Abstract: A hermetic cap member of a casing for a semiconductor memory element is provided with a protection layer on a recessed surface facing the memory element. The protection layer is of at least one material which does not emit alpha particles and has a thickness sufficient to prevent alpha particles from being emitted from the cap member onto the memory element. Specifically, the protection layer may be a plate of a pertinent one of the following silicon of high purity, 42 alloy, or Kovar and is attached to the cap member by the use of an adhesive of glass frit. Alternatively, the protection layer may be made from a metallic paste of silver, silver-palladium, or gold-palladium by firing the same onto the cap member. The protection layer may also be magnesium oxide formed by the use of a plasma spray process. As a further alternative, the protection layer may consist of a plurality of materials.

Abstract: A propagator for the cultivation of plants in a controlled environment comprising upper and lower elongate containers having a common perforated wall, a plurality of plant seeds supported in spaced relation by or adjacent the common wall, means for injecting liquid in the form of vapor or droplets into an end of each of the elongate containers and means for maintaining a pressure in the elongate containers greater than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A refresh circuit for a dynamic semiconductor memory wherein each access to the main semiconductor memory for the storage or retrieval of information is detected and recorded in an auxiliary memory. During each memory access, the memory row being accessed is automatically refreshed as part of the storage or retrieval process. In accordance with the invention, the auxiliary memory is examined prior to the commencement of a refresh cycle and if a particular row in the main memory has been accessed during the current refresh cycle, that row is not refreshed but is skipped until the next refresh cycle, at which time the need for a refresh signal is again determined.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a unitary magnetically sensitive circuit element or network and a flexibly articulatable elongate assembly of a plurality of such elements or networks, with electrical interconnection of the same, such assembly being inherently suited to precision operation as a function of length, whatever the length selected for a particular application or use. In one application to liquid-depth indication within a tank, the longate assembly is merely inserted into the tube along which a float-borne permanent magnet is guided, and the magnetically sensitive element of each successive unit is actuated as the float tracks liquid level and is displaced from actuating relation with one and then to the next-adjacent one of the circuit-element units. The connection of circuit-element units is such that electrical-resistance observation from one end of the assembly provides a direct indication of the liquid level at which the float magnet is currently operative.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a pipette with an adjustable volume, wherein an upper stop bushing provided with inside threading is arranged around the piston shaft of the pipette in corresponding threading formed around said piston shaft. When the press button is turned, the upper stop bushing that determines the top position of the piston can be moved by means of the thread joint up and down in relation to the piston shaft so as to adjust the volume of the pipette. In the frame casing of the pipette, along the side, a longitudinal slit passing through the frame casing and provided with a scale is arranged. At the bottom end of the piston shaft, an expansion part is arranged or formed into which a ball is fitted in a bore,, said ball being pressed outwards by a spring.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes terminals for use in monitoring characteristics of circuit elements formed therein. The terminals are formed of a layer of polycrystalline silicon and terminate in an enlarged area pad portion adapted to be contacted by a probe of an external characteristics-monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an improved optical system for illuminating the retina or ground of the eye and having particular application to a hand-held ophthalmoscope. The optical system, thus embodied, permits selective modification of image scale, for a test mark or marks projected in the eye. Two embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for producing sheathed cable which includes an inner insulated conductor/conductor group, an outer corrugated metal sheath, and a barrier layer of a closed-cell foam disposed therebetween to prevent the passage of gas or vapors via the cable. The method includes the steps of extruding a heat activated closed cell foam about the insulated conductor, forming an outer sheath around the foam, and activating the foam to fill the space between the inner and outer sheaths. In accordance with varying alternative embodiments of the invention, the extruded barrier foam layer may be continuous or interrupted; and/or may comprise an already foamed material compressed by formation of the outer metallic sheath.

Abstract: An improved revetment construction is provided. Each individual revetment unit has a base section and legs extending from its corners, the legs and base sections are so constructed and arranged that the individual units when placed in array interlock with each other, yet permit water inflow and outflow. The interlocking action is provided even though the individual units are not contacting each other. A variety of arrangements may be provided on the base section to control wave action. The units may also be inverted to further provide wave control action.

Abstract: A hydroplane boat hull of cylindrical-ellipsoidal form formed from sections each having internal flanges formed around the edges thereof, the abutting flanges of the sections being secured together to form the hull and at the same time the flanges forming internal ribs for the hull. The hull includes a keel including an engine supporting base having a step formed thereon, a step providing a planing surface for the hull. A pair of propellor housings are joined to the engine supporting base, they extend longitudinally thereof and each propellor housing has an opening located adjacent the step so that as the hull rises to a planing position on the step the propellors constantly engage the water.

Abstract: An improved method for producing sheathed cable which includes an inner insulated conductor/conductor group, an outer corrugated metal sheath, and a barrier layer of a closed-cell foam disposed therebetween to prevent the passage of gas or vapors via the cable. The method includes the steps of wrapping a strip of heat activated closed cell foam about the insulated conductor, forming an outer sheath around the foam, and activating the foam to fill the space between the inner and outer sheaths. In accordance with varying alternative embodiments of the invention, the barrier strip may be continuous or interrupted; and/or may comprise an already foamed material compressed by formation of the outer metallic sheath.

Abstract: A pipette comprising a frame portion shaped as a handle, inside which a cylinder is formed as well as a piston fitted into the cylinder by means of a seal ring, a piston rod connected to the piston, and a press knob with shaft fitted to the upper end of the frame portion. The shaft of the press knob is fastened to the piston rod, which is by means of a seal ring guided into the cylinder space. A connecting channel passes through the piston and partly through the piston rod from the bottom end of the piston into the cylinder space. The bottom end of the piston or an extension part attached to same and provided with a through channel constitutes the tip of the pipette, to which the tip vessel is designed to be connected. When the press knob is depressed, the piston moves down and, at the same time, outwards from the cylinder space so as to suck liquid into the tip vessel by means of the vacuum in this way formed through the channel passing through the piston rod, piston, and possible extension part.

Abstract: In an electronic module for a ground fault interrupter the portion that amplifies a sensed ground fault signal is in the form of a series of cascaded CMOS inverter stages. The electronic module also includes an additional CMOS inverter providing a balanced input to the amplifier to aid in preventing operation of the ground fault interrupter during the turn-on period of operation.

Abstract: Surgically non-invasive method of and apparatus for altering the growth, repair and maintenance behavior of living tissues and/or cells by inducing voltage and concomitant current pulses of specific time-frequency-amplitude relations therewithin.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a refractometer that images a test mark on the retina and is automatic in its determination of both refractive-power and astigmatism parameters, for the eye under examination. An imaging lens serves both (1) to project the test mark to the retina and (2) to convey that image for refocus external to the eye, to a scanner having the ability to digitally establish the eye's focal length. In the process of establishing the eye's focal length, the instrument automatically positions the imaging lens to best serve infinity viewing by the eye, and a prism then rotates the test mark while the scanner photoelectrically tracks the refocused image for the angles at which response is at a maximum, thus establishing astigmatism parameters. The instrument provides selective direct indication or print-out of the automatically determined parametric values.

Abstract: Continuous automatic feeding apparatus for bulk material is provided. The device has a vibratory feeder for moving the material to be fed, the feeder having a centrally disposed narrow spoon extending therefrom which provides a relatively small rate of material feed. A pair of hoppers are located under the composite feeder, and the material supplied to each controlled by a pair of displaceable deflectors. Each deflector has three positions: a first position in which the deflector prevents any flow into its associated hopper and deflects the flow into the other hopper; a second position in which the flow from the feeder is deflected to the other hopper but the flow from the spoon is permitted to enter its associated hopper; and a third position in which the flow from both the vibratory feeder and the spoon enters the associated hopper. Each hopper has a weigh cell and control apparatus associated therewith to operate the deflectors and empty the hoppers when a predetermined weight has been attained.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a disposable surgical drape of pliable elastomeric film, precut and seamed for sterile packaging and instant readiness to assemble to a microscope head, with assurance of microscope sterility during surgical procedures. The drape is so formed as to enable simple and effective lens barrels, without requiring use of rubber bands, pressure-sensitive tape, adhesive bands or the like. A kit including one disposable drape also includes an objective-lens adapter ring which not only correctly retains drape material at the periphery of an objective-lens barrel, but also provides a rugged base, external of the drape, for ready removable mounting of successive disposable plane-parallel protective cover plates as they may become soiled in the course of any single surgical procedure.

Abstract: Surgically non-invasive method of and apparatus for altering the growth, repair and maintenance behavior of living tissues and/or cells by inducing voltage and concomitant current pulses of specific time-frequency-amplitude relations therewithin.

Abstract: The invention contemplates instrumentation to enable performance of a plurality of automatic photometric analyses upon liquid samples, as in different analyses of such body fluids as blood, urine, etc. Prior to photometric evaluation, the liquid samples are automatically subjected to controlled doses of one or more reagents, and dwell times, as appropriate to the analysis to be performed at any given time. The particular automatic performance of a given analysis is supplied from an insertably replaceable holder which contains the reagents, dosage devices, and program-control coding unique to the particular analysis. Upon inserted replacement of the holder with another selected holder which is suitably encoded and equipped with reagents, the same instrument will serve for the handling of liquid samples unique to a different biological analysis.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an improved binocular telescope construction of the variety wherein a bridge provides articulated connection of the two telescope systems, so that by folding at least one of these articulated systems back against a side of the bridge, the instrument may be compacted when not in use. The invention is particularly concerned with provision of a single focusing drive for the focusing optical elements of both telescope systems, the drive being operative regardless of the extent of articulated expansion or contraction of the bridge-connected systems. The invention also features provision of such focusing by movement of optical elements contained within the overall telescope-housing length, so that such length does not change in the course of focusing. Various embodiments are described.