Abstract: Methods and apparatus determining codevectors in response to a speech signal include a first codebook member which stochastically determines the characteristics of a bi-pulse codevector representative of a target vector associated with the speech signal and for removing the bi-pulse codevector from the target vector thereby forming an intermediate target vector. A second codebook member stochastically determines the characteristics of a second bi-pulse codevector in response to the intermediate target vector. In one embodiment of the invention a third codebook member adaptively determines a first codeword in response to the target signal and forms another intermediate target signal and a fourth codebook member stochastically determines a second codeword in response to the intermediate target signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for sanding and collecting sanded particles. The particle collecting sander includes a base member having a negative pressure chamber contained within. The base is secured to a cover member which is provided with a multiplicity of grooves extending across the outer surface of the cover member. A plurality of ports are provided in the grooves to create a fluid connection between the grooves and the negative pressure chamber. A pourous abrasive material overlays the cover member. In operation a series of negative pressure zones are created across the surface of the pourous abrasive material.

Abstract: A fluid heater for heating high solids fluids having a solids content approximately 50% or higher, which fluids are applied to a substrate by a coating process, includes a cylindrical body of thermally conductive material having a helical channel formed on the outer periphery thereof and including a section member dividing the channel into a pair of side-by-side passages, each having a cross-sectional area of about 0.119 square inches and a length of about 80 inches. A common input plenum identical in size to the cross-sectional area of the channel communicates with one end of each of the passages and the other end of the passages are connected to a common output plenum. An electric heating element is located in said body along the central axis thereof and is sized to produce a watt density on the surface of said passages in the range of 7.5 to 8.0 watts per square inch whereby the high solids fluids are heated for ease in application with a minimum loss of fluid pressure upon passing through the heater.

Abstract: A controller for uniformly dispensing fluid onto a substrate in response to movement between the dispensing unit and the substrate has a sensor which senses the rate of relative movement and supplies a signal reflective of the movement to an operation device which in turn generates and supplies a control signal to a regulator. The regulator is positioned in the fluid dispensing system and regulates the flow rate of the fluid to the dispensing unit so that the substrate receives a substantially uniform fluid coating per unit length. The operation device receives the signal from the sensing means and computes the rate of relative movement.

Abstract: An airless spray coating nozzle is made by cutting interpenetrating grooves into opposite sides of a nozzle tip blank. The groove on the pressurized or entrance side of the tip has a bottom portion which is wedge-shaped in cross section. The groove on the unpressurized or exit side of the tip has a bottom portion which is trapezoidal in cross section. Both grooves are cut into the nozzle tip with a grinding wheel after the tip has been hardened.