Abstract: A novel product and product by process is disclosed. The product is a uniform electrically-conductive coating on an insulative substrate, which coating is formed onto a printed circuit substrate having high aspect ratio holes (with an aspect ratio of 6:1 or higher) therein.Planting of high aspect ration holes is accomplished by offset longitudinally spaced-apart manifolds submerged in an electrolyte bath together with the printed circuit substrate moving back and forth in the space between the manifolds. A pump in a closed circulation system creates a vacuum in each manifold. The manifold portions adjacent to the printed circuit substrate include slots in a smooth curved front nose of the manifold to cause the electrolyte to be moved through the holes and in a sweeping vortex movement across the board's surface nearest to the manifold slots.

Abstract: A method and a structure to implement maximum-likelihood decoding of convolutional codes on a network of microprocessors interconnected as an n-dimensional cube (hypercube). By proper reordering of states in the decoder, only communication between adjacent processors is required. Communication time is limited to that required for communication only of the accumulated metrics and not the survivor parameters of a Viterbi decoding algorithm. The survivor parameters are stored at a local processor's memory and a trace-back method is employed to ascertain the decoding result. Faster and more efficient operation is enabled, and decoding of large constraint length codes is feasible using standard VLSI technology.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systematic methods and apparatus for the design of real time controllers. Real-time control employs adaptive force/position by use of feedforward and feedback controllers, with the feedforward controller being the inverse of the linearized model of robot dynamics and containing only proportional-double-derivative terms is disclosed. The feedback controller, of the proportional-integral-derivative type, ensures that manipulator joints follow reference trajectories and the feedback controller achieves robust tracking of step-plus-exponential trajectories, all in real time.The adaptive controller includes adaptive force and position control within a hybrid control architecture. The adaptive controller, for force control, achieves tracking of desired force setpoints, and the adaptive position controller accomplishes tracking of desired position trajectories. Circuits in the adaptive feedback and feedforward controllers are varied by adaptation laws.

Abstract: A device for automatically controlling coating amount for use in a coating machine including a backup roll, an applicator roll, a pickup roll, a base, a first table slidably mounted on the base and a second table slidably mounted on the first table. The device includes first and second pressure adjusting mechanisms for adjusting a pressure between the backup roll and the applicator roll and a pressure between the applicator roll and the pickup roll. Each of the first and second pressure adjusting mechanisms further includes a sensor, a stepping motor and a precision ball bearing screw member.

Abstract: A tamper evident closure apparatus is described in which a closure sensing switch is positioned inside of a container for nonprescription drugs and the like for producing a lid removal signal upon the removal of the lid from the container. A sound signal generator responds to the lid removal signal and generates an auditory sound of safety signal informing the person opening the container that the lid has not been previously removed. A safety circuit also responds to the removal of the lid and inhibits the sound signal generator from responding to a second or subsequent lid removal signal so that the replacement and subsequent removal of the lid will not trigger the generation of a second sound of safety signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a pulse-echo imaging or ranging system comprising means (32) for identifying the analytic signal from a received signal and means (34) for extracting ranging information from the analytic signal. The analytic signal can be obtained and processed by digital or by analog circuit means. One embodiment of the analog circuit means (32) includes means (90) for modulating the received signal on a carrier frequency, means (92) for obtaining a single sideband signal from the modulated signal and means (94) for envelope detecting the single sideband signal.

Abstract: A method of gas carburizing and hardening a steel article and a continuous furnace therefor. The method includes the steps of carburizing the article in a carburizing atmosphere at atmospheric pressure, heating the article in a vacuum for a predetermined period of time, and hardening the article.

Abstract: A combined steam-gas-turbine power plant includes a steam turbine and a first gas turbine drivingly connected to first and second electric generators. A second gas turbine is arranged for driving a compressor supplying air to both a steam boiler and a combustor which respectively provide working fluid for the steam and gas turbine. The compressor is driven at a variable speed in accordance with the load requirements of the first and second generators. Gas turbine exhaust is used for recuperative heating of both fuel and air supplies.

Abstract: Two or more robotic arms having end effectors rigidly attached to an object to be moved are disclosed. A hybrid position/force control system is provided for driving each of the robotic arms. The object to be moved is represented as having a total mass that consists of the actual mass of the object to be moved plus the mass of the moveable arms that are rigidly attached to the moveable object. The arms are driven in a positive way by the hybrid control system to assure that each arm shares in the position/force applied to the object. The burden of actuation is shared by each arm in a non-conflicting way as the arm independently control the position of, and force upon, a designated point on the object.

Abstract: A grasp force sensor for robotic hands is disclosed. A flexible block is located in the base of each claw through which the grasp force is exerted. The block yields minute parallelogram deflection when the claws are subjected to grasping forces. A parallelogram deflection closely resembles pure translational deflection, whereby the claws remain in substantial alignment with each other during grasping. Strain gauge transducers supply signals which provide precise knowledge of and control over grasp forces.

Abstract: A new Bouvardia variety characterized by the white, double flowers. The blooms have a better stem quality with more blooms per stem, and a longer vase life.

Abstract: A new Alstroemeria variety characterized by the distinctive pink coloration of its blossoms, the petals of which are covered with longitudinal flecks or streaks of a darker shade of pink, white striped margins and a light yellow striped heart. The plant is late in flowering with relatively thick flower stems.

Abstract: A new Alstroemeria variety characterized by the distinctive reddish orange coloration of its blossoms, the inside petals of which are covered with longitudinal flecks or streaks of a darker shade of reddish orange and reddish orange with yellow dark striped hearts. The plant is early in flowering with relatively thick flower stems.

Abstract: A new Alstroemeria variety characterized by the pale colored blossoms, the outer petals of which are yellowish white and inner petals of which are deep yellow with a yellow striped heart with flecks of purplish red. The plant is early in flowering with relatively short stems.

Abstract: A new Alstroemeria variety characterized by the deep red colored blossoms, the petals of which are reddish orange with an orange yellow striped heart. The plant is early in flowering with relatively short stems.

Abstract: A new Bouvardia variety characterized by the light pink, double flowers. The blooms have a better stem quality with more blooms per stem, and a longer vase life.

Abstract: A new Bouvardia variety characterized by the bright red, single flowers. The blooms are relatively large, have a better stem quality with more blooms per stem, and a longer vase life.