Abstract: A staring horizon sensor is mounted on an orbiting satellite has one or more linear infrared detector arrays having the horizon being detected imaged thereon. The arrays are each connected in cyclic repetitive alternating polarity patterns for generating at least two output signals which are offset in phase. The output signals are processed to locate the position of the horizon on the arrays. The repetitive pattern interconnection of the elements in the arrays provide a focal plane data compression which reduces the bandwidth as well as the complexity of the processing electronics. In addition, interconnecting the detective elements in repetitive alternating polarity groups having a spatial frequency greater than the spatial frequency of the thermal variation of the horizon minimize any error due to the earth's thermal variations.

Abstract: A multiple detector array is positioned in a satellite orbiting the earth for determining the attitude of the satellite with respect to the earth by detecting the earth's horizon. The multiple array of spaced detectors are mounted on a horizon sensor with a space detector viewing space, a horizon detector, with a field of view straddling the horizon and outer space space, a detector viewing the earth, and a gradient detector viewing the earth. Individual signals from these detectors are amplified and processed such that any gradients between the two earth viewing detectors are used to provide radiance compensation to correct for radiance errors in sensing the true position of the horizon.

Abstract: A construction of dot matrix print head is disclosed in which a plurality of body elements, each carrying print wire actuators, are arranged in stacked formation. The body elements and the arrangement of actuators is identical so that by offsetting the body elements relative to adjacent body elements, print wires actuated by actuators of one body member are inter-digitated with print wires actuated by actuators of a body member adjacent said one body member. This construction permits the actuators to be accommodated in a print head of relatively small transverse dimensions.

Abstract: A method of protecting computer software on installation is provided by providing an installation media containing an installation program supplied to the user along with an hardware security electrical device (HSED). The HSED must be connected to the user's computer before the software from the installation media can be entered on the user's computer. The HSED contains a variety of secret installation data which is used to install a program to be protected. In general the secret installation data is checked to see if a specific HSED is present and if it contains information to enable the installation process for that particular piece of software to continue. The exact nature of the secret installation data will depend on the process used for protection. The HSED is also used in a method of metering the amount of computer service used such that payment can be made at the time of delivery of the HSED to the end user.

Abstract: A runway collision avoidance system having warning devices is provided for the safety of aircraft taxiing, taking off, and landing. The system is capable of detecting ground traffic and obstacles including aircraft, maintenance vehicles and wildlife that may encroach upon an active runway during low visibility conditions or when visual observation is impaired. The system includes an electromagnetic transmitter positioned beyond one end of a runway which directs a continuous beam of high frequency radio signals, for example microwaves, longitudinally along the full length of the runway. A plurality of electromagnetic receivers positioned beyond the other end of the runway pick up the transmitted signals and apply them to a balance circuit and then to a comparator circuit. With a clear runway, the transmitted signals are received without interruption and the receiver outputs remain balanced or equal.

Abstract: A strain-relief member is provided to relieve torsional strains from a two-conductor power supply cord attached to a personal care electrical appliance, such as a hand-held hair dryer, or curling iron. It is molded to the insulation of the two-conductor electrical power supply cord. Such torsional strains are primarily those resulting from twisting the wire about its longitudinal axis, as when using a curling iron, rather than from flexing.The strain-relief member is an elongated body member of elastomeric material molded with the usual two-conductor line cord. It has a lateral projection or collar on one end thereof adapted to fit into the interior of the personal care electrical appliance to prevent rotation with respect to the appliance. The outer portion of the body member is uniformly tapered along its length on the sides adjacent to single conductors of said cord and has flattened, generally parallel sides extending along the opposite sides which are adjacent to both conductors of the power supply cord.

Abstract: A hand-operated remote control unit has a housing containing a rotary potentiometer whose shaft carries a pinion which is driven by a rack having a spring loaded push button attached thereto. An eccentric cam is mounted on the potentiometer shaft adjacent a microswitch in which the cam surface is in contact with the switch when the push button is in its unactuated position. When the push button is actuated, the cam rotates releasing the switch, and the rack and pinion varies the resistance of the potentiometer to vary the welding current. A plurality of hat section holders are positioned on different surfaces of the housing for mounting an adjustable ring-shaped clamp having bayonet extensions thereon which fit into the hat section holders. The adjustable ring-shaped clamp which has a set screw therein is adapted to be adjustably mounted on the handle of the welding torch. The adjustable clamp may be moved up and down to a desired position on the welding torch and the welding torch may be rotated 360.degree.

Abstract: An automatic control circuit is provided for diluting a chemical concentrate in a container by the proper proportion, dispensing the mixture, indicating that the container is empty, and repeating the process. The container has a plurality of conductive probes which extend to different depths within the container. A pair of relays having contacts which control drain and fill solenoid valves in the container are controlled by the probes, depending on the level of the liquid in the container. Both visual and audible alarms are provided to indicate when the tank is empty and needs concentrate to be added thereto.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for housing a plurality of U-shaped fluorescent lamps in a corrugated container is provided having a plurality of first and second corrugated inserts each having a plurality of aligned, spaced slots extending inward a predetermined distance from a first edge of each thereof. The inserts are mounted on one another by sliding one insert in the slots of the other, the slots being aligned and the inserts being positioned orthogonally with respect to each other and as assembled extending between the four sides of the container. The firt and second inserts when so mounted form a plurality of rectangular compartments therein which conform generally with and are adapted to house U-shaped fluorescent bulbs therein.

Abstract: A foot pedal is provided for operating a motor-control switch. The foot pedal consists of a housing and pedal which have an internally molded hinge construction for pivotally mounting the pedal on the housing. The foot pedal also contains a flat spring mounted on the pedal and positioned over a motor-control switch such that when the foot pedal is actuated, the flat spring functions to control the movement of the switch of the motor-control circuit. The flat spring also keeps the pedal positioned on the housing, and isolates the interior housing from over-travel.

Abstract: A remote speedometer-tachometer for the measurement of the rpm's of an engine and the speed of the craft containing the engine is provided, having first and second adjustable voltages which are related to the pitch of the engine with the sound moving toward and away from an observer. A multiplier is provided for modulating the first voltage by the second voltage and applying the output therefrom to an oscillator for controlling the frequency of the oscillator. An output transducer means is coupled to the oscillator, making it possible for the observer by adjusting the first and second voltages to match the output of the transducer with that of the sound from the engine, the settings of said first and second voltages being calibrated to provide the speed of the craft in which the engine is mounted and/or rpm measurement for the engine.

Abstract: A photovoltaic semiconductor junction device which is particularly useful as a solar cell comprises a first layer of organic semiconductor material exhibiting one type of electronic conductivity and a second of inorganic semiconductor material having the same or opposite type conductivity. The first layer of organic semiconductor material has an energy bandgap relatively wider than that of the second layer of semiconductor material. The electron affinities of the first and second layers of semiconducting material may be equal, greater, or less than those of the other.The first layer of organic semiconductor material must either be doped to have a resistivity below 10.sup.6 ohm-centimeters or be sufficiently thin to allow conduction. In devices employing n-type layers on p-type substrates, the conduction band energy level of the organic material is preferably at substantially the same energy level as the conduction band energy level of the narrower band gap semiconductor material.

Abstract: A transmitter antenna attachment is provided having a pair of L-shaped brackets of insulating material for attaching a fluorescent lamp on the antenna of a transmitter which lights when the transmitter is actuated. The fluorescent lamp is mounted in hollow sockets on one extremity of the brackets, with the other extremity of the brackets having openings therein which are adapted to receive and mount the lamp on an antenna wire.

Abstract: An infrared vidicon system having capacitive type target elements is provided with a means for modulating the target scene with a duty cycle of less than 50% and the reading of the target scene in a predetermined sequence when modulation is not being applied to the vidicon tube. The sequentially read target scene is stored and continuously played back to prevent flicker. This operation allows signal buildup, because the target scene is not discharged every frame.This vidicon system also reduces the non-uniformity of responsivity across the surface of the target of the tube by illuminating the target by an adjustable uniform source of infrared radiation.

Abstract: A communication system is provided which allows closed circuit television pictures to be transmitted from conventional TV cameras to conventional monitors via an ordinary pair of wires, for example, telephone wires, lamp cord, BX cable, etc., over limited distances without measurable degradation of picture quality. A balanced system is provided with dual inputs and outputs so that the system can accommodate simultaneous transmission of audio or other data. Adapters are provided on the receiving end and on the sending end which provide conversion, impedance matching, and the frequency compensation required in order to provide uniform frequency response for the quality transmission of television as well as audio and/or other data.

Abstract: A rugged construction for an optically immersed infrared detector is provided along with a method of fabrication which produces an infrared detector which can withstand shock, vibration and high acceleration levels. A metallic base is formed with a cavity therein, along with electrical feed-through pins and a relief channel. Lead patterns are deposited on a thin sheet of insulating material and infrared detectors are mounted on the lead patterns and the sheet is assembled in the cavity of the base with the feed-through pins being connected to the lead pattern which makes electrical connections to the infrared detector through the appropriate feed-through pins. The cavity is filled with an immersion material and an infrared window, which may be in the form of a lens, is pressed into its seat in the base conveniently formed by a ledge surrounding the cavity.

Abstract: A simple optical system collects and applies radiation from a predetermined field of view onto a thermopile detector. The thermopile detector has a plurality of rows of thermocouples having all active junctions with alternate polarity which are aligned in columns of the same polarity, whereby in response to an object moving across the thermopile an output signal is produced of alternately changing polarity. Logic circuitry is provided for processing the signals from the thermopile in a predetermined polarity sequence to discriminate against false alarms and for indicating the presence of an intruder and sounding an alarm.