Abstract: An apparatus for blocking a winch is disclosed. A winch reel is mounted between two opposed sideplates which are joined to form a frame. The winch reel includes a plurality of blocking pins extending substantially parallel to the central axis of the reel and away from one side of the reel. One sideplate of the frame incorporates a plurality of blocking apertures positioned to engage the blocking pins. A spring is interposed between the second sideplate to bias the reel in the direction of the sideplate having the blocking apertures. An inclined ramp is integral with and extends away from each of the blocking apertures in one rotational direction. The inclined ramps allow the winch to be readily rotated in one direction. Alternatively, the interaction of the blocking pins and the blocking apertures block rotation in the other direction unless a force is applied through a handle to compress the spring thereby shifting the reel and disengaging the blocking pins from the blocking apertures.

Abstract: A single null miniature direction finder which may be worn on the arm of the user and is fully automatic in operation. Signals from a single loop antenna and a sense antenna are summed; however, the amplitude of the sense signal is adjusted at first and second phase angles and the phase of the sense antenna is automatically switched from the first phase angle to the second phase angle prior to summing to produce either a single null or a no null pattern. These patterns are compared to each other as the user extends his arm horizontally and rotates his body. When the null occurs an indicator gives the relative direction to the transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention will yield enhanced gain over a conventional antenna system by taking advantage of combining directional antennae. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes four 10 dB dipole, vertically-polarized, omni-directional antennae having a reflector added to each one to limit the horizontal beamwidth to 90.degree. and increase the gain to 16 dB. The vertical beamwidth remains at 7.degree.. By utilizing four of these antennae and utilizing power combining hybrids to connect each of the two opposed antennae together, excess gain over a 10 dB omni-directional system will be obtained. The effective antenna gain is equal to the directional antenna gain minus the omni-directional antenna gain minus the hybrid loss. Thus, the vertical beamwidth and physical height of the antenna are preserved with the increase in gain at the cost of a little antenna complexity.

Abstract: A simultaneous broadcast (simulcast) system transmits from a control site to two or more remote sites the same data information along with a synchronous digital signal via a synchronous digital transmission network. At the remote sites, a clock signal is derived from the digital signal for timing the broadcast of the data information on an RF carrier. The clock signal phase is periodically reset to a known phase using a predetermined pattern of data bits in the digital signal. A time delay circuit at the control site delays the synchronous digital signal such that, where RF carrier signals from the remote sites overlap, there is time coherency between the data information. The time delay circuit is constructed so as to preserve the synchronization of the digital signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a signal transformation useful in signal processing. According to the preferred embodiment, a signal, e.g., a speech waveform, is first converted into a sequence of digital data samples, and a reference position along a first sub-part of the sequence is then selected. A "weighted" histogram corresponding to the reference position is then generated according to a correlation function. Thereafter, a new reference position is selected, for example, at a sub-part of the sequence located a pitch period of the signal from the original reference position, and an additional histogram is generated for this sub-part. The plurality of histograms comprise the transformation of the signal, which retains a substantial part of the informational content of the original signal. Therefore, the transformation is then used as the signal itself in signal processing applications such as speech compression and synthesis.

Abstract: An adaptive processing system for real-time signal processing of one or more input signals in parallel-pipeline fashion is provided. According to the invention, the adaptive processing system includes a random access processor having an array of processing elements each being individually configurable. A man-machine interface receives instructions defining how an input signal is to be processed by the random access processor. A configuration controller responsive to the interface is used to generate configuration data defining a configuration of the random access processor, and data flow between contiguous processing elements thereof, for enabling processing of the input signals according to the insructions. The random access processor is configurable into one or more individually addressable processing arrays which may perform linear or nonlinear operations on an input signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of packet collisions which occur on a broadband communication bus. The collision detection apparatus is responsive to signals which normally reside on an RF packet channel. This apparatus identifies a collision by splitting a packet signal and then multiplying the split signal by itself utilizing a conventional mixer. The multiplied signal is passed through a bandpass filter and if no packet collision has occurred, then no significant signal energy will appear at the output of the bandpass filter. Howerever, in the event of a packet collision, then the multiplied output signal includes frequency components which pass through the bandpass filter to produce an energy level which is identified in a threshold detector.

Abstract: A circular waveguide section which is suitably excited with a TM.sub.01 and two spatially orthogonal TE.sub.11 modes to form a cosine-squared-on-a pedestal amplitude distribution at the outputs of the circular waveguide. The resulting cosine-squared-on-a-pedestal amplitude taper may be distributed to the elements of a circular phased array to form a low sidelobe antenna. Since the waveguide is a reciprocal element, it can be used in a receiver as well as a transmitter.

Abstract: Tape cleaning and degaussing apparatus for cleaning, conditioning and degaussing magnetic video tape comprising a wiper means for wiping front and back surfaces of the video tape, a scrapping means engaging the front surface of the video tape for removing debris therefrom, a degaussing means for demagnetizing the video tape and a means for moving the video tape past the wiper means, scrapping means and degaussing means.Additionally, the tape cleaner and degausser apparatus contains a clear dust cover providing easy access for removal and replacement of the cleaning mechanisms in the interior of the apparatus, as well as a bar condition LED station which informs the user when the cleaning bar needs to be rotated or changed.

Abstract: An in-phase hybrid and a balun in a single stage built with inexpensive coaxial cable which splits or combines RF power and simultaneously performs a balanced-to-unbalanced impedance transformation.

Abstract: The invention relates to upgrading existing telephone central offices which utilize electromechanical or electronic switching equipment to include the capability of processing calls in the ISDN protocol. In particular, it relates to providing said switching equipment with the capability of controlling the connection, management, and disconnection of telephone circuits using Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), a national and international standard set of protocols for providing such circuit control and providing and receiving information via the ISDN protocol for enabling enhanced service in the switching equipment.

Abstract: A panel for illuminating an object such as an instrument in at least one aperture therein while minimizing the amount of light directly transmitted toward the front of the panel. A portion of the panel is integrally formed of light transmitting material with at least one aperture having a cylindrical portion extending partially into the front of the panel towards the object to be viewed and outwardly beveled edges on at least a portion of the remainder of the aperture toward the object for emitting light and illuminating the object, the angle of the beveled edges and the depth of the cylindrical portion being selected such that transmission of the emitted light in the direction of the front of the panel is minimized.

Abstract: The invention comprises a varactor tuning diode for use in a voltage controlled oscillator with a fast-hopping capability and short settling time for resonant frequency changes wherein the varactor tuning diode comprises an MOS structure with an oxide layer with thick and thin segments contiguous with and below the conductive metal layer, a permanently inverted P+ silicon area and a space-charge region terminating at the oxide layer a significant distance away from the planar PN junction such as to isolate the surface effects and bulk effect.

Abstract: In the measurement of fluid flow, the generation of a linearly varying signal and a pulsation free display are provided by a flow responsive indicator having digit displays for numerically indicating the rate of measured flow. The digit displays are driven in accordance with a measured flow signal applied to circuitrry for generating an updated display signal from a previous display signal and the current value of the measured flow signal. This analog updated display signal is converted into a digital signal for driving circuitry connected to each of the digit displays. The measured flow signal applied to the indicator is generated at a flow transmitter including a transducer, such as a Hall effect element. This transducer generates a signal varying with flow in response to movement of a vane mounted in proximity thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably mounting a winch within an enclosed housing wherein the apparatus comprises a housing with an access opening, a winch located in the housing, first and second platforms, means for securing the second platform in order to prevent rotation, means for detachably mounting the winch to the second platform, and coupling means for attaching the first and second platforms in a manner such that the second platform rotates with respect to the first platform.

Abstract: The present invention is a rotary drill bit locking mechanism comprising a support spindle and a cutter cone with bearing surfaces. Furthermore, first and second annular grooves are formed on the bearing surfaces of the support spindle and the cutter cone that are radially adjacent to each other when the cutter cone is secured onto the support spindle. Additionally, a holding ring having a plurality of segments is assembled into the first and second annular grooves to secure the cutter cone into a rotatable position on the support spindle. Further, there is means for biasing the segments of the holding ring into a ring-like configuration in the annular grooves. This invention thus provides a rotary drill bit locking mechanism for holding a cutter cone onto the support spindle that is easy to manufacture and assemble.

Abstract: The invention relates to upgrading existing telephone central offices which utilize electromechanical or electronic switching equipment incapable of using the SS7 protocol. In particular, it relates to providing the switching equipment with the capability of controlling the connection, management, and disconnection of telephone circuits using Signaling System Number 7, a national and international standard set of protocols for providing such circuit control and providing and receiving information via the SS7 protocol for enabling enhanced service in the switching equipment.

Abstract: An illumination/ventilation system is described wherein the light tube used to support one or more incandescent lamps forms part of the ventilation system itself. The system includes a blower having a forced air outlet with first a conduit connectings the outlet of the blower to an inlet of the light tube. A second conduit connects to an outlet of the light tube to form a circulating air path through which air is forced by the blower to ventilate the light tube. Preferably, the light tube comprises an elongate base member and an elongate light diffuser for supporting the lamps along the light tube. The light tube also includes an elongate track member having a tongue along its entire length which mates which a groove along the length of the base member to secure the track in the base member. Each of the individual lamps is supported in the elongate track member by an adapter track clip which is press-fitted, rather than twisted, into the track.

Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary pump with sliding vanes with a self-lubricating solid coating covering the exterior end facing surfaces of the rotor and end facing surfaces of air transfer end plates. Additionally disclosed herein is a rotary pump with sliding vanes with a pair of bushings centrally located in the rotor with the internal bearing facing surfaces of the bushings covered with a self-lubricating solid coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing extended subscriber features, e.g., equal access, to otherwise non-conforming central offices of a telephone switching system. According to the invention, a register module is interposed between the subscriber line and an input of the central office for intercepting digits from the subscriber line intended for the central office and for receiving subscriber information from the central office identifying the subscriber line. The register module includes a memory having a plurality of address locations and a control circuit for analyzing the intercepted digits to determine whether processing of the subscriber call requires an extended subscriber feature. If so, the intercepted digits are processed to generate a coded signal, the coded signal including the address location where the stored digits and the subscriber information resides in the memory.