Abstract: An improved winding apparatus for winding hoses and similar hose-shaped items such as those used in the firefighting industry. The apparatus includes a framework, a two piece retainer device in connection with the frame, and a retainer including first and second arcuate shaped pieces adapted for securing the hose to the winding means. Optional mechanical means for driving the device are described. Rollers, left and right guide means and a squeegee comprise a three part guide element for the apparatus which aids in the reeling of the hose.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a passenger accommodation arrangement for aircraft which provides both a highly efficient use of available aircraft space and a high level of comfort for passengers. In particular, the novel arrangement allows passengers to easily and comfortably switch between sitting and sleeping positions. The arrangement provides for multiple compartments arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the aircraft. Each compartment includes a stair and multiple, individual passenger accommodation units arranged one above another on each side of the stair. Each unit contains structure which allows a passenger to switch between a sitting position, in which the passenger is supported on a seat surface, and a fully reposed position in which the passenger is supported on a substantially flat, horizontal sleeping surface.

Abstract: A scroll type fluid machinery which is provided with: a first scroll and a second scroll which moves with respect to the first scroll, where the base of the first scroll is provided with suction bores perforating through the base from the rear surface thereof to the front surface, and open at the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the base, so that fluid released into an internal space of the body casing passes through the suction bores, and into the suction sides of compression volumes formed between spiral members of the scrolls, whereby suction pressure in the compression volumes is maximized and volumetric efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A tamper evident device is disclosed herein comprising in its most basic form a light guide with finished ends; one of which serves to collect light, the other to emit said light to serve as a light emitting indicator. The invention is attached to closures and containers so that upon opening, the light path is interrupted causing the indicator to go dark, thus signalling a tampered condition.

Abstract: A charge to deflect ink jet printer employs a correction signal to ink droplets to afford more accurate placement on a medium. Assessing the deviation of charged ink droplets from intended and actual impact locations, a control unit then determines an adjustable bias voltage for application to each charged droplet to compensate for the deviation and thus achieve improved image enhancement. This system is well suited for multiple nozzles which may be multicolor such as in computer printers. Both a method of operation and an apparatus are attendant to this system.

Abstract: Power semiconductor devices are manufactured using a flexible metal tape carrier to facilitate automation of the manufacturing process. Control leads are fashioned from portions of the tape carrier, with a main portion of the tape carrier serving as a main current lead. The manufacturing process permits thorough electrical testing of a power semiconductor chip prior to incorporation into a relatively expensive power device package. In particular, the power chip can be tested at full-rated current, at least where the current is pulsed at a low duty cycle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing a transmitter and a receiver in a synchronous serial transmission system by serially transmitting a plurality of pseudorandom, coded sync words in an interlaced fashion with corresponding bits of each word transmitted in sequence. At the receiver, received bits are first directed to a plurality of registers to undo the interlacing process and then decoded with the decoded word being compared by an autocorrelation technique to a known reference to thereby establish or reestablish synchronization between transmitter and receiver.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for performing a plurality of digital signal processing functions wherein each said function is a unique combination of identical subfunctions. A plurality of operating units are provided wherein each operating unit is adapted to perform one said subfunction. Apparatus and method are disclosed for programmably configuring these operating units in a variety of serial combinations wherein each combination will perform a respective signal processing function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting switching elements, and in particular, thyristor switching elements, which are used to supply pulses to a capacitive load, from damage resulting from sparkover occurring in that load are described. The load voltage pulse is characterized by a period of rising voltage followed by a period of falling voltage, these two periods being separated by a transition period of maximum vulnerability of the switching element to damage from sparkover. Specifically, during this period of maximum vulnerability of the switching elments to damage, a gate trigger pulse is applied to the elements to cause them to resume a conductive state, independent of the occurrence of an abnormal sparkover condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting switching elements, and in particular, thyristor switching elements, which are used to supply pulses to a capacitive load, from damage resulting from false triggering signals, i.e., triggering signals not accompanied by actual sparkover conditions in the load. Since termination of normal pulse cycles in such pulser systems are accomplished by a return to high forward voltage across the switching elements, false triggers generated closely prior to such termination and within the forward recovery time of a thyristor switching element present a danger that the termination of a normal cycle will result in a weak turn-on and consequent damage of the switching element. By insuring that all such potentially false triggers have a duration which extends past termination of the pulse cycle damage to the switching element resulting from such false triggers is inhibited.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for overcoming one of the limiting factors in applying digital techniques to measuring analog signals over a wide dynamic range, namely, the uncertainty introduced into the measurement by noise and A/D conversion, particularly at low signal levels. A central feature of the technique is the filtering of the signal with a variable time constant digital filter, the time constant being a function of the measured signal in such way as to increase the effective resolution of small signals at the expense of an increased transient delay. For large signals, the time constant is reduced so that adequate transient response is provided when it is most needed and when there is already adequate resolution.

Abstract: A process for removing pollutants including sulfur dioxide and/or nitrogen oxides from effluent gas which relies on the use of corona discharge to enhance the efficiency of the process. In one embodiment, corona discharge is utilized in a conventional spray dryer. In another it is combined with an ammonia injection technique. In yet another embodiment corona discharge treatment is followed by exposing the acidic mist byproduct leaving the discharge treatment chamber to a neutralizing reagent directed into the path of the effluent. The reagent may be provided with an electrical charge opposite to that on the acidic mist byproduct emerging from the corona reaction chamber to enhance neutralization.

Abstract: A method for decoding error correction coded information having been encoded using a linear cyclic block code, such as a Golay (23,12) code, or an extended Golay (24,12) code, to form a message word, comprises serially examining each bit of the message word and forming another code word wherein the Hamming distance between the other code word and the sequential pattern of bits examined is not greater than the error correction capability of the message word. Apparatus for forming the other code word and for checking Hamming distances is described.

Abstract: Serial data transfer circuitry is provided for transferring data between a multiplicity of functional units of a VLSI semiconductor chip. Each functional unit is provided with a respective data register, the registers being adapted to receive information in parallel from and/or transfer information in parallel to their respective functional units. The registers are each serially connected in a closed loop for serially shifting data from one register to another. Data transfer from one functional unit to another is accomplished by transferring a data word in parallel to a source register from its respective functional unit, serially shifting data from the source register to a destination register and parallelly transferring the data word from the destination register to its respective functional unit. Control of the transfer is provided by a counter which counts the number of shifts required to transfer the data word from the source to the destination register.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a local oscillator signal which is in phase and frequency synchronism with a carrier signal wherein the frequency of the carrier is a constant multiple of the frequency of a reference waveform. A phase detector detects the phase of the local oscillator relative to the carrier and provides a signal to a microprocessor indicative of this phase. The microprocessor provides the local oscillator and responds to a reference waveform threshold detector to determine the number of local oscillator pulses provided during one cycle of the reference and to maintain this number to equal the constant multiple. The microprocessor further responds to the phase detector to adjust the phase of the local oscillator and thereby maintain phase synchronism with the carrier.

Abstract: A ballast circuit for a fluorescent lamp including a rectifier-filter for coupling to an AC power supply to generate a DC voltage, an oscillator circuit coupled to said DC voltage for developing an RF oscillator signal, and switching signal means for developing concurrent oppositely phased switching signals at the frequency of said oscillator signal to drive series connected power transistors. The common output of the power transistors is coupled to energize a fluorescent lamp coil and regenerative feedback means for generating a signal to aid in switching the power transistors.

Abstract: Anode life in an x-ray tube is extended by applying a reduced power density to the anode to afford controlled heating of the anode to a predetermined ductile temperature prior to operating the tube at full power. Controlled heating of the anode is accomplished by defocusing the electron beam for a period of time sufficient to enable the anode to reach the desired temperature. The electron beam source of the tube may also be controlled during heating of the anode so as to supply a reduced beam current.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating fine liquid metal droplets from a liquid or molten metal comprises a rotatable member situated in a pressurized or evacuated chamber. Means are provided for generating an electric field at the edge of the member having sufficient strength to overcome the surface tension of the metal. A liquid metal delivery means directs liquid metal onto a surface of the member over which the metal flows toward the edge as the member is spun. As the liquid metal leaves the surface at the edge, the force of the electric field causes fine liquid metal droplets which are more uniform and smaller than those produced without an electric field to form. A method for forming fine liquid metal droplets is also disclosed.

Abstract: Optical isolation means electrically isolates the electrical network ground of a logical contention bus from a transmitter coupled to the bus and having a local logic ground and a receiver coupled to the bus and having a remote logic ground. Optical isolation means may comprise a light source, such as a light emitting diode, and a light sensitive receiver optically coupled to and electrically isolated from the light source.