Abstract: Self-organizing circuits to receive input signals from transducers and the like and operable, under guidance from modifying inputs thereto, operate in a learning mode and systems embodying such self-organizing circuits. The circuits include mechanisms to change the modifying inputs based upon Boolean functions and further mechanisms to change the modifying inputs based upon competition among the input signals. The circuits have time delays which allow identification of time-varying patterns. The circuits also further mechanisms to change the modifying inputs based on a balance of inhibitory and excitory influences on subcircuits and based on changes in the messages between subcircuits.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing system to measure a geometry parameter such as, for example, position, orientation and/or shape of an object. The system includes a transmitter for transmitting acoustic wave energy at a single frequency, which acoustic wave energy, in an operating system, interacts with the object in a sensing region to provide reflected or scattered wave energy. A sensor mechanism consisting of many acoustic transducers is positioned to receive the reflected or scattered wave energy, each transducer being operable to convert the received acoustic wave energy to an electrical signal. A processor is connected to receive the electrical signals from the plurality of acoustic transducers; the processor is operable to obtain amplitude and phase information with respect to the electrical signal from each of the transducers, the amplitude and phase information from each of the plurality of transducers being combined and analyzed to derive a geometric parameter of the object.

Abstract: Self-organizing circuits to receive input signals from transducers and the like and operable, under guidance from modifying inputs thereto, to operate in a learning mode and systems embodying such self-organizing circuits. The circuits include mechanisms to change the modifying inputs based upon Boolean functions and further mechanisms to change the modifying inputs based upon competition among the input signals.

Abstract: A system for sorting parts wherein a part to be sorted is irradiated with wave energy of a single frequency (or very narrow band of frequencies) which interacts with the part. Wave energy emanating from the part is sensed at many spatially separated places to generate an electric signal representative of a characteristic of the amplitude and phase of the detected wave energy at each place. The electric signal so generated is compared with a pre-established signal and any differences therebetween are determined to establish whether the part is within acceptable limits in terms of geometric characteristics, e.g., size, material characteristics and orientation. The part is then acted upon on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: A system to measure geometric and electromagnetic characteristics of objects. Wave energy of a single frequency (or very narrow band of frequencies) is directed upon an object which reflects (or otherwise interacts with) the wave energy. The reflected wave energy is sensed by many spatially spaced sensors to provide electric signals whose amplitude and phase components are combined to give a quantity from which geometric and/or electromagnetic characteristics of the object can be ascertained.

Abstract: A solar collector, or absorber, panels or a heat storage tank, suitable for heating water using solar energy is formed from two sheets of uncured elastic material, such as EPDM rubber, by simultaneously bonding and curing the peripheral edges of the two sheets and at spaced apart, discrete areas over most of the interior areas of the sheets. In one form one of the sheets is coated with a layer of release agent, over all areas except the discrete areas and the peripheral areas so that only such uncoated areas will bond during cure. In another form, a sheet of non-adherent plastic, slightly smaller than the two sheets and having holes or holidays to form the discrete areas, is bonded between the two sheets. In a third form, the peripheral edges are first sealed to form a chamber, then the chamber is inflated and a forming die presses together the discrete areas only. Reinforcing fibers are employed or molded, into at least one of the uncured sheets.

Abstract: A light weight support box is formed as a rigid beam from a single thin sheet of inexpensive plastic. The single sheet forms the bottom and side walls of the box and serves as the tensile member of said beam. The interior of the box is insulated to protect the sheet from thermal degradation of its tensile strength. The one-piece sheet, forming the walls and bottom, is secured at the open edge of said box to a reinforcing bar members to which beam compressive forces are transfered by the plastic sheet. The box is particularly suitable for roof top mounting of a passive solar water heating system, including either a solar collector, or absorber, panel or a hot water storage tank, or both in a back-to-back assembly.

Abstract: A passive solar heating liquid storage tank is formed of multiple thin sheets of thermoplastic or thermoset material to provide a lightweight, inexpensive and high volume tank. The multiple sheets have a plurality of parallel undulations or corrugations transverse to their surfaces. The undulations form spacial wave trains of given amplitude and frequency so that when their peaks are secured together they form generally parallel circular tubes. One of the pair of sheets has a third sheet secured to its surface. The third also has undulations in its surface with spacial frequency at least as great as the frequency of the wave train of the pair of sheets. Peaks of the third sheet are then secured to exterior peaks of the pair of sheets. Such construction forms a tank having the strength of parallel cylindrical tubes but with total volume approaching that of tubes having a rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: Self-organizing circuits to receive input signals from transducers and the like and operable, under guidance from other inputs thereto, to operate in a learning mode and systems embodying such self-organizing circuits.

Abstract: Automatic overtemperature control system for solar water heater panels is disclosed. In response to lack of liquid circulation through a solar panel, either through loss of liquid or failure to use water heated in the panel valve means are actuated at a preselectable temperature value to introduce cooling water into the circulation system which includes the solar panel. Such system assures the integrity of circulation through the solar panel and against panel degradation due to overheating. Cooling water is added directly to the panel or through an interconnected hot water storage tank. If desired, the system may be used for direct filling the solar panel or as a back-up to conventional float valve operated fill system. The automatic overtemperature control system is applicable either to thermosiphon or pressured circulation through the solar panel to maintain its temperature below a preselected value.

Abstract: A way of automatically inspecting a machined part, for example, to a tolerance of 0.001 inches. A minicomputer monitors a change in phase of acoustic wave energy impinging upon a sample part and compares it with a change in phase of such energy for a standard or master part, any difference between the monitored changes being interpreted to determine if the sample is within acceptable tolerance limits. The inspection approach described uses no moving parts and can be used to inspect many dimensions of a part simultaneously in less than a second. Acoustic wave energy can be used to inspect parts of any shape. The inspection system disclosed can be used, as well, to monitor the geometry of an object over time to note any changes in said geometry. And the concepts of the inspection system can be employed in conjunction with robot-controlled devices to provide close-positioning data for such devices.

Abstract: A heat transmission module wherein a natural-circulation, solar collector, storage tank, insulation and other interrelated parts are fabricated as a unitary structure capable of bearing a load.

Abstract: A way of automatically inspecting a machined part, for example, to a tolerance of 0.001 inches. A minicomputer monitors a change in phase, for example, of wave energy impinging upon a sample part and compares it with a change in phase of such energy for a standard or master part, any difference between the monitored changes being interpreted to determine if the sample is within acceptable tolerance limits. The inspection approach described uses no moving parts and can be used to inspect many dimensions of a part simultaneously in less than a second. Acoustic waves or microwave electromagnetic wave energy can be used to inspect parts of any shape. The inspection system disclosed can be used, as well, to monitor the geometry of an object over time to note any changes in said geometry. And the concepts of the inspection system can be employed in conjunction with robot-controlled devices to provide close-positioning data for such devices.

Abstract: Venting the glazing (i.e., transparent cover) of a solar collector can be used to prevent the collector's absorber surface from reaching too high a temperature.

Abstract: A controllable heat-transmission device, herein called a thermic device, uses temperature changes to modulate heat flow between two regions. A fluid, in thermal contact with both regions, varies its non-radiative heat transfer in response to the temperature of either region or to a separate temperature source: both hereafter simply called the temperature source. The variation in heat transfer is due only to the thermal energy of the two regions or the temperature source; no other energy is required.