Abstract: a heat pump system selectively operable in cooling and heating modes of operation and having an internal combustion engine prime mover which produces refrigerant vapor compression, and which produces excess heat for rejection, is provided with a first heat exchanger that evaporates compressed refrigerant in the system heating mode of operation, with a second heat exchanger which uses prime mover rejected heat to heat a working fluid, and with a fluid distribution arrangement which is selectively operable to flow the heated working fluid in heat exchange relation to said first heat exchanger also, in the system heating mode of operation to provide a defrost capabilities and to improve heat pumping heating capacity at low ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reacting materials to provide a product. In a reactor (20) having an inner column (A) and an adjacent coaxial outer column (B), and having an upper zone (II) and an adjacent lower zone (I), both zones (I,II) are filled with a liquid (C). A gas (4) is fed into the liquid (C) at the lower end of the upper zone (II). The liquid (C) and a part of the gas (4) are circulated generally upward in one column (A or B) and generally downward in the other column (B or A) in the upper zone (II). Particles (15) of a solid substance are provided in a column (A or B) in the lower zone (I). The liquid (C) is circulated between the lower zone (I) and the upper zone (II) in such manner that the liquid (C) contacts and fluidizes the solid particles (15) while confining them to the lower zone (I), while the gas (4) contacts the liquid (C) and is confined to the upper zone (II).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reading a luminescent and substantially transparent bar code 1 on a background surface 2 whose reflectance may vary over the coded area. Light 7 scans (70), and excites luminescence 8 in, the bar code 1. The light 7 also reflects (9) without luminescence from the background surface 2 of the bar code 1. A first electrical or optical signal 11 is provided (4) responsive to the reflected nonluminescent light 9, and a second electrical or optical signal 10 is provided (4) responsive to the luminescent 8. Typically the first signal 11 is processed (5) to provide a third signal 31 that varies with background reflectance substantially as does the second signal 10; and the second and third signals 10, 31 are combined (5) to provide a fourth signal 12 that is substantially independent of background reflectance in the coded area, and which is decoded (6) to provide the desired reading.

Abstract: A perforated drum (10) rotates in a coaxial cylindrical housing (18) having three circumferential ports (19,22,23), and an axial outlet (24) at one end. The axis (11) is horizontal. A fibrous filter medium (20) is fed through a port (19) on or near the top of the housing (81) by a distributing mechanism (36) which lays a uniform mat (26) of the desired thickness onto the rotating drum (10). This mat (26) is carried by the drum (10) to a second port (23) through which dirty fluid (13) enters. The fluid (13) passes through the filter (26) and the cleaned stream (16) exits through the open end (15) of the drum (10) and the axial port (24) in the housing (18). The dirty filter material (20) is carried on to a third port (22) near the bottom of the housing (18) and drops into a receiver (31) from which it is continuously removed, cleaned (30), and returned (32) to the charging port (36) at the top.

Abstract: A connector mate/demate tool provides remote coupling and decoupling of connector sections with a rotating locking ring on one section of the connector and where the other section is rigidly attached to some fixture. The tool mates the connector sections by first searching for a key-slot engagement of parts while exerting a small longitudinal force and then rotating the locking ring until the two sections are secured. Demating is accomplished by rotating the locking ring in the reverse direction and pulling the two connector sections apart.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing a pollutant such as dust (33) from a fluid stream (34). A nested array of fibers (35) is provided in a substantially annular container (36) having openings in its inner (32) and outer (31) cylindrical sides of such size as to retain the fibers (35) within the container while permitting fluid (34) to pass through easily, and the pollutant-containing fluid stream (34) is passed through at least a substantial portion of the container (36) from a region (37) outside the outer side (31) to a region (38) inside the inner side (32). Thus a substantial fraction of the pollutant (33) is separated from the fluid stream (34) in a portion of the nested array (35) generally nearer to the outer side (31) of the container (36) than to the inner side (31).

Abstract: A waveguide, approximately Y-shaped in plan view, provides coupling between first and second optical fibers, each attached to an end of the waveguide on the branched portion of the Y, and a third fiber attached to the single end of the Y. A fourth fiber, smaller in cross section than the waveguide on the single-ended portion of the Y and placed with its adjacent end therein between the junction of the Y and the third fiber, and bent gradually to one side, extends away from the waveguide before reaching the end to which the third fiber is attached. Typically the first fiber directs light from an emitter into the waveguide, the second fiber directs light away from the waveguide to a detector, the third fiber directs light away from the waveguide to a reference detector, and the fourth fiber directs light away from the waveguide to a sensor and back from the sensor into the waveguide.

Abstract: A fully automated tool for holding threaded fasteners during fastener insertion, removal, or transport is described. The device is capable of handling different sized fasteners and can be used with remote manipulator systems or in hand-held operations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing a pollutant from a fluid stream. A nested array of fibers (1) is provided in a substantially confined region (2). The pollutant-containing fluid stream (4) is passed through a substantial portion of the nested array (1) from an inlet area (7) therein to a fluid-outlet area (8) that is spaced apart substantially from the inlet area (7). A substantial fraction of the pollutant (9) is separated from the fluid stream (4) in a portion of the nested array (1) generally nearer to the inlet area (7) than to the fluid-outlet area (8), and a substantial fraction of the separated pollutant (9) is removed from the nested array (1) at a pollutant-outlet area (12) that is spaced apart from the inlet area (7) and from the fluid-outlet area (8), while the fluid stream (4) may continue to pass through the nested array (1).

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for use in measuring the topography of a surface by contact which comprises a piezoelectric polymer film sensor, such as polyvinyldiene difluoride film, with a body portion and a tip portion, with electrically conductive films adhered to each principal surface of the sensor, and a non-conductive support restraining the sensor a fixed distance from the surface to be measured and with the sensor having an arcuate form when flexed by the surface.

Abstract: One or more optical fibers are attached to an optical component element or supporting substrate by coating the peripheral surface of the optical fiber with a metallic layer and then positioning the metallic layer in electrical contact with a metal surface of the object along an interface. An electrical current pulse or pulses is applied through the interface sufficient to cause local melting or near melting and welding at the interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for consolidating loose or pre-compressed particulate materials, such as metal powder or metal flakes, in press equipment utilizing a reusable canister means that is sealed in vacuum from the atmosphere and heated prior to consolidation in the press equipment at elevated pressures and temperatures, thereby improving utilization of the press equipment.

Abstract: High speed integrated optic devices for sampling transient RF and microwave signals. A series of electrooptic couplers are spaced apart along an integrated-optic waveguide beneath a coplanar RF stripline. A traveling wave electrical signal propagetes on the RF stripline, generating an electric field across each coupler, and thus changing its coupling characteristics. A short optical pulse propagates in a direction opposite to the electrical signal, passing sequentially through the electro-optic couplers, and thus causing a small amount of light to couple into each one of a series of output waveguides and propagate on to an optical detector. The amount of coupled light is dependent on the local electric field induced by the electric signal. Each detector integrates the energy of the coupled optical pulse in its respective output waveguide, to determine the associated instantaneous amplitude of the electrical signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for all-optical analog to digital conversion. An analog optical input signal is directed along a path comprising a series of level sensing means for determining whether its intensity is above or below a threshold value. The optical signals from successive level sensing means are directed in pairs to optical exclusive-or gates to provide a digital optical signal to at least one of a plurality of individual optical output means according to a designated digital coding system whereby the optical digital indication corresponds to the sensed level of intensity of the analog optical input signal. Apparatus comprising channel waveguides and integrated optical devices provide economical systems for high-speed computation and other uses.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring loads transmitted via wheels to a track from vehicles travelling thereon, comprises means responsive to load at a plurality of approximately equally spaced locations on a selected portion of the track at least about equal in length to the circumference of a typical wheel passing thereover, for providing a signal that is a function of the largest load on the track from each wheel, means responsive to the signal for comparing each largest load with at least one selected load level, and means responsive to the load comparing means for identifying each wheel from which any load greater than a selected level was transmitted.

Abstract: A cylindrical cask (1) for nuclear reactor fuel comprises a bottom portion (3), a side portion (5), and a top portion (4), each comprising material for shielding against escape of electromagnetic radiation and nuclear particles and for transfer of heat as required. The side portion comprises a plurality of coaxial thin laminas (9,10,11,12), each fitting tightly against the next, and at least two of them having substantial mechanical strength and toughness for stopping the spread of any fracturing that might occur in an adjacent lamina.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying by a diver while under water (and at the surface between dives) provides information useful for enabling the diver to ascend therefrom both expeditiously and safely in order to avoid decompression sickness. A corrosion-resistant ceramic transducer (60) provides an electrical capacitance responsive to the pressure of the water thereon, in an electronic circuit (52), comprising also a resistance (61), for providing a signal (at 53) responsive to the time constant therein and substantially unaffected by normally encountered variations in supply voltage. Electronic data processing means (40-51), responsive to the signal, computes the water pressure, the depth of the transducer (60) in the water, the minimum depth to which the diver can from there ascend safely, the minimum time within which the diver then can ascend safely to the surface of the water, and the elapsed time since the beginning of the dive. Displays (48, 49) provide indications to the diver of the computed values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for consolidating loose or pre-compressed particulate materials, such as metal powder or metal flakes, in press equipment utilizing a reusable canister means that is sealed in vacuum from the atmosphere and heated prior to consolidation in the press equipment at elevated pressures and temperatures, thereby improving utilization of the press equipment.

Abstract: Typical apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 12 for indicating the relative positions in a given direction between a reference point (24,59) and a test point (29,68) spaced therefrom and movable relative thereto is useful for measurement of the magnitude and direction of static or dynamic torque in a shaft (8). Overlapping transparent reference (20,60) and test surfaces (25,61), either parallel disks (60,61) or coaxial cylinders (20,25) each having a relevant portion covered with a plurality of equally spaced lines oriented predominantly normal to the given direction and at an angle to each other, produce moire fringes (30) when illuminated (14,15). One of the surfaces (25,61), being flexible, is connected to the shaft (8) so as to flex in response to torque between the reference point (24,59) and the test point (29,68), causing a change in the angle between the lines on the two surfaces (20,25;60,61), and thus of the spacing (D) (FIG.

Abstract: Apparatus (FIG. 1) receives electrical input potentials (11A-11D) representing components, e.g. coefficients (zero or one), of weighted digital input data, and provides analog optical output (12) proportional to the sum of the weighted digital values in the input data. An electrooptic waveguide (13) has four adjacent electrooptic diffractive means (14A-14D), each responsive to a separate component of the digital input data and comprising a first electrode (15A-15D) and a second electrode (16A-16D) on the waveguide (13) for temporarily changing the index of refraction when different electrical potentials are present thereon, and thus forming a Bragg grating therein with a direction of Bragg incidence in the same input direction (17) and a direction of Bragg diffraction in the same output direction (18). A coupling prism (21) directs light from a laser (20) to enter into each diffractive means (14A-14D) in the input direction (17).