Abstract: A single-ended sense amplifier pre-charges the data output line of a bank of memory cells or register file to approximately the switch point of an inverter that is part of a buffer, in preparation for the next data read cycle. The amplifier includes a stack of six transistors connected in series between a supply voltage and ground. The memory output is connected to the stack mid-point, to a latch input and to a buffer input. The most recent binary logic level read from memory passes through the latch. The latch and stack are then clocked, and the three-transistor portion of the stack turned on pulls the voltage on the stack mid-point to approximately one-half the supply voltage, which is the buffer inverter switch point. The stack is then turned off, and the stack mid-point floats at that voltage value in preparation for the next read cycle. As such, the common data line needs only slew a relatively small amount of voltage during the next read cycle.

Abstract: A document verification device detects the presence of a metal security thread embedded in a document such as currency paper. The device includes a sensor pad arrangement and corresponding signal processing electronics. The arrangement includes a single central sensing pad flanked by an array of twenty-seven pairs of outer pads. Each pair of outer pads in the array is electrically connected together. Every pad is made of conductive material. The width dimension of each outer pad in the array is greater than the width of the security thread. Each outer pad in the array is preferably angled to improve the reliability of detection of the security thread.

Abstract: An electronic control for a variable delivery, positive displacement fuel pump includes a flow sensor located at the fuel outlet to the engine. The flow sensor provides a signal, indicative of actual fuel flow to the engine, to an electronic engine control. The electronic engine control compares actual fuel flow with desired fuel flow, and upon any difference therebetween commands an electrohydraulic servo valve to position a pump control actuator. The pump control actuator controls the amount of fuel delivered by the pump. Also, fuel flow upstream of the flow sensor is bypassed in a line to another section of the electrohydraulic servo valve. The electronic engine control commands a small amount of fuel to be bypassed back to the pump inlet during normal operating conditions. However, upon the occurrence of a transient condition, the electronic engine control causes more or less fuel to be bypassed back to the pump inlet.

Abstract: A product suspension packaging device is described and includes a folder and a cradle, both formed from corrugated material. The folder is a unitary piece of corrugated, divided into two halves or frames. Each frame has a central opening therein. The two frames are separated by a cut line formed in the corrugated material. The entire piece of corrugated is encased in a heat-shrinkable, stretchable material. The article or product to be packaged is placed onto the stretchable material and the folder is folded in half, thereby completely enclosing the product between the two halves or frames of the folder. The folder may then be placed within the corrugated cradle, which serves to retain the folder within a corresponding corrugated shipping container or box.

Abstract: A hydromechanical control system for a variable delivery, positive displacement fuel pump includes a variable area orifice metering window through which fuel from the pump outlet passes on its way to a gas turbine aircraft engine. The fuel pressures on either side of the fuel metering window are ported to corresponding sides of a spool of a pump control valve. The position of the valve spool controls the fuel flow to either side of a pump control actuator, whose movement varies the displacement of the pump. A bypass fuel flow upstream of the fuel metering valve is also ported to the pump control valve. During steady-state pump operation, a relatively small and constant value of fuel flow is bypassed through the pump control valve and back to the pump inlet. However, upon increasing or decreasing pump speed transients, the bypass fuel flow is increased or decreased in a proportional amount. In this way, improved control of the pump during transient conditions is achieved.

Abstract: A synchrophaser for a multi-engine, propeller-driven aircraft including a filter that automatically compensates for misalignment of blade position sensor tabs through derivation and application of a correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient is calculated in a self-adjustment derivation, utilizing a dynamic tolerance band, providing increased accuracy in propeller speed determination. The correlation coefficient brings about an apparent uniform distribution of blade position sensors, as seen by the synchrophaser, thus eliminating a primary source of cyclic propeller speed disturbances. The correlative filer accomplishes its task without the phase shifting normally encountered in other digital filtering technique.

Abstract: A gage that measures the size and out of roundness of the inside and outside diameters of ring-shaped parts comprises a centerline hub body together with a free style swing gage. The centerline hub body has extensible jaws that can be adjusted to position the body within the central opening of the part. A vertically protruding cylindrical post is located at the center of the hub body and is adapted to interface with the free style swing gage. The free style swing gage comprises a pair of parallel cylindrical rods that are adapted to fit over the centerline post. On each end of parallel rods is disposed a block, each block having a probe that protrudes downward from the block and is operable to contact a surface of the part to be checked. A front block is associated with a dial indicator connected with the probe to indicate any deviations in size or diameter of the part to be checked.

Abstract: A portable and compact humidifier for use in a hotel room includes a vaporizing chamber having a heating element that vaporizes water contained in a hotel sink or ice bucket. Various safety devices are provided, all of which connect with a ground fault interrupt circuit ("GFCI") located at the electrical plug end of the humidifier. Upon the occurrence of a fault condition, the GFCI disconnects electricity from the vaporizing element. The safety devices include both high and low water level sensors, and a heating element overheat sensor. The humidifier enclosure may either comprise a single component that allows the entire humidifier to float in the reservoir, or the enclosure may comprise a plurality of enclosure sections that telescope relative to each other. The uppermost section is fixed in height with respect to the reservoir, while the lowermost section floats in the reservoir. As the level of water in the reservoir decreases, the telescoping enclosure increases in length.

Abstract: Electronic drive circuitry for a solenoid that utilizes a pulse width modulation scheme is disclosed. The solenoid is connected in series with a transistor and a sense resistor. The voltage across the sense resistor is compared to a reference value to determine if an over-current condition exists within the solenoid. The circuitry operates on a repetitive time window scheme in which current is allowed to flow through the solenoid at the beginning of each time window, regardless of whether an over-current condition exists. If an over-current condition was detected at any time during the time window, then the current will be shut off to the solenoid during the next time window after the initial portion of that window. Conversely, if no over-current condition was detected during a time window, current will be allowed to flow during the entire duration of the next time window.

Abstract: A security thread for use in a paper-based value document, such as currency or banknote paper, includes a plastic substrate coated with one or more regions of "soft" magnetic material. A device for verifying both the authenticity and the denomination of the document includes a coil that is driven by an alternating current to thereby provide a uniform magnetic field within a predetermined spatial region. As the document passes in proximity to the drive coil, the applied magnetic field saturates the regions of magnetic material on the security thread. The magnetic regions provide a response magnetic field that, because of the saturation of the magnetic regions, is a non-linear response containing a multiple of frequency components, including a component at the fundamental or drive frequency and various harmonic frequency components. A receive coil senses the response magnetic field.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the draining of residual oil or fuel remaining in an oil or fuel filter is disclosed. The device includes an outer container or bucket having an inner basket disposed at least partially therewithin. The basket has a ribbed or screened surface that holds the oil or fuel filters and allows the fuel to drain from the filter and through the ribbed or screened surface down to a bottom of the outer container. The basket may include a lower sloping surface with an opening formed therein. Oil draining from an oil furnace filter strikes the lower sloping surface and is directed to pass through the opening down to the bottom of the outer container. When the basket is entirely disposed within the outer container, a cover closes the opening at the top of the outer container to prevent spillage of any accumulated oil in the outer container therefrom during transportation of the device in a vehicle.

Abstract: A firearm, such as a shotgun, is normally-enabled at all times for firing. An authorized user, such as a police officer, wears a transmitter that transmits signal energy in all directions. The transmitter may be worn by the authorized user on the user's person. The transmitter transmits a "disable" system that is received by a corresponding signal receiver built into the firearm only when the muzzle of the firearm is pointed in the direction of the authorized user. That is, the receiver has a narrow angular spatial range of signal reception. In this way, if the firearm is taken away from the authorized user, or the authorized user accidentally points the firearm at his/her person, then the firearm will be disabled automatically from firing by reception of the "disable" signal sent by the transmitter worn by the authorized user.

Abstract: A device for cleaning and/or polishing an end surface of an optical fiber is comprised of an insert and a cleaning rod. The insert has a hole formed throughout its length whose axis is eccentric to the optical fiber axis. The rod, when rotated, effectuates cleaning and/or polishing of the end surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is mounted in a fiber optic connector, which may be disposed within a corresponding coupling. Various industry-standard models exist for the connectors and the couplings. One or more inserts are designed and utilize various female-type adaptors or sleeves that properly hold the insert within the various types of couplings. Also, a male-type adaptor is provided that adapts the insert to several of the various types of connectors when the connectors are disconnected from their associated couplings.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a jet aircraft engine has an electronic control that commands a pair of torque motors to ultimately control the position of each one of a plurality of two-position, "latching" hydraulic actuator valves. A first torque motor is operable with a three-position, on/off hydraulic valve. The second torque motor operates in conjunction with a second valve to control the linear position of the spool of a multiplexer selector valve. The multiplexer selector valve has a plurality of positions that the spool can be linear translatable to. At each position is located a pair of control ports to which are ultimately connected one side of each of a pair of corresponding hydraulic actuator valves. The actuator valves may comprise fuel or air valves.

Abstract: A transformer-based electrical circuit that isolates a low voltage level input control signal from a power switching device, such a MOSFET, is disclosed. The circuit includes a pair of complementary dual bipolar transistor configurations connected to the secondary winding of a pulse transformer. The low voltage input signal is connected to the primary winding of the transformer. A pair of resistor network transistor drivers connect to corresponding bipolar transistors, whose outputs connect to the gate terminal of the MOSFET. The drivers are also connected to the complementary transistor pairs. A resistive feedback network is connected between the gate terminal of the MOSFET and the complimentary transistor pairs. The feedback network latches the selected drive voltage to the gate of the MOSFET, thereby keeping it on or off irrespective of the fact that the pulse transformer may have saturated.

Abstract: A line carrying projectile has an axially elongate hollow projectile rod for muzzle loading within the bore of an associated shotgun and an at least partially transparent container assembly mounted on the forward end of the projectile rod and containing a chemiluminescent flare. The flare is removed from the container and activated by bending after which it is reassembled within the container in its active condition preparatory to firing. A part of the projectile frictionally engages and grips an associated portion of the gun barrel to releasably retain the projectile in a launching position within the gun and regardless of barrel orientation until the projectile is fired from the gun.

Abstract: An improved vapor phase soldering machine includes a pair of separate vessels having an open fluid communication path in a wall separating the two vessels. The first vessel contains a liquid mixture of a primary vapor and a secondary vapor, while the second vessel contains a liquid mixture of the primary vapor and a tertiary vapor. Heating means continuously boils the two mixtures to create corresponding vapors within the vessels. The secondary vapor is disposed on top of the primary vapor in the first vessel, while the tertiary vapor is disposed on top of the primary vapor in the second vessel. The printed circuit board with surface mounted devices attached thereto by solder paste is introduced into the secondary vapor of the first vessel for preheating the board and the devices. Then, the board is moved into the primary vapor which is at a temperature high enough to melt the solder paste, thereby forming a bond between the devices and the printed circuit board.