Abstract: A current controlled variable transconductance amplifier having a differential input stage and a current source output stage is employed with negative feedback, either through a buffer amplifier or directly, to provide various all-pass, low-pass or high-pass filter configurations, each with controlled bias current to the differential input stage for current control of the variable transconductance amplifier to provide dynamic control of phase shift and filter cutoff frequency.

Abstract: A device designed to float in a home pool and sound an alarm when the water is disturbed, which is peculiarly sensitive to disturbances in the water, including a transducer for sensing noise in the water, a high frequency filter connected to the transducer, a saturable amplifier connected to the filter, an integrator connected to the amplifier, and a trigger circuit connected to the integrator for initiating an alarm. The integrator has a rise time on the order of fifty milliseconds so that it rejects moderately loud disturbances unless they repeat many times within a short period of time, as is the case in noise reflected off the walls of an average size pool. The decay time of the integrator exceeds five hundred milliseconds so that the integrator output builds up over the period of at least two or three major noise pulses of a typical moderate splash in water.

Abstract: An extraction device is disclosed comprising a tube containing a substantially inert, chemically non-reactive packing material with a large surface area to volume ratio. A sample which consists of organic compounds dissolved in a liquid, is introduced into the tube. As the sample passes through the packing material it spreads over the material's large surface area to form a thin liquid film which is held on the packing material in a stationary state. A particular group or family of compounds is extractable from the sample by passing a particular solvent system consisting of a solvent and selected reagents through the packing material. The reagents cause optimum conditions to exist for the compounds of the particular family to pass through the phase boundary between the sample liquid and the solvent of the solvent system. Thus, the compounds of the particular family are separated from the sample liquid and become dissolved in the solvent of the solvent system.

Abstract: A framework of structural members having the appearance of a truss, for supporting concrete forms that mold the floors of buildings, including upper and lower beams joined by vertical upper column members and diagonal members, lower column members that support each upper column member on the floor, and screw jacks at the bottoms of the lower column members to permit fine height adjustments. The fact that each upper column member is separately supported by an adjustable device that assures proper vertical positioning, means that there are minimal bending stresses in the upper and lower beams during the heavy loading which occurs when supporting poured concrete, so that the structural members can be constructed of a material of high strength but low rigidity such as aluminum.

Abstract: A low cost dot printer head which includes a base plate of ferromagnetic material with slots that divide a rear portion of the plate into several magnetic circuits that are isolated from one another and that hold separate coils for individually magnetizing the circuits, the head also including an armature slideable along each magnetic circuit and a printer wire having a rear end fixed to a corresponding armature and a front end slideable in a guide mounted at the front of the base plate.

Abstract: An X-ray laser comprises a single crystal in the form of a thin film with an oriented set of prominent atomic planes so that when the crystal is pumped, X-ray photons which are emitted from one of the atomic constituents of the crystal, experience internal feedback (Bragg scattering) from the atomic planes thereby eliminating the need for external feedback. In addition the crystal functions as a thin planar waveguide confining the X-ray waves therein, thereby reducing the necessary pumping power and increasing overall efficiency.

Abstract: A bicycle with a frame suspended on the wheels by telescoping shock absorbers that permit large vertical movements of the wheels when they hit bumps without producing large vertical movements of the bicycle frame, so that pedaling can continue uninterrupted in traversing rough terrain.

Abstract: Microencapsulated spheroids containing a coded, volatile electron absorbing substance are dispersed into a material to be regulated such as crude oil in a tanker. Samples of the material such as an oil spill are collected and the source of the material is determined by electron capture gas chromatographic detection of the electron absorbing substance.

Abstract: A carrier mounted at the rear of a motorcycle is designed to hold a variety of goods, including a special pack that can hold a tent and sleeping bags, and the carrier and pack are designed to minimize interference with good motorcycle travel. The carrier has a front frame section mounted at the rear fender of the motorcycle, a rear frame section which can be locked in forward and rearward positions, and a flexible sheet connecting the front and rear frame sections. The pack is wider and taller than the motorcycle seat, and can be arranged with a recess in its front for receiving the rear of the seat, so that when only one person rides on the motorcycle the pack lies immediately behind the rider to minimize aerodynamic disturbances and to keep the center of gravity forward.

Abstract: Free-standing boulders or rocks are fractured and broken down into many smaller pieces by impacting the boulder with a high velocity projectile. The impact energy is delivered to the rock by a blunt nosed projectile in a time which is less than the transit time of a sound signal across the average diameter of the rock.

Abstract: A two-position rotary valve for injecting a liquid sample into a stream of solvent flowing through a liquid chromatographic column, without interrupting solvent flow is disclosed. The valve is switchable between a load position and an inject position. Associated with the valve is a sample loop whose downstream end is connected to a needle cavity axially extending along the valve rotor. In the load position the upstream end of the sample loop is vented to the atmosphere. This facilitates the loading of the sample into the sample loop through the needle cavity at atmospheric pressure with a conventional syringe needle. After sample loading the syringe needle is replaced by a wire-like plug which together with a compressible seal are capable of withstanding high pressure in the needle cavity when the latter is switched to the inject position. In this position solvent flows through the sample loop and the needle cavity from the solvent source to the column, forcing the previously loaded sample onto the column.

Abstract: Start-up power control of a full wave rectifier supply to a DC permanent magnet motor is provided by an SCR full wave rectifier bridge and a start-up control circuit for the SCR's comprising an independent rectifier for charging up a capacitor through a high impedance path to produce a start-up ramp voltage, a UJT relaxation oscillator powered by the independent rectifier bridge to trigger the SCR's through a transformer, and a series transistor control circuit for the UJT responsive to the ramp voltage to advance the firing angle of th UJT and thereby advance the firing angle of the SCR's as the ramp voltage increases fron 0 to a maximum.

Abstract: A dome structure is provided which is constructed of identical ring-shaped elements of arbitrary size relative to the radius of the dome, the ring elements extending along four or five meridian lines that pass through the zenith of the dome and with additional elements positioned in curved rows lying progressively further from the zenith and with each element attached at its periphery to four other elements. The elements are constructed with tapered peripheries to lie solidly against one another, and with radially extending ribs that prevent deformation of the ring members into an oval shape.

Abstract: An MOS device is usually connected to a power supply through an MOS device which is connected so that load current can be supplied to the MOS circuit when it is turned on and leakage current can be supplied thereto when it is turned off. It has been found that the recovery time of such an arrangement upon turn off is substantially longer than the turn on time. This invention provides a method and means for minimizing the recovery time.

Abstract: The application describes an electrical connector of the type which has a row of contact elements with mating ends and with upstanding slotted rearward ends that receive and pierce insulated wires, including a carrier of insulative material for installing and retaining the wires in the contact elements. The carrier is an elongated trough-shaped member with a pair of side walls that can fit respectively forward and rearward of the upstanding slotted contact portions, the side carrier walls having grooves which receive the insulated wires so that when the carrier is pressed against the connector the carrier forces the wires into the slots of the contact elements. The carrier has a resilient hook at either end which engages recesses formed in the connector frame as the carrier is pressed thereagainst.

Abstract: An arrangement for organizing a computer is provided wherein all instructions in programs required for data processing, including memory addresses, are generated and processed outside of the central processor unit by using programmable logic arrays. Programmable logic arrays are also used for program supervision and for controlling peripheral hardware. Thus, the central processor unit is left to perform solely data processing and need not do any non-data processing functions.

Abstract: A tape transport system having a capstan servomechanism for velocity control of tape across a read/write head and separate reel servomechanisms for tape supply and take-up control, and also having tape loops in vacuum columns, is provided with tape position feedback to each reel servomechanism to stabilize reel positions in a standby (zero capstan speed) condition from AC tachometers of the induction-generator type normally used during steady state (steady capstan speed) for velocity feedback.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for producing a hydrogen rich gas by injecting air and hydrocarbon fuel at one end of a cylindrically shaped chamber to form a mixture, igniting the mixture to provide hot combustion gases, by partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon fuel. The combustion gases move away from the ignition region to another region where water is injected to be turned into steam by the hot combustion gases. The steam which is formed mixes with the hot gases present to yield a uniform hot gas whereby a steam reforming reaction with the hydrocarbon fuel takes place to produce a hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: An offshore mooring terminal or buoy is provided with apparatus for indicating to a ship moored thereto that the stresses on the mooring equipment of the buoy reached a dangerous level and the ship should cast off in order to avoid serious damage to the buoy, possibly to the ship and also to avoid a possible cargo spill.

Abstract: A device for replacing a fluorescent lamp in a two lamp serially connected fluorescent fixture either of the type which includes a rapid-start type transformer for every two rapid-start fluorescent lamps or an instant start fixture for every two instant start lamps. By placing the device in the fixture in place of one of the two lamps the remaining lamp is energizable to provide illumination, whereas without the device the remaining lamp is inactive.