Abstract: Impact printing apparatus for recording at different character densities having an interposer unit movable between a plurality of print hammers and type chain to provide a translation function for the variable character-to-character distances required of the different character densities. During low density recording the interposer unit renders ineffective certain of the print hammers otherwise used for the higher density. A single type chain may be used with different interposer arrangements to obtain the various densities or type chains of different densities can be used.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying to marking means, character bit data from a two-dimensional matrix of rows and columns of storage elements wherein character selection is made by specifying the character storage cell and character width. Characters are symmetrically stored about the vertical axis of a preassigned matrix having an even number of columns and the binary width data are translated as starting and stopping addresses on opposite sides of the axis for readout of columns therebetween. The center storage of the character with clear margins enables the raw binary width data to be used as one edge address and its complement to be used as the other address in determining the width of the character to be retrieved and printed. Proportional spacing and justification are simply achieved by varying the width data as required.

Abstract: Print hammer actuating apparatus of the double lever type in which one lever is moved in response to an input force and carries a pivotally mounted second lever which provides the output force through either an "inertia" principle or "ratio" principle. The angular velocity of the first lever is multiplied through those principles to provide greater impact velocity at the output of the second lever without requiring an increase of the input energy.

Abstract: An improved collecting chamber for use with centrifuges for separating particles of different density suspended in a fluid, especially for separating the various fractions in human blood.The chamber is provided with a partition or dam and a plurality of outlet tubes. These tubes are positioned so that they can draw off the various separated components of the blood. The divider prevents the mixing of the fractions after they enter the chamber. By properly regulating the output flow of the lines containing the packed red cells, and the plasma and red cells, the content of the buffy collect line is defined and can be maintained constant over relatively long periods of time without operator intervention.

Abstract: Recording arrangement in which a row of ink jet nozzles is inclined with respect to the relative motion of a recording surface to permit the variously and selectively charged drops from each nozzle to be deflected by a single pair of planar electrostatic deflection plates common to all nozzles and parallel to the row so that each nozzle is capable of producing marks at regularly spaced locations along a plurality of parallel rows. Also disclosed is a method of determining the angle of inclination. The inclination angle, nozzle spacing, and deflection levels are preferably chosen so that marks can be placed at all possible data points by a single row of nozzles in a single recording pass. The disclosed method also provides for recording in either direction, the use of two or more parallel nozzle rows, and for the interlacing of drop marks at the recording surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a stepping motor by storing in a memory, delay time values for the application of motor advance pulses and using motor feedback pulses to access the memory and read out corresponding time delay values after each of which a motor advance pulse is to be generated. The stored time delay values are optimized as to phase angle for the motor advance pulses for acceleration, constant run and deceleration modes of the motor after consideration of motor characteristics and load. Not all feedback pulses have a corresponding time delay value and certain feedback pulses may have two or more time delay values stored therefor. Also disclosed are improved motor coil switching circuits.

Abstract: Surface connections of electrical component leads to circuit substrate lands are made with split sleeves on the lead ends, adjusted for contact with the lands, and soldered in position to join leads, sleeves, and lands.

Abstract: Method of improving mark alignment by causing substantially simultaneous impact on a recording medium of drops issuing as a series from an ink jet nozzle moving relative to the recording medium, by successively decreasing the deflection of each drop in the series and positioning the nozzle with respect to the recording surface to alter the respective path lengths of the drops such that the first and last drops of the series reach the recording member at approximately the same time.

Abstract: Magnetoresistive displacement transducer arrangement for toothed magnetic members in which each transducer is formed by a pair of interconnected sections spaced from each other by the width of a tooth to provide greater change and improved symmetry in the output signal at the tooth edges. Multiple transducers can be positioned interdigitally for compact packaging for vernier type detection of motion. Transducer embodiments for both linear and rotary motion are disclosed.

Abstract: Adaptive control circuit for a stepping motor in which each motor displacement from a present position to a target position is monitored and the proportion of acceleration signals to deceleration signals is modified as necessary to obtain minimal elapsed time during motor movement. Each designated motor displacement is assigned a corresponding number of acceleration signals which are applied to move the motor. Then during a subsequent homing of the motor, the motor displacement is monitored and the number of acceleration signals previously applied is either altered or left unchanged as a result of comparison between this displacement and a standard. The adaptive control circuit is shown as applied to printing apparatus in which a print disk is variously rotated by a first stepping motor mounted on a carrier and the carrier is moved along a print line by a second stepping motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for timing the occurrence of a variety of control signals by using a storage device forming a pair of registers at each of a plurality of addressable locations and storing in one register a constant value while its corresponding register serves as an accumulator. A repetitive sequence of clock signals is continuously generated and each signal in a sequence is peculiar to a set of one or more addresses and, with other preconditions is operable to effect a comparison between the stored constant and accumulated value at that address. If the accumulated value is not equal to the constant, the accumulated value is incremented by one and both values are stored in their respective registers at their original address; if the two compared values are equal, a control signal is produced and the constant is stored but the corresponding accumulator register is reset to zero.

Abstract: Method of laminating pluralities of sheets as unitary panels with heat and pressure curable adhesive in which unlaminated, uncured sheet pluralities are alternately stacked in a press lay-up with partially cured or semicured unitary sheet pluralities and the entire layup is subjected to heat and pressure for a time sufficient to partially cure the originally uncured sheet pluralities and bring the interspersed, partially cured sheet pluralities to full cure. Thereafter, the newly partially cured and fully cured units are removed and the partially cured units used alternately with new uncured sheet pluralities. This method obviates the need for planishing plates heretofore used to produce smooth surfaces on metal foil covered core units for printed circuit manufacture.

Abstract: Apparatus for inverting and stacking sheets successively conveyed along a path. Each sheet is sensed and actuates an inverting means which causes an element to engage and slow the leading edge of the sheet at a discharge region and deflect it from the path to a stacking platform. The trailing portion of the sheet continues to be moved by conveying means at approximately its original velocity and moves past the leading edge so that the sheet is rolled over and deposited in an inverted position on the stacking support or preceding sheet. The stacking support is sloped upward at its outer edge to facilitate removal of a portion of the stacked sheets while continuing the stacking operation. The conveying means extend over the stacking support to insure that the shorter sheets as well as the longer ones are properly deposited on the stack. By using a plurality of sheet engaging elements on the inverting means, sheets having a wide range of sizes can be deposited on the stack.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a plurality of parallel droplet streams in a coating apparatus, such as an ink jet printing device, in which the streams break into droplets from fluid filaments at a uniform distance from issuing orifices. The streams issue from a pressurized chamber in which an elastic bending member is repetitively flexed by a plurality of parallel bending elements operated simultaneously to produce uniform bending throughout the effective length of said member to produce successive pressure disturbances within the supply chamber and induce varicosities of the same size and frequency in the issuing streams. This arrangement is able to enhance printing quality in an ink jet recorder by permitting maintenance of proper phase relationship between droplet formation and charging voltage.

Abstract: Nozzle for creating perturbations in a pressurized liquid filament issuing from an orifice in the nozzle in which the perturbations are caused by varying the cross-section of the orifice to produce corresponding variations in the cross-section of the liquid filament and induce subsequent breakup of the filament into a succession of drops.

Abstract: Method of recording with a stream of marking fluid drops in which a predetermined plurality of successively formed drops in a stream each have the same electrical charge induced therein so that, when subsequently subjected to an electrostatic field, all drops of one commonly charged plurality will impact a record member at approximately the same spot. Drop charges are induced therein by asynchronously applied charging signal levels, each having a duration which is a function of the drop formation frequency and equal to at least two drop periods.