Abstract: A charge-coupled device includes an insulation layer which is interfaced with a semiconductor wafer. Gating electrodes that are responsive to clocking signals are located on the surface of the insulation layer which is oppositely disposed from the interface with the semiconductor wafer such that the electric field produced by the potential on the electrodes has a substantial lateral component in the plane of the semiconductor-insulator interface. The lateral field component induced in the semiconductor wafer reduces the transfer time of charge carriers between adjacent electrodes thereby improving the transport response of the charge carriers to the clocking signals. A method for making the sloped oxide charge-coupled device is also described in which the insulation layer grown on a semiconductor is provided with sloped areas and the electrodes are evaporated onto these sloped areas to form the device's clocking structure.

Abstract: A binary correlation video tracker and a video preprocessor included therein, which function cooperatively to form binary patterns of values for the picture elements (pixels) in a predetermined pixel array of each of a plurality of frames of video gray level information generated by an electro-optical sensor, is disclosed. Histograms are formed for selected pixel arrays in the predetermined array of a video frame in accordance with a set of predetermined gray level values. The formed histograms are combined in accordance with a discriminant function to form a composite histogram from which at least one gray level value of the set is selected. Those pixels of the predetermined array which have gray level values corresponding to the selected at least one gray level value are assigned one of two predetermined values, the other pixels being assigned the other of the two predetermined values, whereby a binary pattern of values for the predetermined pixel array is formed.

Abstract: A two-dimensional (2D) radar antenna system includes a combination of power divider networks coupled together to drive an array of antenna elements to form two beams in different directions spatially. The power divider networks, in combination, have characteristics which effect power concentrations of the two formed beams at different locations in the array without significant loss of illuminating power. As a result, the two formed beams render both amplitude and phase angle difference signals with respect to a common detected target which may be used to accurately and uniquely measure the elevation of the target.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides for apparatus for dynamically calibrating the internal offsets of the various range conversion paths as well as the overall offset of a successive ranging A/D conversion system over time and temperature variations. More specifically, this apparatus includes at least two time-gated integrator circuits which are respectively coupled to each of the range conversion paths of the conversion system. Each integrator is operative at predetermined times to generate a corresponding compensating signal in response to the digital code of one of the path conversion results. The compensating signals are used to dynamically calibrate the internal and overall offsets of the A/D conversion system. Further included in the apparatus are switching devices disposed at the input and feedback paths of the system to provide for appropriate system conditions at the predetermined calibration times.

Abstract: Apparatus utilizing steam from first, second and third extraction points of a steam turbine in a nuclear power plant steam system as heating steam in at least two feedwater heater units for maintaining the final feedwater temperature above a predetermined temperature value is disclosed. More specifically, when the plant loading is determined above a predetermined first level, the apparatus provides heating steam from the first extraction point to a final feedwater heater unit in the feedwater return path of the steam system and also provides heating steam, which is at a lower pressure than that from the first extraction point, from the second extraction point to another feedwater heater unit which preheats the feedwater prior to entering the final feedwater heater unit.

Abstract: Electro-optical apparatus for modulating a randomly polarized light beam is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electro-optical cell and a plurality of optical elements configured to polarize the randomly polarized light beam into two light beam components and to guide the light beam components along two respectively corresponding sets of optical paths, a portion of each set of optical paths passing colinearly through a predetermined axis of the electro-optical cell. Each set of paths are combined to reform an associated portion of the randomly polarized light beam which is exited at a corresponding exit surface of the apparatus, the reformed exited portion, in each case, being a function of the energization of the electro-optical cell. In one application, the electro-optical apparatus is disposed in the optical cavity of a laser system and operative therein as a Q modulator wherein the Q of the laser cavity is dependent on the energization level of the electro-optical cell.

Abstract: Generally, pulsed radar transmitters of the solid-state variety generate rectangularly shaped RF envelope pulses having discontinuities in the rise and fall edges thereof. It has been identified that, while maximizing power radiation efficiency, these sharp rise and fall times additionally provide for excessive energy in the spectral sidelobes about the transmission frequency of the radar signal. This excessive spectral sidelobe energy has been found to degrade the performance of closely operating pulsed radars through mutual interference. The present invention provides for pulse shaping control in a solidstate transmitter of a pulsed radar for reducing the spectral sidelobe energy being transmitted. The control is directed to modulating the shape of the rectangular RF envelope pulses to have substantially continuously rising and falling edges.

Abstract: A charge coupled device (CCD) having a double layer polysilicon electrode structure and method for making the same are disclosed. The CCD structure provides for alignment of the polysilicon electrodes from one layer to another to eliminate substantially the overlap capacitance normally associated with conventional double layer CCD structures. More particularly, a first polysilicon layer is disposed over the gate dielectric of the CCD and comprises alternating doped and undoped regions laterally along the channel in the direction of change transfer, the regions extending the length of the channel transverse to the charge transfer and extending from the gate dielectric to the top surface thereof to form corresponding doped and undoped surface areas. On top of each undoped surface area and substantially aligned therewith is first a layer of dielectric material and second a layer of doped polysilicon.

Abstract: A charge control circuit for bidirectionally transferring metered amounts of charge, selectively, through a transfer channel of a four gate electrode charge coupled device (CCD) is disclosed. The bidirectional charge control circuit is used primarily to increment and decrement metered amounts of charge respectively to and from a charge storage medium. More specifically, five electrical signals are generated to have varying potentials in accordance with predetermined time sequences. These signals are applied to the four gate electrode CCD in a selected one of two states to either increment or decrement a metered amount of charge therethrough to or from the charge storage medium respectively, in a predetermined number of five segments. One of the generated signals governs the metering of charge for each increment or decrement operation.

Abstract: In an electro-optical (E-O) system, the reference axis of a beam of light emitted from a light source is aligned colinear with the boresight image axis and the combined images with their colinear axes spatially fixed are guided to the field of view of an electro-optical sensor which is operative to generate sequentially frames of electrical information in a raster scan format representative of the field of view. The light source of the system is controlled to effect a predetermined time pattern of light beam image intensity variations as sensed by the electro-optical sensor. A position of the sensed light beam image in the generated frame of electrical information is detected in accordance with the predetermined time pattern intensity variation thereof. A positional relationship of the detected image position with respect to the predetermined frame reference position is established for the generated frame information of the electro-optical sensor.

Abstract: A pipeline processor of a radix-2 configuration including an input, intermediate and output processing sections for performing a discrete Fourier transformation (DFT) of an input array of N signal values to derive an output array of at least N signal values representative of the frequency transformation of the input array is disclosed. The input and output processing sections include first and second pluralities of cascadedly coupled computational elements respectively, which are governed to perform computations in a pipeline fashion and to propagate resulting interelement computed signal values through the input section in a first predetermined signal flow pattern and through the output section in a second predetermined signal flow pattern to render respectively a first intermediate array and the output array of signal values.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the operational efficiency of a steam turbine power plant by governing the adjustment of the throttle steam pressure of a steam turbine at a desired power plant output demand value. In the preferred embodiment, the impulse chamber pressure of a high pressure section of the steam turbine is measured as a representation of the steam flow through the steam turbine. At times during the operation of the plant at the desired output demand value, the throttle pressure is perturbed. The impulse chamber pressure is measured before and after the perturbations of the throttle pressure. Because changing thermodynamic conditions may occur possibly as a result of the perturbations and provide an erroneous representation of the steam flow through the turbine, the impulse chamber pressure measurements are compensated for determined measurable thermodynamic conditions in the steam turbine.

Abstract: A microwave circuit network which combines a number of signal-to-noise enhancers of the magnetostatic wave excitation type, utilizing ferrite material, to extend the signal-to-noise enhancement frequency bandwidth beyond that which is offered individually by any one of the enhancers being combined while reducing substantially any signal interaction between the signal-to-noise enhancement operations thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for testing steam turbine admission valve assemblies for determining the operational force margins present therein which are used to diagnose the likelihood of valve inoperativeness due to the build-up of frictional forces in the valve assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: At least one heat exchanger section including a conventional heat exchanger is disposed in a dual purpose steam turbine power plant to utilize steam extracted from the steam turbine to one section of the heat exchanger for the purposes of heating process fluid of an industrial process which is conducted through another section of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger section disclosed herein is comprised of apparatus for controlling the pressure of the extracted turbine steam conducted through the one section of the heat exchanger by regulating the temperature of the industrial fluid supplied to the other section of the heat exchanger. More specifically, the heat exchanger section includes at least one conduit path for returning heated process fluid from an output end to an input end of the heat exchanger section to mix with the process fluid supplied at the input end. A flow control valve is disposed in the conduit path for regulating the flow of returned fluid to the input end.

Abstract: A tracker for predicting the occurrence of an arbitrary number of phase coherent signals comprising a signal train, which predicts the phase and pulse repetition intervals for each individual signal and which maintains phase coherence of all signals provided at least one signal is present. A multiplexing system permits tracking of a multiple of phase coherent signal trains by successively connecting a series of tracker channel memories with the phase and pulse repetition interval error correction circuitry required for a single tracker. Each channel maintains phase coherency for all signals of its associated signal train while at least one signal of the train is present.

Abstract: An image motion compensator which electronically compensates for image distortion in an electro-optical system is disclosed. The electro-optical system comprises a TV camera having an image intensifier portion which includes a plurality of deflection coils disposed therein for deflecting the electron image of the TV camera as a function of the current passing therethrough; and at least one optical element for guiding the line-of-sight of the TV camera to project predetermined target images on the receiving area thereof. More specifically, accelerometers are used to sense movement of a predetermined optical element of the electro-optical system.

Abstract: A microwave discharge gap receiver protector includes a radioactive ignitor of the nuclear decay type to provide an auxiliary source of electron priming therefore, the radioactive ignitor comprising a radioactive plate for emitting beta particles therefrom, and a tubular enclosure to channel the flow of emitted beta particles therethrough. In operation, a portion of the channeled emitted beta particles collide with the inner walls of the enclosure which are comprised of a material having a high secondary emission characteristic to generate additional electron particles as a result of secondary emission. Another portion of the beta particles in the channel of the tubular enclosure collide with existing gas particles to generate a second source of auxiliary electrons. The combined sources of auxiliary electrons result in an increased particle concentration which is emitted at an exit end of the enclosure and directed to the discharge gap of the receiver for priming purposes.

Abstract: In a radar which transmits a phase-coded train of sub-pulses and which derives the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the received echo signals with respect to a local reference oscillator is embodied a phase discrimination constant false alarm rate (CFAR) system partially comprising a phase angle sensor for measuring the phase angle of the echo signal as one of at least eight predetermined phase angle representations, which are characterized preferably by binary numbers in Gray format, based on the relative magnitudes and polarities of the I and Q components of the echo signal. The phase angle representations may correspond exclusively to phase angle increments in the phase angle interval of 0.degree. to 360.degree. with respect to the local reference oscillator. Preferably, the phase angle increments are evenly partitioned within the 360.degree. interval.

Abstract: A system for ultrasonically testing the material of a turbine rotor includes a drive unit for axially indexing and angularly orienting a plurality of crystal transducers through the bore of the turbine rotor under test; an ultrasonic tester for electronically activating the crystal transducers as they are indexed through the rotor bore to transmit ultrasonic signals which are propagated through the rotor material and for receiving the back reflected echo signals corresponding to the ultrasonic transmissions; and a programmed electronic controller electrically interfaced to the drive unit and ultrasonic tester for adaptively coordinating the operation thereof in a selected one of a plurality of control modes to observe generated anomaly indications and measured test data parameters from the drive unit and ultrasonic tester which are used to determine the size and location of a detected potential imperfection in the rotor material and to adaptively control the drive unit in accordance with a function based on t