Abstract: A lock-down assembly for a commutation rotor in a fixed mount high voltage ignition distributor. The assembly allows for angular adjustment of the rotor about its axis prior to lock-down in proper position with respect to a predetermined point on the fixedly mounted base and the corresponding timing position of the engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjustably activating an electronic display for selected display cycle periods defined by correspondingly selected ON time periods of activation in combination with correspondingly selected OFF time periods of activation to control the brightness level of the display at any one of a nonlinear pattern of levels.

Abstract: A technique for sensing both the earth generated electromagnetic and electrostatic fields is employed on board a remotely guided spin-stabilized projectile or missile in order to accurately determine a vertical reference direction and provide for proper response to received guidance information during the entire flight trajectory.

Abstract: A DC voltage up-converter circuit having an inductor in series between the relatively low value of DC voltage and the stepped up output of the circuit, wherein the output end of the inductor is periodically switched to ground potential and an output storage capacitor stores the energy surges which result when the ground connection is disconnected. The cathode of a zener diode is connected to the output to provide a limit to the output of the circuit and the anode of the zener diode is connected to means for control limiting the amount of current through the switching means when said ground potential is connected.

Abstract: A hollow tubular structure of a distributor rotor driveshaft having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion is mated with an axially aligned metal driving member having a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion. The tubular structure contains an internal socket configuration which conforms with and surrounds the external surface of the metal driving member. Rotational driving forces are communicated from the metal member to the tubular structure throughout a wide range of temperatures due to a compression spring that surrounds a portion of the tubular socket to restrict its expansion.

Abstract: A beam projector capable of projecting alternately orthogonally oriented cross-sectional beams by utilizing a single beam generator that emits a polarized beam through an electro-optical cell, which is activated to alternately switch the beam between two orthogonal plane polarization states. The respectively alternately polarized beams are imaged into an elongated cross-sectional beam wherein one of the beams of one of the polarizations states is rotated orthogonally with respect to the other beam and the beams are projected along parallel paths.

Abstract: A thermal conducting path between a relatively movable heat source and a relatively fixed heat sink element, defined as a relatively narrow non-contacting conducting gap between opposing conducting surfaces. In an embodiment where the heat source is gimbal mounted, for movement with respect to two orthogonal axes, its conductive surface has a convex partial spherical shape while the relatively fixed surface of the heat sink element has a concave partial spherical shape. In order to maintain a constant gap, the opposing surfaces have a common spherical center located at the crossover of said orthogonal axes and the spherical radii dimensions differ by the distance of said relatively narrow non-contacting gap therebetween.

Abstract: A circuit for sensing a plurality of inputs, each of which have a plurality of condition states, and providing a visibly coded output signal to a single indicator lamp, or the like, whereby one may readily determine the various condition states. The circuit is exemplified in an automotive voltage and current sensing system which senses the conditions of normal voltage, overvoltage, undervoltage and battery discharge. The circuit commands a single lamp to be off, to flash rapidly, to light continuously, or to flash slowly in correspondence to the particular sensed condition.

Abstract: For inspecting a float glass ribbon for flaws an optical flaw detection system utilizing a laser beam which linescans the surface is provided. The laser beam is made incident to the glass ribbon at a high angle of incidence with respect to the normal. Deviation of the light transmitted through the glass ribbon is used as an indication of a defect. The invention is particularly useful for detecting "tin drip" type defects.

Abstract: A rotor formed with an integral hold down spring for use in a high voltage distributor to maintain a predetermined height in the commutation cavity.

Abstract: An electrical display device, such as a liquid crystal display, for an instrument such as a speedometer, where two or more units of measurement may be required, comprises a first display area (20) which extends along a line and which is formed to indicate a point along the line corresponding to the magnitude of a measured or selected value; a second display area (27) adjacent the line adapted to indicate a length along the line upon which the point may be indicated; and two further display areas (30), (35) which are formed to be activated separately from the first and second display areas and from each other, and adapted to indicate a respective scale markings against which the magnitude of the said value can be read, and said further display areas lying on the opposite side of the second display area from the first display area, and one of the further display areas including a part (36), (37) which forms an extension of the length of the line indicated by the second display area.

Abstract: A solid state temperature gradient cooling system in which thermal energy is, under a first condition, carried from a heat source to a heat storage device and under a second condition is carried from the heat source and storage device to a heat dissipator. The change in conditions is responsive to changes in the temperature of the heat dissipator above and below a predetermined value. Bimetallic disc elements are employed, which respond to temperature changes about the predetermined temperature, and snap from a first condition concave/convex surface configuration to a second condition convex/concave configuration. The disc elements are supported about their outer peripheries so that the change in configuration will cause the center of the disc to move along an axis normal to the disc. This movement is used to respectively open and close a low resistance thermal path between the heat dissipator and a first thermal conducting path defined to transmit thermal energy between the heat source and the heat sink.

Abstract: A high voltage ignition distributor having a plurality of removable spark plug terminals which, when mounted on the distributor, extend from the outside to the commutation cavity inside the distributor.

Abstract: A labyrinth vent path is defined by the side walls of a mated cap and base of an ignition distributor. The vent path is biased open by a spring molded into the dielectric portion of the distributor rotor.

Abstract: A unitary structure is formed to function in a high voltage ignition distributor as a common high voltage conductor and a bearing mount for a rotor driveshaft.

Abstract: In a high voltage ignition distributor having a plurality of removable spark plug terminals which, when mounted on the distributor, extend from the outside to the commutation cavity inside the distributor. The distributor includes means within the commutation cavity for aligning the removably mounted terminals in a prescribed manner.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit for use with Hall effect and other similar type sensors whereby the circuit is conditioned by the cyclical signal input from the sensor and sets a threshold level based upon the signal input from the sensor, so that the signal output from the circuit is a voltage replica of the input signal, but modified to have a predetermined and constant high and low peak values without regard to peak value variations of the cyclical input signal.

Abstract: A system for alternately projecting and receiving electromagnetic radiation through a single optical aperture. A source of radiation emits radiation that is focused onto a rotating gating means which is synchronously timed with said source emissions. The gating means acts to reflect radiation received from a distant target through the optical aperture during the off time of the source towards a radiation detector.

Abstract: A mechanism molded into the base of a high voltage distributor for mating with a fixed post, wherein the mechanism mounts and retains the distributor in a fixed position on an engine housing.

Abstract: A tamper resistive odometer having a construction whereby manual attempt to reverse the number setting thereon, by separating the pinion gear engagement with number wheel gears, results in a fractured pinion gear that permanently disengages all the pinion gears from the number wheel gears.