Abstract: A vehicle suspension is described for a vehicle whose frame is supported through leaf springs lying on the axles, which avoids reverse bending of the springs while also providing a smoother ride. The system includes an air sleeve having an upper end mounted on the vehicle frame and a lower end bearing against the top of the leaf spring at a location between the axle and the front of the spring. The distance between the axle and the air sleeve is about 38% of the total distance between the axle and the front of the spring where it is connected to the frame, this spacing having been found to provide maximum shock absorbtion and smoothness of ride.

Abstract: An ear noise protector apparatus is described, which provides a high level of noise protection, can be worn comfortably, and is economical to use. The apparatus includes a resilient head band with ear protector holders at either end, and a pair of ear protectors that are detachably mounted to the holders. Each ear protector includes a cap of slow recovery resilient deformable material, with a tapered central projection that can be received in the end of an ear canal, and an outer dish-shaped portion that can fit against the ear walls that surround the opening to the ear canal. The head band supplies sufficient force to maintain the cap in a deformed state wherein it conforms to the ear portion that surrounds the ear canal, to form a good seal therewith after being pressed firmly in place.

Abstract: A control system for a dot matrix line printer/plotter apparatus for producing hard copy printout of digitally represented data. The apparatus utilizes one or more hammer banks, each mounted for reciprocal linear movement across a paper web moving therepast. Each hammer bank carries N hammer assemblies, each of which can be selectively actuated to print a dot in any of D columns in any of C characters as the bank sweeps across the paper web. The control system includes an input/output (I/O) microprocessor and a print control microprocessor, each connected so as to have access to a common random access memory (RAM). A portion of the RAM is used as multiple line buffers. Each line buffer is used to store all the character bytes which define a character line to be printed. The I/O processor accepts externally supplied data and loads character bytes for each sequential character line into a different line buffer.

Abstract: A system is described for use in a truck cabin having a primary doorway (16, FIG. 2) at the rear of the cabin, which facilitates movement of the driver out of and into the driver's seat (20) when he leaves or enters by the rear doorway, by avoiding the restrictions of a steering wheel (26) that lies closely over the lap of the driver when he is driving. The system includes a mount (32) that supports the seat for rotation about a vertical axis, and an actuator (38, FIG. 4) connected to the mount to turn the seat between forward and sideward positions (20f, 20s) at which the seat respectively faces forwardly and largely sidewardly. A control coupled to the transmission (43, FIG. 2) of the vehicle, forcibly holds the seat in the forward position when the transmission is in a drive setting, to avoid unexpected turning of the seat while driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for in situ growth of an array of single crystals from material deposited on an inert substrate is comprised of (1.0) preparing a surface of the substrate with a closely packed array of concavities which stably contain liquid material by the combined effects of surface tension and geometry, (2.0) depositing the material from which the crystals are to be grown on the prepared surface of the substrate to at least partially fill the concavities, (3.0) removing deposited material from the field by evaporation etching after the next step, and (4.0) crystallizing the material remaining in each concavity. The process may be followed by a further step (5.0) of recrystallizing the material to assure a single crystal in each concavity free of any defects, such as defects resulting from etching.

Abstract: A method is described for producing and projecting a theater quality entertainment motion picture, by photographing and then projecting the motion picture on a screen, which creates an unusually vivid impression of realism. The film frames have a resolution of over 40 line pairs per milimeter, and each frame has an area of at least 0.36 square inch, which creates more then 10 million pixels per frame on the film and on the screen. The illumination level on the screen is at least 15 foot lamberts. The film frames are photographed and projected at a predetermined constant rate of more than 50 frames per second, such as 60 fps. The high resolution and light level, combined with the unusually high frame rate, has been found to produce an unusually vivid impression of realism.

Abstract: A system for time-period modulating (TPM) a subcarrier in accordance with the amplitude of an input signal includes generating a ramp signal of constant slope, comparing the ramp signal with the input signal, and resetting the ramp signal when the ramp signal reaches the input signal. Each time the ramp signal is reset, a clock pulse is counted. These clock pulses are counted in cyclic groups of N. After each clock pulse is counted, the then attained count is converted to a value of a sinusoid about some reference. The values for each of N counts define one sinusoidal cycle of the modulated subcarrier. Converting these values to voltage levels produces a sinusoidal stepwave which has a period linearly proportional to the amplitude of the input signal at the time.

Abstract: A heavy-duty slowly pivoting shaft and bearing system for an offshore mooring terminal, of a type which includes a heavy-duty shaft with opposite ends that are each rotatably mounted on a radial bearing assembly, wherein bearings at each of the assemblies can be removed while the shaft continues to be rotatably supported to permit its uninterrupted use. Each bearing assembly includes a housing arm with a hole that receives an end of the shaft, a main bearing lying near the outer end of the hole to permit its replacement by sliding it off an extreme end of the shaft, and an auxiliary bearing lying at the inner end of the hole near the middle of the shaft. The auxiliary bearing is formed in a plurality of segments that each extend by less than a half circle around the shaft, to permit the segments to be individually placed about the shaft and forced between the housing arm and shaft.

Abstract: A method for making monolithic optical circuits, with related optical devices as required or desired, on a supporting surface (10) consists of coating the supporting surface with reflecting metal or cladding resin, spreading a layer of liquid radiation sensitive plastic (12) on the surface, exposing the liquid plastic with a mask (14) to cure it in a desired pattern of light conductors (16, 18, 20), washing away the unexposed liquid plastic, and coating the conductors thus formed with reflective metal or cladding resin. The index of refraction for the cladding (22) is selected to be lower than for the conductors so that light in the conductors will be reflected by the interface with the cladding. For multiple level conductors, as where one conductor must cross over another, the process may be repeated to fabricate a "bridge" with columns (24, 26) of conductors to the next level, and conductor (28) between the columns. For more efficient transfer of energy over the bridge, faces at 45.degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a tricuspid heart valve that can be assembled with autogenous or foreign tissue using a prefabricated kit comprised of two stents that mate together and a sewing ring, one stent inside or below the other, with the tissue clamped between the stents. The inner or lower stent has a scalloped wall to provide three equally spaced peaks extending from an annular base. The stents may have interlocking means at or near their base to not only lock them together, but also to clamp the tissue in place more securely. In the case of having the one stent inside the other, both stents may have a scalloped wall. The tissue is first placed over the inner stent, then after the outer stent is placed over the tissue, excess tissue is trimmed. The mated stents secure the tissue securely in place. The outer stent may have a ledge along its upper edge overhanging the inner stent to clamp the tissue.

Abstract: A tying arrangement is described for use with an offshore terminal wherein a transfer structure near the sea surface is anchored by a group of anchor lines extending at downward inclines to the sea floor. A bumper line extends between a pair of anchor lines, so a ship heading for the transfer structure first encounters a bumper line that gradually stops it. The bumper line also enables the coupling of anchor lines to transfer energy from one to the other, to increase the energy absorption capacity and stiffness of the system.

Abstract: A tilt meter comprises two tilt sensors (110 and 110S, see FIG. 7) in a housing (105). Each sensor acts as two variable resistors (R.sub.s), which together with two fixed resistors (R.sub.F) form a Wheatstone bridge (25), driven by a square wave signal from a drive source (30). The output of the bridge is fed to an electronic circuit (35) which includes a synchronized switch (43) to cut out the spikes (50), which the bridge outputs at the transitions of the square wave. The output of the electronic circuit is a DC signal, whose amplitude indicates tilt magnitude and polarity indicates direction of tilt. The housing (105) is supported on a support surface (102S) by means of 15 legs (116, 117) threaded into nuts of the same metal, and which has a very low thermal coefficient of expansion.

Abstract: A system is described for connecting a bottle to a shower dispenser, which enables connection with only a small angle of turning, which latches the bottle in position while permitting detachment, and which avoids leakage of material during dispensing. The bottle, or container, has a cam on its neck, and the shower dispenser receiver into which the container can be screwed has a slot forming a detent that is deflected by the cam as the container is turned, to resist unscrewing of the container. The bottom of the slot that forms the detent, also forms a stop that prevents further screwing in of the container. The receiver has an internal cylindrical projection that is closely received within the container neck, and which substantially abuts an internal flange within the container, to minimize leakage of liquid during dispensing.

Abstract: A dot matrix line printer comprised of a main frame assembly and a shuttle frame assembly hinged thereto for limited pivotal movement around a horizontal hinge axis. The main frame assembly carries a paper drive subassembly and an adjustable platen subassembly. The shuttle frame assembly carries one or more hammer banks and a shuttle drive motor for shuttling each bank to move the hammers thereof along a print row extending across the width of the paper parallel to the front face of the platen. By pivoting the shuttle frame assembly up and away from the main assembly, ready access is afforded to the paper path for loading and to the hammer banks for servicing. Each hammer includes a hammer element mounted on the free ends of first and second spaced parallel leaf springs for linear movement toward and away from a paper to be printed upon.

Abstract: Interface and control apparatus for translating color video signals from a video terminal or the like into control signals useful by a dot matrix impact printer/plotter for producing a hard copy image. The color video signals are digitized and used to address a programmed read only memory having a plurality of addressable locations. The memory stores a table for translating color video signals defining a three-dot video pixel into control signals enabling a printer/plotter apparatus to produce a hard copy image of a substantially equivalent four-dot printer/plotter pixel.

Abstract: A portable, battery operated noncontact temperature measuring device including a lens for collecting infrared radiation and a thermopile for producing a signal indicative of the intensity thereof. The thermopile signal is amplified, linearized and summed with an ambient temperature signal derived from a temperature responsive element, e.g. a diode chip mounted immediately adjacent a cold junction of the thermopile. The resulting composite temperature signal is then processed and displayed. The ambient temperature signal is also utilized to control the impedance of a dual field effect transistor, which in turn controls the gain of the amplifier. Thus, temperature induced variations in the responsivity of the thermopile are compensated by corresponding changes in the gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: An improved boat thruster system including a pump for drawing water through an inlet in the boat hull and for discharging water through first and second pipes connected to outlets located on either side of the hull. A valve is installed in each of the pipes to control the flow of water therethrough. The valves may be controlled by either an open or closed loop control system configured so as to prevent both outlet pipes from being closed at the same time during system operation. Each valve is preferably comprised of multiple vanes each of which is mounted for rotation about an off center axis such that in the event of a valve control system failure, the water flow will cause the valve to open rather than close thereby preventing undesirable high pressure buildup in the system.

Abstract: A method of forming ohmic contacts with thin film p-type semiconductor Class II B - VI A compounds comprising etching the film surface with an acidic solution, then etching with a strong basic solution and finally depositing a conductive metal layer.

Abstract: A method is described for generating sounds (which are of a musical nature) that are related to the state of a person's brain, which is useful in anesthesiology and other applications. A brain wave signal, which may be derived from an electroencephalograph, is converted in real time from an analog to a digital signal, and stored in a memory. An epoch delineator detects points along the signal which can define segments of the signal. The signals in the memory are read out in segments, with the segment signals repeatedly read out N number of times and at a rate N times faster than the input rate to the memory, to generate a train of signals that are high frequency replicas of the segment. Thus, the multiple replicas of the segment are all read out during the same time period required to originally store the segment, and after each segment is read out the next segment to be stored is repeatedly read out.