line, The sense amplifier reads the state of the memory cell by a) sensing a reference current; b) providing drain-column voltage swings during the reference current sensing; c) sensing the current on the drain-column line; d) producing voltages above and below a reference voltage whereas the produced voltages represent the state of the memory cell; and, e) adjusting the bias of the biasing transistors in response to the produced voltages.