Abstract: A programmable frequency and signalling format encoder/decoder circuit is disclosed which can be used alone or with other like encoder/decoder circuits and external timing and memory circuits to create a tone frequency transmission and reception system having particular frequency and signal format requirements. The encoder provides a sine wave output signal of a selected frequency by constructing the sine wave shape from a predetermined number of sine wave weighted discrete signal segments for each output signal cycle. The width of the segments within a given output signal cycle is determined by programming the encoder with data representative of the selected frequency. To ensure accurate conformance of the frequency of the output signal with a selected frequency, the encoder further includes circuitry for varying the width of individual segments within a single output signal cycle in accordance with the selected frequency.

Abstract: In carrying out location control of a control object by decelerating a driving source for the control object over a suitable number of stages, this invention is based on the conception that inertia and strain occur in the control object, the driving source keeping such output as to allow a uniform motion of the control object and transmission mechanisms connecting them due to the uniform motion of the control object in a preceeding stage, and they exert significant influences over the location accuracy of the control object and wearing of the machine. In the present invention, therefore, the driving source of the control object is brought under deceleration control at such a timing where the strain occurring in the control object and its associated mechanisms becomes minimum.

Abstract: In a hinge structure, members to be joined to each other each have curved edge portions spaced from each other along the edge. A cut out is formed in the inner sides of the contiguous curved edge portions, thus defining a pair of projections which face each other across a spacing d and extend from the one side of one curved edge portion toward that of the contiguous one. The curved edge portions and the projections of the two joint members thus formed are overlaid on each other, and a compressible coil spring member is inserted through the spacing d above mentioned and fitted on the pair of overlapping projections where the spring member retains the joint members in a pivotal relationship by action of its restoring force.

Abstract: A solar energy fluid heating system and method wherein sunlight is focused on the one end of a number of light pipes and directed by the other ends of the light pipes onto a heat conductive surface at the bottom of a number of tubes within a fluid storage tank. Each of the tubes within the tank is apertured adjacent to the lower end thereof and open at the other end thereof to permit fluid circulation within the tank. The tubes may be entirely of heat conducting material to accomplish fluid heating over an increased portion of the tubes.

Abstract: A ball spline bearing assembly comprising an outer ring having a plurality of axial endless ball raceways formed in its inside and projections provided on both of the axial ends corresponding to the axial and circumferential positions of the ball raceways, a shaft fitted therein axially and slidably, balls circulated in the ball raceways, and a ball cage fitted to the inside of the outer ring and having a plurality of axial ball slots each formed corresponding to the ball raceways, each slot having a length equal to the axial distance between the projections provided on the opposing axial ends of the outer ring and a width capable of fitting the projection therein and retaining the balls while partially exposing them. The outer ring has preferably formed at its outer circumferential surface a lubricating groove communicating directly to each of the endless ball raceways.

Abstract: The automatic pretuning of a voltage controlled oscillator in a phase locked loop frequency synthesizer utilizes a successive approximation technique to rapidly bring the coarse tuning voltage of the oscillator to the desired pretuning value. A digital number stored in a digital register is converted to an analog voltage value and applied to the voltage controlled oscillator as the coarse tuning voltage. The frequency of the output signal from the oscillator is compared with a reference signal, and control logic responsive to the sense of the frequency difference between the reference signal and the oscillator output signal adjusts the value of the number stored in the digital register successively from the most significant bit to the least significant bit. A microprocessor can be used to adjust the value of the number stored in the register, as well as provide additional functions such as reverse successive approximation when the synthesizer is switched from one frequency to another frequency.

Abstract: A fluid jet-mixing apparatus for use in a flow deflecting structure or passageway unit disposed intermediately between an inlet and an outlet of a fluid or fluids to and from an adjacent reacting area in the upstream or downstream thereof, which incorporates a guide vane assembly for allowing the fluid or fluids to pass therethrough under appropriate flow velocity and pressure conditions, the guide vane assembly comprising a cylindrical wall member defining the fluid passageway and a flow deflecting structure of a guide vane form disposed within the cylindrical wall member and composed of a plurality of generally semi-elliptic shaped panel members and a triangular-shaped partition member, and a suction or introduction pipe member incorporated concentrically in the center of the guide vane assembly and extending in communication with the outside of the passageway system so as to cause another fluid to be dynamically introduced or sucked from outside into the fluid passageway system, thereby to have the flowing

Abstract: A threshold generator for an FSK demodulator compensates for selective fading of the FSK signal. The peak positive and negative amplitude excursions in a composite envelope signal, representative of detected mark and space tone signals, are sampled and respectively stored in two sample and hold circuits. The average value of the amplitude values stored in the sample and hold circuits is computed to establish a threshold signal. When no transitions occur in a demodulated data signal for a predetermined period of time due to the absence of incoming information, the composite envelope signal is conducted to ground, thereby forcing the output signals of the sample and hold circuits to go to zero volts. The sample and hold circuits continuously sample the grounded signal to maintain the threshold level at zero volts as long as no transitions occur in the demodulated data signal.

Abstract: A portable receiver includes a housing which operates as an acoustical amplifier to increase the output level of the audio signals produced by a sound transducer. The sound transducer is located within a cavity in the housing and emits audio signals into the interior of the housing. The housing has vents located in its walls to permit the audio signals produced by the sound transducer to pass freely to the exterior of the housing. The vents are dimensioned such that the resonant frequency of the housing lies approximately at the center of the frequency range of the signals produced by the sound transducer. Matching the resonant frequency of the housing to the output signals of the transducer causes the housing to operate as a tuned resonator which amplifies the output signals of the transducer.

Abstract: The main trunk line of a sewer system is divided into serially connected sections and a predetermined hydrostatic head is established at the upstream end of each section. Sewage flow is restricted at the downstream end of each section, to maintain a pressure gradient along the flow path in each section. This maintains sewage flow in the trunk line despite the absence of an elevational gradient. Feeder lines are connected to the trunk line in relation to the pressure gradient such that back flow from the trunk line into the feeder lines is substantially inhibited without requiring check valves.

Abstract: A phase locked loop provides frequency modulation over an extended frequency range by summing a modulation signal with the loop signal at two separate points within the loop. The modulation signal is directly applied to the control input terminal of the voltage controlled oscillator. In addition, the modulation signal is processed to compensate for the transfer functions of loop components, and the processed signal is summed with the loop signal at an additional point between the output terminals of the phase detector and the lowpass filter of the loop. The processing of the modulation signal consists of preshaping of the signal to compensate for the transfer functions of loop circuitry located between the voltage controlled oscillator and the summing junction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake mechanism, particularly useful on a vehicle which travels on the upper side wall edges of gondola cars. The brake mechanism includes a brake shoe rack which carries two pairs of brake shoes, one pair of brake shoes being adapted to clamp one side wall of the gondola car and the other pair of brake shoes being adapted to clamp the other side wall of the gondola car. The pairs of brake shoes are moved in opposition to one another by a single hydraulic ram to effect the clamping of the side walls. The brake shoe rack is pivotally supported below the chassis of the gondola car loader by hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the brake shoe rack as the vehicle is moved from gondola car to adjacent gondola car. The brake shoe rack is also movable from side to side with respect to the chassis of the vehicle to enable the brake mechanism to accommodate gondola car side walls which are bowed or otherwise irregularly shaped.

Abstract: Substantially pure, free flowing, sodium amalgam particles of predetermined composition and controlled particle size are prepared for use as vaporizable fill for high pressure discharge lamp devices, whereby accurately measurable quantities of the sodium amalgam may be introduced into the lamp devices. A process for producing the substantially pure amalgam particles of accurately controlled size includes heating a mixture of sodium and mercury to form a melt, passing the melt through a vibrating discharge nozzle and subjecting the droplets so formed to an inert cooling fluid maintained at a temperature below the solidification point of the amalgam. An apparatus for producing the amalgam particles comprises a vessel to contain an alkali metal amalgam melt, a vibrating discharge nozzle adapted to form the melt into uniformly sized droplets, and a column of inert cooling fluid maintained at a low temperature at which the melt droplets are solidified.

Abstract: An artificial eye structure in which the diameter of the dish shaped backing member is larger than the diameter of the eye so that face material is squeezed between the eye and the backing member to produce an unusual recessed effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for controlling the selection of divider factors in a vernier frequency synthesizer employing a pair of phase lock loops coupled through a mixer to supply a synthesized output signal frequency. The control device generates a pair of divider factors for the respective programmable dividers of the two loops which will generate a particular synthesized output frequency and avoids predetermined divider factors such as those which are not processable by programmed dividers of the loops or which would generate frequencies within the loops causing spurious mixing products with other signals. The control device preferably takes the form of a microprocessor.

Abstract: A stabilization circuit inhibits spurious oscillations of a Class C transistor power amplifier. A relatively large value resistor is connected in the base circuit of the amplifier transistor to inhibit the tendency of the amplifier to oscillate. A diode is added to the base circuit to prevent the possible failure of the transistor attendant to the use of the relatively high value resistor.

Abstract: A savings toy box in which a coin may be placed in a predetermined position to be grasped by a hidden mechanism and pulled into the box.

Abstract: Substantially pure, free flowing, sodium amalgam particles of predetermined composition and controlled particle size are prepared for use as vaporizable fill for high pressure discharge lamp devices, whereby accurately measurable quantities of the sodium amalgam may be introduced into the lamp devices. A process for producing the substantially pure amalgam particles of accurately controlled size includes heating a mixture of sodium and mercury to form a melt, passing the melt through a vibrating discharge nozzle and subjecting the droplets so formed to an inert cooling fluid maintained at a temperature below the solidification point of the amalgam. An apparatus for producing the amalgam particles comprises a vessel to contain an alkali metal amalgam melt, a vibrating discharge nozzle adapted to form the melt into uniformly sized droplets, and a column of inert cooling fluid maintained at a low temperature at which the melt droplets are solidified.

Abstract: A regulator for controlling the speed of a rotary hydrodynamic pump algebraically sums a preselected value with a signal related to the pump speed and raised to a predetermined power. A root of the combined signals is compared with a flow rate or liquid level signal to develop a pump speed control signal. In the mechanical embodiments of the regulator, the algebraic summation is performed by the force of a spring against a fluid pressure, and the root of the resulting signal is obtained by means of an appropriately shaped cam. Electronically, the root signal is developed with an RC circuit.