Abstract: Facsimile weather radar information (800 lines/frame) is stored, every third line, in a solid state RAM 35, capacity 256 three bit words per line, 256 lines. Subdivision of digital information from A/D converter 30 into digital words is accomplished using division by seven of television horizontal sync. The RAM is read at TV line rate (15.75 KHz) and lines of digital information clocked out of RAM at 1.59 MHz under control of a 14.3 MHz master oscillator which can be locked to external TV sync. Digital RAM output is processed into an analog signal, then through colorizer and blanking circuits (42 and 45) which insert synchronizing and color burst information, producing a broadcast compatible composite television output, presentable on color TV receivers with blue background and clouds, precipitation, etc., varying intensities of yellow.

Abstract: A video recorder and playback system for storing video information consisting of video frames successively presented at a standard frame rate, each frame having first and second interlaced video fields, and for playing back the video information in a desired sequence to produce a video output signal, providing either slow motion or normal motion effects when viewed on a monitor, includes a frame recorder. The frame recorder has a rotatable recording medium, first and second transducer means for recording and playing back video frames in recording tracks on the recording medium, and means for rotating the medium at the standard frame rate such that a video frame is recorded in each of the recording tracks. A field store is responsive to the recorder for storing a field of video information replayed from the recorder. A switch is connected to a field store and to the recorder for providing at the switch output video information from the field store or the recorder in response to a delay field signal.

Abstract: A tube-to-plate connection includes a plate defining an aperture where the tube is to be attached to the plate. The portion of the plate surrounding the aperture includes a plurality of fingers extending away from the plane of the plate and projecting radially inwardly toward the axis of the aperture. The end of the tube lies generally against the radially inward projections of the fingers to prevent movement of the tube longitudinally further through the plate. The tube side wall includes a radially deformed portion adjacent each finger to prevent rotation of the tube in the plate. The fingers and the tube end include portions adjacent the radially inward projections of the fingers which are flared radially outward to prevent movement of the tube longitudinally out of engagement with the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video signal recording comprises helically scanning a plurality of transducer heads (20-23) sequentially along separate parallel paths (30-32) of equal width on a record medium (10) at a rate such that a plurality of the scans occur within a field interval, and diverting the signal in predetermined sequence to different ones of the heads. The scanning of said heads and diverting of the signal to different heads is arranged to cause some redundant recording of information in different ones of the paths, information recorded in a path that is adjacent an edge of the medium having corresponding redundant information recorded in an internal path that is bounded by other parallel paths.

Abstract: A magnetic recorder of the flexible disc type has an improved recording device comprising a pair of thin flexible recording discs having oppositely facing magnetizable surfaces and a flexible backing disc between the recording discs extending behind essentially their entire surface. A hub connects all three of said discs and forms the sole connection therebetween. The hub includes a central aperture and a drive aperture outwardly of the central aperture, the drive aperture including a surface extending along a chord of the hub to provide with the central aperture a unique two point attachment defining the center of rotation of the discs. A cassette surrounds the discs, protecting and supporting them, and including top and bottom walls spaced apart sufficiently to avoid substantial contact with the recording discs when the hub is rotated at recording speed.

Abstract: A ball joint for connecting lengths of pipe particularly for use in automotive exhaust systems. One end of a first pipe is enlarged to an increased diameter to form a female portion into which one end of a second pipe is received. A tubular sleeve is inserted into said first pipe and connected thereto as by welding. The sleeve and the female portion together define an annular, axially elongated and radially narrow passage receiving said one end of said second pipe. The first and second pipes and the sleeve are together placed in a die, and the overlapping ends are spun radially outwardly by an internal, expansible arbor or the like to form a generally spherical, interlocking pipe ball joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video signal recording comprises helically scanning a plurality of transducer heads sequentially along separate parallel paths of equal width on a record medium at a rate such that a plurality of the scans occur within a field interval, and diverting the signal in predetermined sequence to different ones of the heads. The scanning of said heads and diverting of the signal to different heads is arranged to cause some redundant recording of information in different ones of the paths, information recorded in a path that is adjacent an edge of the medium having corresponding redundant information recorded in an internal path that is bounded by other parallel paths.

Abstract: A ball joint for connecting lengths of pipe particularly for use in automotive exhaust systems. One end of a first pipe is enlarged to an increased diameter to form a female portion into which one end of a second pipe is received. A tubular sleeve is inserted into said first pipe and connected thereto as by welding. The sleeve and the female portion together define an annular, axially elongated and radially narrow passage receiving said one end of said second pipe. The first and second pipes and the sleeve are together placed in a die, and the overlapping ends are spun radially outwardly by an internal, expansible arbor or the like to form a generally spherical, interlocking pipe ball joint.

Abstract: A disc recorder has a rotating flexible recording disc and a transducer which is radially movable with respect to the disc. The transducer defines a gap which extends radially of the disc and is positioned for most efficient operation with the disc in closely coupled relation to the transducer on both sides of the gap. A transducer transport includes a guide member extending transversely of the axis of rotation of the flexible disc and defining a guide surface. The transducer is mounted on a carriage which moves along the guide member in contact with the guide surface such that the transducer is moved radially with respect to the rotating disc. A slot in the guide member permits the guide surface to be distorted such that the transducer carriage is tilted as it is moved along the guide surface, thereby maintaining the desired closely coupled relation between the transducer and the disc.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive employs an elastic extensible control belt which changes its cross-section in relation to induced changes in its length, according to Poisson's ratio. The control belt is introduced between a pulley and a drive belt, and a mechanism employing a gear head control motor, or the like, acts to change the length of the control belt in a precise manner. This in turn changes the thickness of the control belt in a precise way, and the effective radius of the pulley/control belt, acting on the drive belt, operates to change the ratio of the pulley and drive belt system. A specific embodiment is disclosed in a lightweight video tape recorder, used to change the drive ratio between a motor and a tape transport capstan, according to control signals.

Abstract: A non-duplicative switching arrangement for controlling a video or radio frequency switch is used in a cable television system for controlling the application of a distant station signal to the cable system to eliminate duplication in programming. A clock provides an output indicative of the day and time while a timing means, responsive to the output of the clock provides timing signals. Switching is programmed on a transparent matrix disc which has a plurality of concentric circular rows of matrix positions. Each row corresponds to a day of the week and the matrix positions are aligned radially with respect to the disc in columns which correspond to daily time segments. The light transmitting characteristics of selected ones of the matrix positions are altered impermanently in order to program the switching arrangement. A stepping motor is provided for rotating the disc at predetermined times and an optical reader determines the light transmitting characteristics at each successive matrix position.

Abstract: A muffler which does not require a low-frequency Helmholtz resonator includes an outer shell and first and second heads for closing the inlet and outlet ends, respectively, of the shell. First, second and third baffles are disposed internally of the shell and extend transversely therein. An outlet end chamber is defined between the inlet head and first baffle. A second chamber is defined between the first and second baffles. A third chamber is defined between the second and third baffles. An inlet end chamber is defined between the third baffle and outlet head. An inlet conducting tube extends longitudinally of the shell through the inlet head and the first, second and third baffles and opens into the inlet end chamber. An outlet conducting tube extends through the outlet head and the first, second and third baffles and opens into the outlet end chamber. An aperture in the first baffle acoustically couples the outlet end chamber and second chamber.

Abstract: A disc recorder has a rotating recording disc and a transducer assembly, including a transducer, which cooperates with the disc. A carriage is provided for mounting the transducer assembly. An idler pulley and a drive pulley, one of the pullies being inward from the periphery of the disc and the other pulley being positioned outward of the disc from the first pulley cooperate with a carriage belt arrangement which is attached to the carriage and to the drive pulley and which extends around the idler pulley. The carriage belt arrangement includes first and second carriage belts which are each attached at one end to the carriage and at their other ends to the drive pulley. Additionally a third carriage belt is attached to the carriage and extends in the opposite direction from the first and second belts and is attached to the drive pulley intermediate the first and second carriage belts.

Abstract: A disc recorder includes a rotating recording disc and a transducer carriage which is transversely movable with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotating disc. The transducer carriage includes a mounting surface which is substantially perpendicular to the rotating disc and substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage. A transducer holding plate is positioned adjacent and parallel to the mounting surface and a parallel motion linkage attaches the holding plate to the carriage. The linkage confines the motion of the transducer holding plate in a plane parallel to the mounting surface to motion which is substantially perpendicular to the rotating disc. A spring is provided biasing the holding plate against the mounting surface and biasing the holding plate toward the rotating disc. The transducer is positioned on the holding plate such that it coacts with the rotating disc. Friction reducing pads may be positioned between the mounting surface and the transducer holding plate.

Abstract: A disc recorder having a single magnetic pick-up and record head and having a magnetic disc, rotating at the frame rate of a video signal, records and provides for display of a single frame from a video signal consisting of a series of video frames. Motion jitter is eliminated by recording on the disc recorder one of the two fields which make up a chosen video frame and then reproducing this field. The reproduced field signal is then stored and rerecorded onto the magnetic disc at a position relative to the original field recording corresponding to the delay between two interlaced fields. A memory having less capacity than that required for storing a complete field signal is used with only a portion of a field being reproduced, stored and rerecorded during each rotation of the magnetic disc. A complete video frame is thus recorded, ready for display, in which the two interlaced fields are identical.

Abstract: A disc recorder includes a rotating disc and a transducer for coacting with the disc. A guide member has a guide surface extending transversely of the rotating disc and including a groove extending parallel to the disc. A carriage means for mounting the transducer is positioned generally parallel to and movable along the guide surface. A friction reducing pad is mounted on the carriage means and is movable along the guide surface. Friction reducing cylindrical bearing means are also mounted on the carriage means in spaced relation to the pad and are movable in the groove. A locating member having a locating surface is positioned substantially parallel to the guide surface. A loading means is mounted on the carriage means and engages the locating surface to bias the carriage means toward the guide surface such that the bearing pad engages the guide surface and the cylindrical bearing means engage the groove.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a shell defining first and second shell portions. A first substrate supports a reducing catalyst in the first shell portion. A second substrate supports an oxidizing catalyst in the second shell portion. The shell further includes inlet and outlet passageways. The inlet passageway is disposed in the shell adjacent the first shell portion and allows combustion products to enter the shell. The outlet passageway is disposed adjacent the second shell portion and allows combustion products to exit from the shell. A third passageway located longitudinally between the first and second shell portion allows combustion product to flow readily from the first shell portion into the second shell portion. A manifold introduces air into the combustion product flowing through the third passageway and an air fitting provides access to the manifold through an exterior wall of the shell.

Abstract: A signal strength meter indicates signal level directly in dBmV. The signal under test is attenuated to a level which centers a meter indicator, and the attenuator movement is translated into numerical direct reading information of signal level. Push button switches select a channel for testing, and each switch incorporates gain compensation for the frequency of the signal to be tested. Within each channel the operator can select between audio and video carrier frequency.

Abstract: A cable television tap connector box for connecting one or more tap cables to the distribution cable includes a first and second cover shell. A circuit board on which is wired an isolation circuit is mounted on the first cover shell. The second cover shell is adapted to be joined to the first cover shell to form the hollow connector box cover which encloses the circuit board. The second cover shell defines input and output openings for the distribution cable. First and second connector means are provided in the connector box for connection with the distribution cable. Each connector means includes a first annular seizure insulator mounted on the circuit board and a second annular seizure insulator mounted on the second cover shell.