Abstract: A device for playing percussion instruments by striking or bowing a free accessible edge comprises an arcuate handle having a web of high coefficient of friction material stretched across the chord of the arc, and a mallet affixed to one end. A tensioning device on the end opposite the mallet provides for adjustments and maintenance of the tension of the web.

Abstract: A regulator for a blocking oscillator includes overcurrent protection and light-load operation. An error signal derived from sensing output voltages is then summed with an opposite sense ramp voltage at the input of a comparator having a high amount of hysterises. When sufficient ramp voltage is generated to cause the comparator to switch, a pulse is generated to cause the main power switch to turn off. Variations of the error voltage thus causes the ramp time to vary in a way which opposes changes in the voltage at the load.

Abstract: A switching-mode, blocking oscillator based power supply employs proportional base drive and an improved design of rise-time suppression to improve effeciency and reliability. Current limiting elements cooperate with pass transistor control circuits to provide abrupt and power-efficient primary circuit switching.

Abstract: A special effects mallet for production of a variety of unique sound effects when used with percussion instruments. An ellipsoidally shaped mallet head of semi-rigid material having a high coefficient of friction when in contact with a percussion instrument such a drum head or the like, produces sounds imitative of an extremely uniform drum roll when drawn across the drumhead or the like. The frequency of the roll may be varied by varying the speed of movement or the angle of orientation of the mallet head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for the separation of data from adjacent characters of standard type fonts, some of which character pairs may kern or touch. Characters which do not kern or touch are separated by white column detection. Characters which do kern are first detected by a kerning test, which consists of locating white bits which separate the characters while meeting pre-established standards of contiguity. Touching characters are detected by failure to pass the white column test, followed by failure to pass the kerning test. Characters which touch are separated by a statistical analysis, which involves determination of which of several probable vertical data columns has the least number of character bits. Following separation, the characters are compared with pre-established character patterns.

Abstract: The audio synchronizer includes a delay detector for measuring the video delay through a video processing system, such as one or more frame synchronizers, and a variable audio delay controlled by the detector so as to equalize the delays of the video and audio signals.

Abstract: A flexible mat having a plurality of protruding members and a plurality of apertures is agitated by pressure pulsation in a stream of highly turbulent mixture of water/air which is applied to the back surface of the mat. As pressure pulses swell and subside in alternation, the protruding members are caused to manipulate the user's body producing a stimulating, therapeutic massage effect. Simultaneously, the water/air mixture is forced through the apertures of the mat producing a turbulent bath having a high proportion of air bubble content which further manipulates and massages the user's body.

Abstract: Temperature profiles of objects having large areas are measured and displayed by providing a plurality of radiometric sensors, each sensor having an established field of view and being directed toward the object whose temperature is being measured. Outputs of the sensors are processed to provide maximum sensitivity within a specified temperature range and little or no sensitivity outside of the specified range. Within a specified temperature range the temperature scale is divided into a number of increments, the number of said increments dependent on the desired degree of resolution of measurement. The processed and expanded output of each of the radiometric sensors is electronically compared and categorized into the selected divisions of the specified temperature range. Electrical signals derived from this comparison are provided to columnar displays associated with each radiometric sensor whereby the range of temperature is displayed and the output of each radiometric sensor is indicated.

Abstract: Printed circuits are fabricated by a process which employs initial chemical deposition of copper on a predrilled substrate followed by electroplating build-up of conductors to desired pattern. The conductors are then passivated by thinly plating them with a mechanically durable, chemically passive metal. To provide solder compatibility in areas where connections are to be made to the printed circuits, a plating of tin/lead is applied in those areas while making all other areas to eliminate plating. The remaining exposed copper is then etched away. An insulating solder mask is then applied.

Abstract: Infra-red images are projected onto an infra-red detector whose output is amplified, linearized, digitized and displayed as a numerical value corresponding to the temperature of the object viewed by the infra-red optical system. The optical axis of the infra-red optical system is coaxial with the optical axis of a visible light optical system which is used for sighting and aligning the field of view of the infra-red optical system with the object. Through the eyepiece of the visible light optical system an observer sees the object, the scene area surrounding the object and the numerical value of the temperature of the object as indicated by a digital readout whose image is superimposed over the scene.

Abstract: A particle analyzer system which operates on-line, real-time and is adaptable to use in process control systems wherein the analysis provides a basis for control of the process. Images of particles are focused onto an array of light sensitive electronic elements. The resulting light pattern is translated into digital data which is retrievably stored in a memory. Analysis of the data by digital logic yields information as to particle counts, size, shape and other physical characteristics. Interim storage in the light sensitive array itself is provided which allows data accumulation using short duration stroboscopic illumination.

Abstract: A sinuous pattern of soft copper tubing is pressed against a laminated assembly consisting of a thin sheet of copper laminated to a layer of insulating foam which is in turn laminated to a backing plate of pressed wood. As the pressure is increased, the tubing deforms the copper sheet in conformity with the shape of the copper tubing. The foam resists deformation of the sheet in areas not directly beneath the copper tubing resulting in a well-defined trough adapted to receive the copper tubing which deforms it. The copper tubing and sheet are then bonded together resulting in a thermally efficient, inexpensively produced collector panel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the internal pressure of a fluid conduit in line with which the apparatus is inserted. Fluids transported through the conduit are caused to pass through a thin-walled inner tubular member which expands and contracts in response to increases and decreases in fluid pressure. Surrounding the thin-walled conduit is a layer of piezo-conductive material which is in turn surrounded by a snugly fitting, relatively inelastic outer tube. Pressure inside the thin-walled inner conduit causes the piezo-conductive material to be compressed between the thin-walled conduit and the outer inelastic tube thereby producing a change in the conductance of the piezo-conductive material. A conductance analog of pressure is thereby produced between electrodes attached to the thin-walled inner conduit and the inelastic outer tube. The device may be rendered in very high current, low conductance forms for use in direct modulation of high current circuits.

Abstract: Three-dimensional images are produced within a transparent cathode-ray tube by directing a plurality of electron beams into a cloud of phosphorescent particles and causing the beams to intersect at a point within the cloud. Each individual beam's current is maintained at less than the threshold of luminescence of the particles but the combined currents may be caused to exceed that threshold by a controlled amount thereby producing light spots of variable brightness at the beam intersection point, which point may be directed into any part of the volume of the cloud. The particle cloud is produced by a high-gradient electric field pump. Use of the pump for particle cloud production in such applications as beam testing is also described.