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: A controllable heat-transmission device, herein called a thermic device or panel, 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 or both regions. The variation in heat transfer is due only to the thermal energy of the two regions; no other energy is required.