Abstract: An apparatus for storing and retrieving data in predetermined multi-bit length quantities containing fewer bits of data than word length quantities, including a memory for storing word length quantities at particular storage sites, a first buffer for selectively receiving data bits contained in a first predetermined portion of a word length quantity of data stored at a particular address within the memory, a second buffer for selectively receiving data bits contained in a second predetermined portion of the word length quantity of data stored at the particular address, a third buffer for alternatively receiving data bits contained in the second predetermined portion of the word length quantity of data stored at the particular address, a data bit generator for generating a null signal in the form of a predetermined number of data bits, a data bus having a first data transfer part and a second data transfer part connected to the memory, a CPU for causing the respective first and second portions of data and the

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow rate measuring apparatus including at least one elongated and helically configured loop 30 of conduit, a drive mechanism 42 for causing oscillatory movement of a portion of the loop in a direction approximately normal to the direction of flow through the conduit portion and approximately parallel to the central axis of the loop, and one or more detectors 46, 48, 56 for detecting the resulting motion caused by the Coriolis forces exerted on other portions of the loop as a result of the mass flow therethrough and the oscillatory translation thereof.

Abstract: A light-weight reflecting shade that is to be mounted on a fluorescent tube as it is normally disposed within a ceiling light fixture and including (i) a plurality of elongated spreaders that are located in spaced apart parallel relationship with one another, (ii) a plurality of hanger means that slideably connect with selected ones of, or all of, the spreader means and are adapted to be positioned to receive and attach to the fluorescent tube, and (iii) a resilient sheet means affixed to the plurality of spreader means. The sheet means has a highly reflective surface on the side facing the fluorescent tube, has one dimension substantially equal to the length of the fluorescent tube and a second dimension that is substantially greater than the length of the elongated spreader means. In use, the hanger means engages and is supported by the fluorescent tube, and in turn supports the spreader means and the resilient sheet means.

Abstract: A pedal stroke adjuster includes a pair of crank frames each of which is mounted on one of the crank arms of a bicycle or exercise machine. A mounting bracket, mounting blocks and spacers are used to align each crank frame in a vertical position when connected to a crank arm. The sides of the crank frame provide guide rails for a pedal mounting block and in one embodiment of the invention one of the guide rails is notched to receive a spring-loaded detent latch that is located in the pedal mounting block. A finger operated release mechanism is provided so that the latch may be removed from the notch and the position of the pedal mounting block changed. In an alternate embodiment, each guide rail is notched. The notches are offset so that the detent latches can be readily contained in the confined space of the block. In another embodiment of the invention, a threaded rod is used to move the pedal mounting block up and down within the crank frame and along the guide rails.

Abstract: In an automatic wafer inspection system, the objective lenses used in micro inspection are mounted on a turret which is attached to an adjustable turret support member. Several lenses may be brought sequentially into position for inspection of the patterned wafer and it is necessary that the handoff be precise so as to maintain the same pattern in the viewing position. V-slots are mounted on the turret in such a location as to be correctly associated with the precise position for each lens. A detent ball spring is biased to drive into a V-slot so as to hold the associated lens in the precise viewing position. When hand-off to the next lens is to be accomplished, a counter force is applied which overcomes the spring bias and pulls the detent ball out of the V-slot. A drive motor is then enabled, which turns the turret a predetermined distance to bring the wide opening of the next adjacent V-slot into approximate alignment with the detent ball and the drive motor is disabled.

Abstract: A can stacking infeed machine for stacking nestable extruded cans where can diameter is greater than can height, includes a pair of gravity chutes for dividing an elevated stream of cans at input into two streams of cans, one above the other at output. A rotating starwheel collocates the cans sliding down the chutes one above the other for discharge in vertically registering pairs. A leaf spring mechanism urges the bottom of the upper can into nested engagement with the top of the lower can as the starwheel rotates releasing the cans to slide from the machine. Normally open switches located for sensing the flow of cans down both gravity chutes interrupt rotation of the starwheel thus preventing discharge of a single can from either chute. Stacked can pairs are accelerated upon release by the rotating starwheel as they slide from the machine to provide spacing.

Abstract: A system for automatic micro and macro inspection of patterned wafers, including a X-Y stage for supporting and positioning a wafer at a macro inspection station and a micro inspection station, a plurality of cassettes for storing a plurality of patterned wafers before and after inspection, a transfer arm and apparatus for transferring a wafer from the cassettes to a predetermined location on the X-Y stage, apparatus for centering the wafer on the macro inspection station, apparatus for aligning the wafer to obtain a preselected orientation for macro inspection, an optical system for effecting macro inspection of the wafer and storing a unique image thereof, apparatus for moving the wafer from the macro inspection station to the micro inspection station so that the area of the wafer corresponding to the stored unique image is in a micro optical path, autofocus apparatus for automatically focusing the lowest magnification objective lens on the area of the wafer to derive a real time image, a comparitor for com

Abstract: A storage and display device for floppy disks and the like including a molded base unit having a tray for supporting the disks on one edge thereof, a plurality of dividers for separating quantities of the disks within the tray, and hangers pivotally attached to each end of the base unit for suspending the storage container relative to a pair of parallel supports. The hangers are pivotable between a position in parallel side-by-side relationship with the corresponding end surface of the tray and a position extending upwardly relative to the end walls of the tray.

Abstract: A bicycle bottle cage having an attachment mechanism that will securely fasten the cage to the handle bars of a bicycle. The bottle cage portion has a generally conventional configuration. An attachment bracket is welded to the rear portion of the cage and includes a continuous loop formed to serpentine fashion to extend over the handle bars and beside and over the goose neck. A clamp plate extends beneath the goose neck to engage each side of the attachment bracket. The clamp plate includes a lock screw which engages the bottom of the goose neck to firmly attach the bracket thereto.

Abstract: An automatic microscope focusing system including a light source 44, a dual channel fiber optics bundle 56 and 58, chopper means 54 for alternately admitting light to the channels, a reticle 66 and associated optics to cast alternating images onto the surface of an inspected article W, return masks 82 and 88, and associated detectors 86 and 92 for inspecting the alternating reticle images, and control circuitry 36 and 38 responsive to the detector outputs and operative to drive the system microscope 10 into focus. The preferred embodiment also includes a flipping pupil 60 for accommodating particular microscope objectives.

Abstract: Optical inspection apparatus for detecting defects in a visually perceptible pattern including image acquistion means for inspecting the pattern on a pixel-by-pixel basis, developing digital data signals corresponding to each pixel and feeding the signals so developed to an imaging enhancement means. The imaging enhancement means compensates for equipment related degradations in the images and converts the digital data signal value corresponding to each pixel into a corrected signal value by operating on the digital data signal with a two dimensional finite impulse response filter. The corrected signal values of the image enhancement means are received by a defect detection means which evaluates the signal values for defects in the pattern. Any defects so determined are recorded and/or displayed on data recording means.

Abstract: An improved DIP lead trimming apparatus including a base having an inclined upper surface which supports an input rail, an output rail, a singulator mechanism, an adaptable cutter assembly and stop assembly, and a DIP lifter assembly for lifting a trimmed DIP from a position above the cutter assembly to the output rail.

Abstract: A positioning system for a magnetic disk storage system. A first and second lead screw connected to their respective stepper motors are mechanically connected by a lever arm that adds these motions. The first stepper motor is controlled by an open loop control circuit and the second stepper motor is controlled by a closed loop circuit that reads servo information off the magnetic disk. The head is constantly repositioned to follow track eccentricities and can accurately read very closely spaced tracks on non-rigid disks.

Abstract: Measurement while drilling apparatus for detecting and communicating information relative to downhole parameters and/or characteristics of the earth strata via an electrically conductive drill string composed of a plurality of lengths of metallic pipe connected end-to-end in series and through which a drilling fluid is caused to flow and then return to the surface through the well cavity formed between the exterior wall of the drill string and the interior wall of the well comprising a DC voltage supply for establishing a unidirectional biasing current passing through the electrically conductive drill string, drill bit and surrounding earth strata, a colloidal suspension of ferro-magnetic particles coated with a non-conductive coating forming a part of the drilling fluid and carried by the drilling fluid through the well cavity wherein the ferromagnetic particles are caused by the magnetic field to migrate toward the outer surface of the drill string and to form an insulative coating thereon, a downhole modul