Abstract: An optical inspection method particularly suitable for viewing objects such as components on printed circuit boards, comprises the steps of viewing an object from above with a magnifying optical device and at the same time placing a side-viewing mirror in the optical path of the optical device facing the side of the object and tilted at an angle up to 90 degrees to the optical path so as to rotate an image of the side of the object by at least 90 degrees to present simultaneous front and side views of the object to an observer.

Abstract: An energy convertor for generating a power output waveform that contains a fundamental sine wave and a controlled amount of the third harmonic wave to eliminate the sinusoidal peaks and to provide a desired flat top at reduced amplitude. The synchronized generation of the third harmonic is achieved in combination with a new inductor that enhances the harmonic in the magnetic path around the inductor.

Abstract: A hanger assembly for suspending an article or articles such as a curtain or other flexible sheet material below a support rail comprises a series of trolleys for travelling engagement with the support rail, each trolley including a downwardly depending hanger member for suspending the article. Collapsible links are provided between successive trolleys in the assembly to allow them to travel relatively easily around any corners or bends in the support rail.

Abstract: A contact spring for a bistable relay for the switching of higher current will be described in which the actual contact spring is at least one stranded wire connected in parallel, which takes a part of the currents.

Abstract: A rotary powder compression molding apparatus is disclosed, which includes a rotary disk. The rotary disk has a mortar mounting portion, an upper pestle guide portion arranged above the mortar mounting portion, and a lower pestle guide portion arranged below the mortar mounting portion. An annular vertical wall, extending upward, is arranged on the periphery of the lower pestle guide portion, and a recessed powder trap portion is formed inside the vertical wall. Powder leaking from mortars is moved outwardly due to a centrifugal force, and is trapped by the powder trap portion.

Abstract: Method and means for detecting any single errors introduced into an arithmetic data compression code string as a result of coding, transmission, or decoding through testing according to a modulo-n function, n being an odd number not equal to +1 or -1, an arithmetic compression coded data stream C'(s) genmerated by n-scaling an arithmetically recursive function that produces a non-scaled arithmetically data compressed code stream C(s) as a number in the semi-open coding range [0,1].

Abstract: An antenna coupling system includes separate low-noise receiving amplifier and down converter circuits for amplifying the antenna signal above background noise and for converting it down to frequencies compatible with a suitable receiver, respectively. The system is particularly intended for microwave frequency antennas of the type used to receive satellite signals. The amplifier circuit includes at least one microwave frequency amplifier, such as a GaAs FET, with a low frequency variable feedback circuit connected across it which is arranged to self-tune the amplifier to the antenna input signal strength. The converter circuit is of the image reject single conversion and image recovery type and is arranged to split the amplifier output signal into two parts which are each combined with a local oscillator signal and then re-combined in such a way that unwanted image signals are rejected.

Abstract: A shellfish trap comprises a cage like mesh enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a peripheral side wall. The side wall has at least one entrance passageway extending from it towards the center of the enclosure. At least one ring for defining an escape vent is formed in the mesh of the enclosure, with ribs forming part of the mesh extending across the ring. A pilot indent is provided at the center of the ribs extending across the ring for receiving a drill bit to cut out the ribs to form an escape vent.

Abstract: A method and means for analyzing and labeling picture elements ( pixels) in a raster-scanned image includes utilizing a fixed pixel labeling priority rule that takes into account near-neighbor frame border pixels that are not included in the currently-viewed portion of the image by substituting the inverse of the value of the current image pixel being labeled in place of undefined border pixels outside the viewed image portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the determination of the fuel flow condition of a fuel injector while the fuel injector is in its operative position in an engine are described. The device comprises a liquid reservoir, a measuring chamber for the liquid and a conduit to flow the liquid through the chamber to the injector under constant pressure, as well as electric circuitry to open and close the injector for at least one predetermined time interval. The chamber is refillable from the reservoir to a predetermined liquid level after each use. The liquid can be passed through the injector in short repeated bursts or in more prolonged flows. Comparison of the volume of liquid passing through the subject fuel injector in a given time period with the volume of a like liquid passed through a reference fuel injector in the same time period is indicative of the fuel flow condition of the subject fuel injector.

Abstract: Apparatus for bulk ice making, storage and dispensing is described. The apparatus comprises an insulated horizontal container with an internal storage chamber having a blower mounted below the ceiling thereof in a position such that ice falling from ice making equipment on the top of the container into the chamber is blown throughout the chamber. Means are provided to move the settled ice into breakers and to dispense it from the chamber to the exterior of the container. Means are also provided to precool the feed water to the ice making equipment and to use chilled air from the storage chamber to maintain a low temperature atmosphere surrounding the ice making equipment to improve efficiency. Preferable the container is an insulated ocean cargo container.

Abstract: A ticket processing terminal includes a cylindrical ticket guide around which tickets are driven by a single drive cylinder which rotates in the ticket guide. An entry port, a feed port, and an exit port all connect to the ticket guide in a spaced relationship around the guide. Raed/write mechanism are placed adjacent the guide at a position which is passed by a ticket entering the guide through the entry or feed port and before the exit port is passed. Tickets are issued by the terminal by providing information to the write mechanism from an external source, feeding a ticket into the guide from either the feed port or the entry port, writing the information on the ticket, reading the printed information for validation, and then diverting the ticket to the exit port before completing a revolution. After being issued, a ticket bearing written information can be processed by the terminal for cancellation.

Abstract: A coupling device for use in diesel fuel injector pumps having a plurality of rotary pumps connected to a drive shaft and positioned in a housing along a longitudinal axis and having a generally cylindrical weight retention housing for rotatably supporting a plurality of flyweights which are coupled to a fuel control system. The coupling device employs an annular drive ring adjacent to the weight housing for engaging the drive shaft and a plurality of drive pins connected to the weight housing and projecting through elongated apertures in the drive ring. A plurality of resilient inserts are positioned within the elongated apertures immediately adjacent to the drive pins so as to occupy substantially all aperture volume not occupied by the pins.

Abstract: A tissue culture holder has an insulating chamber in its base below the culture containing chamber or chambers. The insulating chamber is filled with air or a clear liquid and may be sealed in a low humidity environment so that, in the case of an air-filled chamber, there will be minimal or no condensation in the chamber. In the case of a multi-well tray, the insulating chamber below the wells may be sealed or may have passageways for circulating air through the chamber and up into the space above the wells.

Abstract: A logic driver having control circuitry for receiving an input bistate data bit and providing power at an output at first and second predetermined voltage levels when an input bistate data bit is respectively of first and second states. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the control circuitry for detecting the level of current at the output and providing a corresponding current level indication. The driver further includes overcurrent circuitry, responsive to the current level indication, for generating an overcurrent command when the output current exceeds a predetermined level. The control circuitry is responsive to the overcurrent command for disabling the output of power at the corresponding predetermined voltage level at the output.

Abstract: A transparent electrochemical oxygen sensor for simultaneously determining oxygen concentration at different locations on a biological surface that is capable of being positioned over the region sought to be measured and includes an array of independently functioning oxygen-sensitive electrodes, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode.

Abstract: A nail having a head and a shaft and a plurality of flutes extending from the head down the shaft and projecting outwardly from the axis of the shaft for a distance equal to the radius of the head. The nail is favorably employed in a device for automatically delivering the nail to affix soft material, particularly drywall, foam board and the like, to solid surfaces without disintegrating the material. The lower end of each flute is spaced from the nail head a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the soft material.