Abstract: An arrangement for loading a tape cartridge in a deck of a magnetic tape transport has a motor-driven pair of cams engaging different ones of a pair of pivotally mounted elongated arms disposed beneath the deck with one of the arms mounting a pawl extending through an aperture in the deck. Rotation of the cams causes movement of the pawl-mounting arm enabling the pawl to engage a ridge at the underside of a tape cartridge being loaded in the deck and push the cartridge into the region of an operative position adjacent a magnetic transducer assembly. Movement of the other elongated arm in conjunction with the pawl-mounting arm slides a fork assembly beneath the deck so as to raise three different pins coupled thereto and mounted within the deck.

Abstract: In a wall construction prefabricated from interconnectable complementary panels each of the panels includes a pair of generally rectangular, offset planar surfaces and a number of metal interconnectors attached thereto at least along the margins for interengagement with complementary interconnectors along like margins of other panels. Flat panels and other shapes may be joined together with different offset relationships in order to achieve desired wall and panel geometries while securing panels together.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and selectively mixing at least two distinct substances in a common package has a container (10) for creating a substance holding chamber (16) in which is disposed a barrier (18) arranged for separating the chamber into at least two compartments (20, 22) each holding a predetermined quantity of a substance different from a substance being held in the other compartment. Provision is made for exerting an external force on the barrier so as to open same and cause communication between the compartments. Subsequent mixing of the substances contained in the compartments is achieved either by continued movement of the barrier or by a separate mixing device.

Abstract: A compact antenna feed system for orthogonally polarized RF signals includes a waveguide feed having orthogonally disposed internal ridges, a pair of wave detectors coupled to the waveguide feed to receive orthogonally oriented RF signals, and an amplifier housed as part of the feed system to amplify received RF signals prior to communication of the signals outside the feed system. The system is readily switchable by remote control to receive RF signals in either orientation and angular alignment to the orientation of the incoming signals is easily accomplished.

Abstract: The distortion effects introduced in a complex multifrequency wave by parametric variations in individual active elements arising from signal and power supply variations in a circuit, such as an audio amplifier, are compensable through the use of replicas of the active elements, and the generation of a feedback signal incorporating comparable distortion. By high gain amplification of the feedback signal in a differential amplifier receiving an input signal that is not comparably distorted a comparison signal is derived containing distortion components. The comparison signal is used in a feedforward path which includes the circuit that is subjected to parametric variations in a sense to cancel the introduced distortions.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system intercouples the processors with an active logic network having a plurality of priority determining nodes. Messages applied concurrently to the network in groups are sorted, using the data content of the messages, to a single or common priority message which is distributed to all the processors with a predetermined total network delay time. Losing messages are again retried concurrently in groups at a later time. Message routing is determined by local acceptance or rejection of messages at the processors, based upon destination data in the messages. All messages occupy places in a coherent priority scheme and are transferred in contending groups with prioritization on the network. Using data, status, control and response messages, and different multiprocessor modes, the system is particularly suited for configuration in a relational data base machine having capability for maintaining an extended data base and handling complex queries.

Abstract: A length of magnetic tape extending between a pair of reels within a cartridge is driven bidirectionally at high speeds with substantially constant tension by a transport having a pair of capstans engaging and movable to accommodate the constantly changing tape packs on the reels. Constant tape tension is achieved by a driving arrangement utilizing pairs of pulleys of slightly different diameter coupled via overriding unidirectional clutches to shafts which mount the capstans and are driven from a common motor by belts coupled to the different pairs of pulleys. The difference in pulley diameter causes the capstan engaging the takeup reel to be driven slightly faster than the capstan engaging the supply reel so as to maintain the constant tape tension. The tape cartridge has a single front door which is automatically raised upon insertion of the cartridge into the transport by opposite bosses on the transport which engage camming levers at the opposite ends of the front door.

Abstract: A lubricant composition for thread or bearing surface operated at high temperature and stress load conditions, a thixotropic mixture including a Jojoba base vehicle, metallic and non-metallic particulates, a metallic component for wetting the stressed thread or bearing surfaces, together with non-metallic particulates that coat the stressed surfaces and other metallic particulate solids also wet by the metallic component. The lubricating vehicle retains the composition in place under extremely high temperatures without gassing off so that the particulate elements function properly to permit relative sliding motion of the stressed surfaces.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk memory, a magnetic disk is driven by a DC motor having a permanent magnet rotor and a pair of stator windings sharing a common ground connection point. The windings are alternately energized from an electrical power source by a switching circuit which produces positive voltage pulses of predetermined duration across the windings. The negative emf induced in the windings between energizing pulses provides a source of regulated, negative DC voltage which may be used to power various components requiring such a supply.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape drive in which the supply reel is contained within a cartridge, the tape is automatically threaded from the supply reel within the cartridge past a magnetic head assembly to the take-up reel by a vacuum source coupled via apertures in the hub of the take-up reel to a generally enclosed continuous flowpath extending between the supply and take-up reels. The vacuum source causes air to flow into the cartridge through air inlet ports and around the opposite sides of the supply reel to an opposite tape exit port communicating with the flowpath so as to pull the leading end of a length of magnetic tape wound on the supply reel through the flowpath and onto the take-up reel.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for treating carbon fibers to provide an epoxy finish thereon, comprising an epoxy resin and an effective amount of a non-ionic emulsifier in the form of a block polymer consisting of a poly(oxypropylene) chain having poly(oxyethylene) groups at both ends of said chain, said polymer terminating in a primary hydroxyl group, said polymer having a molecular weight ranging from about 1100 to about 14,000. The process for treating the carbon fibers comprises applying the aqueous resin emulsion to the fibers and thereafter drying the fibers.

Abstract: A mechanical spring seal comprising in combination an elastomeric jacket and a resilient spring insert having modified and matching C-shaped cross-sectional configurations. The major portion of the length of the spring follows a relatively straight path between a curved base and a position along the cross section at which the spring is widest, forming a pair of opposed cantilever arms which provide the major sealing force. From this region of greatest width to the tips of the spring, the curvature is substantially sharper, enabling the end of the spring to fit in fixed locked position within the jacket which conforms to it. At the base of the C-shaped spring, the curvature is also sharper than it is in the long cantilever arm portions.

Abstract: Three-dimensional thick fabrics are made from a laminate of fabric plies by first inserting pointed rods through the laminate to form rows of holes after which needles are reciprocated through the different holes to pull loops of various yarns through the holes. The loops of yarns in adjacent holes are interlocked to hold the plies together. A guide releasably clamped to each yarn controls tension in the yarn while a doffing point is employed to insure that the needle passes through a loop just formed when penetrating the next hole to insure interlock of the loops. Hollow circular objects are formed by winding a length of fabric a selected number of times around a form, following which the pointed rods are used to form holes in the resulting laminate with the needles and yarns being used to form the interlocking loops through the thickness of the laminate.

Abstract: In a method of producing purified carbonized material from polyacrylonitrile precursor material, the precursor material is initially oxidized and partially carbonized prior to purification treatment to remove alkali and alkaline earth metal impurities. Following purification, the material is substantially completely carbonized. Purification is accomplished by weaving oxidized and partially carbonized tows of the polyacrylonitrile precursor material into a fabric and thereafter contacting the fabric with an aqueous acid solution at an elevated temperature followed by rinsing with a solvent which is substantially free of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions and which is at an elevated temperature. Purification of the tows after partial carbonization thereof limits the amount of tow weight loss and shrinkage occurring after the fabric is formed.

Abstract: A printer having greatly reduced radio frequency interference from the system clock signal therein is provided by angle modulating the system clock signal in accordance with a desired modulation signal. The modulation signal is chosen so as to spread and thereby reduce the energy level of the system clock signal at the carrier and at the harmonics without interfering with proper detection of the system clock signal by the electronic circuits within the printer requiring the clock signal for proper timing. In a first embodiment the angle modulation is provided by an FM modulator responsive to a modulating signal which is either sinusoidal or randomly varying in nature. In a second embodiment the angle modulation is provided by an arrangement which combines a modulated subcarrier with the basic clock frequency in a phase locked loop.

Abstract: A reusable, pneumatically releasable security tag for monitoring merchandise such as a garment, is disclosed. Encapsulated within the tag is a transponder element which reradiates a radio frequency signal to trigger an alarm when a tagged article is carried through a surveillance zone. The tag includes a housing concealing a one-way latch spring fastener for receiving and gripping the shank of a tack inserted through the garment and into the housing. The housing defines a chamber sealed by a generally horizontally oriented diaphragm adapted to be deflected by pressurized air admitted into the chamber through a small inlet. An actuator interposed between the diaphragm and the latch spring fastener is adapted to engage and deflect the fastener to a tack-releasing configuration upon the admission of pressurized air into the chamber.A resilient pad may be inserted under the head of the tack.

Abstract: In a process for continuously pulling a web of tows of carbonizable material under tension through an oxidizing oven, the web is introduced into the oxidizing oven by initially feeding a leader in the form of a web of heat-resistant cloth through the oven and then heating the oven if the oven is not already hot. The trailing edge of the leader which remains outside of the oven is then spliced to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows, and the leader is used to pull the web of carbonizable tows into and through the hot oven. Use of the heat-resistant leader greatly minimizes wastage within the web of carbonizable tows. Splicing of the trailing edge of the lead to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows is accomplished by taping, stitching and folding the two edges to form loops therein into which elongated rods are inserted. The two edges are then secured within a splice bar, the opposite halves of which define slots for receiving the two edges and the included rods.

Abstract: In a print hammer mechanism in which a thin, flat hammer spring is mounted at a fixed end thereof to a magnetic structure which includes a permanent magnet and a pole piece having a pole tip facing the opposite free end of the hammer spring on a side of the hammer spring opposite an impact printing tip, a pivot fulcrum is formed by an impact arrangement which faces an intermediate portion of the hammer spring between the fixed and free ends thereof. The permanent magnet normally pulls the hammer spring into a retract position in which the spring impacts and resides against the impact structure with the free end of the spring forming an air gap with the pole tip.

Abstract: In a printer in which a shuttle and a counterbalancing mass are driven in opposing reciprocating fashion by a rotating, generally oval-shaped cam, the cam followers which couple the shuttle and the counterbalancing mass to the cam are castered to prevent skewing of the cam followers relative to the cam. Each of the cam followers is disposed between and rotatably mounted on a pair of opposite arms extending outwardly from a generally planar base of a castered yoke assembly, the planar base being pivotally coupled to a supporting member therefor which is either coupled to the shuttle or forms a part of the counterbalancing mass. In a first embodiment the pair of opposite arms extend from the planar base toward the cam so as to dispose the cam follower between the pivotal mount of the yoke assembly and the cam.