Abstract: An optical element having a thin, transparent plate containing a plurality of shallow cooling channels, and a transparent substrate immediately behind the plate with a plurality of inlet and exhaust ducts underlying and in fluid communication with coolant being circulated through the cooling channels of the plate. In use, the optical element may be configured as a beam splitter, mirror, or aperture sharing device by applying a coating that is at least partially reflective to the face plate of the element. Alternatively, if used as a window or refractive element, the above cooling structure can be applied to both faces of the element. Optical distortion can be further reduced by using a coolant having a refractive index matching that of the substrate.

Abstract: A failure independent, fault tolerant Direct Access Storage Device (DASD) storage subsystem comprising a Disk Control Unit and a number of Physical Devices is provided with a parity Generator for generating a parity for system records as the system records are transferred between the storage subsystem and a CPU of a data processing system. The parity is stored on a different unit so that if one unit containing portions of a system record becomes unavailable, the unavailable portion of the record is reconstructed during transfer to the CPU from the remainder of the record and the parity. The storage system of the invention can accommodate variable length data records without requiring operating system modifications.

Abstract: A conditional sampling technique for flux measurement involves measuring vertical velocity of the movement of air or gas, collecting samples of the air and its components in an "up" canister when the vertical velocity in the upward direction exceeds a threshold, and collecting samples in a "down" canister when the vertical velocity in the downward direction exceeds a threshold. Sensing intervals for measuring and collecting are repeated for a predetermined sampling time period. The passageways to the canisters are always either fully closed or fully opened. At the end of the sampling time period, the standard deviation of the vertical velocities is calculated, and the concentration of a particular component in the samples collected in the canisters is determined by chemical or other analysis.

Abstract: A gravity sub-drainage system for drainage of level-graded natural grass athletic fields. A plurality of parallel trenches are formed in a level-graded subgrade beneath the surface of the field. A main drainage system is provided at the lowest point of the subgrade. A collector pipe is placed into a trench at one end of the field sloping downward into the main drainage system. Perforated drain pipes are placed in the parallel trenches to slope downward toward the collector pipe and to slope downward toward the main drainage system to ensure that water collected from the surface will flow down into the collector pipe and into the main drainage system by the forces of gravity without the need for a mechanical pumping system.A layer of pea gravel capable of draining at a preferred rate of eighteen inches per hour is placed around and above the perforated drain pipe up to a height of four inches above the top of the subgrade.

Abstract: A system for determining probe tip alignment for a probe card having a plurality of probes downwardly extending in a defined region of the probe card. Each probe has a tip assigned to a precise X, Y position in a plane spaced from the probe card. The assigned X, Y position is dictated by the topology of the integrated circuit chip for which the probe card was designed. A first memory stores the assigned X, Y position for each of the tips, a second memory stores the measured location of the plane that each of the tips is found in, and a sensor measures the actual X, Y position of an individual probe tip. The sensor is moved to the measured plane at the assigned X, Y position for each tip and obtaining, for each tip, a meausred X, Y position.

Abstract: The multi-function telephone call management system enables a user to recursively activate a plurality of voice communication features on a single call connection. The multi-function telephone call management system serves to interconnect a plurality of communication devices with a single incoming telephone line. The apparatus and features provided by this multi-function telephone call management system include connection to a modem, facsimile machine, or answering machine and call forwarding, call screening, call notification and distinctive ringing services. All of the above features are provided by the multi-function telephone call management system on a single call connection by the use of the recursive feature contained therein. This recursive feature enables a caller to sequence through the various call features provided by this apparatus on a single call connection. The sequence and selection of call options are completely under control of the caller.

Abstract: The takeup reel positioning apparatus for the tape threading operation in a magnetic tape drive functions to precisely locate the takeup reel slot at the end of the tape threading path in order to enable the tape threading arm to load the leader block therein. This precise positioning is accomplished by the use of a disk that is fixedly attached to the takeup reel motor shaft. An interrupter is provided whose beam transverses the disk in the region of an annular ring thereon thereby indicating the presence of a transparent or opaque portion thereof. A selected boundary between the opaque and transparent portions of the annular ring is in the path of the beam of the interrupter at precisely the same time that the takeup reel slot is positioned at the end of the tape threading path. The interrupter is used to cause the takeup reel motor to oscillate around this predetermined position to automatically compensate for any mispositioning caused by inaccuracies in the appartus.

Abstract: The data write pulse compensator circuit functions to produce an erase frequency that is greater than twice the data frequency using a single clock source to thereby improve the signal to noise ratio in the read back signal. This apparatus uses a precision delay line to produce a series of clock signals with each successively replicated clock signal being delayed a predetermined amount of time with respect to the last previously replicated clock signal. The plurality of generated and delayed clock signals is then combined by a programmable pulse synthesizer to produce a data pulse of a predetermined frequency and width. The same apparatus is also used to produce a pair of erase pulses using a different combination of the delayed replicated clock signals to produce a pulse identical in size and shape to that produced for the data frequency. However, the erase pulses are time shifted such that their apparent frequency is greater than twice the data frequency.

Abstract: The current invention is a multi-channel apparatus for inspecting and packaging loose ammunition cartridges into containers such as boxes or trays. The operation of the apparatus is largely automatic so that a single operator can inspect for defects and load into containers up to 28,000 rounds of both rim or rimless cartridges as well as various sizes of ammunition per hour with little manual labor involved.The apparatus includes a frame having an upstanding portion and a horizontal table portion. A reservoir for holding the bulk ammunition in loose form is mounted on the top of the upstanding portion of the frame. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for sorting and feeding the ammunition into feed tubes which feeds the ammunition down onto a conveyor table. The conveyor table moves the ammunition in an ordered fashion through an inspection area to an orienting device where the cartridges are oriented nose downward and directed into a loading mechanism.

Abstract: A method and circuit for nulling each talker's speech in a conference call having a plurality of parties who are selectively talkers and listeners. The parties are interconnected on PCM telephone carrier lines (T1 or CEPT) which are connected to a digitized conference bridge. The circuit of the present invention has a summation circuit for adding together all of the speech data on the carrier lines occurring in the conference call during a particular time slot. A circuit is used for delaying the speech of each individual talker. Finally, the circuit of the present invention utilizes a subtraction circuit for subtracting the delayed speech of each individual talker from the summation of all speech for delivery back to the ears of the individual talker. The delaying circuit precisely delays the speech of each individual talker so as to corespond in timing with the output of the summation circuit.

Abstract: A check processing device is particularly adapted for retailer/customer use at the point-of-sale through use of a MICR read head means, printer means and keypad means which feed information into a CPU which communicates, through an existing telecommunication system, with the customer's bank and the retailer's bank in order to transfer funds from the account of the customer to the account of the retailer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact apparatus for loading bulk ammunition into cartridge boxes. The apparatus includes a manifold having side walls, a rear wall and a movable front gate. A bullet pan and a tray pan are indexed beneath guide holes in the manifold. The manifold is vibrated by an adjustable eccentric drive. Loose ammunition is poured onto the manifold and contained on there by the walls and gate. Once the manifold guide holes are substantially filled, the operator moves the front gate to clear off the excess ammunition. The bullet pan and tray pan are then released from spring detents to fill the boxes and remove the boxes from the apparatus.

Abstract: A one-piece, injection molded plastic tray for packaging ammunition cartridges of various sizes. Symmetrically arranged cylinders are formed in the tray opening into the upper surface to hold the cartridges.The lower end portions of the cylinders terminate in a hole having a diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the upper portion of the cylinders and concentric therewith to form a ledge. The diameter of the upper portions of the cylinders is large enough for various sizes of ammunition to pass through. The diameter of the lower end of the cylinders is large enough for the nose end of the cartridgtes to pass through while the ledges prevent the tapered surface of the nose end of the cartridges from passing entirely through. The nose ends of the cartridges are held above the plane of the bottom of the side walls of the tray by at least one-sixteenth inch.Cross ribs are formed between adjacent cylinders and side walls to provide additional rigidity to the tray.

Abstract: The positioner for a magnetic tape cartridge magazine uses a companion cartridge magazine that holds a plurality of preloaded magnetic tape cartridges to individually access any one of the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges held by the cartridge magazine. The positioner of the present invention is able to move the cartridge magazine in a vertical direction, either up or down, such that an associated magnetic tape cartridge loader is able to selectively access any one of the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges loaded in the cartridge magazine. The positioner and loader each contain only one motor: one in the positioner for controlling the vertical motion of the cartridge magazine, one in the loader for loading a magnetic tape cartridge from the cartridge magazine into the associated tape drive. The width of the positioner is equal to or less than the width of the associated tape drive so that two positioner/loader-tape drive units can be mounted side by side.

Abstract: An interchangeable adapter module allows a circuit board, tape cartridge system, or other add-on device to be readily interfaced with any of a variety of different computer systems. A number of pins extend perpendicularly outward from the device circuit board. An adapter circuit board having a pin connector attached thereto engages these pins to removably secure the adapter module in a plane parallel to the device circuit board. One or more external connectors attached to the adapter circuit board are then plugged into corresponding connectors of the external electronic system. Electrical interface circuitry on the adapter circuit board provides electrical interconnections between a predetermined set of the pins attached to the device, and a predetermined set of the electrical contacts of the external connectors.

Abstract: The autoloader for magnetic tape cartridges uses a companion autoloader magazine that holds a plurality of preloaded magnetic tape cartridges to individually access any one of the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges held by the magazine. The autoloader of the present invention is able to move an associated magazine containing a plurality of preloaded magnetic tape cartridges in a vertical direction, either up or down, such that the autoloader is able to selectively access any one of the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges loaded in the magazine. The autoloader contains only two motors: one for controlling the vertical motion of the magazine, one for loading a magnetic tape cartridge from the magazine into the associated tape drive. The width of the autoloader is equal to or less than the width of the associated tape drive so that two autoloader-tape drive units can be mounted side by side.

Abstract: The string tensioning apparatus includes a string tensioning device to provide the mechanical string tension control function and associated control electronics to regulate the operation of the string tensioning device. The string tensioning device includes a bidirectional motor as the mechanical means to vary, control and maintain string tension. The associated string is directly connected to the motor shaft, whose rotation is regulated by the associated control electronics. A transducer is used to measure the frequency of operation of each string. The measured frequency is then compared to a value stored in memory to produce an indication of the difference between the actual and desired frequency of operation. This difference is then used to control the direction and amount of rotation of the motor shaft to bring the string frequency of operation into compliance with the stored frequency value.

Abstract: A forced air heating system having a dedicated supply duct for delivering heated air to the heated portions of the building and having an open air return system which uses the rooms, hallways, door openings, etc. of the building for returning air back to the furnace for reheating and recirculating. The elimination of a dedicated return air duct significantly improves the distribution airflow volume and thereby the efficiency and comfort of the central heating and air conditioning. The system includes a flue draft controller which monitors the flue draft at all heating applicances, such as furnaces, hot water heaters, etc., and servos a damper in a single main flue serving all appliances to optimize the flue draft for all appliances. If the flue draft becomes inadequate in any appliance, the controller shuts down heating appliances, as well as all heating system circulation fans, power fans and building exhaust fans which can affect the flue draft.

Abstract: An agricultural irrigation system comprised of a plurality of unit pipes which constitute a water supply pipe line and another plurality of unit pipes which constitute a water dispensing line each of whose respective pipe units are connected in series by one or more separate center, valve/connectors which couple successive pipe units of both the water supply pipe line and the water dispensing pipe line.

Abstract: Automotive engine leaking from a crankcase seal in a gear train housing can be collected and returned to the crankcase oil pan before it contaminates the transmission fluid by means of a device which serves to collect the leaked oil in a reservoir which is isolated from the transmission fluid and which is continuously drained.