Abstract: Rotary apparatus and a related method for removing foreign and undesirable material from composite cans during the manufacturing operation includes a pair of rotatable plates having an axis of rotation and outwardly-extending fingers faced about the periphery thereof, and a plurality of reciprocating plungers arranged alongside the periphery of the plates and generally parallel with the axis of rotation, the plungers being rotated with the plates about a common drive shaft. The rearward end of each plunger engages a cam race for extending the plungers into and out of composite cans positioned about the periphery of the plate only during a portion of each revolution of rotation of the plate, in order to remove trim ring scrap and other foreign objects from the cans.

Abstract: A damping system for attenuating the transverse oscillation of a structure caused by external forces having a countermass attached to the structure by a spring and a coulomb damper. The parameters of the damping system are chosen so that the natural frequency of the damping system matches the natural frequency of oscillation of the structure.

Abstract: Pull tabs for easy open containers are fabricated so as to avoid the presence of burrs after severing the carrier lugs, by removing each tab from the carrier sheet by severing each lug and a portion of the tab next adjacent the lug extremity, so that the burrs are avoided. Each radius has a dimension along the periphery of the tab which is slightly greater than the width of the severed lug, and with each radius located along a portion of the periphery of the tab which remains uncurled during the fabrication process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bowling lane construction which includes a quick-release return track cover and a return track formed of narrow gauge rails and cross-members which permit foreign objects to fall through the track, and which is installed rapidly and inexpensively. The lane construction further includes a gutter formed of a sheet member of semi-circular cross-section, which is fastened along one side to the adjacent bowling lane, and which ends in a flat gutter of a molded, poly-resinous member which may be easily adapted to lane ends of different configurations and dimensions. The lane construction further provides an impact plate in the ball drop zone to avoid "feather" conditions. A division cap formed of plural sections of a metal shell and a mating core extending centrally through the ends of the metal shell. The entire lane construction is supported by a lateral truss construction which extends at least across each lane and the associated gutters.

Abstract: A method for detecting lightning as an electrical atmospheric disturbance and for providing an indication of the geographic position of that disturbance includes the stationing of at least three receivers at known geographic locations in spaced relationship to each other. Signals are encoded at each of the receivers representative of the time of arrival of an electrical indication of an emission from the lightning strike, in relation to a common timing source. All of the encoded signals are transmitted to a central facility and thereafter processed for deriving the position of the lightning strike irrespective of whether the position of the lightning occurred within or outside the perimeter bounded by the three receivers. The system is synchronized with the U.S. Coast Guard LORAN navigation network, and includes various features which permit a more accurate analysis of lightning position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical power system adapted to receiving power from a source of alternating current, typically a small alternator, and supplying a direct current potential to a load. This power system includes two stages, the first stage comprising switchable rectifying devices such as silicon controlled rectifiers which interact with the impedance of the alternator or other source of alternating current power as a switching regulator to create an intermediate direct current potential. The second stage operates from this intermediate direct current potential to produce a slightly lower output voltage, and creates a more accurate regulation than is possible with the first stage alone, the second stage greatly reduces ripple and high frequency noise components contained on the output of the first regulator stage. The second stage serves as an active low pass filter tuned to a desired DC voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser apparatus and a related method for use with a laser medium of a type which emits a beam of coherent laser energy having both low and high order modes. End reflectors are provided for reflecting at least a portion of the energy in the beam back through the laser medium, and positive and negative lens elements are positioned on opposing sides of the lasing medium so that discrimination against the higher order modes is achieved by non-linearly amplifying the reflected beam portion passing through the lasing medium.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for operating a combustion engine by controlling the spark ignition voltage to said engine. Said control is created by the application of two opposing currents to the input of an amplifying device which is used to selectively shunt a constant current source away from the control electrode of a second amplifying device connected to control the formation of said ignition voltage.

Abstract: An awning structure having two vertical support members, one attached to each end of a horizontal bar; two horizontal projection bars, one attached to the bottom end of each of the supports; two rafter bars each attached to one of the projection bars and the header bar; and a front bar which is attached to the rafter bars. A fabric cover is removably attached to the header bar by a rope track extruding from the header bar. The fabric cover is removably attached to the front bar and projection bars by a plurality of velcro strips.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a ground plot of foliage plants or the like from freezing contemplates a series of ground-level sprinklers throughout the plot and a shade cloth covering of the type having uniformly dispersed openings therein. Elevated sprinklers are provided above the shade cloth and ground-level sprinklers. During periods of freezing ambient temperatures, water is sprinkled through the elevated sprinklers whereby the water freezes in the openings of the covering and holds heat released during operation of the ground-level sprinklers under the covering. When the water droplets freeze into a thin sheet of ice on the covering, the ground-level sprinklers are turned on.

Abstract: A toll telephone coupled to tip and ring conductors of a toll trunk and through which various toll signals flow between a central office and the telephone (such as a coin ground signal to indicate the presence of the coin) has a hook switch with an off-hook condition for instituting the flow of loop current. To allow local, coin-free calls, the telephone has electronic circuitry for applying a simulated coin ground signal to the tip conductor continuously during the off-hook condition to permit coin-free calls to be made from the toll telephone. Additionally, the telephone includes a single relay system for providing an open-loop coin check responsive to a corresponding signal from the central office. The telephone provides a notch filter for discriminating against one of the multiple frequencies of a bong tone, thus allowing the remaining frequency to be detected.

Abstract: A toll telephone connected to a coin trunk including tip and ring conductors in which loop current flows from the central office and through the telephone responsive to an off-hook condition at the telephone includes electronic circuitry for maintaining the loop current flow through the telephone for a predetermined period of time after the hook switch is opened, in order to accomplish certain telephone functions. Those functions include operation of an escrow relay, prevention of hook switch fraud, prevention of central office call termination until the call is legitimately completed and completion of certain call accounting functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an indication of a cardiopulmonary activity of a person using noninvasive monitoring means and for detecting motion in the area of the apparatus includes an electrostatic charge detector for providing an output signal including signals indicative of motion and cardiopulmonary activity of the person. A detection apparatus is connected to receive the signals and to filter the extraneous noise signals from the signals of interest to provide output signals indicative only of the motion of interest or cardiopulmonary activity of the person. Breathing signals are applied to a comparator which is tripped if breathing occurs at a rate below a predetermined value. Cardiac signals are applied to a circuit which adjusts the trip level for the breathing rate if the cardiac rate declines to a level suggestive of bradycardia without breathing rate increases.

Abstract: A worker platform for sandblasting a cylindrical fuel storage tank includes a lookout frame section secured to the tank top that has an arm extending radially outward beyond the tank wall and a roller assembly supporting the arm for circumferential movement about the tank. A stage is suspended by a winch from the arm, and a square cross-sectioned standpipe is captured within upper and lower square guide channels formed at the center of the stage and by a yoke at the outer extent of the arm. The standpipe has a base plate with projections or spikes to penetrate the ground. The winch moves the stage up and down with the standpipe passing vertically through the guide channels and providing stability against swinging, twisting and tilting. For circumferential movement, a pin temporarily locks the standpipe for lifting with the stage. Lookout frame embodiments are given for both solid and floating tank tops.