Abstract: The present invention is a link adapted to connect facing vanes of a vertical blind. Each of the links is comprised of an articulated arm engaged to said vanes by a cleat pivotally engaged to each end thereof. The articulated arm is comprised of first and second limbs, the first limb having a channel therein and the second limb having means to pivotally and slideably engage the channel. In a preferred embodiment, the channel is formed by an elongate loop extending from an end of the first limb, and the engagement means comprises a pin extending from the free end of the second limb, adapted to slideably engage the loop. The articulated arm is somewhat longer than the width of a single vane, in order to minimize the possibility of the edge of the vane becoming entangled in the joint between the arms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of cutting meat. The apparatus and method is particularly directed to separating a backbone portion from a rib portion of a piece of meat. The apparatus is comprised of a vertical orientation unit for vertically orienting the piece of meat. The orientation unit includes a longitudinal receiving channel having a generally horizontal top surface, the surface having a slot. The width of the slot accommodates the rib portion but not the backbone portion so that the backbone portion is held above the orientation unit. A moving unit is provided and is adapted to contact the backbone portion for moving the piece of meat horizontally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the channel. A cutting unit is provided which includes a saw blade, a portion of which is oriented horizontally, wherein the cutting unit horizontally cuts the rib portion from the backbone portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating a magnification compensation signal for use in a scanning electron microscope. The apparatus includes an electron beam generator that generates a beam at a predetermined energy level in accordance with a beam energy signal. The apparatus allows for refocussing by varying the beam energy signal about a nominal value corresponding to the predetermined energy level. The apparatus also provides a magnification compensator producing a magnification compensation signal that varies in accordance with the variation of the beam energy signal from the predetermined energy level.

Abstract: A method of filling an annular space between inner and outer coaxially arranged pipes while providing the option of maintaining fluid flow through the inner pipe includes optionally establishing fluid flow through the inner pipe; installing first and second seals in the annular space between the two spaced apart pipes at first and second ends of the pipes and inserting one end of a vacuum tube into the annular space through the first seal at the high point in the first seal. A grout tube is inserted into the annular space through the second seal at the high point of the second seal. A vacuum is applied to the second end of the vacuum tube and a grout mixture is applied to an opposite end of the grout tube. A sufficient vacuum is maintained within the annular space for such a time period to draw the grout mixture from the second end to the first end of the pipes to completely fill the annular space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in detecting the substance of an object contained within an enclosure. The apparatus is comprised of an acoustic transmitter for transmitting a pulse of acoustic energy at a first side of the enclosure. A first acoustic receiver is provided for receiving acoustic energy reflected from the object to produce a reflected acoustic energy signal. A second acoustic receiver is provided for receiving acoustic energy which has been transmitted or refracted through the object to produce a transmitted acoustic energy signal. A signal processor is connected to the transmitter and to said first and second receivers. The signal processor processes the transmitted pulse of acoustic energy, the reflected acoustic energy signal and the transmitted acoustic energy signal to produce an object signature indicative of the object. A comparator is provided for comparing the object signature with the signature of known objects to determine the substance of the object.

Abstract: A papermaking machine is modified by replacing a conventional rotatable couch roll by a stationary couch device that still serves the essential functions of the roll, namely dewatering of the furnish carried by the web and modification of the direction of travel of the web to turn it down towards the main drive roll. This stationary device is made of an abrasion resistant ceramic material and has a member with a convexly curved upper surface on which the web slides. Water is sucked from the furnish by a vacuum applied through perforations in the member. The majority of these perforations preferably take the form of slots that extend obliquely to both the transverse extent of the machine and the direction of web travel. The arrangement permits easier and more effective maintenance of the vacuum than with a couch roll and more efficient dewatering, with no rewetting of the web or furnish when leaving the couch device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflective assembly for use in an antenna for receiving an incident microwave signal having a wavelength .lambda.. The reflective assembly is comprised of a sequence of microwave reflective surfaces facing in a common direction. Each reflective surface is at least a portion of a concave surface of one of a corresponding sequence of paraboloids that have a common axis and a common focal point. A unit is provided for mounting the reflective surfaces in an array such that when the incident microwave signal is received parallel to the access, each reflective surface reflects the incident microwave signal as a reflected microwave signal onto the common focal point, wherein each reflected microwave signal arrives at the common focal point in-phase with each other of the reflected microwave signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for calibrating the magnification of a scanning electron microscope. The microscope includes a generator for generating an electron beam, a scanning signal generator for producing a scanning signal and a unit for scanning the beam. The apparatus is comprised of a calibration object which has a plurality of aligned elements thereon which, when scanned by the electron beam produces a signal having a frequency which has a fundamental periodicity dependent on the spacing of the aligned elements. A detector is provided for detecting the signal and producing an output signal having a data content and the fundamental periodicity. A unit is connected to the detector for determining the fundamental periodicity of the output signal from the entire data content of the output signal. A control unit is provided for producing a desired magnification signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in an amplitude modulated RF transmitter. The device protects power transistors located in the RF transmitter particularly in the modulator and power amplifier portions of the transmitter. The device is comprised of a capacitor unit which is adpated to be charged in a first direction; a detector which detects an audio modulating signal; and a discharge unit which is connected to both the capacitor unit and the detector which selectively discharges the capacitor unit when the value of the audio modulating signal reaches a first preset level for a preset time duration during a portion of the audio modulating signal which causes positive modulation of the RF transmitter. The device also comprises a switch unit connected to the capacitor unit and which is activated when the capacitor unit discharges to a predetermined level. The switch unit is operable to remove, when activated, the audio modulating signal from the power transistors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slow down circuit for use with a digital computer having a microprocessor ready line, an address bus and a data bus. The slow down circuit is comprised of an address decode logic unit for producing an inhibit signal when predetermined bit patterns appear on the address bus. The predetermined bit patterns represent special computer functions which require the computer to operate at normal speed. A slow down signal generator is connected to the address bus and the data bus for generating a bi-level signal. A combiner is connected to the address decode logic unit and the slow down signal generator for combining the inhibit signal and the bi-level signal to produce a control signal. The control signal has a first and a second logic level. When the control signal is at the first logic level the computer operates at normal speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for scanning a plurality of sensor units. The device is comprised of at least one remote data acquisition unit which sequentially scans a plurality of sensor units and which stores data corresponding to the stress measured and the location of the sensor unit measuring the stress. A master control unit is provided for receiving address and stress data from the at least one remote data acquisition unit and comparing the magnitude of the stress with respect to predetermined stress values. A display unit is provided which illustrates the relative magnitude of stress measured with the above mentioned predetermined stress values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a driver circuit for use in connecting a source of RF drive voltage to a power amplifier stage. The driver is comprised of a transformer having a center tap, a first terminal connected to a first branch of the transformer and a second terminal connected to a second branch of the transformer. A first capacitor is connected between the source and the center tap. A second capacitor is connected across the first and second terminals. The first terminal is connected to the input of the amplifier and the dummy load is connected to the second terminal. The dummy load can be replaced by a second power amplifier stage having an input impedance similar to the input impedance of the first mentioned power amplifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system. The control system controls the displacement of a working portion of an implement with respect to a reference position. The reference position can be the ground surface in the proximity of the working portion of the implement. A sensor is provided for determining the location of the ground surface to provide a reference signal. A signal generator is provided for producing a displacement signal which is representative of a preselected displacement. A comparator produces an error signal which is proportional to the sum of the reference signal and the displacement signal minus a null point signal. A servo mechanism is provided which is operable via the error signal to control the displacement of the working portion so as to substantially move the working portion the preselected displacement from the reference position thereby causing the error signal to be reduced to approximately the null point signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow restrictor for insertion into the inlet of a pipe to restrict fluid flow within said pipe to a predetermined maximum. The flow restrictor is comprised of a tapered tubular hollow body portion having a smaller diameter and a larger diameter end. A cover plate is attached to the larger diameter end. An aperture having a predetermined cross-sectional area is located in the cover plate. The smaller diameter end is open to fluid flow. The predetermined cross-sectional area of the aperture determines the predetermined maximum fluid flow.