Abstract: A low light level image pick-up tube is protected from excessive illumination intensity damage by controlling very high voltage generating means supplying the tube. The tube comprises in a preferred embodiment two image intensifier stages in cascade preceding an electron gun from which a video signal is provided by electronic scanning.A mean level video measuring circuit provides from the video signal a control signal used to produce on the one hand, a video regulation by varying the amplitude of a supply DC voltage provided to the second image intensifier stage, i.e. that preceding the electron gun, and on the other hand, a diaphragm effect by varying the amplitude and duration of a supply voltage provided by a VHV switched supply circuit to the input image intensifier stage. Further, the switched supply is controlled to cancel out instantaneously the gain of the input intensifier stage so as to protect the camera against sudden and too intensive illumination.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a gaseous or liquid medium includes a baffle member which is poised in the stream on an elastic holder and permitted to execute inherent periodic motions. The flowing medium exerts a damping action on the moving element and the energy lost to the medium is related to the flow rate. The inherent velocity of the baffle is sensed by an inductive velocity sensor and the resulting signal is used to alter the current through a coil which produces an accelerating magnetic field that acts on conductors rigidly attached to the baffle. Thus, the energy required to maintain the inherent motions of the baffle is known and the flow rate may be inferred.

Abstract: A wheel lock-up prevention system for motor vehicles includes electromagnetic valves which decompress the main control chamber of the system when a wheel lock-up occurs and hence terminate the braking effort at the locked wheel. During re-compression, which takes place by cyclic actuation of one of the electromagnetic valves, excessively high pressure pulses are prevented by connecting the main control chamber with a surge chamber during part of the cycle so as to diminish the pressure in the main control chamber and to make the magnitude of the cyclic pressure increases inversely proportional to the total pressure in the control chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for stamping candy bits from a string of confectionary material and comprises coacting rotating members, which are disposed eccentric to each other and arranged to squeeze or cut bits of confection from the string and immediately upon the bit being formed, oppositely disposed stamping elements are introduced into the path of travel of the bit to shape it prior to its being discharged from the apparatus.

Abstract: A process and associated apparatus for controlling the rotational speed of a spinning or twisting ring in a spinning or twisting machine during four phases of operation. The first and second phases of operation correspond in time to the period during which the spindle of the machine associated with the ring goes from rest to a predetermined operating speed. The third and fourth phases of operation correspond in time to the period during which the spindle is returned from its operating speed back to its rest position. While the spindle is driven to its predetermined operating speed, the traveler rotates relative to the ring during the first phase of operation causing the ring to accelerate and rotate in synchronism with the traveler during the second phase of operation. During this second phase both the traveler and ring accelerate.

Abstract: The exhaust system of an internal combustion engine which includes one or several, sequential catalytic reactors is provided with a bypass channel through which some portion of the exhaust gases may be diverted. This diversion takes place whenever the gas flow rate becomes so high that the operating temperatures of one or more of the reactors would be exceeded. The gases flowing through the bypass channel are cooled prior to their reintroduction into the main exhaust pipe channel. The diversion of part of the gas stream into the bypass channel is accomplished with the aid of a control current of exhaust gas tapped off from the exhaust line and conducted back upstream to the junction of the main channel and the bypass channel. The force of this control current deviates the exhaust gases from their normal path and causes them to flow into the bypass channel.

Abstract: A fuel injection system which is of the type that introduces with a time lag two separate fuel quantities into the same cylinder prior to ignition includes a metering valve assembly to vary one of said quantities supplied by a fuel injection pump and a fuel injection nozzle associated with each engine cylinder and formed of two separate injection valves; one valve is supplied with fuel directly from said fuel injection pump, while the other valve is supplied from said metering valve assembly.

Abstract: A buttoning means is provided having two parts, one of which holds a barbed member able to pierce the item to be buttoned and then to be restrained by the other part, the parts are tethered by a tethering means that was coiled in one or both of the parts prior to buttoning and is uncoiled when buttoning has been effected.

Abstract: A signal transmission system responsive to A.C. signals has rectifier means arranged to receive the A.C. signals. The rectifier means are connected to first and second circuit paths so as to establish respective unidirectional currents of opposite polarity and dependent on the A.C. signals, in the two circuit paths. Integrating means are connected to at least one of the circuit paths to integrate the current therein to thereby produce an output signal dependent on the A.C. signal but independent of any stray A.C. pickup on either circuit path.

Abstract: A fluidic flowmeter for measuring the respiratory function of infants or children comprises a duct through which the infant or child breathes. A convergent pair of supply passages are provided for directing a pair of jets across the duct towards a pair of receiver passages which communicate with and diverge from the duct, the jets merging part way across the duct. A pressure tapping is provided in each receiver passage for sensing the static pressure of fluid flow at a respective point in each receiver passage and there is a differential pressure sensitive transducer having an input connected to one end of the pressure tappings and another input connected to the other pressure tapping. In a preferred embodiment the two receiver passages are connected together to define a loop, the dimensions and configuration of that part of the loop with which the tappings communicate being such that the flow passed each tapping is laminar.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for a mixture compressing, externally ignited, internal combustion engines employing continuous injection into a suction tube includes a control pressure circuit provided with a throttle. The metering valve is controllably associated with the throttle so that the pressure difference at the metering valve can be changed by changing the pressure difference at the throttle.

Abstract: A multicylinder, stratified charge, internal combustion engine in which the main combustion chamber of each cylinder is coupled, through a conduit with controllable flow cross section, to the precombustion chamber of the cylinder which precedes it in the firing order of the engine. A flutter valve controls the flow of gases into each precombustion chamber. Part of the fuel injected just ahead of the main engine inlet valve in the induction tube of each cylinder is thereby drawn off and delivered to the precombustion chamber of the preceding cylinder in the firing order of the engine.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of antigens r antigen-effective substances in a sample provides placing the sample in a carrier medium through which it migrates toward a plurality of physically separate carrier strips. The medium on each strip contains a quantity of a specific ingredient, for example an antibody, which is expected to undergo a specific immunoreaction with one of the constituents in the sample, thereby producing a visible precipitate. The dimensions of the final precipitate then permit a direct measurement of the identified substance. A known concentration of a calibrating substance may be added to the sample to provide for calibration precipitates in the various strips. The apparatus for practicing the method includes a base plate on which the neutral, antibody-free carrier medium as well as the various strips containing media with antibodies or other immunoreactive ingredients are located.

Abstract: A filament monitoring device for knitwear manufacturing machines and of the kind having a filament guide arranged to move out of its operating position when a predetermined filament tension is exceeded and to be returned into the operating position with a force less than the breaking tension of the filament for automatic reapplication of the machine drive is, according to the invention, characterized by the provision of a guided slide member carrying only the filament guide and the armature of a magnet which holds the slide member in the operating position, and by a cable connection between the slide member and a return piston which is reciprocable in a compressed air cylinder and adapted to return the slide member to the operating position.

Abstract: A miniature type, rechargeable atomizing spray mechanism including a receptacle for the liquid to be atomized, and further including a cap and axially aligned first and second pressure chambers, one of which depends within the receptacle while the other projects above the cap. A reciprocable spray head is arranged to cooperate with plural pistons, one each of which are slidably arranged in said first and second pressure chambers. Upper and lower valve members are available to control the emission of spray. The upper valve is maintained closed by a spring element, and the lower valve is opened by reciprocation of the spray head to permit withdrawal of the liquid from the container so that it may pass through a bore provided between the plural pistons and be emitted as a spray from the spray head.

Abstract: A helical valve spring has terminal coils whose diameter and pitch are different from those of adjacent coils in the main body of the spring. The part of the spring lying between the terminal coil and the adjacent coil in the main body of the spring constitutes a transition zone. When the associated valve is opened, i.e., when the spring is in its maximum state of compression, a portion of the transition zone is in contact with a portion of the adjacent coil in the main body of the spring. This contact damps the natural vibration of the spring.

Abstract: A D.C. to D.C. voltage converter for producing a regulated, adjustable D.C. output voltage from an unregulated D.C. input voltage. An inverter produces alternating rectangular output pulses from the unregulated D.C. input, which are rectified to produce the regulated D.C. output voltage, with the timing and duration of the inverter output pulses being determined by alternating rectangular control pulses produced by a control pulse generator.The control pulse generator includes an operational amplifier having an inverting input connected to a positive D.C. reference voltage, and a non-inverting input connected to the slide connection of a potentiometer connected between the regulated positive D.C. output voltage and ground. A diode is connected between the amplifier output and ground to block current flow to ground, thus assuring that the amplifier output error signal is essentially always positive, and is only generated when the non-inverting input voltage exceeds the referenced voltage.

Abstract: An air flow rate sensor, located in the induction tube of an internal combustion engine, displaces a fuel metering slide, thereby changing the fuel flow and the fuel pressure gradient. This pressure gradient is applied to a differential pressure valve which actuates a fuel flow control throttle until the pressure gradient has been restored to a nominal value, corresponding to a desired fuel-air ratio.In a variant embodiment, an arbitrary change in the metered out fuel results in a fuel pressure gradient which is used to reset an air-flow control member until the nominal value of the pressure gradient has been restored, corresponding to a desired fuel-air ratio.

Abstract: Hydrogen and oxygen are obtained from water using a multi-step circulatory process using iron compounds and chlorine as adjuvants. Using three beds, respectively containing magnesium chloride, iron oxide and cuprous chloride, and by a four-step process involving passing steam through the magnesium bed, carbon monoxide through the iron bed, carbon dioxide through the copper bed, and steam through the iron bed one obtains hydrogen and oxygen as end products and is left with the starting materials in the respective beds. An efficiency of about 60% can be achieved by the process.

Abstract: A liquid density measurement system comprises a capacitance probe and a temperature sensor both immersible in a liquid the density of which is to be measured. Signals derived from the probe and sensor are converted into respective electrical signals representing changes in the dielectric constant and temperature of the liquid respectively. These signals are scaled in a predetermined mutual ratio and then summated to give an output signal proportional to the density of the liquid. The scaling ratio is set according to predetermined liquid parameters such that the accuracy of the density represented by the output signal is unaffected by changes in liquid composition.