Abstract: A guidance type placement apparatus for placing and mounting integrated circuit (IC) components or devices, especially fine pitch integrated circuit devices (FPD), in aligned combination with printed circuit boards. The apparatus includes a mechanical positioning subsystem, an image acquisition/processing subsystem, a master control subsystem, and optionally, a heater array subsystem. The mechanical positioning subsystem is sequentially operative to position the circuit board and IC device for the generation of images thereof, to align the IC device with a designated placement site on the board, and to mount the IC device in aligned combination with the board. The image acquisition subsystem is operative to generate images of at least one pair of diagonally opposed corners of the placement site and IC device from the same optical perspective. Images generated by the image acquisition subsystem provide feedback control to regulate the placement process to attain and verify lead-to-pad alignment.

Abstract: A coaxial flashlamp for pulsed operation at high repetition rates having an annular, light emitting discharge path between fluid cooled coaxially disposed, inner and outer optically transparent tubes. Electrodes are provided at opposite ends of the discharge paths and a gas such as Xenon is provided between the electrodes. The gas is discharged by confinement between the two tubes, forced to assume a dispersed shape which permits more efficient cooling at the discharge borders by fluid coolant inside the inner tube and around the outer tube.

Abstract: A miniature switch assembly of dual-in-line configuration having a plurality of switching chambers, each of the switching chambers having at least a pair of terminal lands disposed therein. Each switching chamber is sealed by means of an electrically-insulative, elastic membrane and has an electrically-conductive contact within each chamber disposed closely adjacent the membrane. The contact is permitted to float within its respective chamber and is adapted to interconnect one of the pair of contact lands with the other of the pair of contact lands by means of an actuator which flexes the membrane from outside of the chamber without extending through the membrane. An actuator of a rocker-type is retained in either an OFF or an ON position by means of a bezel which engages a detent on the upper surface of the actuator. The membrane and contact together bias the actuator in a desired operative position.

Abstract: A recreational device which approximates the feel of downhill skiing without either skis or snow is described in which the device includes a rotatable outer tire and an inner ring which is carried by roller bearing means within the tire. The inner ring is provided with a pivotably mounted platform adapted to provide a foot support for an individual, with the platform in one embodiment including a backwardly projecting extension which serves as a stabilizing tail. An individual utilizing the recreational device is provided with a cross bar secured at waist level to the inner ring via a trapeze arrangement. The size of the ring/tire combination is such that its vertically extending height exceeds that of the largest individual to be accommodated when the individual is standing upright, such that the center of gravity of the ring/tire combination is well above the center of gravity of the individual, thereby creating stability and ease of turning.

Abstract: A method of forming a monolithic structure is disclosed in which insulated conductors are embedded in a block or body of conductive material. The conductors are built up on a conductive substrate selectively coated with a dielectric layer to form oversized pads over which the conductors are to be formed. The entire structure is then provided with an overlying conductive layer to allow patterned electrodeposition in which the conductors to be embedded are built up over the pads. After the formation of one level of conductors, the previously deposited conductive layer is selectively removed between the conductors so as to leave the conductors insulated from each other and situated on the oversized pads. The conductors are then overlaid with a dielectric material so as to encase each conductor in an insulative sheath. This is followed by a masking step in which the tops of the conductors are masked off.

Abstract: The problems of collimating, synchronizing and combining a plurality of laser beams to generate a composite beam are substantially reduced by the use of one or more lasers especially adapted to lase in two or more separate wavelengths. Specifically, a composite beam generating system comprises at least one multiwavelength laser for emitting a multiwavelength beam having at least two separated wavelength components, one or more additional lasers for generating respective additional beams, and means for combining the multiwavelength beam with one or more additional beams. In a preferred embodiment, a four-component multiwavelength composite beam is generated by polarization combination of the outputs of a pair of orthogonally polarized two-component multiwavelength lasers.

Abstract: A flashlamp excited dye laser capable of high amplification and high pulse repetition rate. An active region of laser amplification is defined in a flowing dye by a long narrow channel created between confronting tube-shaped chambers. Laser excitation is directed into the channel through the transmissive walls of the chambers from flashlamps contained in each of the chambers, but which are thermally isolated from the dye channel. A specific geometry of the chambers provides a structural rigidity for long amplification channels.

Abstract: A multiple link transmission chain composed of interconnected identical links, having identical ends which are angularly disposed with respect to each other by 90 degrees in relation to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for the extraction of solids from a liquid slurry or suspension of a type in which a reduced pressure chamber applies suction to a zone on one side of a sieve surface whereby solids may be urged against a corresponding zone on the other side and the liquid is urged to flow through the sieve into the chamber. The invention provides means for transporting liquid from the chamber in discrete amounts while substantially maintaining reduced pressure in the chamber. In preferred embodiments the sieve is cylindrical and rotates, vanes are attached to the chamber side of the sieve carry the water out of the chamber in intervane spaces, while slipper pads provide a seal with vane tips to maintain reduced pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A telephone conferencing system in which all input signals are twice applied to a circulating signal loop firstly in real time and secondly delayed by an interval equal to the delay of the circulating loop. The delayed signal cancels the first applied signal after circulation of the first applied signal to all other subscribers but before its return to the originating subscriber. The telephone conferencing system includes a network having a plurality of input/output line appearances which apply and receive signals to the network. The network consists of a signal circulating loop in which the signal circulates in a predetermined loop direction from line appearance to line appearance. At each line appearance signals are added to, received from, and deleted from the loop to provide a single circulation of each signal applied to the loop by each line appearance.

Abstract: A system for temporal pulse shaping of laser radiation beams particularly for use as photoexcitation radiation in isotope separation. Each pulse of laser radiation is temporally segmented into two or more sections. The sections may be superimposed after a delay in the leading one to augment the pulse intensity, or the segmented pulses may be separately used as segments in a desired application, or the pulse rise time may be decreased by segmenting the pulse so as to permit rejection of the more slowly rising leading edge.

Abstract: A gas cigarette lighter for igniting a liquified gas fed out of the combustion valve by applying electric sparks thereto which are generated by the discharge circuit connected to a secondary cell is provided with a solar cell as a supplementary electric source for the secondary cell. The solar cell can be inserted into the lighter casing without increasing the volume of the latter, and the secondary cell can be charged not only with light from the sun but also with light from a fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A method of and an installation for packaging in a sterile medium employs a composite film constituted in a thermoplastic film in which containers are formed, and a covering film with their opposing faces sterile. These are separated at the entrance to a sterile enclosure in which the containers are formed and filled, in a sterile atmosphere, the thermoplastic film forming the lower wall of the enclosure. The full containers are covered with a strip from which lids are formed without the inside of the containers being able to be contaminated, and the covering strip and thermoplastic film are connected in an air-tight manner. The method and installation are particularly suitable for packaging perishable food products, in particular dairy products.

Abstract: The ion separation electrodes in isotope separation apparatus are provided with removable collection shields to collect neutral particles which would normally pass through the ionization region. A preferred collection shield comprises a U-shaped section for clipping onto the leading edge of an electrode and a pair of flanges projecting substantially perpendicular to the clipping section for collecting neutral particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing acoustic noise associated with the release of gases from a submerged device, such as a sea water battery. A flat piece of material, preferably polyurethane, is mounted onto the top of the device. The piece of material is provided with an outwardly extending lip on the lower surface thereof adjacent an outlet port through which the gases issue. The lower surface of the lip is preferably curved upwardly and outwardly away from the outlet port and is disposed immediately at the upper edge of the outlet port. Gas emitted from the outlet port immediately forms bubbles on the lower surface of the lip, and the bubbles so formed pass outwardly and upwardly along the lower surface and subsequently escape into the free water.

Abstract: An optical commutation system for commutating pulsed radiation between a common path of relatively high pulse rate and plural, closed spaced, slowly diverging paths on which the pulses are distributed. The system may thus act as a combiner or decombiner. The system employs a reflective or refractive optical element which is driven to produce a very slight oscillation in the orientation of the refractive or reflective surface of the element typically ranging over only a few degrees. The angle of oscillation is kept as small as possible, being only large enough to resolve or separate the radiation pulses on the slowly diverging paths. The very slight angular variation between adjacent ones of the diverging paths permits a large number of beams to be packed together in the bundle of diverging paths, but because of the slight angular variation, only a small angular scan resulting from the finite pulse duration is experienced. This can be kept well within acceptable limits for use with long path lengths.

Abstract: An electrical crimp connector has a plurality of two armed connecting elements made of a flat resilient contact material having a central slot. The main part of each slot extends from a widened entry aperture, is bounded by sharp edges and has a width less than the thickness of the metal core of a wire so that when the wire is pushed into the slot the insulation of wire is severed so the wire contacts the connecting element. A clamping element is associated with each connecting element and has a support surface on which the connecting element is fixed. The connecting elements are interconnected in pairs and have a number of interconnected clamping elements extending around them and are combined to form a unit having wire guides. The connecting elements are adapted to be plugged in on the support strip which is releasably connected to the insulating member on both sides of longitudinally extending lines, separate wire guides being provided on the parts which are releasable from one another.

Abstract: A spring-biased easily located frame clip mounting system is disclosed for "frameless" picture mounting in which a U-shaped clip is slipped over a backing, picture and glass sandwich and is held in place by a spring attached to a plow-type anchoring device having teeth which are initially pushed through the backing at an angle, such that spring tension causes the plow teeth to dig into the backing to hold the plow anchor securely to and flat against the backing. The anchor in one embodiment is provided with an aperture and liquid adhesive is dripped through the aperture once the anchor is in place to permanently secure the anchor to the backing.

Abstract: A recirculationless concert hall simulation and enhancement system includes a reproduction system having a primary loudspeaker driven from a signal source and a number of auxiliary loudspeakers driven by sequentially delayed replicas of the original signal so as to reproduce the ambience associated with large size concert halls in a considerably smaller listening room without tonal discoloration. In a preferred embodiment total cumulative sequential delays exceed 50 milliseconds to give enhanced ambience, while individual inter-speaker delays are limited to less than 50 milliseconds, so that distinguishable, distinct echoes are not generated.