Abstract: A manually operable setting stem 1 has three stable axial positions defined by a pull out piece 4 cooperating with notches in the head 8a of a spring 8. The illustrated position is a pushed in, neutral position. In an intermediate pulled out position, a return bar 9 moves a sliding pinion 12 into engagement with a gear 17 in mesh with a gear 18 which is in turn in mesh with a gear 19 whose axis can swing about the axis of the gear 18. In the intermediate position, rotation of the stem in one sense adjusts a data ring 14 via a star-wheel 20 on the gear 19; rotation in the other sense adjusts the pre-set alarm time via a gear 21. In the fully pulled out position the return bar slides the pinion 12 further inwardly and with it the gear 17 which meshes with a gear 24 for setting the time indicating mechanism. The stem can be pushed in beyond the stable pushed in position to engage the tip 1a of the stem with an electrical contact. Such operation alternately turns the alarm mechanism on and off.

Abstract: For performing a very precise detection of the position of at least one hand, the watch is provided with an electro-optical detection device.The detection device comprises a wheel 8 carrying a mirror 26. The wheel 8 is intermittently driven by the driving member 6 for defining n angular positions of the mirror 26. The member 6 is meshing with the gear train 12 of the watch. It further comprises a light emitter 30 and a light receiver 32 which receives a light beam when the mirror 26 is in an angular position corresponding to the reference position of the hand. The number n is inferior to the number of steps performed by the hand during a complete revolution of said hand.

Abstract: A test head useful in the testing of compressed gas cylinders capable of withstanding high pressure. The water jacket head includes a neck seal including a spud insertable into the neck of a compressed gas cylinder for permitting a high pressure seal to be made to the cylinder. The present neck seal incorporates a permanent quick-connect sleeve for which mating male spud insert units can be designed for nearly any size cylinder neck. Changing the spud insert can be accomplished by hand, without removing the head from its use location. A diaphragm support spring is installed between the moving spud stem assembly and the top plate of the head which biases the spud stem assembly, thus increasing diaphragm life and preventing increasing reassembly difficulty following spud changes. Studs and screws replace welds in holding the top, side and bottom plates together which greatly alleviates the task of servicing inside the head when leaks eventually occur in the moving elements.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprising a rate correction circuit for modifying the number of time base pulses received by the frequency divider during a predetermined period of time by a predetermined number of correction pulses. The rate correction circuit is arranged to divide said period of time into a given number of sub-periods and to distribute correction pulses substantially and equally over these sub-periods.

Abstract: A C-MOS oscillator circuit having input and output terminals adapted to be connected to a resonator and two active MOS transistors of complementary types connected in series between the supply terminals of the circuit, which supply terminals are connected to the positive and negative poles of a source of d.c. voltage, the sources of the transistors being connected to a supply terminal and the drains being connected to the output terminal. The d.c. bias and the a.c. voltage control of each of the active transistors are ensured by a MOS transistor of the same type connected as a diode between its gate and its drain, a current source connected between its gate and the supply terminal to which the source of the other active transistor is connected, and a capacitive voltage divider which is connected between the supply terminal, to which its source is connected, and the input terminal, and the intermediate point of which is connected to its gate.

Abstract: The watch comprises an oscillator, a frequency divider, display means capable of displaying at least hours and minutes, and a correction circuit controlled by a rotary time setting stem which is capable of assuming at least two axial positions, one being a rest position which is occupied by the stem when the watch is functioning normally and an operative position for jointly correcting the minutes display and the hours display. The correction circuit is so arranged as to provide for correction of hours display alone in response to a particular rotary movement of the stem in its rest position.This particular rotary movement may comprise, in regard to the stem, rotating at least through a minimum angle in a time interval which is less than a predetermined period, for example at least two revolutions in less than two seconds. The minutes and hours displays are changed and the hours display is corrected in the forward direction or the backward direction depending on the direction of rotation of the stem.

Abstract: In a heating apparatus of the type including a multiplicity of spaced, independent burners arranged in a single plane between a pair of manifolds which conduct air and gas to the burners, there is disclosed an improved ignition carry-over wherein the burners are arranged in a non-parallel, zig-zag pattern with the first end of each burner spaced relatively closely to the first end of the adjacent burner on one side thereof and spaced relatively far from the first end of the adjacent burner on the other side thereof whereby the flame readily jumps from one burner to the next.

Abstract: A screen filter comprising a plurality of rollers arranged in parallel, spaced relationship with a plurality of carriers positioned between the rollers with the axes of the carriers parallel to the axes of the rollers. An endless wire is wound spirally over the rollers and engages the surfaces of the carriers so as to form a screen. A driving means engages at least one of the rollers for driving the endless wire. The raw material to be screened is deposited onto the screen.

Abstract: A torch guide for use in cutting metal plate. The guide includes a base member which has a longitudinal channel therein and a magnet on one side thereof for removable attachment of the base member to a metal plate. An elongate straight edge is at least partially mounted within the channel in the base member for slidable movement relative thereto, the ends of the straight edge extending beyond the ends of the base member. A plurality of thumb wheels mounted in the base member lock the straight edge relative to the base member to prevent relative movement therebetween. An end support member is connectable to either end of the straight edge, the end support member also having a magnet on one side thereof for permitting removable attachment thereof to the metal plate. A torch tip holder slidably engages the straight edge for maintaining the torch tip at a uniform distance and at a preselected angle relative to the metal plate.

Abstract: In an electrodeless discharge lamp of the type including an ionizable medium within a sealed envelope capable of emitting radiant energy when subjected to a radio frequency field, an oscillator for generating an output signal at a given radio frequency, a Class D RF amplifier including first and second transistors responsive to the oscillator output signal, and an induction coil responsive to the output of the amplifier, the coil being positioned in close physical proximity to the medium in the envelope for coupling to the medium an electric field having a magnitude sufficient to initiate ionization of the medium and a magnetic field for maintaining the ionization, there is disclosed an improved transformer for driving the Class D amplifier which results in a significant decrease in power consumption. The oscillator output signal is connected to the primary winding of a transformer which includes a toroidal, magnetic core.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the fuel level in a fuel tank and for detecting the presence of water in the fuel tank. The fuel level in the tank is determined by detecting the change in capacitance between a pair of electrodes positioned with a generally vertical orientation so that as the fuel rises in the tank, an increasing area of the plates is adjacent to the fuel. Since the presence of water in fuel is very undesirable, the apparatus also includes means for detecting this water before it can effect engine performance and before it can effect the accuracy of the fuel level indicating circuitry.

Abstract: Testing apparatus for an electronic ignition system for an internal combustion engine, the electronic ignition system having an ignition coil with a spark output, an electronic control unit connected to the coil for controlling the coil output, a distributor, and a magnetic sensor coupled to the distributor and to the electronic control unit and responsive to rotation of a timing cam in the distributor for producing output pulses for controlling the electronic control unit operation. The testing apparatus includes a pulse generator for generating pulses at a desired variable rate, driver circuitry, and a trigger coil inductor responsive to the pulse generator for exciting the distributor's magnetic sensor, whereby the sensor generates pulses as if the engine were operating for controlling the electronic control unit and testing its operation.

Abstract: In an electrodeless discharge lamp of the type including an ionizable medium within a sealed envelope capable of emitting radiant energy when subjected to a radio frequency field, an oscillator for generating an output signal at a given radio frequency of 13.56 MHz, an RF amplifier responsive to the oscillator output signal, and an induction coil and a capacitor connected in series and responsive to the output of the amplifier, the coil being positioned in close physical proximity to the medium in the envelope for coupling to the medium an electric field having a magnitude sufficient to initiate ionization of the medium and a magnetic field for maintaining ionization, there is disclosed an improvement wherein a Class D amplifier drives the series connected coil and capacitor without a separate load circuit connected in the output circuit of the amplifier. A specially selected filter and matching network coupled between the Class D amplifier and the series connected coil and capacitor reduces CV.sup.