Abstract: A switching element is mounted on a substrate covered by an envelope, and a fluorescent film is formed on the switching element. A cathode electrode is provided to face the fluorescent film, and a grid electrode is disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical power system safety monitor for monitoring the continuity of an electrical power distribution system and including signal generators for generating a monitoring signal and a simulated fault signal; an impedance bridge; a three-phase coupler connected between the impedance bridge and the system's three-phase electrical conductors for impedance coupling the bridge to the conductors; a second three-phase coupler connected between the three-phase electrical conductors and the ground connector for impedance coupling the three-phase electrical conductors to the ground conductor; a reactor in series with the ground conductor for impedance isolating the ground conductor; and a signal comparator for developing a control signal whenever the relationship between the simulated fault signal and the monitoring signal indicates the occurrence of an electrical fault in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping and driving a flexible disc for use with a rotatable spindle having a generally conical portion forming a camming surface, and a general cylindrical portion forming a first disc clamping surface and a disc registration surface, the apparatus comprising a generally annular hub having a plurality of stops and being rotatable about and movable along an axis, a plurality of fingers hingedly connected to the outer periphery of the hub, each of the fingers including a second disc clamping surface and a registration engaging surface, a circular spring for biasing the fingers radially inwardly against the stops such that the second disc clamping surfaces form a ring that contacts the camming surface when the hub is moved into engagement with the spindle, and a lifter for carrying the hub assembly and for moving it along the axis, whereby when the disc is loaded between the spindle and the hub and the lifter moves the hub along the axis such that the ring contacts the spindle, continued axial

Abstract: A threshold detector for use with a video signal including a first level representative of a white surface, a second level representative of a true black mark on the white surface, and a third level intermediate the first and second levels representative of a false black mark, the threshold detector comprising a DC restoring circuit for clamping the video signal such that the first level is clamped to a base level, a peak detector circuit responsive to the restored signal and operative to provide a peak detected signal having a magnitude that corresponds generally to the peaks of the restored second level, a voltage divider circuit for reducing the magnitude of the peak detected signal by a predetermined amount, a comparator responsive to the restored signal and the reduced peak detected signal and operative to produce a first bistate signal having a high level when the restored signal exceeds the reduced peak detected signal, a pulse generator for generating a sequence of pulses, one of which occurs when the

Abstract: A tool for clamping the ends of two guard rail sections including a fixed jaw rigidly attached to a first handle, a second handle pivotally attached to the first handle and a pivoting jaw pivotally attached to the first handle and pivotally connected to the second handle by means of an overcenter linkage.

Abstract: A vehicle towing apparatus comprised of a rigid metal plate having an elongated midportion, a leading end portion which is bent upwardly relative to the midportion and a trailing end portion which is bent downwardly relative to the midportion, and stiffening webs extending longitudinally along the midportion and the trailing end portion. Apertures are provided in the two end portions to facilitate fastening the towing apparatus to suitable coupling structures on a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. An alternative embodiment includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding plates or flanges which are secured to the top of the trailing end portion to provide a coupling unit for mating with a similar structure carried by the vehicle to be towed.

Abstract: An optical instrument for use in examining the internal wall of an aperture in a work material comprising a generally tubular housing formed from a material that is opaque to light and having a central axis and first and second ends, the first end having an annular surface that lies in a plane substantially normal to the central axis, a light directing member formed from a transparent material and having a shape in the form of an elongated frustum of a right rectangular pyramid, the member having a longitudinal axis that is coincident with the central axis, a third end having a first rectangular dimension, a fourth end having a second rectangular dimension that is larger than the first dimension, and four faces extending between the third and fourth ends, each face being capable of internally reflecting light passing through the member and incident on the face, the member being mounted within the housing intermediate the first and second ends such that the third end terminates within the housing proximate the

Abstract: A computer graphics display system including random access raster memory for storing data to be displayed, a raster memory control unit for writing data into the raster memory, a video control unit for causing such information to be displayed on a CRT display screen, a micro control unit for controlling the function and timing of the raster memory control unit and the video control unit, and a computer adapter for facilitating data exchange between the micro control unit and a host computer. The displayed image can have extremely high complexity with essentially no problem of display flicker. Zoom and pan features allow the use of a very complex stored image in a flexible manner, and a split-screen technique enables an operator to work on a very complex picture at a detail level while still having an overview of the total picture, or any portion thereof, simultaneously presented before him.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a solar cell from a reject semiconductor wafer comprising stripping all external layers from the wafer, etching the surfaces of the wafer so as to effectively remove all P/N junctions without pitting the wafer surface, introducing a layer of dopant to form a P/N junction in the front wafer surface, forming a first patterned conductive electrode over the dopant layer, and forming a second conductive electrode on the back surface of the wafer. In the preferred embodiment a sputtering operation is used to form the conductive electrodes.

Abstract: A collapsible golf cart apparatus for carrying a golf bag and including a base, a pair of removable wheels mounted on axles that are retractable into the base, a compartment in the base for storing the wheels, a cover for the storage compartment, a bracket to support the cover in one position in place over the storage compartment and in a different position to provide a seat, and a folding handle mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-point probe head assembly for providing electro-mechanical interface contact with miniature electronic devices and including a rigid support member, a plurality of probe tips each attached to a probe arm, and adjustment means for adjusting the relative position of each probe tip in three orthogonal planes.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in developing diazo emulsion media (e.g. plates, films, etc.) for use as integrated circuit masks wherein a developing gas is utilized; the apparatus including a developing chamber for housing the media and containing the gas during developing; an accumulator and reservoir for storing the gas when developing is not taking place; a pump for evacuating the developing chamber of air and the developing gas and for pressurizing the gas in the accumulator reservoir; a plurality of solenoid valves for regulating gas flow between the developing chamber, the pump, and the reservoir; and a control unit for automatically controlling the developing process.

Abstract: A static converter utilizing a transformer core having a gapped auxiliary flux path with a reluctance differing from that of another flux path, and a main flux path about which the primary and secondary converter windings are wrapped and through which the flux in both the auxiliary path and the other path pass. A sense winding is wrapped about the other path so as to develop on saturation a signal which can be used to de-energize the primary winding before saturation of the main flux path and thereby prevent the generation of high current surges through the switching transistors in the primary circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for bunching vegetables having a stalk comprising a frame, a chain formed into an endless band, a motor mounted to the frame for recirculatingly driving the chain in a generally elongated loop, a plurality of members affixed to the chain, each member including a vegetable holding portion and a clamping portion, the holding portion being capable of supporting a plurality of heads of vegetables with their stalks extending in a direction generally normal to the plane of the loop, the clamping portion being movable between an open and a closed position such that when it is in the open position vegetables are able to be placed in the holding portion and when it is in the closed position it clamps the stalks of the vegetables in the holding portion, a cam plate connected to the frame and disposed in the path of the clamping portion for moving the clamping portion from the open to the closed position, and a rotary saw for removing portions of the stalks when the clamping portion is in the closed position,

Abstract: A concrete storage tank for storing large quantities of fluids, grains or other materials and including a circular tank sidewall formed of a plurality of vertically elongated wall elements having a generally Y-shaped transverse cross-section, a slab floor, a slab roof, a perimeter footing, a perimeter tie beam, and a central tower for access and for housing pumping equipment. In one method of construction the wall elements are formed in place while in an alternative method of construction, the elements are prefabricated at a remote location and then moved into place.

Abstract: A flexible magnetic disc drive apparatus comprising a housing including a front plate, a drive spindle rotatably mounted to the housing for rotatably driving a magnetic disc, an elongated frame including opposed rails, opposed first and second ends, and a crossbar extending between the rails and forming a stop, the frame being disposed over the spindle with its second end pivotally mounted to the housing, a latch hingedly mounted to the first end and coupled to the front plate such that the latch is movable between a closed and an open position, a spindle-clamping assembly, an elongated member formed of a resilient material and mounted to the frame proximate the first end such that its distal end is adapted to be engaged by the crossbar when the latch is moved to the open position, the member serving to carry the spindle-clamping assembly and to bias it towards the spindle, whereby when the disc is supported on the spindle and the latch is in the closed position, the member biases the spindle-clamping assembl

Abstract: A low noise discriminator circuit having particular utility for use in determining the spectral purity characteristics of an rf signal source and comprising, in addition to standard discriminator components, a down-locked reference signal source including a voltage-controlled signal generator for developing a reference signal and a corresponding train of signal pulses, a stabilizing voltage-controlled oscillator which responds to the discriminator error signal and generates a stabilizing signal having a frequency at least an order of magnitude greater than the frequency of the reference signal, and a sampling phase detector which samples the stabilizing signal at the signal pulse frequency and develops a control signal which is fed through a feed-back loop to stabilize the reference signal generator.

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a seedling of the Red Rover (unpatented) and a miscellaneous yellow bloom, and characterized by its very large velvety yellow blooms, vigorous growth and nine week response.

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a seedling of the Red Rover (unpatented) and a miscellaneous yellow bloom, and characterized by its deeper red petal coloration, shorter petals, increased resistance to fading, smaller blooms and greater convexity of the individual petals.

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a seedling of the Red Rover (unpatented) and a miscellaneous yellow bloom, and characterized by its velvety yellow blooms, vigorous growth, 9 week response and persistence.