Abstract: Amplifying circuitry for use in a random access memory includes first and second input lines and receives complementary differential signals which respectively represent a binary "1" and a binary "0". The differential signals are respectively applied to first and second transistors connected to provide a rejection of the common mode in the differential signals. Third and fourth transistors also respectively receive the differential signals on the first and second lines. The third and fourth transistors operate as cascode transistors to respectively provide outputs on first and second output lines in accordance with the amplitudes of the signals on the first and second input lines. Fifth and sixth transistors are respectively connected to the third and fourth transistors to limit the currents through the third and fourth transistors.

Abstract: Symbols, each having a particular number (e.g. 9) of binary bits in first channels have individual periodicities. A symbol in each channel indicates the start and the periodicity of the symbols in that channel. Another symbol indicates the end of the symbols in that channel. The symbols from each channel are merged into sequential time slots, during the occurrence of the symbols in such channel, in a priority dependent upon the symbol periodicities in the different channels. Aperiodic symbols in second channels are merged sequentially into the time slots not occupied by the periodic symbols. Second portions (e.g. 5 bits) of the symbols in groups are provided in character frames without change. The binary bits (e.g. 4) in the first portion of each symbol in each group represent a decimal integer with an individual decimal significance. The resultant decimal value is represented in the character frame by a reduced number (e.g. 10) of binary bits.

Abstract: A tantalum open cell structure is formed by chemical vapor deposition onto a reticulated carbon foam substrate. Tantalum has a long history of use as an implant material, in both bone and soft tissue. This lightweight, strong, porous structure, mimicking the microstructure of natural cancellous bone, acts as a matrix for the incorporation of bone, providing optimal permeability and a high surface area to encourage new bone ingrowth.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved drive and control means for matrix addressable electro-optic displays, such as passive matrix LCDs and active matrix LCDs. The present invention achieves improved drive and control of displays through the use of real time computation and memory circuits to simulate the electro-optic condition and the accumulated DC bias of individual display elements. This eliminates the burden of frequent and symmetrical reversals of the drive polarity, and allows the implementation of flexible DC drive methodologies.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second conductive probes, first and second conductive shields respectively enveloping the first and second probes in an insulated relationship and a cover insulatingly enveloping the shields. First and second barrels may be disposed within the cover at a first axial end of the cover. Third and fourth barrels may be disposed within the cover, at the opposite axial end of the cover in enveloping relationship to respective ones of the shields. An assembly including an impedance is insulatingly supported by the third and fourth barrels. An actuator assembly insulatingly supported by the first and second barrels has (a) a first operative relationship establishing electrical continuity between the probes and between the shields and (b) a second operative relationship interrupting such continuities and establishing a circuit including an individual one of the probes, the impedance and the corresponding one of the shields.

Abstract: A comparator indicates the relative magnitudes of input and reference signals with improved immunity to noise signals. The comparator includes first and second transistors differentially connected to receive the input and reference signals. Third and fourth transistors connected in a latching relationship are responsive in first alternate half cycles of clock signals to the outputs from the first and second transistors to provide a regenerative action on these outputs. In first portions of the first alternate half cycles of the clock signals, a degenerative action is provided by fifth and sixth transistors respectively on the third and fourth transistors to prevent the third and fourth transistors from regenerating until the input difference voltage of these transistors has had time to increase relative to the input noise on these transistors. The fifth and sixth transistors may be provided with sizes corresponding to, or preferably sightly greater than, those of the third and fourth transistors.

Abstract: A bicycle has front and rear wheels, a sprocket coupled to a pedal crank, a sprocket gear, gears on the rear wheel and a gear chain extending around the sprocket gear and an individual one of the rear wheel gears. The chain is adjustably coupled to the individual gears on the rear wheel to respectively increase and decrease the gear ratio relative to the sprocket gear for sprocket speeds above the upper limit and below the lower limit. The upper limit is adjustable as by initially operating up and down switches together within a particular time limit and then operating the up switch for upper limit increments or the down switch for upper limit decrements. The sequence may then be repeated for lower limit adjustments. The movement of a particular number of sprocket ribs past a detector and the time for such movement are measured and processed to determine the sprocket speed. When the sprocket is rotating continuously at a speed below the lower limit, as when coasting downhill, the gear ratio is not changed.

Abstract: Stations accepting a vector from preceding stations in a sequence communicate data packets to other stations. Each station receiving the vector becomes spliced out of the sequence by communicating such a desire to the preceding station, which then provides for the passing of the vector to the following station. Alternatively, an individual station (not in the sequence) can be spliced into the sequence by communicating to all stations such a desire before any response from the next station. If the next station does not respond to the communicating station, the communicating station can splice the next station out of the sequence and provide for the passing of the vector to the following station. Some or all stations may be in a performance mode higher than a set-up mode. Any station preprogrammed to to operate in the performance mode may initiate the operation of the performance mode sequence when the stations are operating in the set-up mode.

Abstract: A reader transmits a pulse to a transponder. The transponder responds by transmitting a particular number (e.g. 10) of signals at a frequency dependent upon the identifying code recorded in the transponder. The reader then transmits a pulse of an opposite polarity to that previously transmitted. The transponder responds by generating 10 signals at a second frequency different from the first frequency. In this way, sequences of pulses alternatively of opposite polarity are transmitted by the reader and sequences of signals at the first and second frequencies are transmitted by the transponder. The reader decodes the sequences of signals at the first and second frequencies, in accordance with the order of the frequencies of such signals, to identify the code at the transponder. The transponder may have a programmable memory to store the code. To program the memory with such a code, the reader transmits sequences of pulses, each sequence coding for a programmable item of information (e.g.

Abstract: A valve assembly provides for a controlled flow of waste material from a toilet in an aircraft under all weather conditions including freezing. The valve assembly includes a first valve disposed within a hollow tube and manually movable between a first position sealing the tube against the passage of waste material and a second position providing for such passage. The valve includes first and second members and a plate manually rotatable within the tube between the first and second positions, the second member and the plate receiving a multiplied force from a further rotation of the first member to pivot to a position sealing the valve to the tube. An energy storage member associated with the second member facilitates the pivotable movement of the second member. Detents in the tube and at the end of the second member retain the plate in sealing relationship with the tube.

Abstract: A thermoplastic thermoformable resin material defines a core of a thermoformable thermoplastic composite material. First and second layers of fabric material are disposed against opposite sides of the core. An additional layer of a fabric material is positioned on the first fabric layer to impart a particular color to the composite material. A resin envelopes and impregnates the different fabric layers and bonds these layers to the core. The fabric layers have a total thickness sufficient to impart strength and rigidity to the fabric material. The core is sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration without any rippling or buckling of the composite material. Additional layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the outer layers of the fabric material. They impregnate the fabric layers, provide a continuity with the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material.

Abstract: A system for regulating an output voltage to a particular value includes a control transistor which produces an output voltage when energized by an energizing voltage. A voltage divider formed as by a pair of transistors with a particular ratio of transconductances divides the magnitude of this output voltage by a ratio related to the ratio of the transconductances. The transistors in the voltage divider may be respectively CMOS n- and p- transistors. The divided output voltage is introduced to a comparator (formed as from a pair of transistors) for comparison with a fixed reference voltage obtained as from a resistance ladder energized by the energizing voltage. The comparator introduces voltages to a comparator amplifier in accordance with such comparison. The comparator amplifier may include a transistor which produces changes in a current related to changes in the divided output voltage.

Abstract: A clamping assembly constructed to hold an electrical cable or tube in a fixed position includes retaining and clamping members. A first surface of the retaining member, which may be made from a compliant material, has raised and lowered portions in a particular pattern. One end of the retaining member has a face transverse to the first surface of the retaining member with raised and recessed portions defining a mating relationship with the raised and recessed portions on the first surface of the retaining member. The clamping member may be made from a springlike material and may be disposed in an open loop in an unconstrained relationship. The clamping member may be disposed in a longitudinal slot in the retaining member so as to be encased by the retaining member. The retaining member may be slitted to communicate with the slot for facilitating the disposition of the clamping member in such slot.

Abstract: A truck having a truck body is adapted to tow a trailer having a body disposed on a track. The truck body is tiltable to dump a load. A tailgate in the truck body is liftable after the load dumping. At its forward end, the trailer has a horn movable into mating holes in the truck after the dumping of the load from the truck body. A sprocket chain in a closed loop on the trailer track includes rollers which rotate on the track to move the trailer body in a direction into, and out of, the truck body. Pins in pairs of dog links extend through individual rollers to have the dog links move with the sprocket chains. Dogs on the dog links engage a hook coupled to the trailer body. The links are disposed so that the dogs on one link engages the hook to move the trailer body into the truck body and the dog on the other link engages the hook to move the trailer body out of the truck body.

Abstract: A bearing may consist of one or more components where relative motion can take place between the bearing surface and a mating surface and where the mating surface may be a component of the bearing. Many bearings are circular and may be installed and secured in a housing by swaging an annular outer lip into an annular chamfer of the housing. A tool is provided for facilitating the removal of the bearing. The tool employs one or more cutter teeth which engage the swaged lip of the bearing. Axial force applied to the cutter while it is rotated effectively cuts away the annular lip thereby allowing the bearing to be pressed out of the housing. The cutter may be used in conjunction with other tool components which include (a) a bolt which extends through the center of the circular bearing, (b) centering rings which correctly orient the bolt relative to the annular lip of the bearing, (c) a nut and (d) Belleville washers which are disposed between the nut and the cutter.