Abstract: The perceived gray scale brightness levels of a Matrix Addressed Liquid Crystal Display are increased over the number of levels provided by the existing data line driver hardware and the gray scale voltage increments by providing an extra command bit position. For time multiplexing the gray scale voltage increment on a pixel during successive frames. For an extra bit value of 0 the gray scale voltage is the same during alternate frames providing a given brightness level. For an extra command bit value of 1, the gray scale voltage increment applied to the pixel and the brightness level, is switched (dithered) between voltages during successive frames. The eye integrates the levels and the perceived gray scale brightness level is the average value of brightness thus, doubling the number of perceived gray scale levels.

Abstract: A diming circuit for a hot cathode fluorescent lamp is operated in a push-pull mode whereby the hot filaments are alternately the cathode and the anode. Both filaments thus experience similar degradation with time at all brightness levels, thereby enhancing and lengthening the life of the lamp.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp structure having a light transparent jacket surrounding the lamp. The chamber between the lamp and jacket is filled with a fluid (or mixture of fluids) which transitions between the liquid and vapor phases. The fluid extracts heat when the lamp wall temperature rises above a predetermined temperature causing the fluid to vaporize. The fluid condenses to form a partial vacuum in the chamber below that temperature.

Abstract: Each processor or input/output (I/O) module in a reconfigurable, multiprocessor system contains a memory in which data for all program tasks is stored, with task data being assigned fixed memory locations. Erroneous entry into the replicated memories due to address faults is prevented by comparing the identity code of the module attempting to write into a particular segment of the memory with the stored identity codes of the processor of I/Os assigned to the task for which data storage into that segment is authorized. If the identity code correspond, data entry is permitted. If they do not, indicating that a processor not assigned to the task is attempting to write [i.e., there is an address error], data entry is prevented. Reassignment of tasks between processors only requires change in the stored identity codes without the need for transfer of the data stored in the memories.

Abstract: A laser system which includes a solid state fluorescent converter having fluorescent converter particles distributed in a glass support. The fluorescent particles are selectively distributed in the glass matrix permitting concentration of the fluorescent particles in the vicinity of laser.

Abstract: A laser system utilizing a Stimulated Brillouin Scattering SBS cell to produce optical phase conjugate retroreflection for nonmonochromatic light from a laser system.

Abstract: In a data encrypting/decrypting system both the encoding and decoding stations are receptive of a common source of time varying digital signals. The digital signals in the encoding station are applied to one or both of circuits for encrypting data supplied to the encoding station and spreading the spectrum of a carrier which is modulated by the encrypted data. The digital signals in the decoding station are applied to one or both of circuits for despreading the carrier transmitted by the encoding station and decrypting the received encrypted data. In the decoding station and optionally in the encoding station delays are interposed between the circuits therein and the reception point of the digital signals of values such that the digital signals arrive at the decoding station circuit(s) in synchronism with when data encoded in accordance with a particular digital signal arrives at the decoding station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flash lamp pumped neodymium laser incorporating a fluorescent converter material which significantly improves the pumping efficiency of the neodymium laser. The fluorescent converter material is aluminum tungstate doped with trivalent chromium ions. The doped material combines broad absorption bands, short fluorescence decay times, and high quantum efficiency and emission in the region which is efficiently absorbed by neodymium.

Abstract: A laser system having a gaseous Raman cell incorporate methane (CH.sub.4) as the Raman scattering medium. The cell includes gaseous hydrogen to prevent deposition of carbonaceous material from decomposed methane on the windows of the Raman cell.

Abstract: A Multi-Flash Lamp laser system incorporates a solid state fluorescent converter. The multiple Flash Lamps are symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the major dimension of the lasing material but avoid coupling of light between the lamps. The optical efficiency of the laser systems is enhanced by means of a fluorescent converter positioned between the lamps and the laser to reduce reflector losses and convert light outside of the laser pumping band to the pumping band wave lengths.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus and method is described which utilizes a novel catalytic oxygen evolving electrode for such electrochemical systems as electrolysis cells and oxygen concentration cells. The electrochemical cells include a catalytic cathode and an improved catalytic anode positioned on opposite sides of, and in electrical contact with, a cation exchange membrane. A source of direct current potential between the cathode and the anode and means for removing gas from at least one of the electrodes are provided. The improved catalytic anode is a ternary platinum group reduced metal oxide alone or in combination with platinum group metals and/or platinum group metal oxides or mixtures of the foregoing having at least one valve metal component such as titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, tantalum and tungsten.

Abstract: A power supply comprising a high impedance source and a regulator configured as a boost type converter is disclosed. The duty cycle of a shunt switch in the regulator is controlled so as to be increased or decreased in order to respectively decrease or increase the regulator output voltage.

Abstract: A rectifier circuit connected with a variable voltage AC source for providing a range of DC output voltages narrower than the range of AC voltage input by controllably switching between half-wave and full wave rectification.

Abstract: A contrast enhancement structure for a full color cathode ray tube utilizes a combination of a louvered ambient light transmission control element in combination with a multi-notch band-pass filter. The louvered control elements provide limited viewing angles for incoming ambient light reducing light dispersion on the cathode ray phosphor surface. The multi-notch band-pass filter provides efficient spectral transmission in the phosphor emitting wavelengths. The combination of the louvered directional control elements for ambient light and a multi-notch band-pass filter matching the spectral emission characteristics of the color phosphor, substantially increases the contrast ratio. In fact, this arrangement provides contrast ratios which are of an order of magnitude larger than those previously possible.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell vehicular power plant. Fuel for the fuel stack is supplied by a hydrocarbon (methanol) catalytic cracking reactor and CO shift reactor. A water electrolysis subsystem is associated with the stack. During low power operation part of the fuel cell power is used to electrolyze water with hydrogen and oxygen electrolysis products being stored in pressure vessels. During peak power intervals, viz, during acceleration or start-up, pure oxygen and pure hydrogen from the pressure vessel are supplied as the reaction gases to the cathodes and anodes in place of air and methanol reformate. This allows the fuel cell stack to be sized for normal low power/air operation but with a peak power capacity several times greater than that for normal operation.

Abstract: The contrast ratio of a transflective liquid crystal display in the transmissive mode is improved by means of a cascaded, dual cell arrangement. By using cascaded cells, the light path and light absorption in the background portions of the light path is improved in the transmissive mode so that the contrast ratio in the transmissive mode can, if desired, be made equal to or better than the contrast ratio in the reflective mode.

Abstract: A spacer device for mounting electrical components on a printed wire board includes a spacer having two legs projecting from a body to form a general U-shape. Each of the legs has a slot formed in its end wall for receiving and retaining one of the wire leads of an electrical component. During mounting of the electrical component, the spacer device is snapped onto the component by force fitting the component leads into the respective slots in the spacer legs such that the component is held beween the spacer legs. The spacer device remains attached to the electrical component during soldering and provides, by virtue of the thickness of one of the spacer legs, the required spacing of the component from the printed wire board. After soldering, the spacer device can be retained on the component and moved radially about the component to permit inspection of the component solder joint. Alternately, the spacer device can be removed after soldering by simply unsnapping it from the component leads.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for displaying a symbol on a display surface consisting of a matrix of discrete points (e.g. raster), where the symbol is divided into sections and the brightness of each pixel is controlled. This technique smooths out "stair-step" effects inherent in displays consisting of discrete points.

Abstract: A bank-to-turn pursuit controller provides rapid and precise pursuit steering control toward a target point with direction substantially different from the vehicle direction of travel using positive lift load factors between zero and a specified maximum to generate commands which rotate the vehicle toward the target point at every instant of time.

Abstract: The processors in a redundant, multiprocessor system are synchronized at the minor frame level with a combination of hardware and a local software supervisory routine. Each processor includes an interface synchronizer unit which receives synchronizing pulses from a selected number of the processor synchronizer units at the end of each minor frame. Sync decision logic circuits in each synchronizer determine whether the synchronizing pulses arrive within a predetermined time period or "window" (2 usecs, for example) indicating synchronization between the processors. A control, processor "Interrupt", signal is generated whenever a majority (>2) of the four (4) sync signals are received at the end of the minor frame. The local processor then initiates the supervisory software routine, which checks the status of the synchronizer for failure indications, isolates and records the faulty sync pulses and then replaces any faulty processor with another processor.