Abstract: A magnetic sensor for a distributorless ignition system is useable in an internal combustion engine. A Hall-effect device is spaced intermediate a pair of opposing permanent magnets for concurrently generating dual magnetic flux fields within respective air gap regions formed between each of the magnets and the device. Alternatively a magnet is placed between two Hall-effect devices to define the regions. A toothed disk rotatably connected to the crankshaft of the engine causes different teeth to shunt the fields in each of the regions in a predetermined sequence for generating pulses at the device output indicative of the firing order of the engine. Alternatively, a disk having outer and inner notched rims is used to shunt the fields in each of the regions. Further, an elongated channel shaped member has sides movable in the regions for detecting relative linear motion between two parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing pointing information in accordance with a reference signal produced by at least one GPS satellite, including a pair of antenna elements for individually receiving the reference signal produced by at least one GPS satellite and for producing output signal in accordance with the received reference signal, the pair of antenna elements spaced from each other a fixed distance along a line to provide for a difference in phase between the reference signal as received at one antenna relative to the other antenna in accordance with the pointing angle of the pair of antennas along the line relative to the direction of the GPS satellite, means responsive to the output signals produced by the pair of antenna elements for producing a phase difference signal in accordance with the difference in phase between the reference signal as received at the one antenna relative to the other antenna, and means responsive to the phase difference signal produced by the last mentioned means for calc

Abstract: A ferrous disk is rotatably driven by an internal combustion engine shaft. The disk has outer and inner circular rims projecting outwardly from one side thereof. The outer rim has two arcuate notches of predetermined arcuate length and position and the inner rim has three arcuate notches of predetermined arcuate length and position. A permanent magnet is mounted between and radially spaced from two Hall-effect sensor devices in fixed relation to the shaft axis such that the outer rim passes between one Hall-effect device and the magnet and the second rim passes between the second Hall-effect device and the magnet as the shaft is rotated. The notches are so positioned to provide four separate two digit binary outputs to a microcomputer that provides output signals to ignition coil drivers for the spark ignition devices of the engine and provides spark advancement and coil dwell time variation in accordance with shaft rotational speed and other engine operating conditions.

Abstract: An image enhancement system in which a running average of a group of digitized samples of a video signal and a median of a group of digitized samples are processed to form a gradient sample. The gradient sample is scaled in response to the noise level of the video signal. The gradient samples, average samples, and medium samples are combined by a processor which generates a corresponding sequence of output samples that are converted into an enhanced video signal from which an image is produced. The processor provides image edge enhancement for high gradients while providing increased noise filtering for low gradients.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating magnetic particles by enclosure within oil drops, mixing in an aqueous solution and dispersing the oil drops with the enclosed particles by application of an alternating magnetic field. The dispersed and oil-covered particles are microencapsulated with at least one type of polymer.

Abstract: Two different frequencies are generated within an interrogation zone. The receiver portion of the system determines the presence of a predetermined marker tag within the interrogation zone by the sensing and processing of a ratio of sideband signals generated by the interaction of the two different frequencies and the predetermined marker tag. The system is greatly immuned to false alarms due to the method of processing the sensed sideband signals. Falsely generated signals are nulled and subtracted out in the receiver portion of the detection system.

Abstract: A deferred action battery having a magnesium alloy anode and a cathode depolarizer and a method for making the depolarizer. The depolarizer material comprises cuprous thiocyanate, a form of carbon and free sulphur. A metal grid is used as a current collector and a base for the cathode.