Abstract: A fault-resistant, solid-state line driver having a pair of P-type transistors in series between a bus output and a voltage source, a pair of N-type transistors in series between the bus output and a connection to ground, and a pair of input lines, one of the input lines being connected to both the gate of the P-type transistor closest to the voltage source and the gate of the N-type transistor closest to the bus output, the other input line being connected to both the gate of the P-type transistor closest to the bus output and the gate of the N-type transistor closest to the connection to ground. Such a line driver is particularly useful in devices utilizing wafer-scale levels of integration, as the failure of any one of the driver's transistors will not result in a shorting of the bus output to either ground or the voltage source.

Abstract: An expandable telescoped airframe for a missile provides a shorter configuration for convenience in handling and a longer configuration to provide added predetermined clearance in front of a shaped charge warhead after launch. The airframe is mechanically locked into its extended configuration upon deployment of its expansion feature by means of a wedge brake collar. Possible deployment means include gas pressure, one or more springs, and a drogue parachute. Tail and other control surfaces spring open after clearing the airframe tube to provide aerodynamic stability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for electroplating surfaces. The apparatus reduces the anode effect on current density, and is therefore particularly suitable for copper or nickel plating of fine-line metal circuitry. Current density regulation is achieved by separating the anode and cathode into separate cells and achieving electrolyte communication between the cells by providing a relatively high-impedance ion path. The preferred embodiment includes a siphon tube as an ion path and a pump and filter in a separate path to maintain electrolyte circulation between the cells.

Abstract: A miniaturized vacuum generator is powered by pressurized air, such as is commonly available in shop air lines. The generator includes a transducer coupled to the pressurized air line and utilizing the venturi principle to develope a vacuum at a vacuum port to which a vacuum hose may be coupled. This may be used in cleaning circuit boards and small electronic assemblies to pick off bits of solder, filings and other debris and contaiminants which more conventional vacuum cleaners do not effectively remove. The apparatus includes an in-line filter for collecting such debris and contaiminants and preventing them from being blown about by the exhaust. The apparatus may also be used as a pickup device for microchips and other miniature complements on an electronic assembly at a production line. Other uses of the device may be in the jewelry repair field where the debris to be picked up often contains dust and filings of precious metal and, occasionally, lost gemstones.

Abstract: A condensing apparatus is provided which can be used in gas chromatography measurements to determine N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) content in polyimide prepreg. The condenser comprises a straight vertical section of thin-walled copper tubing followed by an ascending helical coil surrounding the straight section. The condenser is equipped with valves at the inlet and outlet which are capable of withstanding the combination of high and low temperatures as well as being resistant to damage by aggressive solvents. Liquid condensate accumulates at the bottom of the coil, making decanting easy. The condenser apparatus of the present invention yields very high collection efficiencies for volatile mixtures with a very wide range of boiling points. The condenser is very compact and lightweight and does not require any packing insulation to achieve the high collection efficiencies. Maintenance and cleaning are greatly simplified by the absence of packing.

Abstract: An inference machine is described which comprises an adaptive polynomial network with the capability of implicitly inferring missing input information contained in time-dependent signals. The proposed network has wide applicability and is characterized by its ability to produce outputs within specified degrees of accuracy when, for example, only four out of ten input signals are available to the network. Specific applications include terminal guidance of a tactical missile when critical signals may be denied. A generic implementation is schematically illustrated.

Abstract: A system and process, including a combination of a solder well and a vacuum system wherein micro through holes are filled with solder. A PC board or the like is supported for contact with solder on one side and with a vacuum apparatus for the application of a vacuum to the other side so that solder is drawn into the through holes for establishing electrically conductive connections therethrough.

Abstract: A digital circuit executes a parallel algorithm to compute the dot product of large dimensional vectors at very high speed. The circuit may be made of a plurality of cascaded 1-bit correlator chips and a plurality of ALU chips that sum the output of the correlator chips. Alternatively, a general purpose computer architecture for implementing the invention is also provided.

Abstract: An improved pressure transfer plate assembly is provided for an apparatus to heat bond flexible printed circuits in a hydraulic press. The plate assembly comprises aluminum top and bottom plates with two or more thin sheet liners in between. A plurality of workpiece-locating pins are based in stainless steel plug inserts in the bottom plate to give excellent wear resistance. The alignment of top and bottom plates is effected by a plurality of plate-alignment pins screwed into the bottom plate and having slotted head portions to allow for easy removal and installation.

Abstract: A motor driven mechanical positioner is provided which will position a movable arm to any one of 840 discrete angular positions. A total angular range of +/-42.degree. can be covered in 0.1.degree. increments. Electronic circuitry controls the nonlinear drive mechanism. A drive shaft wheel has six evenly spaced holes through which light from an IR LED is allowed to shine on a phototransistor placed on the other side of the wheel. As a result of the intermittent light striking the phototransistor, six clock pulses are generated for every revolution of the drive shaft. A desired angular position is entered into the electronics via thumb wheel BCD switches. The BCD information from the switches is transformed into binary information to address EPROMs. For each possible binary address representative of a desired angular position, the selected EPROMs output binary data that is representative of the clock pulse count for that particular angular position.