Abstract: A pressure-tight, rotary pipe coupling joins rotating, high temperature fluid transmission lines. Pressure seals of the coupling are maintained at a temperature lower than that of the high temperature or primary transmitted fluid by thermally insulating the seals from the high temperature fluid and by pumping a fluid coolant through annular cavities located adjacent the seals. A balanced pressure structure substantially eliminates thrust forces between the coupling members and reduces rotating friction.

Abstract: A portable coaxial cable trimmer (10) for trimming coaxial cable (12) with shielding (36), insulation (38), and a conductor (40) comprises a hollow, elongated housing (18) with a laterally disposed port (44). A first bushing (22) is attached to the end of the housing (18) for centering the cable (12). A first cutter (30) is secured in the housing (18) for trimming the insulation (38) and shielding (36) to produce a shaving (42) which is discharged from the housing (18) through a port (44). A second bushing (46), secured in the housing (18), centers the exposed conductor (40) of the trimmed cable (12). A second cutter (48) disposed in the housing (18) rounds and cuts the end of the exposed conductor (40). A device for rotating the housing, such as an air drill or an electric drill (14) can be attached to the cable trimmer (10) for rotating the housing (18) with respect to the cable (12).

Abstract: A device for transporting and buffering a flow of small articles, such as mail pieces, includes a conveyor belt that moves the articles onto a linearly displaceable carriage which delivers the articles into a buffer stack at a constant entrance angle regardless of buffer stack size. Articles in the buffer stack are supported and agitated by a plurality of rotating beater bars. Agitation causes skewed articles to level while the rotation of the beater bars transports the articles toward a moving edging belt that propels them into a feeder output. One of the plurality of beater bars includes screw thread sections for advancing the articles toward the feeder output.

Abstract: In a voice operated gain adjust for a voice processor included an input range adjust (10), a sixteen channel amplifier (12), an analog to digital converter (14) and a microcomputer (16). An audio signal including voice signals and background noise is applied to the input of the range adjust (10) and the amplifier (12). The output of the input range adjust (10) is applied through the A/D converter (14) to the microcomputer (16). The microcomputer (16) distinguishes voice signals from background noise and controls the gain of the amplifier (12) in accordance with the amplitude of the voice signals. Also, the microcomputer (16) controls the gain of the input range adjust (10) so that the input signal to the A/D converter (14) is within the operating range of the converter (14).

Abstract: A dual mode log periodic monopole antenna for simultaneously receiving and transmitting radio frequency energy that includes a conducting cone (10) with four log periodic monopole elements (12 through 15) extending radially therefrom and operational in a first mode. Four additional log periodic elements (16 through 19) are interspersed between the elements (12 through 15) and are also connected to and extend radially from the conducting cone (10). The second four log periodic elements (16 through 19) are interconnected for operation in a second mode. Each of the eight log periodic monopole elements (12 through 19) consists of a single planar substrate (24) of a dielectric material having a conducting pattern (26) thereon. A coaxial cable (22) is connected to the monopole elements (12 through 15) and a coaxial cable (20) is connected to the monopole elements (16 through 19).

Abstract: A bipolar drive circuit for driving a load, such as a printer, is compatible with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry and may be driven by a non-inverting hex buffer. Connected to the input of the drive circuit is a clamp circuit for providing a shunt path to ground for leakage currents during floating or open circuit conditions at the input. The output of the drive circuit includes a plurality of transistors connected in a complementary Darlington configuration to provide the necessary current gain to drive a conventional output, medium power, transistor. A diode is connected between the input of the drive circuit and ground for protection.

Abstract: A wideband digital discriminator for demodulating an FM signal is disclosed. An incoming FM signal cycles a counter through a series of sequential nonambiuous cyclical states. A timer is provided for producing a reference signal having a known relationship to the center frequency of the FM signal. First and second latches, synchronous with the timing means, are provided for sampling and storing information about the present and immediately preceding output states of the counter. A detector, operated synchronously with the reference signal, detects differences in magnitude and direction between the present and immediately preceding sampled states of the counter and generates an output signal when a state difference is detected. The output signal can be digitally processed or integrated over time to provide an analog discriminator output.

Abstract: Movement of an object (intruder) in a specified area is sensed by transmitting microwave energy from an antenna (10) that also receives energy reflected from the intruder, where the received energy is quadrature processed using Doppler techniques. Connected to the antenna (10) is a transceiver (12) that includes a quadrature mixer (48) coupled to an RF oscillator (50) through an RF switch (52). The RF switch (52) is controlled by a switch driver (54) to provide pulse energy from the antenna (10). Doppler outputs E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 from transceiver (12) are processed in the same manner except for a 90-degree phase lead applied to the Doppler output E.sub.2 by a phase lead network (18). Doppler outputs E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 (E.sub.2 90-degree phase shifted) are applied simultaneously to a sum and signature processor (24) and to a difference and signature processor (22). The sum and signature processor provides the "approach" receiving signal and processes the signature to further reduce the nuisance alarm rates.

Abstract: Improved acquisition of signals in a Gaussian noise environment is achieved by applying the output of a correlator (14) to a threshold detector (12). A correlation pulse output from the threshold detector (12) and the output of the correlator (14) are input to a false alarm processor (10) that includes multiple correlation checking channels (22). Each correlation checking channel (22) is assigned to sample an input at various points over a selected interval by an enable pulse generated at the output of select logic (30). Each correlation checking channel (22) includes correlation check enable logic (34), a blanking generator (36), and a confirmation logic (42). In the confirmation logic (42) samples of the analog input are taken at discrete times and integrated over a preselected number of intervals.

Abstract: A scan pattern estimator is used in a scanning electromagnetic sensor system in which electromagnetic radiation is repetitively scanned and sensed for a plurality of scan cycles. The first incoming scan pattern is transmitted to a summer (42) that produces an output scan pattern in response thereto. A delay unit (46) receives and delays the output scan patterns for a period of one scan cycle. The output of the delay unit (46) is multiplied with incoming scan patterns in a multiplier (38). The output of the multiplier (38) is applied to the summer (42). The output of the delay (46) is also applied to the summer (42). Thus, the output of the summer (42) represents a scan pattern estimate of incoming scan patterns with reduced pertubations and interference relative to the incoming scan pattern.

Abstract: A homing system is provided for guiding a missile (10) towards a metal target. The metal target is illuminated by a radar unit (12) with a transmitted RADAR signal of predetermined frequency. The target reflects the RADAR signal and produces HARMONIC signals having frequencies that are harmonic with the predetermined frequency. An antenna (14) is mounted in the missile for receiving signals, including the HARMONIC signals produced by the target. A wave guide bandpass filter (18) receives signals from the antenna and passes selected HARMONIC signals to a filter output. A detector (34) is responsive to selected HARMONIC signals passed by the filter (18) to produce STRENGTH signals proportional to the signal strength of the selected HARMONIC signals. The STRENGTH signals are received by an error circuit (48) that produces ERROR signals indicating the direction of the target relative to the missile (10).

Abstract: A signal processor is provided for encoding telephone dialing signals received from a telephone system at a transmitting station and transmitted using a digital transmission system to a receiving station for decoding and application to a telephone system at the receiving station. The system includes circuitry connected to the telephone system at the transmitting station for detecting and receiving telephone dialing signals generated by the telephone system at the transmitting station. Circuitry is provided for storing the detected telephone dialing signals for a predetermined time period at the transmitting station. The system further includes circuitry interconnected between the circuitry for storing and the digital transmission system for selectively clocking this circuitry to generate digital representations of the telephone dialing signals for transmission to the receiving station.

Abstract: A two-pole inductorless monolithic crystal filter device comprising first and second spaced electrodes mounted on one face of the device, third and fourth spaced electrodes mounted on the opposite face of the device in superimposed relationship with the first and second electrodes, a first capacitor coupled between the first and fourth electrodes, means electrically coupling the second and third electrodes, and a second capacitor coupling the second and third electrodes to a point of reference potential with the first electrode and point of reference potential being designated as input terminals and the fourth electrode and point of reference potential being designated as output terminals.

Abstract: In a vehicle locating apparatus that utilizes Hall effect generators to determine the magnetic heading of the vehicle there is provided magnetic compensation by the placing of a coil around the Hall generators. A current source generator provides power to the coil of such magnitude so as to create a magnetic field which cancels the spurious local magnetic field components. The apparatus also includes a set of manual switches to program a constant number into the system. The system incorporates this number to compensate for variable wheel diameters and to allow the selection of variable map scale units. This number is utilized by the system in a division technique that repeatedly substracts the number or adds the number to the accumulated distance traveled by the vehicle. The location of the vehicle is updated as the vehicle passes a transmitting signpost. Data transmitted to and from the vehicles locating apparatus is in a self-clocking format that reduces oscillator accuracy requirements.

Abstract: A phase lock loop (10) includes a frequency and phase preset network for presetting a local oscillator (20) in substantial synchronism with a carrier signal. The preset network utilizes time delayed output signals from split or double correlators (32, 34, 36, 38) to determine a change in the phase angle between the local oscillator signal and the carrier signal for a known time period to determine the frequency of the local oscillator signal relative to the carrier signal frequency. The preset network determines the phase of the local oscillator signal relative to the carrier signal phase utilizing the summed output of one split correlator (32 and 34) and of another split correlator (36 and 38).

Abstract: A digital frequency deviation meter for measuring the deviation of an FM signal from a center frequency is disclosed. An incoming FM signal is applied to a counter which is cycled through a series of sequential nonambiguous cyclical states. A storage memory, actuated at a center frequency produced by a timer, is provided for storing information about the present and immediately preceding sampled states of the counter. Operating synchronously with the timer is a detector that responds to the differences in magnitude and direction between the present and immediately preceding sampled states of the counter and generates a pulse when a state difference is detected. A frequency counter counts the pulses which are output at a rate proportional to the frequency deviation. To maintain the timer at center frequency a phase lock loop is provided.

Abstract: A direct current responsive mixing circuit (10) includes three mixers (14, 16 & 18), each having one D.C. port and two A.C. ports. The D.C. ports are responsive to D.C. and A.C. signals, while the A.C. ports are responsive only to A.C. signals. One mixer (14) has an A.C. port (24) receiving a pump signal and a D.C. port (28) receiving an I input signal. A second mixer (16) has an A.C. port (26) receiving the pump signal and a D.C. port (32) receiving a Q input signal. The remaining A.C. ports of the first two mixers (14 and 16) are connected to the two A.C. ports (36 and 38) of the third mixer (18). An output signal having a component corresponding to the product of the I and Q input signals is produced at the D.C. port (40) of the third mixer (18). In this construction, the mixing circuit 10 is responsive to A.C. and D.C. input signals and may produce a D.C. output signal component.

Abstract: A pressure-tight, rotary pipe coupling joins rotating, high temperature fluid transmission lines. Pressure seals of the coupling are maintained at a temperature lower than that of the high temperature or primary transmitted fluid by thermally insulating the seals from the high temperature fluid and by pumping a fluid coolant through annular cavities located adjacent the seals. A balanced pressure structure substantially eliminates thrust forces between the coupling members and reduces rotating friction.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for delineating a patterned electroconductive coating on a substantially nonconductive substrate. The process can be used on substrates having a thickness in excess of 50 microinches. The process involves forming a substantially continuous electroconductive film on a substrate. An air abrasive resistant continuous mask film of metallic material is applied to the electroconductive film and etched to form masked and unmasked portions of the electroconductive film corresponding to the desired patterned coating. The unmasked portions of the electroconductive film are removed to leave the masked portions of the electroconductive film remaining on the substrate. The mask film can then be removed from the electroconductive film resulting in the desired pattern delineated in the electroconductive film on the substrate or the mask can remain in place and be used to form an integral part of the device formed with the substrate.

Abstract: A conferencing circuit for use in a digitized speech, time division multiplex (TDM) loop communication system. Digitized speech samples from subscriber stations are extracted from the TDM loop and summed over a frame interval. The sum is stored and the input from each subscriber station is subtracted from the sum and the remainder is placed on the TDM loop for return to the respective subscriber station. A conference control signal is generated which is synchronous with the TDM loop and the subscriber stations' time slot and has a given state during each time slot assigned to a subscriber station that participates in the conference. The conference control signal controls the circuitry which sums the digitized speech samples generated by the conference subscriber stations.