Abstract: High-speed counter provided with storage device for extracting the count value reliably without interrupting the operation of the counter.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat spreading and low parasitic transistor mounting in high power microstrip circuit applications. An electrically and thermally conductive strip is conductively affixed to the ground plane of a substrate containing the circuit. The strip is shaped to fit substantially within a slot in a circuit carrier block (heat sink) such that the strip makes intimate contact between the mounting surface of the transistor mounted in the slot and the carrier block. The strip provides the electrical connection between the ground plane of the substrate and the carrier block in addition to increasing the surface area for more efficient heat transfer, and thus, allows for the ground plane of the substrate to be attached to the block either by a non-metallic adhesive or by solder.

Abstract: A tachometer includes a transducer for sensing pressure variations at the end of the exhaust pipe, or other easily-accessible point, due to explosions in an internal combustion engine. The transducer produces a corresponding electrical signal having a prominent selected frequency component which varies in frequency in direct proportion with engine speed. As the engine speed is increased and decreased, the electrical signal is passed through an amplifier with automatic gain control, and through a tracking filter to separate the prominent frequency component from other components. The separated component may be applied to a frequency-measuring device calibrated to display the revolutions per minute of the engine, or to a computer which computes and displays the result of an acceleration burst test.

Abstract: A pair of reaction motors or thrusters connected to spin-stabilized spacecraft are used to reorient spacecraft attitude without affecting spacecraft velocity. The spacecraft reaction motors are arranged to produce a couple in response to an attitude reference signal without applying a spacecraft velocity changing force to the spin-stabilized spacecraft.

Abstract: A system for controlling communications between a plurality of computer devices via a common bus. The bus includes a multi-conductor data bus and lines for busy, strobe and acknowledge signals. The system involves one universal interface unit associated with each respective computer device. Each device can initiate access to the common bus, through its respective interface unit, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Abstract: An engine diagnostic apparatus includes a transducer for translating an exhaust pressure waveform emitted by an engine to a corresponding complex electrical signal having a prominent fundamental frequency component which represents the cylinder firing frequency and varies in direct proportion with engine speed, and having a subharmonic frequency component at a frequency which is a submultiple of the fundamental frequency. The subharmonic frequency component and the fundamental frequency component are separated from the complex electrical signal and from each other. A comparator compares the amplitude of the subharmonic frequency component with the amplitude of the fundamental frequency component to provide a measure of the unevenness of power strokes from individual cylinders of the engine.

Abstract: A tracking band-pass filter useful for locking onto, and passing, an input signal which changes rapidly in frequency. The filter has a frequency pass band controlled by a voltage which is derived from the output signal passed by the filter. The output signal is translated from a sine wave to a pulse wave. The period between each two successive pulses is measured by counting the cycles of a oscillator during each respective period. An inverter translates the time-representing count signal to a corresponding frequency-representing voltage which is applied to the filter to control its frequency pass band.

Abstract: An overbed table such as used in a hospital, which is elevated manually by upward pressure and which has a wedging mechanism normally preventing lowering of the table. A release mechanism is operated to release the table for lowering.

Abstract: Timer circuit using commercially available fourfunction calculator circuit uses a fast clock to count values from 60 to 100. This transforms the tens of seconds digit to base six.

Abstract: Circuit and method for converting FSK recorded data to NRZ by measuring time intervals between signals transitions of the same polarity.

Abstract: An automatic coil winding machine for winding a toroidal coil for a television picture tube deflection yoke includes a plurality of core clamps and corresponding linkages, providing both the operation of the core clamping action and the automatic raising and lowering of selected clamps in accordance with a predetermined program to prevent interference between any of the clamps with the coil winding machine and the coil winding process.

Abstract: An adaptive parameter signal processor for continuous wave radar ranging systems which provides non-quantized measurements of range. Means are provided to select a suitable portion of the difference frequency waveform, excluding any phase reversal. The period of the difference frequency is measured using the selected portion of the waveform and is converted to frequency. The frequency is, in turn, converted to range. The system parameters are automatically adjusted in accordance with the difference frequency waveform. Override means are also disclosed for adjusting the system at a faster rate in response to predetermined conditions such as when an abrupt decrease in range occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, detecting the uneven operation of the individual cylinders in an internal combustion engine, and for diagnosing the cause thereof. The engine is operated at any convenient idle speed. Power cycle time periods between successive ignition times are measured, the deceleration rates between successive time periods are then computed, and finally the average deceleration rates for the respective cylinders are computed. Misfires occurring randomly in cylinders are detected when individual deceleration rates exceed the average deceleration rate for the corresponding cylinder by a predetermined limit amount. Repeated malfunctioning in an individual cylinder is detected when the average deceleration rate for the weakest cylinder exceeds that for the strongest cylinder by a predetermined limit amount.

Abstract: Arithmetic frequency synthesizer, for use in a phase locked loop, having a partitioned frequency register to provide direct representation of doppler and repeatibility of frequency. Included are provisions for sweeping a range of signal frequencies of interest to acquire a lock on a desired signal within that range.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a diode in a microwave circuit for making electrical contact between the circuit and ground and for dissipation of heat between the diode and a heat sink. The diode, supported on a thermally and electrically conductive member, is resiliently pressed in electrical contact with the microwave circuit. A tapered collar on the member is elastically deformably wedged into a tapered aperture formed in a heat sink. The wedged collar tightens firmly around the member establishing good thermal and electrical conduction from the diode to the heat sink and ground. Disassembly is facilitated because of the elastically deformed collar.

Abstract: Register-oriented, parallel-organized microprocessor architecture having a register matrix for storage of memory addresses used to address external devices and instruction operands, having working registers for identifying a desired register from the matrix for a given operation, and having two buses for the distribution of data and addresses. Means are provided for operating on the contents of the registers comprising the register matrix when used as instruction operands to permit operations on frequently-used data at a speed not limited by external access requirements.

Abstract: An explosion vent comprises a symmetrical convex dome disposed over a building roof or wall vent opening. A pair of symmetrically arranged safety braces are disposed over the dome. A pin is disposed in each brace end and inserted in an enlarged opening or guide in a curb assembly which supports the dome on the building adjacent the vent opening. The pins and pin receiving openings or guides are arranged to disengage only when a predetermined pressure differential (an explosion) "pops out" the dome and braces in a predetermined direction determined by the parallel axes of the pins.

Abstract: Detection of peak phase change at ultrasonic frequency in two mutually coherent interfering light components, one of which is obtained by reflection from a rigid reference mirror and the other of which is obtained by reflection from a spot of a flexible pellicle mirror which is insonified by an ultrasonic radiation pattern, will provide an output proportional to the displacement amplitude of vibration of the spot of the pellicle, if, as is the case, the round trip optical path to the rigid reference mirror is wiggled through an excursion greater than one-half the wavelength of the coherent light at a frequency which is much lower than the frequency of the ultrasonic radiation insonifying the pellicle and the displacement amplitude is very many times smaller than the light wavelength. By raster scanning the spot over the area of the pellicle in synchronism with the raster scanning of the electron beam of a C.R.T., and at the same time intensity modulating the electron beam of the C.R.T.

Abstract: An adaptive parameter signal processor for continuous wave radar ranging systems which provides non-quantized measurements of range. Means are provided to select a suitable portion of the difference frequency wave form, excluding any phase reversal. The period of the difference frequency is measured using the selected portion of the waveform and is converted to frequency. The frequency is, in turn, converted to range. The system parameters are automatically adjusted in accordance with the difference frequency waveform.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of measuring the ignition timing of an internal combustion engine while cranking the engine with the starter motor, and with the ignition inhibited. Starter motor current fluctuations are examined to determine the times of current peaks due to compression in individual cylinders. Means coupled to the ignition circuit determines the times of points openings. A time difference signal representing the lead or lag of the ignition relative to the starter current peaks is generated. The lead or lag is then related to the time of top dead center in terms of degrees.