Abstract: A new gear mounting system for a parallel-axis gear differential includes three pedestals (14) that are spaced apart between an equal number of pairs of planet gears (32 and 34). Each of the pedestals includes two bearing surfaces (52 and 54) for rotationally supporting outside cylinder surfaces of the planet gear members (32 and 34) of adjacent pairs. Similar pedestals (74) can be made pivotable for increasing frictional resistance to differentiation.

Abstract: A Fizeau interferometer (10) producing spherical test and reference wavefronts (34 and 36) is operated with a linear translator (50) for making a sequence of subaperture measurements of an aspherical test surface (40). Separate phase maps (88 and 90) are assembled at different focus positions (54 and 56) along a common optical axis (52) of the interferometer (10) and aspherical test surface (40). Respective null zones (92 and 94) are isolated from the phase maps (88 and 90) and are combined to form a composite phase map (100) defining differences between the aspherical test surface (40) and a family of spheres.

Abstract: In the disclosed torque-proportioning type of automotive differential, a parallel-axis planetary gear arrangement interconnects the ends of a pair of coaxial drive axles. The axles are received, respectively, by a pair of sun/side gears having helical teeth and confronting end faces and being interconnected by planetary sets of combination gears. Each combination gear of each planetary set is provided with a narrowed shank portion intermediate two separate and distinct meshing portions in mesh with a respective one of the side gears and/or another combination gear of its respective planetary set. A washer component is positioned with its opposite sides in engagement with the confronting end faces of the side gears and is restrained from rotation by a plurality of radially-extending support regions positioned, respectively, between the shank portions of two combination gears of said planet gear sets.

Abstract: A hearing aid is permanently adjusted to match prescribed amplification characteristics at predetermined frequencies. A single channel filter (24) includes three identical filter stages (60, 62, and 64) that are optionally cascaded in series. Each of the filter stages (60, 62, and 64) exhibits a frequency response curve having a first corner frequency (36) below which the magnitude of the response curve approaches a predetermined minimum value, a second corner frequency (38) above which the magnitude of the response curve approaches a maximum value, and a predetermined gain in magnitude between the minimum and maximum values.

Abstract: The invention is a displacement boat hull having the outboard surfaces of its wetted portion designed with a deep-V shape, and having at least one pair of retractable hydrofoil fins positioned in respective pockets along those outboard surfaces at a predetermined distance above the keel. When extended, the fins are positioned at fixed angles relative to the hull, and at least one pair of fins is positioned in proximity to the stern. In a preferred embodiment, a conventional deep-V semi-displacement hull is modified to increase the conventional maximum draft with an unusually steep angle (at least 30.degree.-40.degree.) for the initial deadrise from the keel upward toward the chine; and at least two pairs of fins are disposed on opposite sides of the hull, with an aft pair being positioned in proximity to the stern and another pair being positioned forward of the stern pair, preferably just forward of the boat's center of balance.

Abstract: A shelter for protecting young plants has a shell (10) made from a translucent resin material. Windows (28) are formed through a peripheral wall (16) on one side of the shell (10) for controlling the admission of light and air into the shelter. A hood (30) made from a transparent film of resin material covers the windows (28) to conserve heat and moisture within the shelter. The young plants are acclimated to their surroundings by progressively removing the hood (30) from the windows (28).

Abstract: Front and rear lenses of a composite eyeglass lens are laminated together by holding the front lens in an X, Y adjustable stage on a laminating axis, holding the rear lens in a predetermined position relative to the laminating axis, and moving the two lenses together on the laminating axis to spread an adhesive between them. The rear lens holder is rotatable around a laminating axis and has an adjustable center foot adhesively tacked to the rear lens and an array of surrounding pressure feet for pressing the rear lens uniformly against the front lens in a process that can be observed by the operator. Then, the adhesive between the pressed-together lenses is cured by UV radiation directed through the front lens before the lenses are removed from the laminator.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the invention disclose an automotive torque-proportioning differential of the parallel-axis type having two planetary sets of either three or four combination gears in mesh with sun/side gears that receive respective vehicle axle ends. Each respective combination gear in each set is in meshing engagement with both (a) a respective one of the differential's two sun gears and (b) at least one other combination gear of its set. As compared with the planetary gearing of conventional differentials of similar size and torque-proportioning characteristics, the widely-separated sets of planetary gears occupy remarkably less interior space in the housing, permitting (i) the use of unconventionally large housing windows that significantly reduce the weight of the differential and greatly facilitate lubrication of the differential's gearing, and/or (ii) accommodation of C-clip assembly for the axle ends without increasing the exterior dimensions of the differential.

Abstract: A microlithographic projection imaging system has an illuminator optical system and an objective imaging system, and an adjustable profiler or energy distributor in the illuminator optical system varies the numerical aperture of the illuminator, for varying the partial coherence of the projection imager. The adjustable profiler can be a diffuser, a binary optic, a hologram, or a fly's eye lens that is axially movable in a non-collimated region of the illumination path for imposing a predetermined angular profile on each of a multitude of fragments of the illumination. This changes the distribution of the illumination energy at the pupil of the illuminator and thus varies the numerical aperture and the angular energy profile of the illumination arriving at the objective imaging system, which is also preferably made uniform in spatial intensity by a uniformizer in the illuminator upstream of the pupil.

Abstract: Exhaust gases in a passageway from an internal combustion engine arranged for driving a liquid pump are cooled by pumped liquid passing through a line within the exhaust passageway to a liquid output jet. Water inlet to the pump can also pass through a cooling passageway around the combustion chamber of the engine, and the heat transferred from the engine to the liquid warms the liquid for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A fire-resistant safe is made with internal and external shells that are filled with insulation material. Hollow reinforcements interconnecting the two shells are formed as cone-shaped recesses in the internal shell having truncated bottom portions attached to the external shell. The insulation is made of a water-bearing material and the recesses are made of a resin material that melts at a temperature in excess of the boiling point of water. Funnels are formed in the external shell for adding the insulation material in a liquid state. An escutcheon for covering the funnels is anchored to the insulation material by stakes that are embedded in the insulation material before the material hardens into place.

Abstract: Frictional resistance, resulting from end thrust developed by planetary gearing, is appreciably increased to improve control over torque bias characteristics in parallel-axis/torque-proportioning automotive differentials using an unusual planetary combination gear having a first toothed portion which meshes with one of the differential's sun/side gears and a second toothed portion which meshes with a paired combination gear, these first and second toothed portions being separated by a non-meshing portion that "straddles" (i.e., that provides clearance for avoiding contact with) the sun gear that is in mesh with its paired combination gear. In the most preferred embodiments, the second toothed portion of each combination gear is divided into two separate and distinct meshing areas located, respectively, at the gear's outer axial ends.

Abstract: A torque proportioning differential (10) is modified to vary bias ratio in three distinct stages in response to predetermined levels of drive torque. A pair of side gears (26 and 28) carried within a differential housing (12) generate respective thrust forces (44 and 46) that can be opposed by both high-friction gear mounting surfaces (68 and 70) and low-friction gear mounting surfaces (84 and 86). Outer disc springs (72 and 74) transmit a first portion of the thrust forces (44 and 46) to the low-friction gear mounting surfaces (84 and 86). Inner disc springs (64 and 66) transmit together with the outer disc springs (72 and 74) a second portion of the thrust forces (44 and 46) up to a second magnitude. Either the inner disc springs (64 and 66) or the outer disc springs (72 and 74) transmit the remaining portion of the thrust forces ( 44 and 46) above the second magnitude.

Abstract: A window balance system for a tilt sash uses a pair of constant force curl springs having curled convolutions carried by sash shoes and free end regions mounted in sash shoe channels above the region of travel of the shoes. The recurl tendency of the springs imparts a lift to the curled spring convolutions, and the shoes transmit the lift to the sash. The springs recurl into the convolutions as the shoes rise and uncurl from the shoes into the shoe channels when the shoes move downward, and neither movement requires the springs to slide frictionally within the shoe channels. Each shoe is preferably formed of two identical halves that are assembled to trap the curl spring along with a cam that locks the shoe when the sash tilts.

Abstract: An optical mounting system using interconnected annuli that support optical elements is made more accurate by forming raised engagement surfaces around the periphery of the annuli to confront and engage each other in a mounting plane perpendicular to the concentric axis of the annuli. The raised engagement surfaces are preferably formed as concentric ridge rings spaced radially inside and outside a row of screw holes used for interconnecting the annuli. The raised engagement surfaces are also preferably continuous around the peripheries of the annuli so they can be ground accurately flat and provide interannuli mounting surfaces that are resistant to deformation.

Abstract: Optimum solutions for three-mirror lenses for projection lithography cameras using X-ray radiation to image a mask on a wafer are represented as single points within regions of two-dimensional magnification space defined by the magnification of a convex mirror as one coordinate and the ratio of the magnifications of a pair of concave mirrors optically on opposite sides of the convex mirror as another coordinate. Lenses within region 30, 50, and preferably within region 40, 60, of such magnification space represent potential solutions that are optimizable by standard computer optical design programs and techniques to achieve extremely low distortion lenses having a resolution of about 0.1 micron or less. Two of these lens systems having large chief ray angles at the mask and chief rays inclined away from the optical axis of the lens system in a direction from the source toward the mask are described in more detail.

Abstract: An interferometer (14) performs three topographical measures of an artifact (12) to determine taper between opposing surfaces (50 and 52) of the artifact (12) mounted on three points of support (30, 32, and 34). Two sets of three data points (60, 62, and 64 and 68, 70, and 72) are extracted from the first topographical measure and are used to calculate irregularities in one of the opposing surfaces (50). The second two topographical measures are made of the other artifact surface (52). Taper between the opposing surfaces (50 and 52) is calculated independently of both the surface irregularities and any angular deviations of the three points of support (30, 32, and 34).

Abstract: A parallel-axis gear differential has pairs of top and bottom planet gears (38 and 40, 42 and 44, and 46 and 48) operatively connecting a pair of side gears (30 and 32). Each of the planet gears has a main gear section (74, 80) and a transfer gear section (76, 82) interconnected by a stem section (78, 84). Teeth (86 and 88) of the side gears (30 and 32) are separated through a clearance space (100) formed by a hub (98) of side gear (32). Within the clearance space (100), teeth (90 and 94) of the main planet gear sections (74 and 80) overlap the side gear teeth (86 and 88). Inner and outer ends (102 and 104) of the side gear teeth (86 and 88) are inclined at a chamfer angle (A) throughout a distance that extends between top and bottom lands (106 and 108) of the side gears.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for evaluating fringe images, in particular, for topographic measurements. During a first step, several phase-displaced patterns are recorded sequentially in time, and the respective phase relations of these patterns are determined by evaluation in the spatial domain (14a, 14b, 15). During a second step, after the phase shifts have been determined accurately in this manner based on the video images themselves, a pixel-by-pixel evaluation of the phase-displaced pattern is performed in the time domain. The invention also includes computer hardware for performing the evaluation of the strip images in video real time.

Abstract: A swimming pool wall is constructed with a partially removable form. The form includes a removable panel for molding an inside surface of the pool wall and a continuous sheet for molding an outside surface of the wall. Sleeves are attached to an outer face of the panel for suspending the panel from partially buried stakes. A series of regularly spaced uprights support the continuous sheet. Braces carried by the uprights space the continuous sheet apart from an inner face of the panel, forming a cavity for pouring the swimming pool wall. Fasteners extend through mounting holes in the panel for removably attaching the panel to the braces.