Abstract: A radiographic system comprising an X-ray source disposed to direct an X-ray beam through an adjustable shutter aperture in an aligned collimator and onto an image receptor in a holder located at a preselected distance from the source; and automatic means for preventing an X-ray exposure until prescribed operating conditions have been satisfied, the automatic means including a readily interchangeable read-only-memory module for storing the prescribed conditions therein and ascertaining whether or not the prescribed conditions have been met.

Abstract: A fluid valve for utilization in a beverage-making appliance such as a coffee maker subject to microwave energy comprising a valve housing containing the operative parts of the valve, and a metal casing enclosing at least a portion of the housing and having spaced encircling radiation shields between which the adjacent portions of the appliance are disposed, the shields forming a choke to prevent penetration of microwave energy such as could cause arcing and consequent damage to the appliance and to the valve itself.

Abstract: A push-to-turn knob assembly comprising a tubular hub disposed for attachment to an axially inserted end portion of a rotatable shaft and having a slotted end portion releasably engaged by a plurality of resiliently biased wedges annularly spaced apart within an encircling race, the hub and race being enclosed by an axially movable knob shell having projection means for disengaging the wedges from the hub and having keying means for engaging the hub and rotating the attached shaft to a desired setting.

Abstract: An X-ray system comprising an X-ray tube provided with a target focal spot area from which an X-ray beam emanates from the tube, an X-ray Fresnel zone plate disposed interceptingly in the path of the X-ray beam, and an image receptor disposed to receive the resulting image of the zone plate conveyed by the X-ray beam.

Abstract: A high capacity materials separation apparatus including a conductive metals segregator in the form of a magnetic ramp for receiving commingled materials from an air classifier, the air classifier comprising means for separating materials into heavy and light fractions, and means for maintaining positive air pressure within the classifier for propelling the nonmagnetic heavy fractions at accelerated velocity from the classifier so as to achieve high capacity separation of conductive materials at the ramp.

Abstract: A system utilizing solar energy collectors for heating water, which system embodies a piping circuit whereby water from a storage or supply tank is pumped in a continual upward path through the collectors to a peak elevation and thence through sized return piping so as to return with any entrapped air to the storage area, with the return piping being vented adjacent to the storage area to allow escape of such entrapped air to the storage area, with the return piping being vented adjacent to the storage area to allow escape of such entrapped air while the water is circulating through the system and to allow influx of air to replace water in the collectors when the pump is not operating.

Abstract: A coffee brewing appliance for making coffee by the drip method and comprising a reservoir containing a thermally controlled valve adapted to open at a predetermined temperature when heated by water in the reservoir which is subjected to microwave radiation allowing water to flow out of the reservoir onto and through coffee grounds in a filter beneath the valve.

Abstract: An x-ray tube including an evacuated envelope having therein a rotatable anode target comprised of a cup-shaped body having a sloped inner wall provided with an annular groove wherein a plurality of pinlike members form an x-ray generating focal track, the members interfitting with the groove at their upper ends and being retained in place at their lower ends by a circumferentially extending removable band or spaced retainers enabling the members to be more easily assembled and retained in place.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube having an output imaging screen comprising a scintillator layer of juxtaposed crystalline rods made of doped alkali-halide material, such as cesium iodide doped with sodium or thallium, for example.

Abstract: An X-ray tube test system comprising signal processing circuitry including means for converting an analog signal representative of anode current into a train of pulses having an instantaneous frequency proportional to corresponding instantaneous amplitude values of the analog signal, means for counting the pulses in the train during an exposure time interval to obtain an integrated milliampere-second (MAS) value, means for summing a train of pulses having a uniform frequency during an interval of time equivalent to the exposure time interval to obtain an integral value for the exposure time, means for optionally dividing the MAS value by the exposure time value to obtain an average anode current (MA) value during the exposure time interval, and means for displaying numerical equivalents of the values thus obtained.

Abstract: A waste materials handling system which includes materials transporting apparatus for conveying materials being processed to a processing device such as a shredder which is subject to unexpected and relatively sudden discontinuance of operation as by clogging or other breakdown condition, the invention comprising means for detecting such breakdown and for consequently diverting flow of materials away from the apparatus without interrupting the flow of materials through the system.

Abstract: An electron tube including an evacuated envelope having at least one terminal pin extending therefrom and into a dielectric cap comprised of a cylindrical wall encircling the pin and supporting a transversely disposed wall wherein at least one pair of substantially perpendicular openings are disposed, a first wire being attached directly to the pin and routed through one of the openings in the end wall for attachment to a second wire which is routed through the substantially perpendicular opening therein.

Abstract: Permanent magnets formed from rare earth cobalt compounds have high energy products. One rare earth cobalt composition, formulated by metallurgical sintering techniques, is a composition of a rare earth and cobalt such as samarium and cobalt containing about 37.2 weight per cent samarium which corresponds to 60 proportions of SmCo.sub.5 for each 40 proportions of Sm.sub.2 Co.sub.7. This composition is an excellent permanent magnet having an energy product at least as high as 15 .times. 10.sup.6 gauss-oersteds and up to 20 .times. 10.sup.6 gauss-oersteds or higher. SmCo.sub.5 contains roughly 33.8 weight per cent samarium, and Sm.sub.2 Co.sub.7 about 42.2 weight per cent samarium; I have found that samarium-cobalt materials containing samarium between about 36.5 weight per cent and about 38 weight per cent are preferred and can be developed into magnets of greatly improved properties. The samarium-cobalt magnet of this invention is basically comprised of crystals of SmCo.sub.5 and Sm.sub.2 Co.sub.

Abstract: A solar collector which comprises a panel including flat collector plates or absorbers interconnected by integral interfitting members which simultaneously support fluid-conducting tubing and retain the tubing in efficient heat-conductive relation with the plates whereby heat absorbed by the plates may be efficiently transferred to the circulating fluid in the tubing.

Abstract: A solar energy collector having therein a solar energy-absorbing panel in thermally-conductive relation to fluid conduits through which fluid is urged by an electrically controlled pump, and a thermostat associated with the collector and arranged to detect panel temperature as unaffected by the temperature of the fluid and operable to control activation of the pump in response to variations in temperature of the unaffected panel.

Abstract: A solar energy collector which includes an enclosure within which is located a solar energy-absorbing panel disposed in spaced relation with an overlying glazing, the enclosure being a single sheet of metal fabricated with integral side and end walls, spacing ribs, glaze-holding lips, lock joints and tie down brackets.

Abstract: An axially aligned pair of spaced bucking coils energized to produce respective magnetic fields having cooperating radial components in an annular gap between the coils, and magnetic means for enhancing the radial components of the fields in the annular gap.

Abstract: A push-to-turn knob assembly comprising a fixed race suitably disposed for encircling a rotatable shaft and having therein alternate pairs of resiliently spaced rollers which bindingly engage adjacent projections of an axially disposed cam cylinder, and interposed arcuate portions of a releasing disc which is rotatably maintained in the race by an overlying annular shoulder of the cam cylinder, the releasing disc having an outwardly extending flange wherein a plurality of slots are disposed in alignment with respective keys attached to an enclosing wall of a resiliently positioned knob shell.

Abstract: a radiographic system comprising an X-ray source disposed to direct an X-ray beam through a portion of a subject and produce an X-ray image thereof, imaging means for receiving the X-ray image and converting it into a visible image, sensing means for monitoring a parametric operating value of the source, and display means for showing the visible image and the parametric operating value in the same field of view.

Abstract: Materials separating apparatus comprising an inclined drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having an inner surface comprised of an array of permanent magnets arranged in parallel strips extending circumferentially at an angle to the drum axis, and means for depositing commingled materials within the drum upon the magnet array whereby as the drum and magnet array rotate the magnetic field of the magnets will induce eddy currents in conductive items causing them to move progressively upward and out the upper end of the drum, while nonconductive items will slide downwardly out the lower end of the drum. In another embodiment of the invention a liner is provided over the magnet array to carry magnetic items upwardly to be deposited separately in a chute or the like.