Abstract: A common path interferometer is provided using one or more roof mirrors for effecting an optical path delay required to generate an interferogram of a target signature. The optical arrangement using the roof mirror separates the beam of radiation transmitted from the target to produce a fixed delay between the separated beams and, by rotating the roof mirror, a variable delay between the beams is obtained without leaving the target, thus generating an interferogram between the two interfering beams. The resultant interferogram is converted to a spectrum using conventional inverse Fourier transform techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic insertion of a valved bag of paper or other flexible sheet material on to a charging nozzle of a machine adapted to fill the bag with material in granular or powder form, in which the bags are fed from a supply thereof sequentially by means of a distributing device to an inserting device. The inserting device includes means for picking up a bag from the distributing device, means for opening the valve and for testing the operativeness of the valve, means for discarding a bag with an inoperative valve and means for feeding a bag with an operative valve to the charging nozzle of the bag-filling machine.

Abstract: A material heating furnace with a heating element formed of corrugated metal strips which are spaced at one of the ends thereof by a jumper strip which is welded or otherwise fastened to the metal strips. Also, terminals are provided which are slotted so as to alleviate stresses due to bending.

Abstract: An electric controller system includes a comparator at the input of a processor, the processor including a program memory, an operation control unit and a data memory. A digital/analog converter is provided at the processor output. Analog/digital conversion is by means of a loop including the processor, digital/analog converter and comparator. The digital/analog output is also received by an analog signal hold means, the output of which is fed back to the comparator. A manual control circuit operable only in a manual control mode provides an alternative input to the analog signal hold means. Computations in the processor are thus based on a manual input through the hold circuit and comparator only during the manual control mode. Bumpless switching from the manual mode to an automatic mode is provided while further providing for a manual output with failure of the processor. Further embodiments include a multiplexer at the input, a plurality of hold circuits and parameter setting circuits at the input.

Abstract: An integrated-circuit 12-bit digital-to-analog converter comprising binarily-scaled constant-current sources with associated switch cells employing bipolar transistors to direct the bit currents either to a summing bus or to ground. The switch cells include a first differential transistor pair to translate a single-ended binary logic signal to double-ended (balanced) format, and a second, fully-balanced differential pair operated by the balanced logic signal to direct the bit current correspondingly. A bias-generating circuit maintains a constant collector-base voltage at the constant-current source. The threshold voltage for the logic signals can be set for TTL logic or, by pin-programming, for CMOS logic of either low-voltage or high-voltage type.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conversion of an uneven arm beam balance from metric weight measurement to English weight measurement, and the reverse conversion are described. An illustrative example is a balance rated to measure in kilograms and having a main beam scale graduated in uniform increments of metric weight with associated notched poises, a main weight being discretely positionable in respective notches. A secondary beam scale in parallel relationship with the main beam reads from zero to a value equal to one such metric weight increment, along which a secondary (slider) weight is slidable for making the fine-tuning weight measurements between respective graduations of the main scale. For conversion, there is also provided on the main beam a main English scale graduated in uniform increments of English weight with associated notched poise arranged so that a shift in the position of the main weight by a distance equivalent to 400N Grams weighs an increase of N pounds Avoirdupois.

Abstract: In a floatable breakwater, one or more flexible membranes are suspended below a floatable, open grid. An outer membrane is formed into a trough. Inner membrane components serve to define multiple ports and reduce the energy of the wave as water is moved and churned through the various ports. The inner membrane components may have a truncated tetrahedral configuration. A turbine may be positioned at one end of the breakwater to utilize the wave energy.

Abstract: An IC chip having a Zener diode with a subsurface breakdown junction to assure stable operation. The diode is formed by a triple diffusion process compatible with conventional bipolar processing. A deep p.sup.++ diffusion first is applied, reaching through the epitaxial region to the buried n.sup.+ layer; next, a shallow p.sup.+ diffusion is formed over the deep p.sup.++ diffusion and extending laterally beyond that diffusion; finally, a shallow n.sup.+ diffusion is applied over the p diffusions, to form a subsurface breakdown junction therewith. The topology of the mask windows is selected to provide concentration profiles which insure that the breakdown occurs at the subsurface junction, and that other desirable diode characteristics are achieved.

Abstract: Back-pedal brake operator for multi-speed bicycles in which the brake operating action is obtained by turning the foot pedals rearwardly a short distance from any position which the pedals may occupy at the instant when the driver wishes to apply braking action, the braking operation being obtained without utilizing the sprocket chain to apply the braking force, and the brakes are automatically released without any "lock-up" effect when the driver starts pedaling forward in the normal manner. The back-pedal operators shown are directly associated with the sprocket assembly as a compact self-contained unit integrated therewith and can be installed as original equipment by bicycle manufacturers or can be retrofitted by bicycle shops or owners on existing multi-speed bicycles. The bicycle is permitted to be wheeled freely rearwardly without the brakes becoming applied.

Abstract: A hydrostatic converter has at least one hydromotor and at least one pump. The characteristic curve of the pump, which represents the relationship between pressure and stroke volume, has a hyperbolic part. The performance graph of the hydromotor, which represents the relationship between motor driving torque and motor speed, also has a hyperbolic part. A torque controller, including a regulating unit, is associated with the pump for producing a variable auxiliary force for displacing the hyperbolic part of the performance graph of the hydromotor. Automatic, stepless adjustment of the rate of revolution and torque takes place at the hydromotor as a function of the load, in both the full and partial load ranges.

Abstract: Continuous apparatus for impression molding products containing thermoplastic material and having three-dimensional patterns on one or both surfaces, similar or dissimilar, with or without continuously changing profile or shaped edges. The thermoplastic material to be formed may or not contain foamants, fillers, strata or plys of differing composition to reinforce, decorate or protect, and is heated above its glass transition temperature before introduction between revolving flexible belt molds, which revolve in opposed relationship, being cooled, forming a travelling mold channel, at least one having a flexible three-dimensional pattern form on its front face. Opposed nip rolls press the revolving belt molds against the entering thermoplastic material. At least one belt mold travels partially around the nip roll impressing its three-dimensional pattern form in the heated material in a progressive localized rolling squeezing action in the nip region.

Abstract: Snap-on fastener apparatus for removably holding tools on a drive shaft turned by the motor of a household electrical appliance, particularly shown as a food processor with multiple uses, in which interchangeable rotary tools of various shapes and types are employed as a function of the different food preparation tasks to be performed. A protective sheath surrounds the drive shaft and a sheath portion of the tool hub engages upon the sheath of the drive shaft. Fastener apparatus enables the user to affix the desired tool upon the drive shaft sheath in a snap-on manner for removably holding the tool against axial displacement relative to the drive shaft and enables the rapid and convenient installation or removal of the tools without the use of accessories. As the tool is being introduced onto the drive shaft, a flange spreads a plurality of elastic retainer clips which then snap back to reclose over the flange when the tool is fully installed for retaining it in position.

Abstract: An integrated circuit two terminal temperature transducer providing an accurate current output that is linearly related to absolute temperature over an extended temperature range. The circuit is of the type using first and second transistors having conductive areas of different sizes, and control transistors for supplying equal currents through the first and second transistors to operate them at different current densities, and a resistor responsive to the base-to-emitter voltages of the first and second transistors for developing currents therethrough proportional to absolute temperature. Improved accuracy over an extended temperature range is provided in a two terminal device by means of a third transistor coupled to the first and second transistors to generate another controlled current varying linearly with absolute temperature to be combined with the currents through the first and second transistors to form an output current.

Abstract: Signal-processing apparatus for use with industrial instrumentation systems and the like, and comprising memory means to maintain a signal level for long time periods without drift. An input signal level is translated into the positioning of a movable member, through the use of an actuator motor controlled by the input signal and a position feedback signal. A friction device is coupled to the movable member to hold it in any given position, thereby to serve as a memory for the input signal level. The friction device comprises a thin vane-like element which is secured to the movable member and disposed in the air-gap of a permanent magnet. The air-gap also includes a mass of tiny magnetizable particles which, under the influence of the magnetic field, engage the surfaces of the vane-like element to develop a frictional restraining force.

Abstract: A stretching device for stretching of a tire chain, particularly an anti-skid chain. The stretching device comprises a stretching spring, a stretching aggregate for stretching the spring and a stretching element for maintaining an associated tire chain in a stretched position when the spring is stretched. The stretching device eliminates the need for adjusting the tire chain to compensate for slack caused by revolution of the wheels carrying the tire chain.

Abstract: A force-measuring instrument of the vibrating-wire type wherein the mechanical components are located at the force-measuring location and the vibrating wire is coupled through a two-wire transmission line to electronic circuitry at a distant location. The electronic circuitry includes means to excite the vibrating wire and to produce a d-c measurement output signal corresponding to the frequency of vibrations. The electronic circuitry further includes function-generating means to establish a closely-linear relationship between the output current and the force applied to the wire. Means also are incorporated in the electronic circuitry for adjusting the zero and span of the instrument, and this can be done without interaction between the adjustments.

Abstract: A package comprising a receptacle cup of semi-rigid plastic having a top of semi-rigid plastic sealed to flanges of the receptacle and formed inwardly to press against the packaged product and hold it in place with or without evacuation of the interior. Different techniques and apparatus are disclosed for forming such packages. Package configurations also are disclosed providing improved recloseable characteristics, wherein the semi-rigid nature of both the top and the cup are utilized to enable the reclosed top to be held securely in place.

Abstract: The practical large scale use of solar energy depends primarily upon the first cost of solar collectors per unit area being greatly reduced below known designs without loss of efficiency. The subject invention introduces a method of making flat plate solar collectors for heating liquid in which the use of metal and glass is almost totally eliminated, weight is greatly reduced, and assembly of the components is done at the site from rolls of flexible materials in lengths to fit the available space. While materials of much lower thermal conductivity than metal are used, the increased surface area and close spacing of liquid tubes provided by employing this invention more than make up for the lower conductivity. Standard insulation board covered with roofing cement and other adhesives serves as the base and frame to hold small synthetic rubber tubes, headers, and flexible cover material made of transparent fiberglass reinforced plastic.

Abstract: A handbag having a relatively rigid basket-like frame and a soft fabric bag carried therein. The bag includes pocketed flaps which engage wings formed on the basket. Additional securement is obtained by means of handle chains which loop through openings in the basket and bag.

Abstract: An air-regeneration filter is provided having air regeneration agent means toward one end opening thereof and drying agent means toward an opening at the other end thereof. The direction of air flow through the filter can be chosen according to the requirement for conditioning the air to be treated as to oxygen and moisture content.