Abstract: A test panel and process of preparing a test panel for evaluating the performance of inspection penetrants by inducing cracks into a brittle coating. The process utilizes a penetrating tool which has a point which is pressed in a slow measured manner into the back side of the panel which has a brittle coating on the front side to be cracked. The position of the pointed tool is carefully measured in increments of 0.05″ or smaller. The tool is driven to a depth to obtain the desired crack size, depending on the brittle coating's characteristics.

Abstract: A one-trip squeeze pack system has a unique service seal unit design using concentric tubing, with the inner tubing an extension of the traditional wash pipe and is later used as the production tubing. The inner tubing contains a ported sub which can be isolated in various positions within the outer tubing by way of seals located above and below the ported sub. This seal unit is raised and lowered on the production string and isolated at various positions in order to accomplish setting the packer, running a packing job, reversing out packing fluid, and receiving production fluids.

Abstract: A one-trip squeeze pack system has a unique service seal unit design using concentric tubing, with the inner tubing an extension of the traditional wash pipe and is later used as the production tubing. The inner tubing contains a ported sub which can be isolated in various positions within the outer tubing by way of seals located above and below the ported sub. This seal unit is raised and lowered on the production string and isolated at various positions in order to accomplish setting the packer, running a packing job, reversing out packing fluid, and receiving production fluids.

Abstract: An integrated multi-mode bandpass sigma-delta radio frequency receiver subsystem with interference mitigation includes a first intermediate frequency amplifier. At least one mixer for mixing the output of the first amplifier and an oscillator signal. A second IF amplifier for amplifying and filtering the output of the at least one mixer. A multi mode multi bandwidth sigma delta analog digital converter for providing digital output signals with high dynamic range. A digital mixer providing I and Q signals a decimation network providing I and Q signals at reduced programmable data and clock frequencies and a formatting network for arranging the I and Q signals into a predetermined format for use with a digital signal processor.

Abstract: In a radio transceiver (100), an IF stage (110) is formed on a single substrate. A balanced or image rejection mixer (204) having two pairs of inputs and a pair of outputs is integrated on an IC substrate (202). Disposed on the IC substrate are SAW transformers (210, 212 and 214) which provide a desired phase transformation. The SAW transformers comprise piezoelectric layers (228) and metallization layers (230) which are suitably patterned to provide the desired phase transformation and frequency selectivity.

Abstract: An RF contact (2) provides multiple RF paths (51-53) with minimal RF path lengths between a first (8) and second (36) interconnecting surfaces. A stationary member (6) is soldered on the first surface (8). A main spring member (22) is resiliently (26) connected to the stationary member (6) on a springing end (27) to provide contact travel (38) which ensures wiping action with the second surface (36). A secondary spring member (28) having at least two wiping portions (42 and 46) is resiliently (29) connected to the displacement member on its other end (38) to engage the stationary member (6) and the main spring member (22) along the at least two wiping portions (42 and 46) when the main spring member (22) is resiliently biased against the secondary spring member (28) and the stationary member (6).

Abstract: Apparatus for sampling material, e.g. a microbiological growth culture, comprises a consumable sampling filament (3) which may be advanced through a tubular guide (1) so that a tip (3a) projects therefrom. The guide (1) and tip (3a) are moved relatively towards the material to be sampled, a portion of which is collected on the tip. After moving the guide and tip relatively away from the material, the filament (3) may be advanced through the guide and the tip severed by a cutter (9) so as to fall into a receiving vessel (8) containing, for example, a nutrient liquid.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry machine particularly suitable for the automatic sequencing of DNA on the microliter scale including a source of reagents, a common means to transfer by contact microliter quantities of reagent, below 5 microliters, and a rotatable reaction surface to which said quantities of reagent are transferable, means to control the transfer means to access and contact specific spaced areas of the reaction surface, and means to control the rotation of the surface with regard to the transfer means action, the surface being formed to constrain flow of transferred reagent quantities over the surface and in a reaction area to mix under centrifugal action on faster rotation of the surface.

Abstract: A canister type vacuum cleaner includes a floor cleaning unit and a canister unit interconnected by a wand and hose assembly. The canister unit has a dust collection bag mounted in a dust collecting compartment by a dust bag mount. A suction fan evacuates the air within the dust collecting compartment causing dirt laden air to flow from the floor cleaning unit through the wand and hose assembly and into the dust bag through an intake port formed in the dust bag mount. The air is exhausted from the canister unit through a discharge port. A performance monitoring and indicating system provides information as to the operative condition of the vacuum cleaner by means of an "OK" light, a "No Bag" light, a "Check Bag" light and a "Check Hose" light. A dust bag sensor senses the differential pressure between the intake port and the dust collecting compartment and is actuated when a functional dust bag is properly mounted on the dust bag mount.

Abstract: An R.F. switch includes a directional coupler with a main line and a quarter wavelength coupled arm. One end of the main line is connected to a first input port and the other end is connected to a first output port. The coupled arm is selectibly terminated at one end in either its characteristic impedance or a short. A PIN diode controls the termination. The second end of the coupled arm is connected to a second input port. A PIN diode switch is connected between the second end of the coupled arm and a second output port. In a first position, signals present at the input ports are combined and appear at the first output port. The directional coupler provides isolation such that the signal at the second input port is not coupled to the first input port. In the second position, the signal at the second input port is disconnected from the first output port and only connected to the second output port.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a wheeled nozzle with a two-piece wand defining a lower end connected to a swivel connector portion of the nozzle. Guide structure is provided for accurately aligning cooperating male and female terminals on the wand and swivel connector of the nozzle for facilitated connection therebetween when the lower end of the wand is connected to the swivel connector for providing a suction connection from an associated cannister to the nozzle. A foot pedal-operated lever is provided for releasing a latch retaining the lower end of the wand to the swivel connector when desired. A connector connects the upper end of the lower portion of the wand to the lower end of the upper portion thereof by a rotatable connection to permit limited rotation of the upper portion of the wand about the axis of the wand for selective disposition of the handle connected to the upper end of the upper portion of the wand.

Abstract: A quick release power cord wrap and caster for a canister vacuum cleaner. The caster assembly includes a hook for supporting or retaining a plurality of power cord turns is stored position on the canister. A hook is movable to release the cord and, in the illustrated embodiment, the hook is pivotable on the caster. The hook has a toggle action for locking the power cord in the stored arrangement. In addition, the hook and canister body are provided with shoulders for providing an augmented locking of the hook in the cord stored position. The caster assembly and canister body are arranged to permit snap-fastening of the caster assembly to the canister body without need for separate metal fasteners and the like. The caster assembly itself is arranged to have the portions thereof snap-fastened together without the use of separate metal fasteners.

Abstract: Structure for converting a powered brush vacuum cleaner selectively to define a powder carpet cleaning apparatus. The conversion structure includes a shroud received within the nozzle. In one form, the shroud is movably mounted within the nozzle for selective disposition in a retracted position, permitting use of the nozzle in the normal vacuum cleaning manner, and in an operative position blocking the entrance to the suction passage for permitting the unit to be used as powder carpet cleaner. The shroud defines a smooth inner surface surrounding a portion of the brush for effectively preventing clogging of the space about the brush during the carpet cleaning operation. An opening is provided in the nozzle wall for access to the movable shroud in effecting manipulation thereof between the retracted and operative positions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle having a housing including a top wall. A device for indicating an adjusted characteristic of the vacuum cleaner nozzle is mounted within the housing substantially below the top wall and, in the illustrated embodiment, on a bottom wall of the housing. Structure is provided for causing a selected one of the indicia of the indicator discernible to a user of the vacuum cleaner standing above the nozzle, notwithstanding the recessing of the indicator substantially deeply within the nozzle. In the illustrated embodiment, the structure for causing the indicium to be discernible includes a focus tube formed integrally with the top wall extending to closely adjacent the indicator and having a distal portion configured complementarily to the indicator. In the illustrated embodiment, the device for causing the indicator to be discernible to the user is defined by a synthetic resin magnifier secured to the focus tube so as to be substantially flush with the top wall of the nozzle.

Abstract: In large size high resolution plasma panels, a smaller discharge gap between the electrodes reduces the operating margin of the panel, i.e., the difference between the maximum and minimum sustain voltage (V.sub.s max and V.sub.s min). Rather than preset these values which vary with each panel at the time of fabrication, the invention provides a control system for determining the V.sub.s max and V.sub.s min and the optimum operating point between these values for each panel. An associated microprocessor determines the V.sub.s min for each panel through a testing algorithm, and the V.sub.s max is provided by either adding a predetermined increment to the V.sub.s min or by a testing sequence. The operating point is designated as a predetermined increment below V.sub.s max. The invention operates each time the panel is turned on, thereby compensating for voltage drift or other panel parameter variations.

Abstract: A driving system for a plasma panel display which uses VFETs for output switches controls the transition time of an output waveform to a constant time. Transformerless circuitry for communicating low voltage digital logic signals across a floating boundary to VFET control circuitry is provided. Low voltage control circuitry is isolated from high voltage sources by semiconductor circuitry which eliminates the need for transformer isolation techniques. In an alternative embodiment, the transition of an output waveform is controlled at a constant slew rate.

Abstract: A system for providing sustain, write and erase operations in an AC plasma gas display panel in which selstain circuits are created by integrating the sustain and selection functions. Each selstain circuit is deposited on a single integrate circuit. This circuit is fabricated with low voltage integrated circuit technology. In addition, the sustain signal is floated on the write/erase signal.

Abstract: Structure for converting a powered brush vacuum cleaner selectively to define a powder carpet cleaning apparatus. The conversion structure includes a shroud received within the nozzle. In one form, the shroud is movably mounted within the nozzle for selective disposition in a retracted position, permitting use of the nozzle in the normal vacuum cleaning manner, and in an operative position blocking the entrance to the suction passage for permitting the unit to be used as powder carpet cleaner. The shroud defines a smooth inner surface surrounding a portion of the brush for effectively preventing clogging of the brush during the carpet cleaning operation. An opening is provided in the nozzle wall for access to the movable shroud in effecting manipulation thereof between the retracted and operative positions. In another form, the shroud is fixedly mounted within the nozzle and a closure is removably installed for closing the entrance to the suction passage when it is desired to use the unit as a carpet cleaner.

Abstract: An adjustable thick film capacitor includes a conductive paste layer which is fired to form a first electrode on a substrate, at least one dielectric paste layer over the conductive electrode which is also fired, and an organo-metallic paste layer over the dielectric layer, which is fired at high temperature to form a very thin sintered metallic conductive layer for the second electrode. The organo-metallic paste includes molecules having conducting particles, such as gold atoms, which after firing form a residue layer having a thickness of the order of 1 micron. This thin electrode can be trimmed by an accurately controlled low energy laser beam to adjust the capacitor value.