Abstract: A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality or magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive.

Abstract: The printer switchable between simplex and duplex mode of operation on a page by page basis makes use of a single simplex print engine. Duplex printing is accomplished by the reinsertion of a simplex printed page into the input of the print engine in a flipped mode so the other side of the printed page can be printed by the print engine. This printer also includes apparatus that dynamically switches the operation of the printer from duplex to simplex mode of operation when the printing commands input from the associated processor indicates that the other side of a simplex printed page is a blank page. This enables the print engine to eject the simplex printed page directly to the output paper bin without having to cycle this simplex printed page back through the print engine even though there are no characters to be printed thereon.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a plurality of horizontal regions on the inside surfaces of an object such as an aluminum beverage can for defects. This system utilizes a plurality of cameras with each camera focused, in a field of view, on one of the plurality of horizontal regions in the object, the light for illuminating the inside of the object, an including dot for selectively masking out areas of reflected interfering light, and a processor for analyzing the captured image of the horizontal region when illuminated.

Abstract: This amplifier is equipped with a digital bias control apparatus to provide precise, dynamic control over the operating point of a plurality of amplifying elements in the ampliifer. A processor optimizes the operating point of each individual amplifying element as a function of the amplifying element characteristics, the operating environment and the applied input signal. The use of a processor also enables the user to remotely program the operating point of each individual amplifying element in the amplifier. The processor further enables dynamic changes in the operating characteristics of the amplifier as the operating environment of these amplifing elements changes. The processor also generates an alarm signal if any particular amplifying element is operating out of its nominal specifications. This digital bias control apparatus can function in class A, AB, B or C type of amplifiers whether they are tuned or untuned and whether the amplifier operates in a pulsed or continuous mode.

Abstract: A high speed, high voltage apparatus using homogeneous, uniform electric fields to treat vesicles carried in a suspension. In one embodiment, parallel electrodes are used to perform dielectrophoretic bunching, rotational prealignment, electro-fusion, and poration of vesicles. In another embodiment, a magnetic electrodeless apparatus is used to perform the treatment. Both embodiments are driven by a high speed, high voltage electronic supply system that utilizes a triggered ionization breakdown delivery system.

Abstract: A light-weight wheel chock is formed having a thin exterior shell of rigid, chemically-inert plastic material, such as high-density polyethylene, and an interior cavity filled with light-weight rigid or semi-rigid foam, such as high-density polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A smear test machine for diagnosing problems associated with reader sorters used to process documents having magnetic ink characters printed thereon includes read heads which are closely juxtaposed to a document transport subsystem adapted to move the document past the read head a preselected number of times as controlled by a solenoid-operated gate.

Abstract: The disk drive memory of the present invention uses a large plurality of small form factor disk drives to implement an inexpensive, high performance, high reliability disk drive memory that emulates the format and capability of large form factor disk drives. The plurality of disk drives are switchably interconnectable to form parity groups of N+1 parallel connected disk drives to store data thereon. The N+1 disk drives are used to store the N segments of each data word plus a parity segment. In addition, a pool of backup disk drives is maintained to automatically substitute a replacement disk drive for a disk drive in a parity group that fails during operation.

Abstract: A percutaneous oxygenator has a Y-shaped tubular connector and a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers. One end of each fiber is located in the first upper arm of the connector. The other end of each fiber is located in the other upper arm of the connector, with each fiber forming a loop extending out of the lower opening of the connector. To guide insertion of the device into a patient's vein, and to provide structural support for the fiber loops, a support member extends downward from the connector with an aperture at is distal end. Each of the fiber loops pass through this aperture. The device is inserted through a single small incision into the patient's venous system. An oxygen supply is attached to one of the upper arms of the connector. Oxygen flows through the hollow fibers and diffusion through the fiber wall into the blood. Carbon dioxide diffuses across the fiber wall from the blood into the interior of the fiber tubes.

Abstract: Sprayable, pre-mixed, mine sealant compositions having enhanced strength properties and capable of retarding flame propagation and suppressing combustibility of substrate materials are disclosed in three general forms. In the first form, an alkaline silicate material such as sodium silicate is employed with perlite and a mineral acid in order to provide the above properties. In a second formulation, the first form is augmented by white pigments. In a third formulation, additional bulking materials e.g., cellulose are added to provide enhanced structural integrity and mine sealant qualities.

Abstract: A hierarchial calibration arrangement is used to provide ever-increasing levels of accuracy in positioning a robot arm end effectuator. A first level of positional calibration is the use of a home position to provide an approximate position of the robot arm end effectuator. Subsequent calibration operations provide a finer degree of positional accuracy of the robot arm end effectuator with a vision system being used to provide the most precise positioning of this apparatus. The final step in the calibration process occurs with each tape cartridge retrieval or replacement operation that is completed in the automated tape cartridge library system. Every tape cartridge storage cell in the library system contains a visual target for the final fine positioning of the robot arm end effectuator by the use of the vision element. The use of this hierarchial calibration process enables the robot arm to operate in a non-linear, non-uniform workspace.

Abstract: A high speed, high voltage apparatus using homogeneous, uniform electric fields to treat vesicles carried in a suspension. In one embodiment, parallel electrodes are used to perform dielectrophoretic bunching, rotational prealignment, electro-fusion, and poration of vesicles. In another embodiment, a magnetic electrodeless apparatus is used to perform the treatment. Both embodiments are driven by a high speed, high voltage electronic supply system that utilizes a triggered ionization breakdown delivery system.

Abstract: A mechanical apparatus for modifying an individual sheet feed offset duplicator to print impressions on continuous form pre-punched and perforated paper. A first tractor module is attached to the input of the duplicator for delivering the paper into the duplicator and an indexing mechanism is provided in the first tractor module for providing precise indexing to the paper as it is delivered into the duplicator. A device for adjusting the registration of the impression on the paper is provided in the first tractor module adjustment while the machine is operating. A rear tractor module is also connected at the output of the duplicator and engages the continuous form paper to maintain a predetermined amount of tautness on the paper by providing supplementary pulling on the paper while the paper is pulled through the duplicator.

Abstract: An improved phase-locked loop control having a phase detector receptive of a data preamble of all "ones" from a storage sub-system for producing early and late signals to a voltage controlled oscillator in order for the frequency of the oscillator to be synchronized with the frequency of the data. A pattern detector senses the incoming preamble pulses and prevents the generation of the early and late signals when a preamble pulse is not present within a predetermined window of time.

Abstract: A pedal system equipped with braking apparatus which inhibits rotation of a pedal body about an axle when the pedal body is not engaged with the shoe of a cyclist. The brake system is released to permit normal pedal rotation when the shoe of a cyclist engages with the pedal body.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal system which attaches a cyclist's shoe to a bicycle pedal. The system consists of a cleat attached to the cyclist's shoe under the ball area of the foot. The cleat has two downward projections. These projections feature arcuate tracts for matingly engaging the cleat to a pedal body. The pedal body is shaped to matingly engage the cleat and contains a tensioned mechanism centered in the back of the pedal body. If a rotating force on the cleat exceeds a predetermined level, a release of the shoe cleat from the pedal body occurs. If such rotating forces do not exceed said predetermined level, the shock or movement will be absorbed and the shoe cleat is returned to the optimum position in the center of the pedal body.

Abstract: This magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) character coating system makes use of the application of an inexpensive lubricant that is selectively applied to the document, solely in the area where the MICR characters are printed. The lubricant of choice used in this apparatus is sodium stearate (soap). The lubricating apparatus includes a pair of rollers, between which the printed documents are fed. One of the rollers is a drive roller that advances the documents. Opposite of and spring loaded against the drive roller is a free running lubricating roller that is manufactured from a solid lubricant, which lubricating roller is of length equal to the length of the MICR character field that is printed on the document. In the printing of the document, a sensor mark is printed on the document and is used to indicate the beginning of the MICR character field.

Abstract: The disk drive read/write head actuator track apparatus consists of a rail having a rail mount at either end to secure the rail to the frame of the disk drive system. The rail is oriented in a radial direction so that, as the read/write head actuator mechanism traverses the length of the rail, the read/write heads move in a radial direction from the spindle to the perpihery of the disks. The rail mount at one end of the rail rigidly connects the rail to the disk drive frame in a location proximate to the perpihery of the disks. This first rail mount precisely locates the one end of the rail with respect to a point on the frame of the disk drive system and is constructed in a way that renders it resistant to flexure in any direction. The other end of the rail is connected to a second rail mount which is attached to the frame of the disk drive system in a location proximate to the spindle of the disk drive system.

Abstract: An encoded label for a magnetic tape cartridge includes a substrate having an obverse side and a reverse side. The reverse side is adapted to be affixed to the magnetic tape cartridge, while the obverse side has pre-printed thereon at least two redundant indicators for identifying the magnetic tape cartridge to which the label is affixed. Each of the indicators include a plurality of characters, but the characters of one such indicator are scrambled with respect to the characters of the other indicator, thereby permitting accurate identification of the magnetic tape cartridge by an optical scanner in spite of the label's having a substantial portion missing or obliterated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically measuring the interior dimensions of tunnels. The apparatus is mounted on an inspection vehicle and comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers which are arranged to form an imaginary template a predetermined distance from the tunnel wall. The transducers are periodically operated by a computer to derive measurement information as the inspection vehicle moves through the tunnel. The results of each measurement are stored by the computer for subsequent analysis.