Abstract: This compound multi-function gym bench is constructed with a seat frame, a hollow post, a weight post combined with a pushing handle and a T-shaped handle, a frame for pulling rope, and a couple of revolving discs with pedals as its main parts. The hollow post is combined with the seat frame vertically, the weight post can be moved up and down inside the hollow post by moving the pushing handle by hand or by pulling a pulling rope, and the pedals set on the revolving discs under the seat frame can be used for bike pedaling exercise. The T-shaped handle with weight block arms can be used for foot pushing exercise with weight blocks hung on the weight block arms. The pushing handle also has weight block arms for hanging weight blocks for weight lifting exercise.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the position of an object in a three dimensional space is described. The apparatus includes a video arrangement for producing a stereoscopic image of a scene including the object. Overlay generators superimpose on this image a stereoscopic image of a cursor. Cursor control means are provided for varying the apparent position of the cursor in the scene and for providing an output representing the apparent position of the cursor.

Abstract: A self-excited induction motor variable speed drive using a known self-excitation method in which a capacitor is connected in parallel with the motor. Power is supplied by a supply convertor, a D.C. link and a motor convertor, the latter running at the motor frequency. The motor convertor includes a current bypass switching circuit comprising a capacitor bank connected to the motor terminals and to a neutral point between a pair of thyristors connected across the D.C. link.

Abstract: A terminal for a telephone system and for receiving digital data in the form of a time multiplexed (TDM) data stream incorporating frames appearing at a predetermined frame period and each frame incorporating a frame word. The terminal comprises a frame word detecting circuit (52) for detecting frame words; an alignment detecting circuit (53, 55, 56) for determining whether a received TDM data stream is in alignment or not; a search circuit (53, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60) for initiating a bit-by-bit search of the incoming data stream for the sequence of bits forming the frame word when an "out-of-alignment " condition has been detected by the said alignment detecting circuit; and a delay circuit (58) for delaying the start of the bit-by-bit search after an "out-of-alignment" condition has been detected.

Abstract: A thruster system has a main bipropellant propulsion unit including a propulsion engine (50) and bipropellant supply having a tank (3) for an oxidizing agent and a tank (4) for a fuel. An auxiliary cold propellant thruster (21) uses propellant supplied by bleeding off vapor from the contents of the oxidizing agent tank (3).

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises two layers of semiconductor material each of different conductivity type, with a region of semiconductor material sandwiched between the layers. The material of which the region is formed is of the same composition as the first layer at the edge of the region adjacent to the first layer, and varies in composition linearly on the running average in the direction between the layers such that the region forms a heterojunction with the second layer.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material, particularly metallic foil, positions each successively leading end region of the foil, after a preceding length of the foil has been severed, to stand freely in a generally upright condition away from a severing means which is preferably provided without sharp serrated cutting teeth to protect a user from injury during use of the dispenser, and to provide the user with ready access to each upstanding leading end region of the foil.

Abstract: A static-split tracking radar system with substantially improved performance. The system includes parallel signal processing channels for processing sum and difference signals from a target-seeking aerial array, to produce target tracking signals. Novel means are provided for trimming relative phase and gain of these channels to achieve substantially perfect matching, which gives a receiver stability sufficient for homing head use in a guided missile system. The system also includes a receiver for acquiring a reference frequency signal, the receiver having novel bandwidth adaptation and doppler tracking facilities. Other novel features provide improved clutter rejection and jamming immunity.

Abstract: A parallel redundant actuator system of the kind wherein the signal in each of a plurality of lanes (31A, 31B, 31C) comprises the difference between a demand signal and a signal indicating the position of an output member of the system and the output member (3) takes up a position determined by the output of a summing arrangement (21) for the outputs of the lanes and wherein between the input of each lane and the output of the summing arrangement each lane has a non-linear input/output characteristic whose slope over a range of values of input in which changes of input due to failure of another lane occur is greater than if the characteristic were linear over the range of values of input over which the lane is capable of operation. The arrangement is intended to reduce the change in position of the output member which occurs on failure of a lane.

Abstract: A novel multilayer photoconductive I.R. detector is formed by incorporating alternate p and n-type layers, such that many layers occupy the detector thickness. The detector may be considered as a n-type photoconductor containing buried isolated p-type regions which give rise to internal electric fields the effect of which is to enhance minority carrier lifetime and inhibit motion of minority carriers towards surfaces.

Abstract: A fibre-optic coupler has the claddings of two or more optical fibres partially fused together over a coupling region, and a body of light-transmissive material, having a variable refractive index, contacts the claddings at the coupling region, such that by varying the refractive index of said body light transmitted along one fibre is split between the fibres in a varying ratio.

Abstract: An auto-keratometer attached to an operating microscope to measure the refraction and astigmatic condition of the cornea comprises a cornea irradiating light source section disposed below the operating microscope, and switching means for selectively switching the light source section between an irradiating position on the optical axis and a retracted position. When it is desired to measure the corneal condition, the light source section is set at the irradiating position below the operating microscope, so that the light from the light source section reflected by the cornea travels through a beam splitter and is detected by a detector, whereby the refraction or astigmatic condition of the cornea is measured. If the light source section is found interfering with the operation, the light source section is set at the retracted position by rotating it through 180 degrees, whereby the working region below the microscope is widened to facilitate the operator's surgical operation on the cornea.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a cable having a plurality of filamentary members such as wires, optical fibres or the like within an extruded thermoplastic sheath the members are twisted into a periodically reversing helical configuration immediately prior to the extrusion of the sheath around them, and the extruded sheath is rapidly cooled on emergence from the extruder head so as to cause the extrudate to set and thereby retain the members in the twisted condition.

Abstract: An apparatus incorporating recursive estimators, more particularly apparatus for measuring the state of a dynamic system using a recursive estimator for modelling the dynamic behavior of the system, and navigation systems using a recursive estimator for navigation integration. Also disclosed are novel methods of updating the inputs to the estimators of such apparatus and systems.

Abstract: An attitude control system for satellites includes a sensor (10) for generating output signals in response to variations in the attitude of the satellite. These signals are applied to a Kalman filter (12) which models the dynamic state of the satellite and instructs an attitude controller (13) to generate control signals for controlling the actuators. The system is responsive to the actual physical performance of the actuators to provide feed back to the modelling circuit.

Abstract: A microwave polarizer is provided in the form of a wedge at the termination of a rod of dielectric material. Preferably the wedge tapers exponentially in order to provide a good impedance match. Circularly polarized radiation propagating along the rod experiences a differential phase shift at the wedge. This phase shift may be arranged to be 90.degree., so that linearly polarized radiation exits from the wedge. A continuous circular or square guide is used to contain the dielectric rod so that simultaneous orthogonal signals can be converted to or from circular polarizations. Such a wedge termination may be provided at the end of a splashplate or polyrod antenna feed, for a satellite communication system, where right-handed circular polarization is used on the up-link and left-handed circular polarization is used on the down link.

Abstract: An improved beads grinding machine for liquid material comprises a cylinder having a neck portion connected to an upper housing a transmission shaft mounted in the housing by means of two bearings, a plurality of blades secured onto the transmission shaft which extends into the cylinder, a cooling chamber around the cylinder, a sleeve secured onto the transmission shaft at the portion corresponding to the neck portion, a refined liquid material chamber between the neck portion and the sleeve, an inner ring fastened onto an inner end of the sleeve, an outer ring fastened onto an end plate which is fastened onto an inner portion of the neck portion, and a lubricant seal mounted on the transmission shaft in the vicinity of one of the bearings, said inner and outer rings being adjustable.

Abstract: Garment hangers are suspendably and slidably supported on stationary support rails mounted to and below a top plate mounted to an interior top wall of a garment bag. The hangers are locked in position on the stationary rail by either pivoting a track extension from an initial aligned position with the rail to a blocking position transverse to the rail, or by clamping the hangers by a clamp which moves in a rectilinear direction toward and away from the rail.