Abstract: A roller electrode is disclosed which comprises a tubular outer casing of dielectric material, a shaft and an electrically conductive composition filling the annular cavity defined by the casing and shaft. The composition, which is in intimate contact with the casing and shaft, may comprise a cementitious matrix, such as casting plaster, in which conductive particles of carbon or the like are bound.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a light beam from a light source is scanned over the surface of a document to be copied which is located at a nominal document position within the system. Light from the light beam is retro-scattered by the document, collected by a lens system and focused upon a detector. The intensity of the light impinging upon the detector is indicative of information contained upon the portion of the surface of the document being scanned. The system further includes aperture stops for limiting the solid angle of collection of retro-scattered light from a first position beyond the nominal document position from the lens system to a first predetermined angular value and for limiting the solid angle of collection of retro-scattered light from a second position between the nominal document position and the lens system to a second predetermined angular value.

Abstract: A zero or low insertion force electrical connector is provided by a pair of elements which may be fitted together along a longitudinal insertion axis, and then engaged in edge contact relationship at at least two points by a relative pivoting movement. The elements may be fabricated of relatively thin sheets, and have a total thickness corresponding to only two thicknesses of the material. Connectors in accordance with the invention may be made of identical or dissimilar elements, and may include means for preventing out-of-plane shifting of one element relative to the other. Because of the thin edge profile, the elements may be densely packed in a multiple connector, and because of the hinging action the connectors may provide structural support for circuit boards or conductors to which they are coupled, or enable access to circuits for testing under an applied voltage.

Abstract: In a printer system non-coded digital images having a horizontal scan format are rotated into a vertical scan format for printing or other processing thereof. Rotation is accomplished by logically dividing the digital image into a plurality of sections, then rotating the scan direction of each section in sequence, then combining the rotated sections into the completed image. Each image to be rotated and which is in compressed form is temporarily stored in a file from which it is taken for decompression. The decompressed image is transferred for temporary storage in a memory, one section at a time, with the lines of multi-bit words comprising each section being sequentially entered in the memory in the horizontal scan format. Rotation of the section to a vertical scan format is accomplished by addressing the memory in such a manner that the multi-bit words of the section are sequentially transferred out of the memory in columns rather than rows.

Abstract: Disposable receptacles for storing articles in sterile condition and having small breathers integral with the walls thereof, as well as apparatus and methods for making such receptacles and the materials therefor, are disclosed. The receptacles are fabricated of a pre-laminated material comprising a layer of breathable barrier material such as paper and a layer of thermoplastic, polymeric material such as polyethylene.The breathers may be made by heat sealing the thermoplastic layers of a pair of laminated sheets together at small, selected areas and then separating the sheets causing localized delamination of the layers and the formation of ruptured, blister-like projections in the thermoplastic layers at the heat seal positions.

Abstract: In a CATV converter system which converts any of a number of input frequencies to the frequency of a predetermined channel, the converter is bypassed when the input signal selected is of the same frequency as the predetermined channel. Instead of going into the converter the input signal is sent through a filter circuit into the associated circuits, thereby avoiding the generation of a beat frequency that would arise unless the converter frequency were precisely matched to the predetermined channel frequency.

Abstract: Relatively flat, generally planar panels having a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart slots extending along the lengths of the upper, lower and opposite side edges thereof are joined together by a pair of thin, strip-like standards disposed within the slots at the facing side edges of an adjacent pair of panels and top and bottom connectors having an opposite pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel edges disposed within the slots at the top and bottom edges and fastened to the top and bottom edges by screws or similar fasteners. The top edge of each panel may be covered by a top cap generally coextensive with the top edge and having a plurality of brackets secured to the underside of the cap so that the opposite, downwardly extending edges of the brackets are resiliently secured within the pair of slots in the top edge of the panel. Selected side edges of the panel can be coupled to an end cap of configuration similar to to the top cap or to a corner post via a pair of the standards.

Abstract: A vehicular gas turbine engine power system includes an engine, an automatic clutch, a service clutch and an infinitely variable transmission coupled successively along a power train. A vehicle control system controls engine speed, transmission ratio and automatic clutch engagement in response to operator selected ground speed and engine speed commands as well as other vehicle conditions. The vehicle control system operates in a manual mode to maintain engine speed as commanded by an operator or in an automatic mode to maintain an engine speed which will minimize fuel consumption. The transmission ratio is controlled for fixed rate vehicle acceleration toward a commanded speed if sufficient power is available. Otherwise ground speed is cut back to match required power with available power. However, ground speed cut back is limited as a safety feature and disengagement of the automatic clutch prevents engine stall when the engine becomes overloaded.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copier has an extended transport path, including a storage for duplex functions, for copying documents which may be reproduced, to a selectable number of copies, from a master. The master is positioned first at an imaging station, so that the desired number of image transfers to copies can be made. The master document transport system recirculates the imaged master, holding it at a storage station spaced apart from the image station, while a second master is positioned at the image station. The system need not be delayed by requiring that all of the copy documents reach an exit position before the second master is inserted. Moreover if a jam occurs in any of a number of modes of operation the system is able to recall one or two masters as needed to complete the run in most expeditious fashion.

Abstract: A gun-like instrument for making dental impressions, comprising an outer air nozzle and an inner nozzle for impression material within the outer nozzle, the inner nozzle projecting beyond the tip of the outer nozzle so that any tendency of the impression material to plug the outer nozzle is eliminated. The air emanating from the outer nozzle first removes debris from the operative area, and then causes the impression material to impinge on the tooth in such a way as to form an accurate impression. The instrument includes a hand grip having a finger operable trigger forwardly thereof for discharging impression material from the inner nozzle, a valve for discharging air from the air nozzle, and thumb operable valve actuators on opposite sides of the instrument for opening the air valve. With this construction, the fingers can be used to control the discharge of impression material, while the thumb is used to control the discharge of air independently.

Abstract: In a print hammer mechanism in which an elongated, resilient hammer element mounted at a fixed end thereof has an opposite free end thereof selectively released from a retract position for impact of a dot imprinting element carried by the free end of the element, an improved magnetic circuit is provided for use in release and retraction of the hammer element. The improved magnetic circuit includes a pair of elongated pole pieces of like configuration having back ends thereof mounted on opposite sides of a rare earth magnet and tips at the opposite front ends thereof disposed adjacent the free end of the hammer element to form a pair of gaps therewith.

Abstract: A closed sound delivery system includes a sound generating unit coupled to provide sound to an ear in response to electrical input signals and an electrically equalized sound receiving unit coupled to accurately receive acoustical signals provided by the sound generating unit in the vicinity of an ear. The delivery system provides a pressure at the eardrum with a frequency response which remains flat up to about 30 KHz. The sound generating unit includes a low acoustical output impedance transducer and a suppressor element which attenuates acoustical energy emanating from all but a small central region of the transducer to minimize frequency response variations resulting from constructive and destructive interference of acoustical energy originating at different physical positions. The receiving unit has a 6 dB per octave high frequency roll off due to the characteristics of its terminating elements while an electrical high pass filter compensates for this roll off.

Abstract: In a system for spraying liquid asphalt emulsion and solvent therefor, a hydraulic system including a pair of hydraulic motors is used to selectively drive a pair of pumps coupled to provide either liquid asphalt emulsion or solvent therefor to a flapper type check valve. The flapper type check valve readily passes liquid asphalt emulsion therethrough to a spray wand with backflow of the liquid asphalt emulsion to the pump for the solvent being blocked by a solvent check valve. When spraying of the liquid asphalt emulsion is completed, the solvent pump is turned on to force solvent at a relatively high pressure into the flapper type check valve to cleanse the hinged flapper mechanism within the check valve and then the components down-stream thereof including the spray wand.

Abstract: A two-way CATV system having a substantial number of terminals incorporates a central processor and transmitter system which continually interrogates the terminals at high speed, monitoring changes of usage of premium programs and other data while also permitting central control of access to restricted premium programs. For inexpensive but reliable intercommunication, short, fixed word length digital messages are frequency multiplexed onto the cable in both upstream and downstream directions, and subscriber groups are controllably selected in turn, with each subscriber being scanned in what may be an arbitrary order by transmission of unique private messages which are recognized at the terminal and in response to which previously prepared fixed length messages are immediately transmitted in return.

Abstract: An extremely fast, highly regulated and nonresistive semiconductor digital logic inverter gate which is suitable for use as a fundamental building block in an uncommitted gate array includes an input conductor, at least one output conductor, a first current source providing a fixed current of a given magnitude to the input conductor, a second current source providing a current varying exponentially with input voltage to each output conductor, and a current control circuit operating in response to current flow through the input conductor to control the magnitude of current provided by the second source of current to each of the output conductors at a magnitude greater than the first magnitude or at a nonzero magnitude substantially less than the first magnitude.

Abstract: A counterbalanced bidirectional drive for a hammer bank shuttle assembly within a line printer utilizes a band formed into an endless loop extending around and between an opposite pair of rotatable pulleys on opposite sides of the pulleys. A hammer bank-carrying shuttle assembly is coupled to a portion of the band between the pulleys on one side of the pulleys and is counterbalanced by an elongated bar of similar mass coupled to a portion of the band between the pulleys on the opposite side of the pulleys from the shuttle assembly. A DC motor coupled to one of the pulleys is alternately energized in opposite senses so as to bidirectionally drive the shuttle assembly along a linear path between opposite limits defined by resilient members impacted by an element mounted on the counterbalancing bar.

Abstract: A circuit for use in digital charge coupled systems provides successive indications of input binary value, until reset, without timing delays and without degeneration of the charge packets. A data input charge packet is provided to a storage electrode, and a series of standardized charge packets are also provided to the storage electrode at the data rate of the system. The latch circuit operates cyclically in internal cycles between the arrival of successive standardized charge packets. The concurrent presence of an input charge packet and a standardized charge packet results in charge overflow across a barrier in a first output data channel. This overflow causes a floating gate electrode that interconnects the first output channel with a second output channel to block transfer of the basic charge packet out the second output channel. It also causes the basic charge packet to be returned as a data input back to the storage electrode.

Abstract: A dot matrix printer having a reciprocating hammer bank prints characters in either a standard or a compressed size using one of two different sets of modulation bits stored in a character generator for each character. A control code byte preceding each line of characters to be printed selects the sets of modulation bits in the character generator to be used and in addition selects the repetitive counts to be made by two different decoders in response to timing pulses designating the different dot column positions during each sweep of the hammer bank to control the application of the modulation bits from the character generator to actuating mechanisms for the hammers within the hammer bank.

Abstract: A charge coupled device channel crossover circuit transfers charge packets in each of two different intersecting channels during each of a succession of transfer intervals defined by a pair of clocking signals of opposite phase and a pair of clock signal related pulse trains applied to various electrodes of the crossover circuit to provide changing potential biases. The crossover circuit includes a common transfer area at the intersection of the two channels, a pair of transfer gates within each channel on opposite sides of the transfer area and a pair of storage areas within each channel on opposite sides of the transfer gates from the transfer area.

Abstract: A compact, highly versatile, modular solar energy collector is achievable through the employment of well distributed bypass flow components providing a bypass mass flow within a given range across a thin collector face, in conjunction with a low height, laminar interior flow having a predetermined proportionality to the bypass flow. A short flow path length along the collector together with the bypass flow relationship and other parameters permit high temperature differentials to be attained, accompanied by high efficiency. Further, the mass flow through the collector may be varied within a substantial range in response to changing insolation conditions while maintaining the bypass flow in an acceptable range by incorporation of a pressure drop having mass flow dependent characteristics in the principal flow path.