Abstract: By applying to a linear, time-invariant process or system a pulse of predetermined duration instead of a step function and measuring the area enclosed by the pulse and the response curve of the process, respectively, instead of measuring the slope of a tangent line to the point of inflection of the response curve, the time constant or constants of a closed-loop (self-balancing) or open-loop (non-self-balancing) process may be accurately determined and from such time constant or constants the process may be optimally tuned according to one of the accepted tuning methods.

Abstract: By increasing the mass and reducing the surface friction of the piston driving a penetrating bolt in an animal stunning gun and providing that bolt with a conically-shaped recess at its tip, maximum penetrating force with minimum gun complexity is achieved. Further simplification of the gun without the sacrifice of any performance is achieved by utilizing magnetic retention means for the bolt prior to the firing of the gun.

Abstract: By utilizing, in a hybrid (electrical-heat engine) vehicle an alternator which is totally free of elemental iron in its magnetic circuit, the alternator (with appropriate rectification means) can be connected, selectively, in series, parallel or in lieu of the storage battery pack for activating the electrical motor which drives the wheels of the vehicle or any other load mechanically coupled to the electrical motor. Quick surges of power can thus be delivered to the load to achieve, for example, rapid acceleration of a vehicle.

Abstract: By the use of one or more beams of chopped, variable-frequency, monochromatic light to illuminate the sample chamber of at least one gas-filled cell including such sample chamber and a reference chamber joined to the sample chamber by a tunnel-like opening or orifice which permits fluid communication between the chambers and incorporating a thermal-flowmeter-type sensor element in the path of flow of the fluid between the chambers of each such cell, the compositional characteristics of one or more samples in each sample chamber can be determined accurately.

Abstract: By providing, for use in a repair-truck installation, a lighting bar including the combination of a lamp having a rectangular, spreading beam with a lamp having a round flooding beam, the combination being supported rotatably from a pole which is attachable to a truck on which the combination is being carried, displacing the lamp with the rectangular, spreading beam from the axis of the vertical supporting pole by a distance sufficient to permit the rectangular beam to illuminate a significantly large work area local to the truck while the lamp with the round beam is supported at a lesser distance from such axis to permit illumination of a work area remote from the truck, repair work, for example on a remote gas meter may be conducted simultaneously with related preparatory work at the truck without light switching or transporting, thus increasing the efficiency of the repair personnel and the accuracy of their work.

Abstract: By providing a bicycle with a one-way brake coupled between the front wheel and the frame of the bicycle, the one-way brake being configured to permit only forward rotation of the front wheel, dangerous reverse rotation of the front wheel, which accompanies turning abruptly without adequate forward momentum and/or with an incorrect leaning angle, is avoided and the precipitous falling and serious injury to the rider which normally accompanies reverse rotation of the front wheel under these conditions is prevented.

Abstract: A wind shelter device having flexible frame and pane portions which are supported upright by a plurality of detachable ballast containers. Included is a storage tube for receiving the shelter having the ballast containers acting as end caps for the tube.

Abstract: By providing a tractor with easily disassembled and assembled modular construction, with pneumatic drive and with high-pressure hydraulic means and vacuum means for, respectively, liquefying collected debris and exhausting it from the work area, an unique machine is provided which is particularly adapted for introduction into and use in cleaning areas, such as inside oil storage tanks, where flammable fumes exist and access openings into the work area are limited in size.

Abstract: By forming a metal stake with a "W"-shaped cross section where the flanges at the extremities of the main arms of the "W" are joined to the main arms not with an angular relationship rather with three connecting sections having gentle radii so that the edges of the flanges are depressed about 12.degree. from a plane lying along the crowns formed by the connecting sections, those edges being knurled, a stake is provided which has superior torsional and flexural strength, has the ability to withstand the abuse of mechanical harvesting equipment without damaging that equipment and permits supporting, securely, at any desired height along the job, wires of any size and spacing without weakening such wires over time thru wear at the points of contact with the stake.

Abstract: By providing as circuit activators flexible, intentionally damped, vibratory elements, for example strings, the resonant frequency of which may be unrelated to the tone to be generated, while utilizing electronic circuits controlled by such flexible elements for tone generation and modulation, the instrument according to this invention provides a range of "voices," attack, sustain and decay envelopes and other tonal characteristics which cannot be achieved with conventional mechanically resonant systems (such as are found in an acoustical guitar) while providing the performer with the tactility and dynamic expression with which he can identify.

Abstract: By measuring the volume of return flow of cleaning liquid, such as perchlorethylene, from the still, reclaimer and sniffer portions of a dry-cleaning system to the main or reserve cleaning-agent storage tank thereof, the efficiency of the system's use of the cleaning agent can be continuously audited and the steam-heating of the still, reclaimer and sniffer portions can be limited in time to those times when such heating produces a flow of re-claimed cleaning fluid to the main or reserve tank, thus limiting the consumption of the energy consumed in the steam generation process while conserving dry-cleaning liquid and assuring optimum system operation.

Abstract: By detecting the instant of a selected zero-crossing of a received ultrasonic signal rather than relying on the instant the amplitude of that received signal exceeds a predetermined reference amplitude in excess of zero, a transit-time measuring instrument can be realized which is free from the measurement errors normally arising from acoustic signal attenuation in the medium through which it passes.

Abstract: By utilizing rotary valves comprising synchronized, slotted intake and exhaust shafts (which may be segmented) and associated sealed, fixed ported cups instead of reciprocating valves the efficiency and reliability of an internal combustion engine is significantly increased.

Abstract: The coupling of radio signals, to and from the surface of a conductive body and to and from associated radio apparatus is optimized by adding, proximate to the edge of an opening (such as a window) in the body, a closed loop of relatively highly conductive material, such as copper, and coupling said radio signals to said associated radio apparatus through a plurality of interconnected adjacent loops proximate to said closed loop to maintain proper proportion of E fields and H fields in the signals fed to associated radio apparatus.

Abstract: A ring-configured network of multiple inter-communicating data stations in which each data station includes a fault sensing circuit, a test-pulse generating circuit and a switching circuit as well as a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit, and the test pulse generating circuit responds to a sensed fault to transmit, sequentially, in opposite directions along the ring, test signals which, in combination with the fault sensing circuit, indicate the direction of any fault and terminate the line in the direction of the fault at the characteristic impedance of the line. Thus, normal communications can continue between the stations despite the fault.

Abstract: For use in D-C power transmission systems there is provided a circuit breaker system which is responsive to leakage currents to ground to break the circuit from the power source to the D-C transmission lines. A toroidal saturable core surrounds the D-C transmission line feed conductors and carries on such core a primary and a secondary transformer winding. An A-C source is connected to the primary winding in series with one of two field coils in the electromagnetic circuit of an electromagnetically actuated circuit breaker. The other field coil in the electromagnetic circuit of the breaker is connected to the secondary winding on the saturable core.

Abstract: By utilizing first and second spaced, joined, co-axial disks with coin-receiving peripheral openings, such disks being separated from each other in the region of said peripheral openings by a fixed ring member having an opening therethrough to permit the passage of coins from the peripheral openings in said first disk to the peripheral openings in said second disk, said first and second disks rotating in unison at a first speed, and a third co-axial disk rotating at a higher speed than said first and second disks and positioned parallel to and adjacent to the second disk whereby coins falling in the peripheral openings of said second disk are urged outwardly by the relative motion of said second and third disks, to contact a rim member having openings of graduated width therethrough corresponding to the diameters of different coins; those different coins may be effectively and accurately separated or sorted into respective types or denominations.

Abstract: By providing a reservoir of variable volume with an integral filling and dispersing spout having a portion with an outer diameter such that the spout will form an interference fit within the dispersing spout of any toothpaste tube and having another portion dimensioned to be coupled to a disposable brush portion having a paste channel therethrough to the bristles a convenient and versatile paste-dispensing toothbrush is realized.