Abstract: A valve which is resistant to wear caused by particles trapped between the valve seat and the valve member or poppet when the valve closes, including an outlet for directing washing fluid at the valve seat and/or sealing face of the poppet and means for supplying pressured fluid to the outlet at the time when the valve is closing.

Abstract: A sample processor and method for the automatic extraction of families of compounds, known as extracts, from liquid and/or homogenized solid samples are disclosed. The sample processor includes a tube support structure which supports a plurality of extraction tubes, each containing a sample from which families of compounds are to be extracted. The support structure is moveable automatically with respect to one or more extraction stations, so that as each tube is at each station a solvent system, consisting of a solvent and reagents, is introduced therein. As a result an extract is automatically extracted from the tube. The sample processor includes an arrangement for directing the different extracts from each tube to different containers, or to direct similar extracts from different tubes to the same utilization device.

Abstract: A true push-pull switching power amplifier is disclosed utilizing two dc-to-dc converters. Each converter is comprised of two inductances, one inductance in series with a DC source and the other inductor in series with the output load, and an electrical energy transferring device with storage capability, namely storage capacitance, with suitable switching means between the inductances to obtain DC level conversion, where the switching means allows bidirectional current (and power) flow, and the switching means of one dc-to-dc converter is driven by the complement of a square-wave switching signal for the other dc-to-dc converter for true push-pull operation. For reduction of current ripple, the inductances in each of the two converters may be coupled, and with proper design of the coupling, the ripple can be reduced to zero at either the input or the output, but preferably the output.

Abstract: A programmer for a music synthesizer including a keyboard and M independent voice modules (channels) and wherein the characteristics of each module are dependent upon K independent parameters, each parameter defined by an analog voltage level. The programmer is capable of storing N distinct programs, each program including information defining K parameters for each of M modules. The programmer is comprised of a common set of K potentiometers which are coupled through an analog to digital (A/D) converter means. The output of the A/D converter means is applied selectively either to a digital memory for storage at a location defined by operator controlled switches or through a digital to analog (D/A) converter means to the voice modules. Alternatively, information applied to the D/A converter means for application to the voice modules can be derived from the digital memory.

Abstract: A dc-to-dc converter having nonpulsating input and output current uses two inductances, one in series with the input source, the other in series with the output load. An electrical energy transferring device with storage, namely storage capacitance, is used with suitable switching means between the inductances to DC level conversion. For isolation between the source and load, the capacitance may be divided into two capacitors coupled by a transformer, and for reducing ripple, the inductances may be coupled. With proper design of the coupling between the inductances, the current ripple can be reduced to zero at either the input or the output, or the reduction achievable in that way may be divided between the input and output.

Abstract: A square-loop directive antenna of half wavelength circumference is provided with improved front-to-back ratio and gain by placing capacitive reactances for 90.degree. phase shift in the sides, instead of inductive reactances as in the past, and with further improved front-to-back ratio and gain by placing divided reactances (inductive or capacitive) in the sides with just enough reactance to provide a phase shift of 22.5.degree. next to the driven side of the loop and the balance (90.degree.-22.5.degree.) next to the parasitic side of the loop.

Abstract: A sample injector is described for receiving a sample at atmospheric pressure and injecting it at a high pressure into a chromatographic column, which is convenient to use and which avoids loss of the sample. The device includes a rotor and stator with flat adjacent faces, and a passage in the rotor for receiving a syringe needle that can transfer the sample into an aligned port in the stator, wherein the needle-receiving passage extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor but is offset therefrom. This enables the needle to be inserted with its tip flush with the interface between the rotor and stator, so that no sample lies in the rotor passage after operation of the syringe, and so that rotation of the rotor isolates the syringe needle from the high pressure ports. With this arrangement, and with the needle end ground perpendicular to its axis, all of the sample in the syringe is transferred to the stator port and from there to the column.

Abstract: A marquee false front consists of a sheet of pennant cloth of one color, e.g. yellow, of dimensions equal to those of the desired marquee false front. The front surface of the sheet, except for letters-defining areas, is coated with matter which inhibits light passage through it. The matter's color is one, contrasting with the pennant cloth's color. Pockets are formed around the sheet's periphery about its back side. These pockets accept interlocking rods, which together form a frame, used to taut the pennant cloth sheet as well as to attach it to a marquee to form its false front.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fastening an object, such as a board to which another object may be fastened, to a clay tile roof utilizes rod threaded at both ends with a wing expansion nut on one end that is passed through a hole drilled in the tile and supporting wood at a wing point where the tile rests on the wood. A rubber washer backed by a metal washer and nut seals the hole in the clay tile and secures the rod in an upright position. A washer and second nut at the other end of the rod then secures the object to the roof with the object spanning the ridge points of two or more tiles. A third nut locks the second nut on the rod, and allows the rod to be turned like a bolt to drive the excess rod into the roof. To facilitate installation, the rod is preferrably threaded from end to end.

Abstract: A mooring attachment for substantially permanently connecting a buoy and a storage-process vessel, wherein the mooring attachment is of smaller weight but as great a level of reliability as prior art attachments. The attachment includes a mooring arm having opposite ends coupled respectively to the buoy and vessel in pivot joints that hold them a distance apart but without restraining the vessel against yaw movement, and a pair of stop devices on either side of the mooring arm for preventing extreme yawing of the vessel. The stop devices can be formed by a pair of chains, each chain extending from an opposite side of the vessel to the buoy end of the arm, and each chain extending in a loose catenary when the vessel is in a center position but being pulled tight when the vessel yaws by a predetermined angle which is more than 10.degree., to prevent jackknifing of the vessel.

Abstract: A system for the selection and phase control of humbucking coils in electromagnetic guitar pickups to permit the musician to easily select different sounds using digital memory means for storing different combinations of gate control bits to select the pickup coils to be used, the phase of the coils selected and the output level of the selected coils combined. A three-way switch is used to count up, count down or hold a memory address for selection of a combination. The address is displayed for verification. Memories may be prestored ROMs, or alterable RAMs in which write enable control is controlled by a three-way switch. Three address counters may be provided to permit the musician to quickly select from three predetermined combinations through operation of a three-way switch.

Abstract: A skin diagnosis system includes a scanning and optical arrangement whereby light reflected from each incremental area (pixel) of the skin is directed simultaneously to three separate light filters, e.g., IR, red, and green. As a result the three devices simultaneously produce three signals which are directly related to the reflectance of light of different wavelengths from the corresponding pixel. These three signals for each pixel after processing are used as inputs to one or more output devices to produce a visual color display and/or a hard copy color print, for one useable as a diagnostic aid by a physician.

Abstract: A tennis training aid comprising a tennis ball having a pair of figure eight panels combining to cover the entire outer surface of the ball. The panels are colored of contrasting colors for indicating the spin or rotation of the ball while in flight wherein the spin imparted to the ball is easily discernible so as to enable a viewer of the ball to determine what type of spin has been imparted to the ball to facilitate learning delivery or receiving maneuvers enabling tennis participants to more effectively participate in the sport of tennis.

Abstract: Apparatus for the installation on motor homes to greatly reduce rocking, that is, repeated tilting of the rear of the vehicle from one side to the other. The installation includes an auxiliary pair of shock absorbers installed so that the lower end of each shock absorber lies under the leaf spring of the vehicle and the other end lies at the inner side of the longitudinal beam at the under side of the vehicle, to enable a long shock absorber to be installed that extends in a largely lateral direction. It has been found that such auxiliary shock absorbers extending at an angle of about 30.degree. from the vertical, produce a large and unexpected deduction in rocking of motor home type vehicles that have long rearward overhangs behind the wheels.

Abstract: Mounting means for removably securing a circuit board in a fixed spaced relationship to a base plate. The mounting means includes one or more fasteners, each comprised of a spacer member and a latch member. The spacer member includes a disk-like portion having a first flat surface for securement against the base plate and a second flat surface on which the circuit board is supported. A post extends from the disk-like portion second flat surface through an opening in the circuit board. The latch member is mounted for movement on the post between a first position which allows it to pass through the circuit board opening and a second position in which it is locked against one surface of the circuit board forcing the opposite circuit board surface against the disk-like portion second flat surface.

Abstract: A structure with a surface portion of dielectric material which passes electromagnetic radiation and with a portion below the surface which includes material that absorbs the radiation, the face of the structure being formed with numerous steep ridges. The steepness of the dielectric material results in a high proportion of the electromagnetic energy passing through the surface for absorption by the absorbing material under the surface. A backing of aluminum or other highly heat-conductive and reflective material lies under the face and has very steep protuberances supporting the absorbing and dielectric materials.

Abstract: The resolution of an imaging system is greatly enhanced by radiating an object with a plane wave field from a coherent source variable in either frequency, angle or distance from the object, detecting the wave field transmitted through, or reflected from, the object at some point on the image of the object, with or without heterodyne detection, and with or without a lens system. The heterodyne detected output of the detector is processed to obtain the Fourier transform as a function of the variable for a direct measurement of the amplitude and surface height structure of the object within a resolution cell centered at the corresponding point on the object. In the case of no heterodyne detection, only intensity data is obtained for a Fourier spectrum.

Abstract: A tape cartridge of the belt drive type, wherein an elastomeric member is coupled to the drive belt to be continually deformed by the drive belt, so that hysteresis energy losses in the elastic member create drag on the drive belt. In one cartridge, the belt guide rollers, about which the belt extends, have rubber-like cores. In a second cartridge, a thick rubber-like auxiliary belt extends around the belt guide rollers so that the auxiliary belt is driven by the drive belt as it rotates the guide rollers. In a third cartridge, a rubber-like auxiliary roller presses against a belt guide roller.

Abstract: A meter is disclosed for measuring the voltage, current, and power (VIP) parameters of a photovoltaic solar array, or array module, under sunlight operating conditions utilizing a variable load connected across the array and controlled by a voltage regulator which responds to the difference between the output voltage of the array and a programmed test voltage from a source which generates a single ramp voltage for measuring and recording current as a function of voltage, repeated ramp voltages at a high rate for peak output measurements or a DC voltage for VIP measurements at selected points on the I-V characteristic curve of the array. The voltage signal from a current sensing element, such as a shunt resistor in series with the variable load, is compared with the output current of a reference solar cell to provide a normalizing signal to be added to the signal from the current-sensing element in order to provide a record of array current as a function of array voltage, i.e.

Abstract: An improved device for capacitively detecting signals generated in a writing table by a grid of conductive wires that produce a varying electrostatic field near its surface to be picked up through a stack of paper with the table functioning as one plate of a capacitor, and a conductive stylus as the other plate. The improvement consists of grounding the stylus, which has an extended body portion surrounded by a tubular member, extending the tubular member to a point very near the stylus tip where it functions as the second plate of a capacitor, and connecting the tubular member to a preamplifier mounted in the device.