Abstract: An optical data read/write apparatus is disclosed for use in reading a rotating optical disc having at least one concentric reference track and circular data tracks thereon. The apparatus includes an optical head which includes separate tracking and data beams directed onto the disc. The optical head is supported on a carriage which is movable by a linear actuator for movement radially relative to the disc. A substantially continuously operable closed loop servosystem which includes the linear actuator causes the tracking beam to follow the reference track. The data beam is movable relative to the tracking beam and is moved so as to follow a selected data track. A plurality of concentric reference tracks may be included on the disc in which case the linear actuator is supported on a second carriage movable in the same direction as the carriage that supports the optical head.

Abstract: An array of microelectronic tubes is shown which includes a plate-like substrate upon which an array of sharp needle-like cathode electrodes is located. Each tube in the array includes an anode electrode spaced from the cathode electrode. The tubes each contain gas at a pressure of between about 1/100 and 1 atmosphere, and the spacing between the tip of the cathode electrodes and anode electrodes is equal to or less than about 0.5 .mu.m. The tubes are operated at voltages such that the mean free path of electrons travelling in the gas between the cathode and anode electrodes is equal to or greater than the spacing between the tip of the cathode electrode and the associated anode electrode. Both diode and triode arrays are shown.

Abstract: A depot for granular carbonaceous fuel is shown including a refractory matrix containing the granular fuel. The refractory matrix includes either one or more baskets of screen material or a refractory binder. Vertical flues are included in the matrix for upward flow of air therethrough during combustion of the granular fuel. A manifold below the matrix supplies air for the vertical flues. Granular fuel and ashes thereof are prevented by the refractory matrix from moving into the flues whereby the flues remain open during combustion of the granular fuel. The fuel may include a relatively large amount of anthracite to provide for a low cost fire. A granular fuel mixture that includes 60 wt % to 80 wt % Buckwheat anthracite and 40 wt % to 20 wt % of charcoal having a size of 35 to 85 mesh Tyler scale is disclosed.

Abstract: Guide means for a golf club is shown that includes a pair of visible line segments that are parallel, generally V-shaped, and/or X-shaped. At least portions of the line segments extend forwardly of the ball-striking surface of the club head. The parallel line segments are located at opposite ends of the club head, at opposite sides of, and equal distances from, a vertical plane that is normal to the ball-striking surface of the head at the sweet-spot thereof. The V-shape guide lines converge at said vertical plane and the X-shaped guide lines intersect at said vertical plane. The guide lines are substantially horizontally positioned at a height above the bottom surface of the club head that is greater than the diameter of a golf ball to allow striking of a golf ball by the striking surface.

Abstract: Beam focusing and scanning method and apparatus are shown comprising a plane mirror (40) upon which a laser beam (32) is directed through a focusing lens (38). The beam is reflected back through the focusing lens (38) onto a pivotal mirror (52). The plane mirror (40) is movable back and forth along the beam axis, and the movement of plane mirror (40) and pivotal mirror (52) is synchronized whereby the beam is focused at the face of an object (54) while scanned across the object.

Abstract: Method for handling semiconductor chips and the like objects are disclosed which include the use of a flat flexible film that is supported on a flat porous texturized fabric sheet such as a woven or knit fabric having spaced fiber crossovers. Objects, are supported on the flat flexible film in intimate surface contact therewith for securely holding the same in position by interfacial forces therebetween. Adhesive may be included for increasing the interfacial force. To facilitate removal of objects from the film, the fabric is connected to a vacuum source for drawing portions of the flexible film over and between crossovers in the fabric whereby portions of the flexible sheet are withdrawn from the objects. The contact area and interfacial forces between the flexible sheet and objects is thereby reduced to enable removal of the objects from the sheet using conventional object handling techniques.

Abstract: A lock mechanism is shown having a latch bolt movable between retracted and extended positions, which latch bolt is operated by rotation of a lock cylinder at one side and a turn piece at the opposite side. A manually movable latching member operable from said opposite side of the lock mechanism is movable between a first position where operation of the latch bolt by the turn piece is prevented, and a second position where operation of the latch bolt by the turn piece is permitted. A combination lock operable from said opposite side of the lock mechanism may be used to lock the latching member in the first position thereof wherein operation of the latch bolt by the turn piece is prevented. With the combination lock set to the lock-open combination, movement of the latching member between said first and second position is permitted.

Abstract: Microwave communication and radar systems that employ a blazed microwave reflection grating are disclosed in which the grating comprises an array of electrical conducting scattering elements having plane parallel surfaces that face in the same direction. The plane parallel faces are positioned in parallel equally-spaced planes to provide a generally stair-step, or Venetian-blind type structure. Microwave energy beamed onto the plane parallel surfaces of the array exits at a diffraction-mode angle within the reradiation pattern of the individual scattering elements of the array. Frequency steering of the exit beam in one plane of the array is provided by varying the frequency of the illuminating beam.

Abstract: A flaw detecting system is shown which includes a probe having a pair of ferrite cores with in-line gaps in close proximity to each other. An insulating, non-magnetic, non-conducting holder fills the gaps and supports the ferrite cores in a manner such that the cores form a generally V-shape. Each core is provided with an excitation winding and a detection winding. The excitation windings are connected in series or parallel with an rf port for connection thereof to a radio frequency source. The detection windings, which are differentially wound, are connected in series circuit to a detector port for connection to a voltage measuring instrument. The ferrite cores at the in-line gaps directly engage the metal surface of a test piece, and the probe is scanned along the test piece. In the presence of a flaw in the metal surface the detection winding voltages are unbalanced, and the unbalance is detected by the voltage measuring instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling semiconductor chips and the like objects are disclosed which include the use of a flat flexible film that is supported on a flat porous texturized fabric sheet such as a woven or knit fabric having spaced fiber crossovers. Objects, are supported on the flat flexible film in intimate surface contact therewith for securely holding the same in position by interfacial forces therebetween. Adhesive may be included for increasing the interfacial force. To facilitate removal of objects from the film, the fabric is connected to a vacuum source for drawing portions of the flexible film over and between crossovers in the fabric whereby portions of the flexible sheet are withdrawn from the objects. The contact area and interfacial forces between the flexible sheet and objects is thereby reduced to enable removal of the objects from the sheet using conventional object handling techniques.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting individual particles into containers, such as the wells of a microculture tray, are disclosed. The particles may comprise, for example, individual biological cells which then may be cultured, cloned, analyzed, or the like. The particles are incorporated into a flow stream which is jetted from a nozzle which is vibrated in the direction of the stream to break the jet stream into discrete drops. A particle sensor senses particles in the stream, and a signal processor in response to the particle sensor output produces an output when the sensed particle is of the type to be sorted from the stream. A pulse charger, responsive to the signal processor, is included for charging the drops as they break from the vibrating jet stream. The drops pass between charged deflection plates where they are deflected an amount related to the drop charge. For individual cell sorting, the signal processor is in normal inopertive condition to prevent sorting of drops from the drop stream.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recurrently obtaining a measure of the systolic slope of the blood pressure wave in a subject's artery during a range of physical activity, or exercise, are disclosed. A plot, or record, of the slope measurements versus heart beat rate, point in an exercise protocol, or the like, is provided from which subjects having coronary artery disease (CAD) may be distinguished from subjects without CAD.

Abstract: Motor-pumping method and apparatus for recovery of energy from spent brine discharged from a reverse osmosis desalination system are disclosed. Energy of spent brine discharged from the reverse osmosis system is used to pump a portion of the fresh brine input to the system. The novel apparatus includes a pair of closed cylinders having pistons reciprocable therein which are interconnected for simultaneous piston movement. First valve means movable between first and second conditions are provided for atternatively connecting a source of fresh brine to the reduced piston area side of one of said cylinders while connecting the reduced area piston side of the other cylinder to the inlet of the reverse osmosis canister included in the reverse osmosis system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for aiding hearing are disclosed comprising an automatic gain control unit which includes a first section for increasing the amplitude of input signal segments that are below a threshold level, and a second section for reducing the amplitude of input signal segments that are above said threshold level. Both sections have short attack and long release time constants. A long attack short release time constant noise suppressor unit responsive to the output from the second section and having a threshold level of operation below that of the threshold level of the automatic gain control units passes speech signals and squelches background noise signals between speech signal segments for improved understandability of speech signals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system and method are disclosed which include a transducer (10) for pulse insonification (16) of an object (14). Reflecting means (29) containing scatterers is acoustically coupled to object (14) opposite transducer (10). Echo signals received from within reflecting means (29) are converted to electrical signals at the transducer (10), which electrical signals are supplied to a signal processor (30) for processing the same. Echo signals obtained from a range zone (Z) within reflecting means (29) are integrated by integrator (42). The amplitude of echo signals from the range zone (Z) is strongly dependent upon attenuation at the focal point (F) whereby the integrator (42) output (60) also is strongly dependent upon attenuation at the focal point (F). The integrator (42) output (60) is supplied to a display (48) for use in establishing one pixel thereof. A C-scan display is provided by scanning the focal point (F) in a focal plane (22) substantially normal to the beam axis (20).

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system and method are disclosed which include a transducer (10) for pulse insonification (16) of an object (14) and for receiving echo signals from within the object. Echo signals are converted to electrical signals at the transducer (10) and the electrical signals are supplied to a signal processor (30) for processing the same. The signal processor (30) includes a detector (40) and integrator (42) for integrating the detector output.Echo signals obtained from a range zone (Z) which is opposite the focal point (F) from the transducer (10) are integrated by integrator (42).The amplitude of echo signals from range zone (Z) is strongly dependent upon attenuation at the focal point (F) whereby the integrator (42) output (60) also is dependent upon attenuation at the focal point (F). The integrator (42) output (60) is supplied to a display (48) for use in establishing one pixel thereof.

Abstract: A storage case for magnetic tape cassettes and their boxes is shown which includes a bottom box portion and rearwardly hinged top portion. The bottom portion includes a bottom wall, front and back walls, and opposite side walls. A plurality of parallel upwardly extending ribs are formed on the bottom wall. The spacing between ribs is slightly greater than the width of cassette boxes whereby boxes may be stored on the bottom wall between ribs. A pair of said ribs extends upwardly above the other ribs, which taller ribs are formed with notches which are slightly wider than the width of cassette tapes for support of cassette tapes above the bottom wall in a direction transverse to the parallel ribs. Flanges on the cassette tapes are located between the notched ribs and limit movement of the cassette tapes in the direction transverse to the parallel ribs.

Abstract: An FM diversity receiver system and method are disclosed which include two antennas and a switch for switching the receiver from one antenna to the other. A fade control signal is produced which is related to the received FM signal, in which fade control signal both multipath and non-multipath disturbances are manifested. Disturbances in the fade control signal are compared with a threshold voltage and, when the disturbance exceeds the threshold voltage, antenna switching is momentarily prevented to prevent antenna switching in response to electrical noise impulses, such as ignition noise, which are shorter than the period during which antenna switching is momentarily prevented. If the fade control signal disturbance continues to exceed the threshold voltage after the momentary period of disablement, the threshold voltage is reset to a level related to the maximum level of the fade control signal disturbance, after which antenna switching takes place.

Abstract: Individually useable wave-powered pumping means, solar distillation means, and cyclonic wind generating means, together with a system which employs each of them for harnessing natural energy sources are disclosed. Wave and solar energy, together with Coriolis acceleration are employed in the system which includes a basin for water situated near an ocean, or other such body of water, having a surface subject to wave action. A solar energy trasmitting cover is provided over the basin for solar heating, and evaporation of water contained therein. Vapor condensing means are located adjacent the bottom of the basin, and an upwardly extending inlet conduit, or passageway, connects the condenser to a source of water vapor above the water surface of the covered basin. Cooled air, and distilled water, are discharged from the condenser to a location outside the covered basin.

Abstract: A music data compression system is disclosed which includes an analog to digital converter for converting the analog music signal to digital sample signal form, a digital compression filter for compression filtering the digital sample signals, and an encoder for truncated Huffman encoding the compression filter output. An entropy setting unit is included in the system for step control of the signal supplied to the digital compression filter in accordance with one or more threshold levels of the envelope of the music signal, and for reducing the entropy of the signal with increases in the energy level of the music signal. Different codes may be implemented in accordance with the threshold(s), and an identifying code word is inserted in the Huffman encoded stream. A decoder, digital reconstruction filter, and digital to analog converter are used to reconstruct the analog music signal.