Abstract: A transistor logic circuit includes a constant current source in the form of a current mirroring arrangement connected to a logical gating combination of switching transistors, the arrangement being such that the switching transistors do not saturate.

Abstract: An annular seal is clamped in the active position of closure between statary knife-edges on the rotor of a rotating machine and movable knife-edges of a support member which can be displaced between an active position of magnetic coupling with the rotor and an inactive position of withdrawal from the rotor. The magnetic means have a second stable state of attraction in which the movable support member remains separated from the rotor in the inactive position.

Abstract: A dual shell rotational blending apparatus which is formed by two hollow cylindrical leg sections joined at one end to form a closed apex portion. One cylindrical leg section has a mean length greater than the other leg section such that as the unit is rotated and the apex portion reaches the uppermost position, the contents therein separate in unequal portions. The separation of the contents in unequal portions forces a lateral cross flow of material as rotation continues.

Abstract: A sand cooler control system for a sand casting foundry system incorporates a cooling system positioned downstream of the shakeout station where castings are separated from the hot sand. The amount of cooling fluid utilized in the cooling process is controlled by a digital system responsive to the total heat (BTU) content of the sand as determined by a combined function of sand temperature and volume. The temperature and volume parameters are determined by non-contact sensors which take the form of an infrared sensor and sonic sensor, respectively.

Abstract: In an assembly of two parts having flat assembly faces, the upper part has a bore provided with an ovalized orifice and the lower part has an internally-threaded bore, the two bores being coaxial when the parts are in the assembly position. A first connecting member has a threaded end in cooperating relation with the internally-threaded bore and a second connecting member has a portion in contact with one face of the upper part. One member has an ovalized portion which cooperates with the ovalized orifice and has a deformable portion which cooperates with the other member after crimping in order to secure the two members at least against rotational motion.

Abstract: A surface inspection system has a light beam repetitively scanning a surface and a receiver located to receive light specularly (directly) reflected. The receiver has an enclosure with a wall containing a plurality of slits by which reflected light can reach a detector in the enclosure. The slits are arranged to cause the detector to produce a series of pulses throughout the scan, each pulse providing an instantaneous picture of the surface gloss in terms of an intensity distribution, the half width of each pulse is measured to give an indication of any variation from the half width of the distribution for a known surface gloss.

Abstract: A fireplace draft device introduces outside air along the front edge of the fireplace firebox and the induced air is so distributed that the major portion of air flow is adjacent the ends of the front edge thereby encouraging more uniform burning of the fireplace fuel. The draft introducing device is also provided with means which cooperates with the conventional fireplace damper to control the volume of induced air.

Abstract: An arrangement for recording information on a magnetic record carrier, having at least one magnetic recording head which incorporates an electromagnet having a core, wherein said arrangement includes a magnetic shunt, said magnetic shunt and the magnetic core of the electromagnet being adapted to be arranged on either side of said record carrier and close thereto, so as to form a closed magnetic circuit in which the magnetic flux is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the carrier, the said core having a recording pole and a flux-closing pole and the cross-section of the recording pole being smaller than that of the flux-closing pole.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump and method of pumping blood is disclosed to provide assistance for a dysfunctional heart. The pump is provided with a magnetic drive system which permits a synchronous magnetic coupling with a separate power unit disposed immediately adjacent the pump housing. The pump has a single moving part which includes the combination of an impeller connected to a magnetic drive rotor. The impeller is of improved blade and hub design to automatically move blood, and minimize formation of blood clots and fibrous amalgamation in the region of blood flow. Further, the impeller blades are configured to extend almost completely across the bottom surface of the impeller hub to enhance efficiency and clot-free operation. The magnetic drive system floats on a fluid surface of saline solution, which hydrodynamically supports and lubricates the magnetic drive rotor contained in a compartment separate from the impeller and facilitates a prolonged period of service-free operation.

Abstract: A method for forming a heated end of a plastic pipe into a bell having a sealing groove therein arranged to receive a seal so that it may be sealingly joined with a plain end of a second pipe inserted therein. The apparatus comprises a mandrel base rigidly secured to a mandrel core having annular grooves formed thereabout communicating with a vacuum source through a passage formed in the core and base. A mandrel shell comprising four separable segments is secured on the core. The mandrel shell has a plurality of apertures formed therein communicating with the annular groove on the core such that a vacuum may be drawn through the apertures. A heated plastic pipe is forced over the mandrel shell until it engages a tapered shoulder formed on the mandrel base, thus forming a seal between the end of the pipe and the base. A vacuum is drawn on the cavity formed between the plastic pipe and the mandrel shell thus drawing the plastic pipe to the shell, forming an annular internal groove in the pipe.

Abstract: A rotatable load is driven and/or supported and/or guided by wheels carried by a stationary frame and capable of running along at least one track provided on the load. The bearings of each wheel are housed within a rocker-arm, one end of which is supported on the stationary frame by elastic means and the other end of which is supported on the frame by a movable stop associated with driving means.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is at least partially embodied in a collector-diffusion-isolation (CDI) type device, in a semiconductor body comprising a thin layer initially wholly of one conductivity type on a substrate of the same conductivity type, and the device has a plurality of CDI-type components, each CDI-type component with a combination of regions of the opposite conductivity type, comprising a buried layer at the interface between the thin layer and the substrate, and an isolation barrier for the component extending through the thin layer to contact the buried layer, the circuit arrangement being such that no constituent component of the device breaks down when a potential difference of up to substantially twice the breakdown potential of the outer P-N junction of each CDI-type component, and at least of 10 volts, is applied across the device. Usually the substrate of the body is at the most negative potential level associated with the device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for character recognition of characters sposed upon a document. Initially, a set of characters on the document is read to obtain corresponding information data, and their associated error codes and the data are stored in a first of N zones of a memory of the system. If an examination of the error codes so stored indicates that at least one character is erroneous, the set of the characters of the document is re-read under differing reading conditions and the new corresponding information data and associated error codes are derived and stored in different memory zones of the memory for as long as at least one erroneous character is detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of helicoidal springs in which there is associated with the mandrel for rolling of the spring a rotating cylinder carrying a helicoidal trace corresponding to the helix of the spring to be manufactured. A moving carriage which moves the mandrel longitudinally supports a scanner of the photoelectric cell type directed toward the rotating cylinder which controls the displacement of the movable carriage. Control devices supply a memory with the comparative values which provide for the future automatic control of the machine. The invention therefore relates to automatic machines to form helicoidal springs.

Abstract: An information retrieval system is described comprising a store having a plurality of word locations, each of M bits for receiving and storing an item of digital data, e.g. an operand of N bits greater than M, a store address circuit for addressing simultaneously selective consecutive bits of an operand in two or more adjacent word locations, and a shift circuit for rearranging the bits read from the store into a desired sequence. A ROM is provided for storing a plurality of multiple-bit words, each defining a different end around shift, and the store addressing circuit includes a multiplexing circuit responsive to the aforementioned multiple-bit words to determine the addresses of each bit of two consecutive word locations within the store.

Abstract: A high capacity associative read/write memory is provided which includes storage means which can be read from or written into and having memory units of equal capacity each containing an equal and predetermined number of levels. Addressing means are connected to the storage means to select storage levels in each memory unit and to select the required memory location on the selected level. Associative means connected to the storage means consists of a plurality of comparators equal in number to the number of levels in each memory unit multiplied by the number of memory units. The comparators perform a comparison between the content of a data descriptor at the input to the associative memory and the content of the information read from the memory on the selected level.

Abstract: A part of the cold liquid metal which is injected at the base of the reactor core is circulated along the bottom portion of the main reactor vessel and guided by a shell which is concentric with the vessel. A mass of inert gas is trapped within a leak-tight annular chamber above the liquid metal. During reactor operation, the gas pressure is adjusted in order to maintain the gas/liquid metal interface at a substantially constant level and to obtain along the vessel a temperature distribution which ensures limited amplitude of stress variation.

Abstract: A ventilated enclosure is formed by an air duct, one end of which is closed ff by a partition pierced with ventilation apertures and the other end of which is closed off by a wall to which is attached at least two fans and which is provided with openings through which air drawn into the interior of the enclosure from its exterior is passed. Each fan is provided with a detection device for detecting inadequate ventilation. The detection device is positioned in the area which is swept by the stream of air which is produced by the associate fan when in operation and generates a signal when the output of air from this fan falls below a predetermined limiting value. Each detection device consists of a thermal detection element designed to emit a signal when its temperature becomes equal to a predetermined temperature threshold and an air non-return casing.

Abstract: A brake and apparatus for control of the brake are provided in which a support for the fixed parts of the brake requires no jack connecting to a fixed base. The fixed base and support include two stops on one and a finger on the other cooperating with the stops to determine the maximum angle of oscillation of the support with respect to the base. The construction is particularly useful for brakes for winches and primarily for winches controlled hydraulically.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are mounted on corresponding lead frames by being inserted into apertures of a masking member in a desired registration with the lead frame strip.