Abstract: A coupling for unthreaded pipes of a sprinkler system, which permits the replacement of a small damaged pipe section without bending the pipes already emplaced in the ground. The coupling is comprised of a pair of semi-cylindrical pipe sections adapted to fit around and engage the emplaced pipes. The longitudinal edges of the two semi-cylindrical pipe sections are formed so as to mate with one another to hold the sections together as an applied adhesive forms a water-tight seal. Two identical end collars slide along the emplaced pipes and grip the semi-cylindrical pipe sections, holding them in place during the bonding process.

Abstract: In a tape cartridge of the type wherein a motor-driven endless belt bears against the supply and take-up rolls of tape to move the tape, and wherein the belt extends about a pair of guide rollers that hold it in tension, the improvement of a drag washer for applying drag to the guide rollers to assure tension in the belt. Each drag washer is bowed, with a central portion having a hole receiving the roller shaft and bearing against an end of the roller, and with a pair of arms bearing against the cartridge frame.

Abstract: A type surface useful in an impact printer having type characters thereon particularly configured to print large solid blocks. Each type character is comprised of a plurality of spaced land area portions distributed in an area of the type surface whose periphery conforms to the shape and size of the solid block to be printed. The plurality of land area portions present a lower effective contact area to an impacting hammer than would a solid land area of the same periphery, therefore yielding higher density print. The spaces between the land area portions fill in on the printed character as a consequence of smear attributable to the relative movement between the type surface and ink ribbon.

Abstract: A sensor of the linear voltage differential transformer (LVDT) type is described, with a moveable core, which has both high permeability and magnetic retentivity, to thereby provide both position and velocity signals. Also described are various embodiments of a position sensor which provides a position signal of the same amplitude, example a null, whenever the sensor's core is at any one of controllable selected positions within the sensor. Any of these sensors may include a core with magnetic retentivity to provide a velocity signal. A servo control system is disclosed, utilizing the position signals from one of the sensors, as described, to control the positioning of an element at either of two positions.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine is described, which provides for independent, flexible control of timing as well as quantity of fuel injected. The system is programmable for torque shaping and adaptable to a wide range of engine sizes. It uses piezoelectric valves for controlling injection timing, a shuttle, fuel meter and a gas driven high pressure pump for injecting the fuel into the cylinders.

Abstract: A method and means for implementing the control structure of a computer comprising, for example the basic constructs of repetition, conditional execution, and nesting whereby, at any point, a machine language program can be decompiled into the English language source that produced it. The program is loaded into the memory of the machine in a manner to be location independent, so that each segment of a program may be debugged individually, if necessary, without affecting the balance of the program.

Abstract: An antenna comprises the combination of a biconical-horn and a circular waveguide. The major symmetry plane of the horn is horizontal and the horn describes a figure of revolution about the major axis of the circular waveguide. Coupled to the one wall of the horn with its axis perpendicular to the horizontal symmetry plane of the horn is the circular waveguide. A TEM coaxial port on the vertical axis of the horn is provided at the vertex of the cone forming the surface of the biconical-horn. Two orthogonal-ports are provided in the circular waveguide with two respective TEM transmission lines extending from within the circular waveguide outside of these ports to provide at their outputs the TE.sub.11 modes.

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling a user to selectively defeat the toll-call restriction system. The apparatus is comprised of means for applying a tone to the telephone lines through the calling telephone mouthpiece. Detection means responsive to the tone sets a flip flop which functions to inhibit the activation of a relay normally used to disrupt the connection between the calling phone and telephone lines when an unpermitted telephone number is dialed.

Abstract: A method for generating a horizontal fracture through a wellbore by causing two explosively induced shear waves to intersect. This is achieved by placing, within a coupling fluid within a wellbore, a length of high explosives whose center is adjacent the location where a fracture is desired. Both ends of the high explosive are ignited simultaneously.

Abstract: An induced junction solar cell is fabricated on a p-type silicon substrate by first diffusing a grid of criss-crossed current collecting n.sup.+ stripes and thermally growing a thin SiO.sub.2 film, and then, using silicon-rich chemical vapor deposition (CVD), producing a layer of SiO.sub.2 having inherent defects, such as silicon interstices, which function as deep traps for spontaneous positive charges. Ion implantation increases the stable positive charge distribution for a greater inversion layer in the p-type silicon near the surface. After etching through the oxide, to parallel collecting stripes, a pattern of metal is produced consisting of a set of contact stripes over the exposed collecting stripes and a diamond shaped pattern which functions as a current collection bus. Then the reverse side is metallized.

Abstract: An automatic frequency response plotting system includes control circuitry for controlling the sweep rate during the plotting operation as a function of rapid changes in the amplitude of the output of the device under test. The control circuitry senses the rate of change of the amplitude of the output of a device, which is supplied with a constant amplitude signal at a frequency which is variable at a sweep rate initially selected by an operator. When the rate of change of the amplitude of the output of the device exceeds a selected level the control circuitry automatically slows down the sweep rate until the amplitude rate of change falls below the selected level, when the normal sweep rate is automatically resumed. By reducing the sweep rate during rapid amplitude changes the plotter is able to accurately trace steep amplitude excursions, thus preventing unsuspected sharp dips or peaks in the response from being missed or minimized.

Abstract: A breathing method and apparatus for enabling a user, while at low altitude, e.g. sea level, to acclimate himself to high altitude conditions. The apparatus includes an inspiratory tube and an expiratory tube and means for selectively mixing a certain portion of oxygen depleted expired air with ambient air to supply air for inspiration. The first ends of the inspiratory and expiratory tubes are coupled to a mouth and/or nose breathing mask. The remote end of the expiratory path is coupled through a proportioning means to the environment and to a reservoir or air storage chamber. The remote end of the inspiratory path is also coupled to the proportioning means so as to pull ambient air from the environment, as well as oxygen depleted air from the reservoir. By varying the proportioning means, the ratio of ambient air to expired air, and thus the oxygen concentration of the inspired air, is varied so as to enable the user to select the particular elevated altitude to be simulated.

Abstract: When signals derived from a template signature are to be compared directly with signals derived from a specimen signature, because no two signatures are alike, there is a requirement for providing a certain degree of "rubberiness" between the specimen and template signals. Previously such rubberiness was achieved by breaking the signal up into fixed portions and then conducting translation, stretch and contraction between these fixed portions in the course of the comparison. In this invention, advantage is taken of the existence of prominent landmarks in the template and specimen signatures, and the signatures are broken up between these landmarks for the purpose of achieving rubberiness and/or translation. The landmarks in the signals derived from the signatures to be compared are exactly aligned before the correlation process is undertaken.

Abstract: A kit for altering the front suspension of an automobile or other vehicle which has a pair of independent front axles, to provide greater clearance for traversing rough terrain normally requiring the use of four-wheel drive vehicles that cost more and have lower fuel mileage. The kit includes a pair of auxiliary axle mounting blocks for holding the inner ends of the front axles at positions spaced directly below the original mounting points thereof on the vehicle frame, and a pair of curved longer replacement radius arms with inner and outer ends for mounting in the same locations and orientations as the inner and outer ends of the original radius arms respectively on the frame and now-lowered front axles.

Abstract: A heart beat rate monitor is provided with memory means for storing upper and lower limits of a range of heart beat rates. The limits are transmitted to and stored in the memory from an external source. The monitor wearer's heart beat is sensed and whenever the sensed beat rate is outside the range defined by the limits an out-of-range indication is provided to the wearer. The memory means are powered so as not to be affected by the depletion of the main battery which is the primary source of power for the monitor circuitry. In some embodiments, the limits received from the external unit are transmitted thereto for verification purposes. In some embodiments the actual sensed heart beat rate and/or the stored limits are displayable to the wearer upon request.

Abstract: An automated mass spectrometer analysis system is disclosed, in which samples are automatically processed in a sample processor and converted into volatilizable samples, or their characteristic volatilizable derivatives. Each volatizable sample is sequentially volatilized and analyzed in a double focusing mass spectrometer, whose output is in the form of separate ion beams all of which are simultaneously focused in a focal plane. Each ion beam is indicative of a different sample component or different fragments of one or more sample components and the beam intensity is related to the relative abundance of the sample component. The system includes an electro-optical ion detector which automatically and simultaneously converts the ion beams, first into electron beams which in turn produce a related image which is transferred to the target of a vidicon unit.

Abstract: Ultrasonic energy transmission in rectilinear array scanning patterns of soft tissue provides projection density values of the tissue which are recorded as a function of scanning position and angular relationship, .theta., of the subject with a fixed coordinate system. A plurality of rectilinear scan arrays in the same plane for different angular relationships .theta..sub.1 . . . .theta..sub.n thus recorded are superimposed. The superimposition of intensity values thus yields a tomographic image of an internal section of the tissue in the scanning plane.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the charging of a rechargeable battery in an implanted human tissue stimulator by means of an external power source. Included in the stimulator are battery protection devices designed to sense the state of charge of the battery and limit the charging currrent amplitude so as not to exceed a selected maximum based on different criteria including battery state of charge signals from the implanted stimulator which are indicative of the current amplitude and battery state of charge from one of the protection devices are transmited to an external unit. Based on these signals the external unit is operated in one of a plurality of modes to cause the battery to be charged by a current with an optimum safe amplitude irrespective of determined failure of one or more of the battery protection devices.

Abstract: Equipment is provided for determining the characteristics of a linear or non-linear system from its output y, for a quasi-random input x. The non-linear system may be a biological system. The computer described calculates first and second order kernels from the input signals applied to the system and the output signals received from the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a camera and flash unit to provide diffused light, including a support frame for holding a flash unit so it emits light upwardly, and for holding a reflector screen above the flash unit and facing forwardly and downwardly to reflect light from the flash unit in a largely forward direction. The reflector screen includes a sheet of flexible reflective material and a resilient wire reflector frame for holding the reflective sheet taut and for mounting it on the support frame.