Abstract: A thermodynamic system for interchanging thermal energy with external sources or sinks while minimizing the dead volume presented to the pressure cycle is based upon a thermodynamic machine which cycles a working fluid bidirectionally through a regenerator means and at least one external heat exchanger for interchanging thermal energy with a heat source or sink. Between the thermodynamic machine and the heat exchanger is a switchable thermal energy storage system using at least one heat load capacitor and two different circulation loops through the storage system. By switching the working fluid paths through the thermal energy storage system, thermal energy is exchanged but the thermodynamic machine is isolated from the heat exchanger at least predetermined intervals during operation, and the dead space in the external device does not affect the pressure cycle of the machine.

Abstract: A method is provided for splicing carbonized PAN tows in which the tows to be spliced are cut square and coated at the ends thereof with a resin solution, following which the coated ends are joined together, heated so as to cure the resin solution and then pinched to compact the resulting splice. The resin solution is comprised of a mixture of a solid acrylic polymer, a liquid acrylic polymer, a solid epoxy resin and a solvent.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a fill yarn from a web of warp tows advances the web lengthwise across a tabletop having opposite pairs of bars at the leading edge thereof for separating the outermost tow at each of the opposite edges of the web from the remaining tows within the web. Rotatable cutting wheels which are resiliently urged against the top of a rotating shaft at the underside of the web sever the fill yarn between the outermost tows and the remaining tows of the web to form separate fill yarn lengths extending across the width of the web. As the advancing web is then divided along a central portion thereof, the separate lengths of fill yarn are removed by a hook mounted within a central portion of the tabletop and reciprocating between positions above and below the tabletop so as to hook each separate length of fill yarn and begin pulling it down through the tabletop.

Abstract: A multi-directional vibration attenuator seat is capable of limited, restrained movement in any direction within a generally horizontal plane in response to vibration and other motions of the seat and the vehicle in which the seat is mounted. The limited movement is made possible by a seat arrangement in which an intermediate assembly is disposed on top of and slidable relative to a base assembly along a first axis with a seat supporting upper assembly being disposed on and slidable relative to the intermediate assembly along a second axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the first axis. The seat is normally maintained in and is restrained from movement out of a nominal position relative to the base assembly by a plurality of springs. A pair of shock absorbers disposed generally perpendicular to each other damp movement of the seat along the first and second axes respectively.

Abstract: A flexible conductor strip is provided for connecting a pivotally mounted electrical element, such as the armature of a sector motor, to fixed terminals supplying control signals to the electrical element. The conductor strip includes an arcuate segment having end terminations for connection to the electrical element and to the control signal terminals. The arcuate segment is curved into a generally U-shaped configuration, thereby coinciding substantially with the surface of the frustum of an imaginary right circular cone whose axis extends substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the electrical element and whose vertex lies substantially on that pivot axis.

Abstract: Gamma correction in an imaging system which provides photographic reproductions of images represented by video signals is achieved by controlling the duration of exposure of a constant intensity scanning beam. A moving threshold signal is swept at a varying rate corresponding to a gamma correction curve between opposite limits over a given total exposure interval, as the image is repeatedly presented. The instantaneous amplitude of the video signal is compared to threshold signal and the results of the comparison used to control whether the beam is on or off for a given picture area. The gamma correction curves are advantageously presented as numerical sequences defining interlinked incremental segments of different slope.

Abstract: A system for spatially transforming images by separate transformation of each dimension of the image is exemplified by a raster scan television system which includes for each color component a transposing memory providing a change of scan direction from horizontal to vertical, a vertical transformation system transforming in the vertical direction the vertically scanned video information, a second transposing memory coupled to receive vertically transformed video information and provide a change of scan direction from vertical back to horizontal, and a horizontal transformation system coupled to horizontally transform the horizontally scanned video signal to produce a color component output signal.

Abstract: A control system is coupled to control a system for spatially transforming images by separate transformation of each dimension of the image. The control system includes a control panel having a three-axis joystick and a set of keys providing function selection and assignment of the joystick to a particular control function, a panel processor coupled to receive and interpret control panel data and a high level controller. The high level controller responds to the operator control information from the panel processor to establish selected image transformation information at selected knot points and communicates to a transformation portion of the transformation system data controlling the transformation of each image field with data for fields between knot points being developed from a cubic spline interpolation between knot points.

Abstract: A linear motor which mounts and drives a hammer bank shuttle assembly in reciprocating fashion within a dot matrix line printer is controlled by a digital servo. The digital servo includes an encoder for generating a pulse each time the shuttle assembly passes one of a succession of different positions along a linear path of movement therefor together with apparatus for measuring the time intervals between successive pulses, comparing the time intervals with a reference value, generating error signals in accordance with the difference and applying the error signals to vary the durations of driving pulses applied to the linear motor.

Abstract: A system for providing thermal energy output at intermediate levels below about 120.degree. C. uses both a conventional heat source input and an ambient heat source input to the hot and cold ends, respectively, of a Vuilleumier cycle machine. While converting thermal energy to work in both a heat engine process and a heat pump process, an intermediate working chamber integral with both processes is arranged to provide thermal output at the desired intermediate level. By maintaining the pressure ratio within predetermined limits and observing a number of temperature relationships desirably high coefficients of performance are provided with useful levels of output in a reliable system having long operating life.

Abstract: An easily drapable head covering is constructed in the form of a generally triangular scarf with elongated ends. The triangular shape conforms to a shallow isosceles triangle in which the base is substantially longer than either side and in which the apex is preferably contoured rather than forming a peak. A central segment of the scarf is elasticized to provide a head enclosure and a loop is attached at each side at an intermediate point between the base and sides to permit passage of the ends therethrough at each side and to further permit reverse passage of opposite ends through the opposite loop when the scarf is assembled on the head of a wearer with the ends tied together in any desired position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a grain by crushing under controlled conditions of humidity, temperature, and quality of impact. The process is particularly adapted for making instant tortilla flour (masa harina) from a mixture of corn and lime and can be conducted continuously. In a preferred embodiment, grain with added lime is fed in a grinding chamber and ground therein to a fine powder by action of breaker bars which crush the grain against breaker plates mounted along the circumference of a grinding chamber cage. During grinding the grain product are subjected to a steam atmosphere generated from the grain moisture content, frictional heat and applied heat. The steam atmosphere is maintained by blocking the ingress of air while feeding in grain and extracting flour, and a cooked dry flour product is obtained.

Abstract: A spatial transformation system includes a processing system for each component of an input video signal. The processing systems respond to operator commands entered through a control panel to provide spatial transformation such as enlargement, reduction, translation, and three-dimensional perspective rotation. The system further includes a key processing system connected to operate in tandem with the video component processing systems to transform an input key signal indicating a portion of a video image to be viewed in exactly the same way as the image defined by the input video signal. The output key signal thus exactly defines the same portions of the output video image as it did for the input video image notwithstanding significant changes in image shape which may result from a selected given spatial transformation.

Abstract: A YIQ computer graphics system includes a data processing system having a data tablet for receiving inputs from an artist and a video processing system connected to the data processing system. The video processing system includes a two component expandable frame store with the first component storing video intensity information for each pixel of a visual image and with the second component storing two video color components each for one-half of the visual image.

Abstract: In thermodynamic apparatus and methods utilizing constant volume cycling devices, substantial improvements in energy output can be gained by utilization of an integrated thermodynamic process placing regenerator efficiency in a higher regime. Displacer elements operating in phased relation to the thermodynamic cycle provide superheating and supercooling to extended opposite ends of the regenerator, to establish steady state conditions which increase the temperature ratio of the system. In turn, the pressure ratio of the thermodynamic cycle is increased and the specific energy output improved. This expansion of the capability of thermodynamic machines for working in moderate temperature ranges is further utilized with systems for achieving thermal gain for heating or cooling, utilizing ambient energy as a heat source as well.

Abstract: A passive system having high volumetric compliance in response to compressions and expansions, such as are present in low frequency acoustic wave energy, employs a saturated vapor-saturated liquid interface thermodynamically stabilized by distributed heat sinks that interact with the acoustic wave energy. The volumetric compliance of a system, such as a loudspeaker enclosure, is significantly increased by utilizing a spatially distributed mass of fine fibers thoroughly wetted by a liquid, to provide thin liquid sheaths on the fibers that are in good thermal interchange with the fibers themselves and also with the vapor molecules in the spaces between the fibers. The liquid preferably has a low heat of vaporization, a high vapor pressure at the ambient temperature and a low rate of pressure change with respect to temperature. The liquid sheaths and fibers serve as high surface area heat sinks having a short thermal transport distance to supply the alternating heat attendant to evaporation and condensation.

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 multiprocessor system intercouples processors with an active logic network having a plurality of priority determining nodes. Messages are applied concurrently to the network in groups from the processors and are sorted, using the data content of the messages to determine priority, to select 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.