Abstract: A digital processor implemented electronic governor for engine-generator units including a first control loop for producing a speed error and controlling fuel delivery setting as a function thereof and a second control loop for detecting rack error and producing a field excitation current control signal as a function thereof. Power dips and overruns are voided by modifying rack error as a function of engine acceleration. Means are provided for developing speed errors and rack control signals despite a breakdown in the rack position indicator. Open loop lower power setting controls are provided. Wheel-slip control, power limiting and variable acceleration functions are provided.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a welding system having automatic groove tracking and adaptive groove filling capabilities. Data produced by a coordinated laser spot projector (10) and TV-scanner (12) combination is determined to an Intel 8085 computer (28) to provide a substantially continuous analysis of groove locations in a three-axis coordinate system as well as groove depth and area. Location information is fed to an LSI-11 computer (38) to control the tracking function through coordinate axis servo-type drives (46) and to control a fourth-axis or "swing" function which provides freedom between the welding torch (14) and the optical system (10, 12) which leads the torch by several inches. The groove depth and area information is also fed to the LSI-11 to control the welding parameters, i.e.; deposition rate and voltage and produce the desired weld along the groove.

Abstract: A resistance-type welder employing a pulsed power supply and a pair of opposed electrodes between which a workpiece may be clamped under pressure, includes a microcomputer based control system for allowing precise selection and control of welding sequences such as the duration during which the workpiece is clamped, the duration during which current is supplied to the electrodes and the duration during which the workpiece remains clamped between the electrodes after current flow is terminated. A plurality of switchable input devices allows data corresponding to a plurality of process variables to be input to a random access memory. A central processor enabled by a manually operable control switch produces control signals for operating a control and firing circuit in accordance with programmed instructions and the data stored in the random access memory in order to control each step in a welding cycle for precise time periods.

Abstract: A multi-segmented endoscope (20) includes at least two sections (22), (24) which are detachably coupled together to provide endoscopes of varying lengths and openings for use during different stages of the birth process. The end (26) of the smaller section (22) is angled complementarily with respect to the fetus to insure a good seal to prevent contamination of blood samples taken from the infant.

Abstract: Process for control of the transmission of PCM signals between connectors of a PCM time-division multiplex communication network in a conference service and circuit for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A rugged and aesthetically pleasing cabana construction for a portable toilet is disclosed. Resilient plastic walls of the structure are connected to W-shaped corner extrusions to provide the cabana with indented corners to protect them from physical damage. The walls are secured in such a manner so as to minimize shear forces on the fasteners securing the edges of the walls to the corner extrusions. A cover hinged to the effluent holding tank is provided with an integral toilet seat. Preferably, the walls are co-extruded polyethylene plastic sheets with a double useable face, the inner faces of which have the same matching color to provide the interior of the cabana with a uniform aesthetically pleasing appearance while allowing the exterior of the cabana to be multicolored if desired.

Abstract: A digital processor including both macro and micro instruction generators. The micro-instruction generator comprises a sequencer for generating instruction addresses, a memory for generating instructions in response to the addresses and a pipeline register adapted to receive the instructions for execution. The sequencer operates at a constant CLK 1 rate while the pipeline register operates at a variable CLK 2 rate; i.e., the occurrence of a branch instruction in the pipeline register operates to inhibit CLK 2 for one CLK 1 time so as to prevent loading for execution of the aborted sequential instruction during the loading of a new non-sequential instruction address. CLK 2 resumes upon the next CLK 1 signal to resume sequential operation. Special branch instructions are utilized to fetch macro-instructions from a pipelined system of macro-instruction registers. A two-tier synchronous arbitration system for memory requests is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermally actuated damper for insertion in the flue pipe of furnaces consists of a cylindrical section of pipe having a diametrically extending bar fixed across its interior. The bar supports a pair of identical, semi-circular vanes formed of a bi-metallic laminate which project in a common direction from the bar. When the furnace is operating the hot flue gases cause the vanes to bend into abutment with one another so that they extend longitudinally along the flue pipe and allow substantially unrestricted flow of vent gases. When the furnace is off the cooling blades bend outwardly, toward the walls of the flue pipe, substantially blocking the flow of gases through the flue so that the warm air from the heated space is not drawn up the flue.

Abstract: A pipeline of programmable serial neighborhood stages is used to automatically check for adherence to a set of predetermined geometrical constraints or design rules used in the fabrication of electronic components such as integrated circuit devices. In a disclosed embodiment, bit-map representations of several IC masks are superimposed in one composite image matrix for processing in the pipeline. Advantages in processing speed, especially for design rule checking requiring data from more than one mask, are obtained since all necessary data is available to the stages in the pipeline.

Abstract: A plurality of spaced ramps are formed in the inner surface of a vehicle hub interiorly of the bearings to facilitate removal thereof. Preferably, the hub is designed for use in an automatic tire inflation system and the ramps extend radially outwardly from a portion in the hub for receiving sealing rings cooperating to form an air passageway through the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A combination sled and shelter device for use while ice-fishing or the like comprising a drumshaped container body disposed on a pair of snow runners and having doors in the cylindrical drum surface. To use the device as a shelter, one stands the device on the runner ends and sits within the container body.

Abstract: A helmet restraining device employing a seat strap which is pulled taut over the top surface of the saddle-seat of a vehicle and anchored at either end of the strap to the seat and an elliptically shaped restraining cup which is relatively elastic along the major axis of the elipse. A motorcycle helmet or the like is placed on the seat, over the seat strap, and the restraining cup is stretched over the helmet, the elliptical cup enveloping a substantial portion of the helmet. The two ends of the restraining cup are then secured to connector rings located on the seat strap, anchoring the helmet therebetween.

Abstract: A ram driven tube cutting apparatus of the double cut type in which sections of tubing are successively severed from a continuous length thereof by a notching cut followed by a severing cut, includes improved mechanism for clamping the tubing during the cutting process. A pair of opposed, complemental die jaws are mounted on slides controlled by spaced cam followers carried by the slides. A reciprocating wedge cam engages and forces the cam followers apart to move the slides thereby closing the jaws on the tubing. One of the cam followers comprises a roller mounted on an eccentric shaft which may be selectively rotated to adjust the clearance between the die jaws. The other cam follower is spring loaded toward the cam within a slide mounting provided in its slide and automatically shifts to an overload position to avoid damage to the mechanism when foreign objects become lodged between the die jaws.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for measuring the electrochemical activity of a liquid, for example, the hydrogen ion activity or pH value of blood. A disposable cartridge includes spaced indicating and reference electrodes which develop electrical properties as a function of the electrochemical activity. The cartridge carries a capsule containing an electrolyte solution. A machine for measuring the electrochemical activity includes a socket in a pivoting door for receiving the cartridge. When the door is pivoted into a closed position, the capsule is automatically crushed thereby covering the electrodes with the solution. The breaking of the capsule triggers an electronic measurement of the resultant electrical properties that develop between the two electrodes. This calibration factor is stored and used to compute the electrochemical characteristics of the sample when it is introduced into the cartridge to cover the indicating electrode.

Abstract: A device for winding-on sheets of material (3), particularly sheets of paper and lengths of textile, includes a winding-on device and a feed unit (6,8) coupled with the winding-on spindle (4) of the winding-on device through a belt drive (21,22,26), which unit discontinuously feeds the material sheet (3) to the winding-on device. The belt (22) of the belt drive (21,22,26) is elastically extensible in its lengthwise direction, while the winding-on spindle (4) is joined with one part (15) of a locking catch (15,13) the other part (13) of which is intermittently movable into its released position by means of a driver arrangement (9) joined with the feed unit (6,8). The device is particularly suitable for winding-on paper sheets in print units.

Abstract: A home security and garage door operator system includes a gas sensor for detecting the level of toxic gas in the garage. When the gas level exceeds a predetermined threshold the garage door is automatically opened. Lock out circuitry is provided for preventing the door from being accidentally closed as long as the gas sensor detects an excessive level of toxic gas in the garage. A two button transmitter is used to sequentially close the garage door and set a security alarm subsystem. Warning devices are activated if the security alarm is attempted to be set without the garage door and windows in the home being closed. Once the security alarm has been set, the lock out circuitry also disables the garage door motor control circuitry until the security alarm is first deactivated. The transmitter generates a digital pulse train according to a preselected code, with the operation of the dual buttons changing the state of a particular control bit in the pulse train.

Abstract: An automatic tire inflation/deflation system for a vehicle (10) is disclosed. Air passageways for the pressurize air are provided internally through the wheel assemblies without cutting into load bearing members. A rotating seal is provided by way of a pair of sealing rings (52,54) located inboard of the hub bearings (32,33) to protect the seals from adverse environmental conditions. A kit for retrofitting vehicles to include an automatic tire inflation/deflation system is also disclosed. Ramp surfaces (90, 91, 92) formed in the hub (30') are provided to facilitate removal of the bearing assemblies (32, 33).

Abstract: A money dispensing device for use in safes or the like which transfers money from a security area to a dispensing point. A powered drawer transfers money from the security area to the dispensing point. The dispensing point is provided with a door, which is automatically controlled, such that the door opens only when sensors indicate that the drawer has reached the end of the dispensing point, and after opening, the door closes only when sensors indicate that the drawer is empty.

Abstract: A unitary metal vent apparatus for securement to the roof of a building is formed from a single aluminum disk, into the form of a first flange portion, a tubular second portion, a cap-shaped third portion, and a vent hole portion disposed between the tubular portion and the cap portion. Preferably, the apparatus is produced by spinning a tubular protrusion in an aluminum disk, drilling vent holes, and collapsing the end of the tubular protrusion to form a cap-shaped portion.