Abstract: Microwave drying system and method in which arcing is detected by a sudden drop in electric field strength within the drying chamber. An electric signal corresponding to field strength is provided and, in one disclosed embodiment, is compared with a reference signal which varies with changes in field strength which occur more slowly than changes due to arcing. The two signals are compared, and an output signal is provided if the two signal differ by more than a predetermined amount. This permits the sudden drop which accompanies arcing to be distinguished from more gradual changes in the electric field which occur, for example, as moisture is evaporated from the clothing or other articles being dried.

Abstract: A filter and method for applying differential levels of active ingredient materials to specific areas of filters, such as the filter paper used to make disposable vacuum cleaner bags, so as to cause the effluent such as air which has passed through such filters to sustainably act as a dispersing agent for such filter-impregnated active ingredients as may condition the effluent which has passed through the filter in ways that are desirable to the user of the filter. The active ingredients are unevenly distributed on the filter substrate in a pattern determined by predicted changing flow rate patterns through the area of the substrate during intervals of increasing accumulation of particulate matter against the filter and effective to maximally sustain dispersion of active ingredients during such intervals.

Abstract: Temperature is monitored along a linear path by utilizing a plurality of temperature sensitive diodes spaced along the path. These are connected at separate and spaced taps of a delay line, a pulse is propagated down the delay line and the effect of the temperature influenced conductivity of the diode on the pulse as it passes a respective diode is sensed.

Abstract: A double redundant processor including first and second master processors for processing data, control and address signals in a data processing system. The first master processor is in an active state for processing the signals and the second master processor is in a standby state for processing the signals. The first and second master processors include first and second subprocessors for simultaneously processing the data, control and address signals, a comparator connected to compare the signals from the first and second subprocessors, thereby generating a comparison error signal if a disagreement exists, and an alarm monitor responsive to the error signal for inactivating the active master processor and activating the standby master processor.

Abstract: A microfiche reader assembly for optically projecting a microfiche image on the backside of a screen for viewing from its front side is disclosed herein. This assembly includes a housing having an inner chamber, a projection screen supported by the housing and a support for the microfiche itself. A beam of light is passed through the microfiche along an incoming path and into the chamber where a plurality of light reflecting surfaces are utilized to redirect the same beam onto the backside of the screen along a plurality of different paths including a final path incident with the screen and at least one intermediate path between the incoming and incident paths. These paths are specifically selected to improve image contrast and corner image brightness at the screen and to provide a relatively long overall path length at a small field angle while minimizing the size of assembly housing necessary to contain the previously recited light reflecting surfaces.

Abstract: A coating system utilizing application under vacuum technology in which entrance and exit ports for the material to be coated are defined by a pair of horizontal gates and a pair of vertical gates at the inlet and outlet apertures of the coating chamber. A mounting arrangement at each port mounts the top vertical gate and the two horizontal gates in sliding relation with associated edges of the inlet and outlet apertures. Positioning arrangements are provided for each of the slidably mounted gates for setting an initial position of the associated gate, and each gate is provided with spring means for biasing that gate toward its initial position.

Abstract: Spurious subsynchronous and supersynchronous electrical signals in an electrical power system are detected rapidly and reliably by generating an electrical signal which is proportional to the power signal and rectifying the generated signal. The rectified signal includes a dc component and a component having a frequency equal to the difference of the contact power frequency and the spurious signal frequency. The component is readily identified by a tuned filter and detector whereby remedial action can be taken to eliminate the spurious signal.

Abstract: A combination seal and bearing arrangement for use in a nuclear reactor including a vessel and vessel cover is disclosed herein. The vessel cover itself includes at least one rotatable plug which serves to perform certain position related functions within the reactor vessel and the combination seal and bearing arrangement is provided for sealing the annular opening around the rotation plug while, at the same time, providing a bearing support for the latter.

Abstract: A technique for storing spent fuel rods from a nuclear reactor is disclosed herein. This technique utilizes a housing including a closed inner chamber for containing the fuel rods and a thermally conductive member located partially within the housing chamber and partially outside the housing for transferring heat generated by the fuel rods from the chamber to the ambient surroundings. Particulate material is located within the chamber and surrounds the fuel rods contained therein. This material is selected to serve as a heat transfer media between the contained cells and the heat transferring member and, at the same time, stand ready to fuse into a solid mass around the contained cells if the heat transferring member malfunctions or otherwise fails to transfer the generated heat out of the housing chamber in a predetermined way.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring magnetic fields and electric current flow in biological systems and other systems employing a room temperature pick-up probe connected to a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID).

Abstract: A Pitot tube is provided for measuring fluid momentum in a transmission line. A signal is transmitted through the Pitot tube to the fluid, and return energy is detected to determine the gas or liquid phase of the fluid at the point of momentum measurement, thus providing a more accurate measurement of fluid flow. Two Pitot tubes may be employed to determine absolute pressure or momentum and static pressure, from which the dynamic pressure is determined. The transmitted signal may be ultrasonic, electrical, or optical.

Abstract: A container assembly including a bottle and cap arrangement is disclosed herein along with a cooperating arrangement for placing the cap arrangement in a predetermined closed position relative to the bottle. The assembly also includes a seal arrangement for maintaining a proper seal when the bottle is closed.

Abstract: A frequency detector and method for use in timing and carrier recovery applications. In a timing recovery application, the circuit includes means for generating a variable frequency periodic clock signal corresponding to an input data signal, means for determining whether successive data transitions of the data signal occur during first and second predetermined portions of successive cycles of the clock signal and means for changing the frequency of the clock signal when successive data transitions occur during different ones of the predetermined portions.

Abstract: A solar energy collector assembly of the tracking type is disclosed herein and includes a solar panel mounted for movement along a predetermined tracking path in order to maintain a predetermined orientation with respect to the sun as the latter moves across the sky. The disclosed assembly also includes a specific solar tracking sensor for maintaining the panel member in its predetermined orientation and a Direct Insolation Monitor (D.I.M.) provided to monitor the presence and absence of direct sunlight in order to prevent the sensor from mistaking a relatively bright cloud or other diffused light for the sun.

Abstract: An improved envelope for a vacuum device circuit interrupter of the type having a pair of relatively movable electrodes within a vacuum envelope and including magnetic field arc suppression. The envelope includes end portions which support the electrodes and an intermediate insulating portion which surrounds and is spaced from the electrodes. Means for producing a magnetic field is outside the envelope. The insulating portion is of a shape which provides a greater distance between the electrodes and the surrounding insulating portion in the direction in which an interelectrode arc is deflected by the magnetic field. In the preferred embodiment the insulating portion is substantially cylindrical in shape with a pair of protruding side tubes. The interrupter envelope is oriented so the arc is deflected down the inside of the side tubes.

Abstract: A digital multiplexing system including first and second multiplexers, each connected to a plurality of multi-timeslot digital data buses for multiplexing digital data on said plurality of buses to first and second buses, respectively, thereby forming first and second serial bit streams. Protection control apparatus is included for comparing the corresponding bits of said first and second serial bit streams and for generating an alarm signal when a mismatch occurs between the comparison of said first and second bit streams within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A surfboard having a central core of relatively soft and/or light material such as balsa wood or foamed plastic and a laminated outer skin construction is disclosed herein along with a method and apparatus for making the surfboard or a similar article. Both the method and apparatus utilize particular vacuum molding techniques which form the laminated outer skin constructions while at the same time accurately conforming this skin construction to the complex curvatures of the core.

Abstract: A system for use in combination with (for electrical attachment to) electronic gear having an audio amplifier and which includes alarm means for generating a theft signal which is broadcast through a transmitter or audio system thereof and internal coded disable means for disabling the alarm upon insertion into the system of a predetermined coincidence signal that is substantially unique for each individual unit protected.