Abstract: The present invention is an improved position tracking system utilizing at least three cw transmitting stations generally symmetrically disposed about an area of interest, and also including a mobile receiving station receiving the transmitted signals, converting the received signals to a common frequency, and comparing the phase difference between the converted signals to produce and output signal indicating the location of the mobile station relative to any desired point or points in the area of interest.

Abstract: The invention is an oil well capping device that may be forced into an oil well casing through which oil and/or gas under high pressure is emanating, to temporarily completely obstruct the flow of such oil until repairs to the well head structure have been completed before the device is removed, and includes a well sealing arrangement utilizing an axial compression system that causes elastomeric material elements mounted on an elongated shaft to radially expand and temporarily and safely seal off the well casing.

Abstract: A system, for extinguishing flames from combustible fluids exiting from a pipe, has an elongated tubular extinguisher body being disposable over the fluid emitting pipe, the extinguisher body having a lower inlet end and an upper outlet end and the body being adapted to accommodate a flow of the combustible fluid through the extinguisher body. A valve arrangement is mounted in the extinguisher body adjacent its upper outlet end for gradually limiting and finally eliminating the flow of the combustible fluid through the extinguisher body. Also, a flame inhibiting structure, including circular nozzle structures, are disposed adjacent the lower inlet end of the body and adjacent the valve arrangement and externally of the extinguisher body for preventing the support of combustion of combustible fluids adjacent the circular nozzle structures.

Abstract: There is herein described an improved surface mounted component placement mechanism head structure which automatically accepts a very wide size range of such components.

Abstract: A submersible platform functioning as a zone of transition to provide swimmers with a place to rest while allowing them to easily move from a horizontal swimming position to a vertical position necessary for boarding, including a submersible platform pivotally attached to a boat and at its opposite side to a leverage arm, the far end of which is attached to a flotation support. Optionally, the platform may be elongated and attached to the floatation support.

Abstract: There is herein described an improved boarding device for swimmers, divers, and the like, in the form of an invertible catamaran vessel which serves as a yacht tender in it's upright position and as a boarding device for swimmers in it's inverted position.

Abstract: A converter hologram providing radially symmetric exposure of coaxially located holograms from an off-axis source and displays utilizing the same.

Abstract: Segmented displays are provided on an automobile windshield by stacked or linearly arrayed holograms containing separate display segments selectively illuminatable by different wavelengths of light to provide a variable display. Each hologram is edge illuminated by a wavelength which differs from the wavelength used to illuminate adjacent holograms to provide, for example, a seven segment or bar graph display. A second embodiment provides a single hologram containing a seven segment digit with light beams selectively directed on the digits to display desired numerals.

Abstract: The method of producing at least quasi-continuous lasing operation between initial and terminal lasing states comprising the steps of selecting a laser medium and cavity configuration (lasing frequency) with the laser medium containing upconverting material which provides for the exchange of energy between sufficient number of electrons at the terminal lasing state (manifold) so as to maintain population inversion between the initial and terminal lasing states during the lasing operation; and applying excitation energy of a suitable amount to the laser medium during at least a quasi-continuous time period.

Abstract: There is herein described an improved surface mounted component (SMC) transport mechanism which accepts a multiple number of such components from a plurality of carrier media and transports them to a desired location, for example, adjacent a printed circuit board (PCB) prior to the mounting of the SMC onto the PCB.

Abstract: The spatial power combiner disclosed here is used to efficiently combine the power sources, which incorporate two-terminal negative resistance devices, in a coherent manner such that a high power output with a stable and definite frequency and phase is obtained, the sources to be combined being arranged in an array configuration.

Abstract: A gas fired kiln wherein symmetrically disposed and vertically oriented high velocity natural draft burners burn fuel within and immediately adjacent the side walls of the kiln's chamber, the flames extending vertically adjacent the side walls and the hot gases produced thereby traveling up along the walls to an arched crown chamber ceiling, the hot gases then traveling generally downwardly under the influence of a partial vacuum created by hot gases escaping the chamber through a flue opening centered at the base of the kiln's rear wall, the flue opening communicating with a vertical flue extending only to approximately exterior height of the arched crown of the kiln.

Abstract: There is herein described a tool for accurately aligning a plurality of plates on a plaque board, the tool including a plurality of plate-holding finger members adjustably positionable along an elongated arm member which is itself adjustably positionable along a pivotal portion of an elongated guide member, the arm member along with its finger members being pivotally movable upwardly to facilitate the placement and replacement of plate boards on a base plate of the tool without the danger of scratching the boards.

Abstract: There is herein described an improved light weight walking aid that is readily adjustable, is light weight, and that is easily changed from a securely locked-open configuration to compact folded configuration through novel pivoting and sliding mechanisms wherein the walking aid folds simultaneously in two dimensions.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory circuit having at least one variable threshold FATMOS transistor in the cross-coupled lateral branches and a plurality of input switching transistors controlling operation of the circuit. Capacitive imbalance between the nodes of the circuit is reduced by having each transistor which is connected between a node and an input switching transistor driven by the same control signal as a corresponding transistor connected between the other node and an input switching transistor. This reduces the occurrence of wrong-state switching in the circuit during reading.

Abstract: A slide switch is movable in the direction of oscillation of the reed of a magnetic circuit. A resilient arm is attached at one of its ends to the switch. The slide switch drives the arm in the direction of the oscillation of the reed, the motion of the arm being in a plane parallel to the oscillation path of the reed but removed from it. A ramp is located adjacent the opposite end of the arm and intersects the plane of the oscillation path of the reed, one end of the ramp engaging the opposite arm end at its equilibrium position and the other end of the ramp extending well into the plane of the oscillation path of the reed.

Abstract: There is herein described a pneumatic feed or transport system for moving axial lead electronic components from one work station to another, such as from a lead cutting mechanism to a component inserting mechanism, for example.

Abstract: This invention is a light valve using birefringent nematic liquid crystals in which compensation for residual birefringence is achieved by passing light through two separate liquid crystal layers having their major optical axes aligned perpendicular to one another at the interface between the two liquid crystal layers.

Abstract: In the NOVRAM cell of the present invention, a pair of cross-coupled variable threshold floating gate MOS (VTMOS) transistors facilitates nonvolatile and non-inverting writing and reading of data in the memory cell. The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by completely disconnecting the VTVMOS transistors from the remainder of the memory cell during normal volatile writing and reading operations. Accordingly, during normal writing and reading operations the NOVRAM cell of the present invention performs just as if the pair of cross-coupled VTVMOS transistors were not even present, so that there is no problem of leakage currents or instability due to excessive charging or discharging of the floating gates of the VTVMOS transistors.