Abstract: The circuit element contains inside a cup-shaped plastic housing (3) a gas-tight primary battery (B) and a wiring arrangement which is arranged next to the battery (B) in the hollow space (3') of the housing and which comprises semiconductor switching elements (D.sub.1, Tr) and conductor connections (8, 13/13', 15, 16). The battery (B) and wiring arrangement are hermetically disposed in the housing (3) as a result of a casting compound (19).The switching element is provided with plug-in pins (13/13', 16) which are brought out to its surface and which can be directly soldered into a circuit board. Switching elements of this type can be used especially as backup voltage source for memory systems of the non-self-holding type.

Abstract: A steam-generator control method is proposed for controlling the mass flows f an oxidant and a fuel which are supplied for combustion. In order to control the flows at stoichiometric ratios with a required accuracy, the controlled variables are established by the measurements of the mass flows and their comparison with theoretically predetermined stoichiometric ratios. Measurement errors are defined continuously through a combustion-gas analysis, conducted by means of a probe after the combustion. The errors are used for the correction of the controlled variables. The time constant of the correction is smaller than the time constant of dynamic changes of the errors.

Abstract: A flexure mount assembly particularly adapted for use in a dynamically tuned two-degree-of-freedom gyroscope to provide a universal coupling between a rotor element and a drive shaft. The mount features a substantially planar "spider" member normally oriented transversely to the spin axis of the rotor. The spider has four webs, each web extending radially from an inner central area associated with an inner gimbal ring to an outer annular area. The outer annular area is associated with an outer ring which is divided into four independent sectors.Each web has two sections and each section has the shape of two parabolas which intersect at their vertices. A central aperture roughly elliptical in shape is thus formed in each web. At both ends of each aperture, narrow radial slots are formed. Two mutually perpendicular "vertical" or cross flexure members each have key portions that extend in planes parallel to the spin axis through the radial slots.

Abstract: A universal gripper particularly adapted for handling parts such as axial leaded electronic components. The gripper includes a pair of jaws with depending fingers mounted on a baseplate for linear motion equally about the centerline of the baseplate. A long stroke cylinder is mounted between the jaws and is adapted for opening and closing the gripping fingers through a relatively long stroke. A short stroke cylinder is affixed to one of the jaws and includes a yoke portion extending to the other jaw. Locking apparatus is provided for selectively locking the yoke portion to the other jaw. When the locking apparatus is activated, the short stroke cylinder opens and closes the fingers through a relatively short stroke. In this way, electronic components can be handled without crushing the leads. Because of the provision of the short stroke cylinder, the disclosed gripper can be used in tight areas. A center push cylinder is provided for ejecting parts from the gripping fingers.

Abstract: In order to reduce the volume increase of liquid manure during its storage, a process is proposed for the treatment of liquid manure in which at least one copper electrode and one counter-electrode are placed in the liquid manure, and copper ions from the copper electrode connected as the anode are introduced into the liquid manure by the application of a DC voltage which is preferably below the gassing voltage of the liquid manure.

Abstract: A bracket assembly, for use in spacing apart the inner and outer membranes of a cavity wall or roof construction, consists of a support member attached to an inner lining membrane and having a C-shaped cross-section and a bracket element formed from a trapezoidal shaped metal plate. The bracket element has the longer parallel side bent through 90.degree. for attachment through the outer membrane to a building structural member. Two inwardly directed slots are formed parallel to the opposite side to form a T-shaped head to the bracket for engagement with the C-section member through a twisting and locking action.

Abstract: Two pairs of parallel plate electrodes forming respectively a sensor capacitor and a reference capacitor are mounted on a parallelogram structure designed to deform under load in such a way that the gap width of the sensor capacitor changes as a function of load while the gap width of the reference capacitor is unaffected by the load. The capacitance of the reference capacitor is, however, similarly affected by temperature, humidity and other physical properties which may affect the dielectric constant of the medium, and is available for use in a ratio circuit to compensate for spurious changes in the sensor capacitance.

Abstract: A sun tanning canopy is carried on an arm extending from a sleeve slidably engaging a vertical support column for heightwise movement up and down the said column, the sleeve and canopy being supported by a counterbalancing device consisting a coiled constant tension spring the upper free end of which is secured to the top of the column and the lower coiled end supported by abutment means secured to the said sleeve, whereby the heightwise position of the sleeve in the column can be varied by the application of slight upward or downward pressure on the sleeve or canopy.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a diffraction grating illuminated by a plurality of lasers. Apparatus is provided for summing the plurality of lasers coherently by, (a) phase locking the plurality of lasers and by, (b) diffracting the plurality of beams into a single beam. The diffraction grating has a configuration to generate upon illumination substantially equal intensities of diffraction orders corresponding to the number of lasers while suppressing higher unwanted orders. The phase locking can be accomplished by a single master laser, or by a cavity mirror to generate reference beams. Then, the output beams of the plurality of lasers propagating in the reverse direction are coherently superimposed by that grating. It is preferred that the diffraction grating be binary. Both one and two-dimensional diffraction grating arrays are disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for reducing gyro activation time is to be used with a gyroscope including a float floated within an outer case. An electromagnetic suspension is provided for maintaining the float at an equilibrium position within the outer case. In accordance with the present invention, the centering force is increased and the activation time decreased by selectively disabling one of the electromagnets in the suspension.

Abstract: A multi-function actuator switch attaches onto an actuator of already assembled clutch assembly or the like with a simple sideways snap-fit, is fully enclosed when assembled onto the shaft, and is compact. The switch has a hollow housing with a longitudinal opening. The housing carries in its interior a driver member that snap-fits onto the shaft. A pair of coil springs held on guide arms urge the driver toward an initial position. The arms are mounted on a base plate that closes one end of the housing and also snap-fits on the shaft. A replaceable cover closes the longitudinal opening in the housing and locks the housing onto the shaft. The housing mounts a terminal board that carries a molded in place set of interior contacts that each connect with a terminal at the exterior of the housing. The driver carries a wiper contact that makes electrical connections between selected pairs of contacts as a function of its position in the switch to control the operation of circuits associated with those contacts.

Abstract: A high speed belt to belt transfer chute useful in handling, without modification or adjustments, material ranging from sticky clay and fine dust to large rocks. The generalized chute is designed either to bend the material flow to the vertical after it has left a leading belt or, conversely, to direct material moving vertically downward into the direction of a following belt. The chute is constructed of individually replaceable, ribbed elements, which may be repositioned and replaced as they wear in order to maintain the same directed, controlled flow of material, while minimizing the replacement cost and downtime.

Abstract: A device that brings a vertically falling integrated circuit to a rapid, bounce-free stop at a test site includes a set of relatively lightweight blades arrayed next to the fall path with their faces in a mutually spaced relationship. At its upper end, each blade is pivotally and loosely mounted on an energy absorbing elastomeric sleeve. At its lower end, each blade carries a stop member that projects into the fall path when the blade is in a first ("test") position. The stop members are generally aligned with one another horizontally across the fall path to define a stop surface that precisely locates an integrated circuit at the test site. The device includes an arrangement for repeatedly drawing the lower ends of the blades in unison to a second ("release") position where the stop members are clear of the fall path.

Abstract: Closed-loop controller for altering the power level of nuclear reactors in a safe manner and without overshoot. Apparatus is provided for moving a control element such as a control rod or for adjusting the concentration of a soluble neutron absorber (chemical shim) for altering the nuclear reactor power level. A computer computes at short time intervals the two functions [.rho.-.vertline..rho..vertline./.lambda..sub.e ]/.vertline..rho..vertline. and .tau..sub.i 1n(P.sub.F /P.sub.i). The direction of motion of the control element is altered when these two functions become equal thereby resulting in the attainment of a new power level without overshoot. In a preferred embodiment, these two functions are computed at intervals of approximately one second.

Abstract: An applicator for C-shaped scalp clips, with which a plurality of scalp clips can be applied one after the other without having to insert an individual scalp clip into the applicator after each application.

Abstract: A top-entry, single-body ball valve is provided which may easily be assembled or disassembled. The valve includes a rotatably mounted ball member having a passage extending therethrough, a valve seat for sealingly engaging the ball member, the ball member including a flattened portion which will not engage the valve seat when positioned adjacent thereto. When the flattened portion is adjacent the valve seat, the ball member may easily be removed from the valve chamber without having to first retract the seat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably forming low resistance links between two aluminum conductors deposited on an insulating polysilicon or amorphous silicon layer, employ a laser to bridge a lateral gap between the conductors. The apparatus and method are ideally suited for implementing defect avoidance using redundancy in large random access memories and in complex VLSI circuits. Only a single level of metal is employed and leads to both higher density and lower capacitance in comparison to prior techniques. Resistances in the range of one to ten ohms can be achieved for gap widths of approximately two to three microns.

Abstract: Honeycomb structure material having a web fabricated from sheets or ribbons of material into corrugated members which are joined together in such a fashion that I-beams are formed, the I-beams being stacked one upon another and the stacks being spaced apart throughout the web.

Abstract: An improved metal-halogen electrochemical cell, particularly a zinc bromide cell, contains a water soluble tetraorgano-substituted amino acid, ester or betaine salt in the electrolyte which forms a substantially water insoluble liquid complex with cathodic halogen thereby reducing self-discharge of the cell.