Abstract: An apparatus comprising, inter alia, gyroscope feedback circuitry which aw scanning the rotor magnet of a gyroscope disposed in an associated guided missile system so as to increase the seeker field thereof is disclosed. A signal from the cage coil of the gyroscope having an amplitude approximating a sine function of the angular position of the spin axis of the rotor magnet portion of the gyroscope with respect to the body axis of the associated guided missile is used to generate a constant amplitude drive signal for driving the precession coil of the gyroscope. Scanning, so as to drive the rotor magnet in a predetermined scan pattern is accomplished by phase shifting the signal from the cage coil as a function of its amplitude and then driving the precession coil with the aforementioned constant amplitude drive signal which is phased-locked to the phase shifted or processed cage coil signal.

Abstract: The intrinsic time constant .tau. of liquids is measured directly by using he apparatus of the present invention termed a "taumeter". The taumeter impresses a predetermined voltage, level between a pair of electrode immersed in the liquid to be measured. The taumeter then measures the time it takes for the foregoing voltage to decay from a predetermined value V.sub.A to a predetermined value V.sub.B. Comparator logic produces a gate pulse having a leading edge at a time T.sub.A corresponding to the occurrance of the predetermined voltage V.sub.A and a trailing edge at a time T.sub.B corresponding to the occurrance of the predetermined voltage V.sub.B. The gate pulse is used to gate a system counter which counts the zero crossings of a very accurate system clock to determine the intrinsic time constant of the liquid. The foregoing pulsing is repeated as determined by a duty cycle generator.

Abstract: The performance of the conventional permeable base transistor (PBT) is imved by configuring its structure so as to eliminate excessive parasitic losses above and below its control grid structure, to eliminate excessive negative feedback in its source-grid (gate) region, and to eliminate the requirement for backfill of the trenches over the control grid structure. The improved PBT structure features, inter alia, a collector/anode/drain structure comprising a plurality of Schottky metal contacts, and the aforementioned control grid structure comprising a plurality of Schottky metal control grid elements. Each of the plurality of Schottky metal control grid elements, after fabrication, is shaped like an inverted upper case letter T emplaced in corresponding ones of a plurality of trenches of the improved PBT structure.

Abstract: A high peak power, broad band, radio frequency pulse generator generates are wave pulses at a high pulse repetition frequency for use in jamming of radar, data links, voice communication, or other radio frequency signals. The generator is constructed with one or more pairs of coaxial cable formed into opposite half loops. The cable is provided with an inner conductor and outer conductors with the outer conductor of each opposed loop attached to a spark gap switch while the inner conductor is continuous throughout the loops from one side of a matched impedance load, such as an antenna, to the other side of the load. The spark gap switch is provided with a pair of electrodes separated by a gap. The gap contains a dielectric medium having fast spark quenching characteristics and a high standoff voltage. Peak power for the generator is 10 to 100 kilowatts with a pulse repetition frequency of 1 to 100 kilohertz.

Abstract: An Externally Specified Index (ESI) peripheral simulator portion of an ESI eripheral simulation system allows a plurality of parallel word input/output (I/O) channels of a tactical computer to communicate with each other as if real peripheral equipment were attached thereto. A simulation computer having a similar plurality of parallel word I/O channels is operatively connected to the ESI peripheral simulator such that it converts the interface signals of the simulation computer to be compatible with the interface signals of the tactical computer. Accordingly, the function of the ESI peripheral simulator is to simulate tactical peripherals. It accomplishes the foregoing function by using information transferred to it by the simulation computer.

Abstract: A plurality of passive filters in combination with a corresponding plurality of operational amplifiers form an individual series of quasi low-pass, bandpass, and quasi high-pass filters which when their outputs are summed in an operational amplifier summer, constitute a "semi-active" notch filter having a low frequency phase shift of substantially zero, and a notch frequency which can be adjusted independently of the low frequency phase shift. The existence of the notch is also independent of the properties and limitations of the operational amplifiers used.

Abstract: A dominant TEM mode and a pair of spatially orthogonal TE.sub.11 modes suitably excited at the input ports of a coaxial waveguide commutator portion of a coaxial waveguide commutation feed network are employed to generate a commutatable low-sidelobe amplitude distribution at symmetrically disposed peripheral output ports of the coaxial waveguide commutator. The resulting low-sidelobe amplitude distribution can be used to feed radiating elements of an associated circular phased array antenna. The coaxial waveguide commutator is configured, inter alia, with a linearly tapered inner conductor surrounded by a uniform tube outer conductor to achieve a smoother TEM-dominant mode characteristic impedance transition from the input port plane to the output port plane thereof. Employment of this feed geometry, in conjunction with balanced four-port feeding of the coaxial waveguide commutator which inhibits the higher order TE modes, increases the bandwidth capability while maintaining low insertion loss.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spatially coherent semiconductor injection laser array. The system comprises a plural element laser diode array placed symmetrical in respect to an optical axis. An external resonating cavity formed of spherical lenses and plane mirrors is disposed about the array with its axis of symmetry coincident with the optical axis. A spatial filter in the Fourier plane of the laser diode array selects the TEM.sub.00 mode generated from each of the elements in the array. In operation, the system generates spatially coherent radiation from each of the elements of the array. The radiations are coherently coupled between all of the elements to provide a high optical power output in a spatially coherent beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are four embodiments of a system specifically applicable to the hemodialysis procedure. Two embodiments, configured as single pass and recirculating dialysate systems, control ultrafiltration rate to a preset value and measure ultrafiltration rate and the total quantity of ultrafiltrate removed. These embodiments are useful when the filtration characteristics of the dialyzer, i.e., semipermeable membrane, are constant and known. However, when the filtration characteristics of the dialyzer, i.e., semipermeable membrane, are not constant and known, two other embodiments, configured as single pass and recirculating dialysate systems, control transmembrane pressure to a preset value and measure ultrafiltration rate and total quantity of ultrafiltrate removed. All embodiments are closed systems requiring sealed dialyzers. Each of the foregoing systems include, inter alia, a unique flow measurement pressure control unit which controls fluid pressure and simultaneously meters fluid flow therein.

Abstract: A substantially plastic ladder chain is made continuous by affixing the exposed metallic cable ends thereof to a master coupling link of stainless steel or like material. The exposed metallic cable ends of the plastic ladder chain comprising plural braided cable also of stainless steel or like material are fastened in such a way to separate master cross links, of the aforementioned master coupling link, by master link side lock pins of brass or like material so as to form substantially a molecular bond. The master cross links are then connected together in a conventional manner by master link retainer clamps and master link retainer clips, thus forming the continuous ladder chain.

Abstract: Instability effects over a wide range of static load current conditions in a conventional pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage regulator-converter/power converter circuit configuration having cascaded LC--LC filter networks are eliminated by replacing an inductor, in the averaging filter section of the voltage regulator-converter with the primary winding of a transinductor and by placing the secondary winding thereof in series with an inductor in the output filter section of the power converter. The aforementioned transinductor, in combination with other elements of the system, is designed and configurated such that the closed-loop stability characteristics approach that of a two pole system while maintaining the superior filtering characteristics of a four pole system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage regulator-converter system which can function, alone, as a switched voltage regulator system or in combination with a switched power converter, synchronized therewith to form an improved voltage regulator-converter/power converter system. In the pulse width modulated voltage regulator-converter embodiment of the invention, secondary windings of a "current mode" regulator-converter interstage transformer are coupled to regulator-converter power transistors in a push-push circuit configuration. Signals generated by a system clock means and an error signal, derived from the output of an averaging filter, drive a pulse width modulated control means connected to the primary windings of the regulator-converter interstage transformer to thereby increase the maximum regulated output voltage of the voltage regulator-converter system after conditioning in the averaging filter.

Abstract: An emergency communication system used by stranded motorists to summon help when travelling on toll roads or other limited access highways. The emergency communication system comprises a portable, self-powered, hand-held transceiver set which transmits coded distress signals and directional signals, when activated, and cycles until reception of an answer back signal. The signals or messages from the portable transceiver are transmitted at incrementally increasing power levels to a single or a plurality of roadside relay stations spaced strategically along a limited access highway or toll road. The relay stations retransmit the signals to a terminal station which has means to decode the signals and determine the location of the repeater station nearest to the stranded motorist.

Abstract: A phase-locked-loop circuit configuration is described which eliminates the statistical nature of the acquisition process, thereby improving or decreasing the acquisition or lock-up-time of the loop. The circuit configuration is such that given an input signal, that occurs at time T.sub.0, the loop error signal is reduced to a level where the lock-up-time is substantially reduced and predictable to a degree of certainty heretofore unattainable. In addition, by eliminating the statistical nature of the acquisition process, lock-up-time becomes a function of controllable system parameters, such as bandwidth, gain and circuit time constants.

Abstract: A phase-locked-loop circuit configuration is described which eliminates the statistical nature of the acquisition process, thereby improving or decreasing the acquisition or lock-up-time of the loop. The circuit configuration is such that given an input signal, that occurs at time T.sub.0, the loop error signal is reduced to a level where the lock-up-time is substantially reduced and predictable to a degree of certainty heretofore unattainable. In addition, by eliminating the statistical nature of the acquisition process, lock-up-time becomes a function of controllable system parameters, such as bandwidth, gain and circuit time constants.

Abstract: A communication switching system having distributed control and modular design including a loop structure to which processor modules and storage modules are attached. Input to and output from the loop are effected through line registers, one line register being provided for each communication line. The line registers also function as intermediate storage between sequential processing steps. The processor modules, which are physically separated from the storage modules, are allocated for each step of a task, completely independent of the communication line associated with that task, or any past allocation of that task. Accordingly, messages can be sent by a processor module to any one of the storage modules for fetching or delivering of data and then the data will be routed back to the processor modules. After all required processing has been accomplished, a message will be sent back to the associated line register containing new data, either for output to the line or for later reuse by the system.

Abstract: Apparaus for automatically bonding pre-twisted wires to a number of pairs of ground and current contact points on a workpiece or substrate is disclosed. The apparatus forms a loop in the pre-twisted wires and bonds each wire to a ground or current contact point. The pre-twisted wire is then routed to the next pair of ground and current contact point for bonding.

Abstract: A modular design disc receiving apparatus that is utilized as a cartridge holder or output hopper. When utilized as a cartridge holder, push to latch, push to unlatch means position the cartridge for proper disc insertion, thereby readying the apparatus for its function as a cartridge holder. The apparatus comprises means for counting and giving visual indication of the number of discs ejected into the cartridge, and means for sensing a cartridge full situation, thereby enabling associated feeding systems, and, accordingly, preventing jamming of the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus is utilized as a disc output hopper, in the situation where a cartridge is not being used. When used, as aforementioned, the capacity of the apparatus is approximately doubled. Discs ejected into the apparatus are neatly stacked so that they protrude from the front of the apparatus where they can be seen and easily removed.