Abstract: A composite sheet transducer for producing voltage in response to stimuli d having a polymeric sheet sandwiched between a plurality of thin film conductive blocks arranged in non-conductively isolated block patterns of opposed electrode assemblies to establish a network of closed circuit segments of sensors. Electric shorting between opposed overlapping blocks is thereby limited to circuit segment areas of the composite sheet to avoid interference with voltage production in other areas of the composite sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analog frequency modulatable laser. The radiation of the lasing medium is analog frequency modulated by change of the optical path length by movement of reflective mirrors forming the resonant cavity at the frequency of radiation of the laser in a manner corresponding to an information signal. In one embodiment, a magnetostrictive material is deposited on and bonded to the outer periphery of an active lasing medium having appropriate mirrors on the ends thereof. The magnetostrictive material is exposed to an information encoded magnetic field and physically expands or contracts the physical length of the lasing medium along the optical axis of the lasing medium corresponding to the modulated information of the magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modulation of a phase conjugate beam. A writing beam is directed incident to a phase conjugate reflector. A modulating beam is also directed incident to the phase conjugate reflector for amplitude modulation of the phase conjugate beam. The modulating beam can also be steerable for effecting the amplitude of the phase conjugate beam according to spatial distribution so as to spatially modulate the phase conjugate beam. The phase conjugate modulation thus can be accomplished by opto-optical means and without modulation of or effect on the incident writing beam.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel having a backlight for providing high brigess, uniformity of illumination intensity, high efficiency, and long battery life, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. The display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a light source for illuminating the liquid crystal panel, a light passage member which can be formed of a transparent material disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the light source. The light source inlet side of the light passage member is formed with a recess with the thickness being reduced at the region diametrically opposed to the light source. A light reflecting member reflects light from the light source. Within the photoconductor, two or more of the wedged shaped photo conductor can be used for increased area of coverage.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin is homogeneously mixed with a carbohydrate additive within a predetermined weight ratio range and then extruded under the usual extrusion temperature and pressure conditions to enhance physical properties of the extruded material.

Abstract: The handle portion of a hair dryer is seated within a retainer and held positioned therein by abutment with a curved backstop depending from the retainer. The retainer and backstop are rigidified by a rib interfitted with and pivotally connected to a rigid projection from a base in alignment with a vertical pivot plane. The base is attached to a vertical support surface by at least two suction cups equally spaced from the pivot plane above the horizontal pivot axis about which the retainer is angularly adjusted to a desired oriented position.

Abstract: A web backing support interconnecting tubular housings in spaced relation, extends through slots formed in extensions of closure caps coaxially mounted on the ends of the tubular housings to render the caps non-rotatable. Adjusting knobs axially fixed to scroll shafts rotationally supported by the end caps, within the tubular housings, are engaged by the end caps under spring bias to resist rotation of the scroll shafts and thereby yieldably hold the web in adjusted positions.

Abstract: Telephone selection signals are conducted through a separate signal path to a program selector at a remote program storing station from which program readout signals are conducted, after the telephone link is broken, to a signal carrier transmitter. A message signal is inserted during a timed message period, after which program transmission begins and is registered by a billing computer.

Abstract: A lift bar spaced forwardly of the front end of an elongated tubular frame member supported above ground by a pair of wheels, is positioned in abutment with a log at ground level by forward tilting of the frame member to a pick-up position. In the pick-up position, a pivoted hook on the frame member drops into engagement with the log to hold it on the lift bar above ground during wheeled transport. The log is unloaded by retracting the hook and rolling it off the lift bar over retainer jaws fixed to the lift bar on opposite sides of a pivot plane in which the hook is displaceable and through which the frame axis extends perpendicular to the lift bar.

Abstract: A rotor assembly driven by a motor, supports a burner element within a combustion chamber from which smoke is withdrawn. Combustible material stored in a hopper chamber is gravitationally fed into the combustion chamber with an inflow of air induced by rotation of blower vanes on the rotor assembly to produce the smoke when the burner element is electrically energized.

Abstract: Selected program code and time data entered into a subscriber command terminal automatically establishes a two-way telephone link with a library computer from which instruction data is transferred to the command terminal for subsequent programmed reception and reproduction of broadcast signals by a standard receiver coupled to the command terminal. The broadcast signal originates at a library of program records linked by a one-way broadcast transmitter to a plurality of the subscriber command terminals.

Abstract: A plurality of recorded audio/video signal sources of a program library sequentially transmit segments of a broadcast signal within a time compressed transmission period through a common signal carrier path to a plurality of subscriber stations at which selected segments are detected and expanded for real time reproduction through standard television receivers. Program selection is effected at the subscriber stations through telephone dialing codes also transmitted to the service station by standard telephone communication producing insertion of message information in the broadcast signal during spacing intervals between the sequential segments thereof.

Abstract: The supply of energy in response to thermostat demand, to heating and cooling equipment is reduced by intermittent interruption during demand intervals and prolonged intermittently upon cessation of demand in accordance with the duration of such demand intervals pursuant to memory stored heating and cooling sequences of power interruption cycles. Sensors detect the presence and absence of energy demand to time the duration of the demand intervals and control the intermittent interruption in the supply of energy for energy saving purposes.

Abstract: An axial piston machine having double acting piston assemblies incorporating swivel joints from which connecting rods extend to drive points on the radial arms of a wobble plate, the central pivot of which is established by a universal joint support. The wobble plate is connected by a crankpin and a crankarm to a crankshaft establishing a precessing driving plane at a tilt angle to the crankshaft axis of preferably less than 18.degree.. A valve rotatable about the crankshaft axis controls the supply and exhaust of fluid to the piston assemblies.

Abstract: The outline of a wall hanging object is cut out of a flexible sheet of material to form a transfer blank adapted to be positioned on a wall surface and adhesively held thereon at a desired location. The hanging point on the object is located and transferred to the transfer blank by a marking tool. The hanger device for the object is nailed to the wall surface through the transfer blank at the hanging point marked thereon, after which the transfer blank is removed.

Abstract: The housing of a smoke generator is provided with an outlet passage conducting a blower induced flow of particulate material from a hopper. An inflow of air is conducted to the blower separate from the material through a conduit extending through the hopper. The material is comminuted before entering the blower and is discharged by the blower into the outlet passage to accumulate on the upstream side of a screen which also forms a burner element activated by means of a switch to effect combustion of the accumulated material. The smoke so produced is displaced through the screen under the pressure produced in the outlet passage by the blower.

Abstract: Comminuted material conveyed from a hopper by a blower induced airstream accumulates on a screen. When a measured amount of material accumulates on the upstream side of the screen, a burner is energized to effect combustion of the material, producing smoke and unclogging the screen. The smoke is displaced by the airstream through the screen and is discharged therewith from a smoke outlet.

Abstract: A stack of flat rectangular blanks are deformed in a single bending operation during which adhesive coatings between the blanks is activated to produce a laminated wood chair. Preceding the bending operation, the blanks are cut to remove a front end section and to form internal tongues struck out during the bending operation into rear leg elements. The removed front end section forms a rigid core for a seat cushion fitted onto the seat panel portion of the chair.

Abstract: Adjacent primary digitals of a musical keyboard are actuated in the same fingering sequence for all key signatures. Each primary digital forms part of a three section group having two secondary digitals for producing the sharps and flats. Through a separate selector keyboard, the tones produced by selected digitals are shifted by a half-tone in accordance with a logic applied program to transpose operation of the keyboard to the selected key signature.

Abstract: Electrical line voltage energy from an AC power network is combined with the energy derived from an auxiliary DC voltage source through the primary winding of a transformer to operate an AC load under rated conditions normally associated with its operation by the AC power network alone. The DC voltage is converted to a form compatible with said rated operation of the load under control of AC signals sampled from the AC power network. Line voltage from the AC power network to the transformer primary is blocked when sufficient energy is available from the DC voltage source alone to operate the load.