Abstract: A timing device for keeping time by marking the time boundaries between contiguous time periods. Time is measured by measuring charging voltage on a pair of capacitances where each capacitance is charged and discharge in successive cycles. Detection of a preset value of potential on each one of the capacitances is used to initiate commencement of charge on the other capacitance and detection of another preset value on the other capacitor is used to record measurement of potential at a full scale potentail point on the one capacitor. By this means “dynamic” measurements of potential are made by which is meant that the potentials are measured while the potential is changing and rather than when the potential has reached a target end point. This technique eliminates errors arising from unstable conditions at the capacitor due to, for example, dielectric hysteresis, a requirement to measure a charging or discharging step simultaneous with a measuring step, etc.

Abstract: A modular light arrangement is described which is useful for an individual engaged in a sport activity. It easily can be converted from a single to a dual light bulb housing arrangement while maintaining stability and rigidity. It includes a clamp positioned to grip one or more light housings between a pair of opposed jaws. A pair of spaced indexing pins is provided on one of the jaws and a corresponding pair of spaced indexing posts are provided on the other jaw. These pins and posts collectively engage complementary sockets in the housing(s) to facilitate the gripping. One of the jaws is movable toward and away from the other to facilitate changing the number of light housings that are gripped.

Abstract: An aircraft ground connector is described for delivering electrical power to aircraft parked at airports. The connector includes a thermal sensor arrangement which is positioned in the normal insulating body of such connector, which sensor reacts to a rise of temperature in such body higher than a predetermined temperature by cutting off the flow of electrical power through the body.

Abstract: A snowshoe is described in which both a simple toe strap and a simple ankle strap are connected to a single, large claw plate, wherein the heel of the user's foot is maintained on an upper surface of the decking.

Abstract: Cap and vest components of an animate body heat exchanger designed to apply a controlled temperature to parts of a human body are described. The cap and vest components are often used in combination, and the interior side edges of the cap are curvilinear and intermesh lengthwise to assure that the portion of the head underlying the junction between such edges is subjected to the controlled temperature. The vest includes not only a zipper for application and removal, but also separate lacing for close fitting adjustment.

Abstract: A snowshoe is described in which both a simple toe strap and a simple ankle strap are connected to a single, large claw plate.

Abstract: A mobile vending apparatus for potable water is described. A flat bed truck has both one or more tanks for a large supply of potable water and one or more delivery cabinets for dispensing such water into bottles or other containers provided by consumers.

Abstract: A method of protecting liquid storage tanks from earthquakes and an anchor especially adapted to carry out this method are described. The method includes providing an energy dissipating anchor between the liquid tank and structure which will move with the ground. The anchor includes a stainless steel shaft which is secured to a ring foundation. This shaft is surrounded by a clamp which frictionally grips the same and is secured to the tank.

Abstract: A guitar is described which is essentially made up of a plurality of plies of composite laminates individually selected and arranged together to provide desired sounds.

Abstract: A converter is described for converting a power-driven toothbrush into a power-driven flossing device. Such converter includes a yoke for holding floss string and an arrangement for receiving energy from a toothbrush originally provided to move toothbrush bristles and convert such energy into movement of a floss string.

Abstract: A plasma generator for the fabrication of integrated circuit devices is described. The generator includes a separate plasma igniter electrode to apply the electrical power to a gas within a treatment chamber necessary to create a desired plasma. The plasma, once it is initiated, then is sustained by inductive coupling.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an electromagnetically controlled scanning magnetic transducer is described having two confronting core poles defining a physical transducing gap therebetween. A control winding is associated with each core pole. A control current applied to each control winding selectively saturates a portion of each core pole facing a record medium. Each saturated face portion defines an adjacent unsaturated highly permeable face portion. The highly permeable face portions of each core pole overlap across the gap to define a transducing zone. The information signal and control windings are arranged relative to one another to obtain information signal and control flux paths extending perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: A waveform generator for a resolver transducer or the like is described. Such generator forms two 3-level waveforms which approximate sinusoidal waveforms for the excitation and/or output detection of such a resolver. Each of the sinusoidal waveforms is formed by combining a pair of digitally programmed bi-state signals which have their phases shifted relative to one another by an amount proportional to an angular input variable. The result is that the amplitude of these sinusoidal waveforms which are formed are representative of the sine and cosine of such variable.

Abstract: The short hop communication link includes a sensor module positioned downhole from a motor in a well. The module includes sensors that monitor operational, directional and environmental parameters downhole and provide an electrical data signal indicative thereof. Sensors may also be positioned in the drill bit for obtaining parameters related to the bit, and communicating data signals reflecting the sensed parameters to the sensor module. The sensor module includes a transceiver, with an annular anrenna, for transmitting electromagnetic sensor data signals to a point above the motor. A control module, which also includes a transceiver with an annular antenna, is located above the motor, and receives the electromagnetic signals from the sensor module reflecting the sensed parameters. In addition, the control module is capable of transmitting command signals to the sensor module requesting data regarding desired parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for coupling magnetic flux defining information between a first body of magnetic material and a second body of magnetic material having a magnetic flux path therein. A third body of magnetic material having a transducing zone is included and disposed to be magnetically proximate the first body of magnetic material to couple flux to or from the same, and to have a portion thereof magnetically proximate the magnetic flux path within the second body of magnetic material to provided coupling of flux to or from such flux path. In specific embodiments described, the first body of magnetic material is a magnetic storage medium such as a layer of hard magnetic material of a tape, and the second body of material is a transducer core of a soft magnetic material.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled scanning magnetic transducer has two magnetic core portions with confronting poles defining a transducing gap. A control winding is arranged in each core portion to provide a control flux therein. The control flux saturates a region of the transducer face of each core portion, adjacent to the gap. The saturated regions define adjacent unsaturated highly permeable regions which overlap at the gap to obtain a transducing zone. The transducing zone can be altered, moved, scanned or otherwise positioned along the transducer width by electromagnetically controlling the location and size of the saturated face regions.

Abstract: Magnetic transducer-keeper combination embodiments of the invention are described. Each has a magnetic core defining a physical gap and a thin magnetic keeper arranged in close proximity of the core to bridge the gap. A magnetic flux from the gap saturates the keeper inan area bridging the gap, thereby forming a signal transducing zone in the keeper. The keeper is maintained stationary and the core moved or scanned with respect to the same, thereby moving or scanning the transducing zone in the keeper.

Abstract: A video signal is modified so that a television receiver will still provide a normal color picture from the modified video signal while a videotape recording of the modified video signal produces generally unacceptable pictures. This invention relies on the fact that typical videocassette recorder automatic gain control systems cannot distinguish between the normal sync pulses (including equalizing or broad pulses) of a conventional video signal and added pseudo-sync pulses. Pseudo-sync pulses are defined here as any other pulses which extend down to a normal sync tip level and which have a duration of at least 0.5 microseconds. A plurality of such pseudo-sync pulses is added to the conventional video signal during the vertical blanking interval, and each of such pseudo-sync pulses is followed by a positive pulse of suitable amplitude and duration.