Abstract: An improved magnetic tape drive having high performance specifications is achieved by microprocessor control of the capstan motion. Possible velocity profiles are stored in read-only memory and are selected on the basis of new input commands and last previous actions taken, whereby excitation of mechanical resonance inherent in the system is avoided.

Abstract: An analog selector circuit for providing an analog output signal of a value approximate to the median value of the analog input signals, having a plurality of comparator means equal to the number of analog input signals, each comparator means being connected to receive one of the input signals and comparing the received signal with the analog output signal of the selector circuit, a plurality of electronic control valves connected to receive the output signals from the plurality of comparator means, the valves being connected such that a number of said valves equal in number to the majority of analog input signals are connected in series to form a series combination and there are a sufficient number of such series combinations to receive all combinations of the majority of voltage output signals, and each series combination connected to receive a voltage potential input signal and providing the output signals of the series combinations to a common terminal to form the analog output signal; and a resistive net

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved compressor cylinder head fabricated out of two separate parts to reduce cost and facilitate assembly, and an improved compressor valve plate for use with said cylinder head which utilizes multiple parts to provide concentric suction and discharge passages. A novel method of fabricating the valve plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compact and highly reliable proportioning pumping system for supplying a precise and controllable mixture of concentrate and water in a kidney dialysis machine comprises a central body and a pair of oppositely mounted pivotable linkages coupled to the body. A first pivotable linkage is coupled by connecting rods to a water metering piston and a concentrate metering piston respectively, a variable stroke ratio being provided by a signal actuated drive coupled to the linkage mechanism and controlling the relative position of the end of one of the connecting rods. The change of position is advantageously effected so as to maintain a precise proportionality between the flows delivered by each of the pistons throughout their variable stroke lengths. The range of proportioning adjustments can be mechanically limited and alarm conditions can readily be detected.

Abstract: Ordnance recoil mechanism for controlling, collecting and storing firing reaction energy and for returning the recoil mass to battery by means of stored reaction energy including structure for storing energy not used in counterrecoil and making that stored energy available for use subsequent to return to battery of the recoil mass.

Abstract: Effecting a pressure-tight seal for a fluid-containing housing between surfaces with unmatched contours by providing an elongated opening in the housing along the zone to be sealed and introducing the adhesive through the opening.

Abstract: Making temperature measurements of blood inside a disposable, sterilized medical device by providing receptacles in the walls of the device for receiving temperature-sensitive probes, the receptacles including a tubular heat-conductive member, extending through a wall of the device and being sealed to the wall, and a cylindrical body having protuberances extending radially for cooperating with slots in a temperature-sensitive probe.

Abstract: Sturdily mounting a disposable medical device by rotatably attaching a back plate to a back brace, biasing the back plate toward the medical device and employing a camming means on the back plate cooperating with a tab on the device to rotate the plate away from the device as the device is initially slid onto the mount and to return the plate to lock the device in place when the device is slid fully onto the mount.

Abstract: Monitoring the level of both opaque and clear liquids in a reservoir without contacting the liquids by providing first and second reservoir wall portions that define a region through which a light beam is passed from a light source to a light sensor so that opaque liquid extinguishes the light beam and so that the wall portions cooperate with the clear liquid to refract the light beam away from the sensor. A monitoring line segment, defined as the portion of a hypothetically unrefracted and unreflected light beam between the first and second reservoir wall portions, is a small fraction of the largest interior linear dimension of the reservoir in a plane containing the monitoring line segment and a line normal to the first reservoir wall portion.

Abstract: An air ventilation and washing system for extracting noxious or other impure air, such as is present above the cooking surface of a stove having automatically activated electrical and mechanical fire control apparatus selectively responsive to changes in temperature is disclosed. The air ventilation system has a hood structure providing a make-up air distribution plenum through which air is distributed and pressurized for equal distribution of make-up air along the length of the hood structure. A vortex baffle is provided in the hood between a make-up air cavity and an exhaust cavity to cause efficient mixing of room air and make-up air from the exterior, while protecting personnel from exposure to the exterior make-up air, and a vortex chamber causes the mixing of the make-up air and room air with contaminated air from the stove.

Abstract: An improved electrical system particularly suitable for use in a motor vehicle. The improvement provides compensation of a signal used in association with an electronic circuit. Such compensation is made necessary because of variation in the potential that occurs at a source of electrical energy in the system relative to the sensor reference potential. The variation in potential results from currents flowing through a conductor interconnecting the sensor and the energy source, which current many be of varying character due to the operation of other devices associated with the system. Compensation is achieved with a differential amplifier coupled both to the energy source and to the sensor.

Abstract: A lampshade is formed with a window opening through which a picture is displayed. The picture is mounted between inner and outer at least partially transparent sheets located against the inner surface of the lampshade, the inner sheet extending slightly below the outer sheet. Only the upper edge of the inner sheet is fastened to the outer sheet and to the lampshade enabling the picture to be inserted between the sheets from below the lampshade. A semi-rigid wire retaining member in the form of a hoop is located inside the lampshade to secure the lower edge of the inner sheet against the outer sheet and retain the picture in position for display through the window opening. The picture is removed by lowering the retaining hoop below the edge of the inner sheet and pulling the picture downwardly from the window.

Abstract: A medical instrument, specifically shown as a dialysis machine, incorporates an electrically isolated and hermetically sealed high thermal flux heater in conjunction with means for vectorially cancelling alternating current signal components generated in the operation of the machine. Because of electrical coupling between the medical instrument and a human patient blood stream, large ground leakage currents can result in electrical shock for a patient if the ground wire of the machine becomes open circuited. However, the combination of a specially modified dialysate fluid heater with an extremely large and dependable isolation resistance and operating mode dependent vectorial compensation for resistive and capacitive leakage current permits total leakage current from chassis to ground to be brought below a hitherto unattainable 1 microamp level.

Abstract: An air ventilation and washing system for extracting noxious or other impure air, such as is present above the cooking surface of a stove having automatically activated electrical and mechanical fire control apparatus selectively responsive to changes in temperature is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition containing a higher alcohol having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms and a lower alcohol is effective for treating acne when applied topically to affected areas.

Abstract: A system for continuously removing gases from a liquid initially subjects the liquid to a pressure drop and then injects the liquid into a toroidal chamber in which it is impelled into a hollow annular flow path of high surface area and velocity. The liquid is forced helically about the annulus to create internal cavitation, and entrained and dissolved gases are removed both during injection and cavitation by a suction vent at an interior region of the toroidal flow chamber. Liquid is ejected from the periphery of the toroidal chamber into the bottom of a settling chamber, also maintained under vacuum, such that gases rise to another suction vent at the top of the chamber. Degassed liquid in the settling chamber moves under gravity into the orbit of an adjacent centrifugal pump and is continuously fed out from the system into ambient pressure by a positive drive pump.

Abstract: The conductivity of an electrolytic solution is determined with accuracy and sensitivity by measuring the conductance along extended paths of small cross-sectional areas between large area electrodes. Current flow is thereby measured with minimization of distortion effects created by electrolytic depositions or other form of electrode surface contamination. Further, sensitivity and reliability are enhanced by employing conductivity cell sections as variable resistance arms in a bridge excited with an extremely low voltage, low duty cycle AC signal which is filtered and synchronously demodulated to provide the desired conductivity measurement.

Abstract: A rotary pump of the stationary single vane type wherein the vane is arranged to automatically accommodate for the direction of rotor rotation to provide for the flow of fluid through the pump in a single direction regardless of the direction of rotor rotation, the vane also being operable to automatically relieve excessive pressures in the pumping chambers.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved analog-to-digital converter which enables the use of a reference voltage having the same polarity as the input analog voltage being converted. The converter employs an operational amplifier having a capacitive feedback network, an inverting input, and a non-inverting input. The inverting input is periodically disconnected so that the output of the operational amplifier slews to a new value without substantially changing the voltage across the capacitive feedback network.