Abstract: A conducting polymer is produced using cathodic deposition in an electrolyte. The etectrolyte comprises a solvent such as acetonitrile, carbon disulfide, a supporting electrolyte cation, and a transition metal ion. At a voltage of about -0.70 or higher, the carbon disulfide is reduced in the presence of the transition metal ion and a conducting polymer is deposited on the cathode.

Abstract: A turbine-driven apparatus and method for generating and linearly controlling periodic bipolar drive signals to drive an electromechanical device, such as a DC motor, in response to an input command signal. The apparatus comprises a rotatable cylindrical commutator driven by a gas turbine, the commutator having two matched half-cylinder conductive sections separated by insulation at the common joints. The turbine also drives an alternator to produce AC power which in turn is rectified to produce DC power. Two pairs of diametrically opposing brushes are held in contact with the rotating commutator. The first pair of brushes connected to the DC power source, is fixed in position. The second pair, connected across the electromechanical load, is adjustable in rotational position relative to the first pair through coupling to a stepper motor.

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the volume of a liquid waste containing an organic amine chelating agent in which a finely atomized spray of the liquid waste is contacted with a gas stream having a temperature in excess of the thermal decomposition temperature of the chelating agent. The proportions of the hot gas stream and liquid waste are controlled to rapidly evaporate water from the liquid waste and cool the gas to a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the chelating agent in a time of less than about 6 seconds to produce a dry, flowable powder product including the chelating agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a unique VLSI dimensioned NPN type transistor and method of making the same, wherein hundreds of such transistors may be fabricated on a single chip with each transistor comprising an active region surrounded by field oxide completely isolating it from the substrate and its effects on operation. Spaced apart slots made in the substrate permit the introduction of orientation dependent etching fluid therein to at least substantially etch semi-arrays of active regions of the substrate away from the substrate except for spaced apart supports therealong. Oxidation serves to support the semi-arrays directly from the substrate or by webs of oxidation along the tops of the semi-arrays connected to the substrate.

Abstract: If each data channel comprising a set of multiplexed data channels contains channel identity information, a single framing detector operating on one channel can provide a framing detection operation regardless of where the search is commenced thereby avoiding a search of all of the channels to obtain framing information. By having unique tag or identity bits incorporated in each of the multiplexed data channels, the timing problems for obtaining synchronized parallel output bits from each of the channels can be logically ascertained and the channels can be rerouted and individual channels of the rerouted channels can be time delayed to obtain the time synchronization.

Abstract: A free electron laser in which the electron beam 12 is sent through the field of a quadrupole magnet 16 which may be untapered or tapered. The beam 12 is sent through the magnet 16 spaced from the symmetry axis of the magnet's poles 22 but on the focusing plane 20 of the quadrupole magnet 16.

Abstract: A quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) demodulator system derives a local oscillator signal which has the frequency and phase of the suppressed carrier of the QAM signal, so as to permit proper demodulation. In-phase and quadrature channels of the demodulator system each have an analog-to-digital converter with n output bits, where n is greater than m, the number of bits required for the data output for each channel. The n-m less significant bits are used to derive a signal indicating the error in phase alignment between the local oscillator signal and the QAM signal. In a phase locked loop, this error signal drives a voltage-controlled oscillator to phase lock with the suppressed carrier of the QAM signal. To acquire frequency and phase lock, a digital-to-analog converter in the loop is clocked each time the phase alignment of the VCO signal and QAM signal is close.

Abstract: A conducting organic polymer is disclosed consisting of a polypyrrole or an N-substituted analog of pyrrole and a non-nucleophilic polymeric anion. The polymer is formed by electropolymerizing pyrrole from an electrolyte containing a non-nucleophilic polymeric anion and pyrrole.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for combining pulsed or continuous laser beams into a single coherent output beam wherein the laser beams to be combined are directed to intersect at the surface of a sinusoidal phase grating so that each are diffracted into sets of diffracted beams, the first laser beam striking the sinusoidal phase grating from a first angle of incidence and the other laser beam striking it from an angle of incidence which is the negative of the first. The sinusoidal phase grating features a modulation wavelength which causes a preselected order from each resultant set of diffracted beams to propagate in a direction normal to the sinusoidal phase grating and a modulation depth which maximizes the energy distributed into the normally directed, preselected diffraction order. All other orders are suppressed.

Abstract: A circuit for adaptively equalizing a digital signal to compensate for distortion introduced by a transmission medium. The circuit includes a first feedback path for modifying the input signal which is to be equalized to an extent controlled by a control input signal. A second feedback path modifies the input signal to an extent which tends to overcompensate the signal for the transmission distortion. Further, means are provided to modify the signal so as to undercompensate it for the transmission distortion. Error detectors detect pseudo bit errors in the overcompensated and the undercompensated signal, and a control input signal is generated for the first feedback path, dependent on the difference between the errors detected in the overcompensated and undercompensated signal.

Abstract: An internally manifolded plate for a plate/fin-type heat exchanger comprises a side port contiguous with and transverse to at least one channel, and wherein the channel is contiguous with an end port. The plate may be of unibody construction and also include integral side and end external manifolds.

Abstract: A connector for fitting on a printed circuit board wire wrapped terminal post. The connector has a contact finger which is spring biased against the terminal post, so that for several of the connector-post combinations, a ribbon cable can be held inserted between the contact fingers and their associated posts. The contact fingers make connection with the conductor of the ribbon cable. In another embodiment, the connector makes connection between a wire wrapped terminal post and a contact on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion of a sulfur-containing fuel which substantially reduces the amount of gaseous sulfur compounds which would otherwise be emitted.A source of oxygen, a sulfur-containing fuel, and an inorganic alkaline absorbent are reacted under controlled conditions of temperature, stoichiometry, and residence time whereby the inorganic alkaline absorbent reacts with the fuel sulfur to form a mixture of combustion products and desired solid sulfur compounds, the latter being readily removed utilizing conventional filtration equipment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixture of fuel and combustion products is passed into a nitrogenous compound destruction zone wherein, under controlled conditions, the concentration of nitrogenous compounds present are reduced to a desired level.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a valve body (24) with an inlet (28) and an outlet (30), and an inlet-closing poppet (32) moveably disposed within a chamber (26) in the valve body, the poppet incorporating a piston head (34) whose face (36) opposes the inlet and from which projects a plug (62) for closing-off the inlet (28) from the remainder of the piston face (36) when the poppet is at its inlet-closing position. A spring (54) urges the poppet towards its inlet-closing position with sufficient force to keep the inlet closed until the fluid reaches a preselected cracking pressure, whereupon the spring allows the poppet to be displaced slightly, exposing the remainder of the piston face to the fluid. The action of the fluid on the piston face is then sufficient to drive the poppet fully back to an annular stop (60) provided within the valve body whose engagement also serves as a partial seal about the periphery (70) of the piston.

Abstract: A mechanical grinding device is provided for preparing very thin specimens such as transmission electron microscopy specimens. The specimens are held on the end of a long rod which is pressed against a spherical tool by the weight of the rod. The opposite end of the rod extends through a hole in a pivot plate which is spaced above the tool. The tool is mounted on a tool holder which is eccentrically positioned on a rotating base by a pivot. As the base rotates, the tool holder moves and a concave surface is ground in the specimen, thus thinning it.

Abstract: A fastener is disclosed having an integral limiting configuration which is adjustable to provide a variable maximum torque transmitted from a threaded bolt to the mechanism being fastened. The torque transmission is controlled at its maximum by a friction-bearing surface in cooperation with a spring. By predetermining and setting the compression exerted by the spring to the friction-bearing surface, the maximum torque transmitted is controlled.

Abstract: A linear optical scanner adapted to receive light rays from object space, the light rays passing through the linear optical scanner in image forming relation, the linear optical scanner being adapted to periodically and reciprocally deflect the collimated light rays through a predetermined angle. The periodically and reciprocally deflected collimated light rays leave the linear optical scanner and passing through an objective lens system to an image plane. The objective lens system has an optical axis incident on the image plane and is adapted to focus the periodically and reciprocally deflected collimated light rays to form a periodically and reciprocally displaced image on the image plane.

Abstract: An equalization network is disclosed combining negative slope equalization with low pass filtering and low frequency compensation. The network is for use on electrical lines transmitting electrical signals in the voice frequency range and includes circuitry for inputting and equalizing the electrical signal on an incoming line. A circuit for reverse equalizing the electrical signal, first and second circuits for equalizing the signal, circuits for low pass filtering the signal followed by a supplemental equalization circuit and then a circuit for outputting the signal to the outgoing electrical line are provided.

Abstract: A current regulator for supplying dc power to a telephone line employs a resistor feed circuit in conjunction with a solid state feed circuit. The dc line current flowing through both such elements is monitored by a sensing circuit which drives the solid state element in a manner to maintain a desired magnitude of dc line current. The resistor value may be arbitrarily chosen so that the circuit power is shared in a desired proportion between the resistor and solid state element. When used in a telephone line in series with ac voice signals the regulator employs a capacitator and diode bridge arrangement to reduce the ac impedance thereof, improve longitudinal balance and allow bi-directional current.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a display utilizing a plurality of display prisms in a single device each of which can be separately actuated so that there can be more messages available to a user than surfaces on the prisms due to the interaction of messages on a cooperative basis.