Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring relative deflection of interspaced toothed wheels or their equivalents on a less than once per revolution basis. Deflection measurement errors due to wheel imperfections are measured and stored for each tooth pair and later used to correct deflection measurement on a tooth pair basis. The apparatus includes a sensing circuit which is operative to provide a signal when teeth pass a fixed position, a duty cycle to digital hardware circuit which is operative to measure the duration of the state of the sensing circuit signal, and a computer which is operative to compute, store, and apply correction factors in response to the duration of the state of the signal.

Abstract: A golf club of either an "iron"-type, "wood"-type, or "putter"-type, has a clubhead with a face for striking a golfball. The sole of the clubhead has a contoured surface that extends from a leading edge of the striking face of the clubhead toward a rear portion of the clubhead. The contoured surface has a first portion starting at the leading edge of the striking face that extends a predetermined distance towards the rear portion of the head. This first portion of the contoured surface has a convex camber of a predetermined radius. The contoured surface also has a second portion beginning at the end of the first portion and extending the remaining distance toward the rear portion of the clubhead. The second portion of the contoured surface has a concave camber of a predetermined radius.

Abstract: An improved latch mechanism is disclosed for securing a multiple-wire connector to a corresponding multiple-wire receiver affixed to a chassis of an electronic apparatus such as a personal computer. The latch mechanism includes first and second pivotable clips affixed to opposed mounting sides of the connector, and an actuating bar interconnecting the clips. Each clip includes a pivot plate having a finger end and a pivotally opposed clasp end, arranged so that depression of the finger end toward the connector moves the clasp end to an open position away from the connector. A pivot spring biases each pivot plate toward the connector. The actuating rod extends from the finger end of a pivot plate of one clip, to the clasp end of the pivot plate of the opposed clip, so that depression of either finger end to which the actuating rod is affixed causes both clasp ends of the pivot plates to move away from the connector to their open positions.

Abstract: A golf club has a clubhead with a neck portion, or "hosel", integrally formed therewith. The hosel has a generally cylindrical shape with a corresponding cylindrical concentric bore hole formed in a portion of the hosel. One or more depressions of a predetermined shape are formed in the outer surface of the hosel wall material by selectively removing portions of the hosel wall material. The depressions are formed to a depth that does not penetrate the entire thickness of the hosel wall material. This leaves the entire inner surface of the hosel wall material available for adhesion to a golf club shaft inserted into the hosel bore hole. The depressions may be in the form of fluted slots or hemispherical dots, and may be disposed at predetermined locations around the circumference of the outer surface of the hosel wall material.

Abstract: A mechanical connector that normally interfaces two fiber optic cables together has a fiber optic cable inserted in a receptacle on one side of the connector. A device for cleaning and/or polishing the end surface of an optical fiber strand within the cable is disposed in a second receptacle on the opposite side of the connector. The device includes an insert located within the receptacle in the connector, the insert having a hole drilled therethrough that is eccentric to the transmission axis of the optical fiber strand. A cleaning rod may be inserted in the eccentric hole in the insert such that an end surface of the cleaning rod contacts the end surface of the optical fiber strand therein. The cleaning rod is rotated to effectuate cleaning of the end surface of the fiber optic cable and corresponding optical fiber strand. In the alternative, the polishing rod may be inserted in the eccentric hole in the insert and rotated so as to effectuate polishing of the end surface of the optical fiber strand.

Abstract: Two preferred embodiments for an alternative body contact are disclosed for fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator transistors. In one preferred embodiment, body contact is made by extending the mesa ends of the body ties down to, and merging them with, mesa regions of an nFET source and using self-aligned silicide (commonly known as salicide) to make a connection to an underlying nFET well. In this first embodiment, the mesas of the body ties merge with the mesa of the source and salicide is used to short out these regions. In another preferred embodiment, body contact is made by extending the mesa ends of the body ties down to the nFET source; however, the mesas are not merged. In this second embodiment, metal routing, which is commonly used to electrically connect circuit elements, is extended to connect to the mesa regions of the body ties. In both embodiments, the body ties are active until the onset of full depletion; however, at the onset of full depletion, the body ties are electrically severed.

Abstract: An optic speed sensor for sensing the speed of a rotating component such as a gear includes a sensor such as an electromagnetic speed sensor disposed in proximity to teeth of the gear. Within the housing of the sensor are one or more electrical signal lines having electrical signals imposed thereon, the electrical signals being indicative of the rotational speed of the gear. Physically connected to the sensor housing is a mating connector. Disposed within the housing of the mating connector are corresponding one or more LEDs, each LED being electrically connected to the electrical speed signals provided by the sensor. Each LED provides an optical signal indicative of the speed of the gear, each LED having fiber optic cable connected thereto which transmits the optical energy output by the associated LED to an optical receiver disposed away from the sensor, such as a control unit for the device incorporating the gear.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes an array of phase shifters, each shifter being operable for shifting the phase of RF energy passing therethrough. Each shifter includes a quantity of ferroelectric material disposed throughout a region. RF energy propagating from a source passes through the material. A thin conductive electrode is disposed in the center of the material, the electrode having a bias voltage imposed thereon. Such voltage creates an electric field across the material, which for a uniaxial ferroelectric orients the optic axis of the material in a direction which is both normal to the direction of propagation of the RF energy and parallel to the polarization direction of the RF energy. The electric field changes the wave propagation constant (i.e., for a uniaxial ferroelectric, the extraordinary wave refractive index, n.sub.e), producing a varying path length of the RF energy in the material, resulting in a controllable alteration of the phase of the RF energy.

Abstract: A personal communicating device comprising both a base unit and a remote unit. The base unit is comprised of an alpha-numeric keyboard with recessed keys, a cradle, a super-twist screen, a printer, and an infrared transmitter. The remote unit is comprised of an infrared receiver and a display screen. A user types information on the base unit which is displayed on the base unit's screen. The same information is simultaneously transmitted and displayed by infrared transmission link to the remote unit and displayed on the remote unit's screen. The recessed keys make it physically impossible for the user to strike more than one key at a time while typing with one finger. The cradle allows the base unit to be removably attached to a variety of surfaces including the user's arm or an arm of a wheelchair.

Abstract: A engine control system for helicopters and the like in which free turbine speed is isochronously controlled by a more robust control system having increased bandwidth due to loop architecture and filter implementation accomplished via closed loop control. Dual notch (feedback compensation) is used with design forward path compensation, including variable lead/position of the lead, variable gain and implementation of integrator/proportional. Superior transient control is achieved by the use of a multi-loop governing design using different error compensations when on "NF" loop control and when not on "NF" loop control, and with "bumpless" inner loop reference by the combination of compensation switching and re-initialization of a common integrator. Parallel select logic with dynamic compensation is used separating the system control loops and the selection process of the controlling functions, as they pertain to the application of control loops designed form small signal stability to large transients.

Abstract: A pressure control servo system for regulating cabin pressure in jet airplanes. In the preferred embodiment, the system comprises a first summing network, which sums data from a air data computer (ADC), a flight deck (FD), and a flight management computer (FMC), which produces a pressure reference signal, P.sub.R, indicative thereof. The summing network is connected to both a derivative path, and a proportional path. The derivative path comprises a proportional gain shaper, a derivative, an altitude dependent gain, and a gain multiplier. The proportional path comprises an integral gain shaper, an altitude dependent gain, a gain multiplier, and a rate limit. The outputs of the derivative and proportional paths are then connected to a second summing network, which sums those signals. Then, this summed output passes through a common digital integrator with a limit and a rate limit.

Abstract: A digital silicon-on-insulator (SOI) H-transistor layout is disclosed for gate arrays. In the preferred embodiment, the invention basically comprises at least two H-transistors; the ends of each H-transistor terminate in two distinct regions of field oxide; the two sides of the H-transistor abut a body contact region; and each body contact region abuts a strip of field oxide, which has an underlying trench. This pattern is repeated vertically and horizontally, generating a structure compatible for gate array architecture. In a gate array, all transistors in a column are of the same type, such as N type or P type. Within a row, however, the transistors types could alternate.

Abstract: A security thread detector for verifying the authenticity of banknotes. In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a housing with a passage through which banknotes can be passed, wherein the housing also comprises a waveguide, a microwave oscillator for generating microwaves and two resonating slots on a wall of the waveguide, and a microwave detector. After a banknote is inserted through the passageway, the microwave diode produces an analog signal that is proportional to the microwave strength. The diode and the slots are arranged such that the radiated power from each slot is one hundred eighty degrees out-of-phase. If a banknote has no security thread, then the detector receives a balanced signal. If the banknote contains a security thread, the thread interferes with one of the radiating slots. This interference causes an imbalance condition and a corresponding signal is sent from the detector diode. The resulting signal is then sent to a microprocessor which activates an appropriate indicator.

Abstract: A ramp for the physically challenged includes three different types of sectional portions: a slab disposed at the interface of a level surface such as a floor or earth ground; one or more ramp portions, each having a sloping upper surface, disposed adjacent to one another; and a switch platform having a level upper surface. Forms used to fabricate the three different types of sections are provided. A form for fabricating the sloping ramp portion includes a bulkhead, outer panels, and a set of inserts having varying height. The inserts are used to vary the resulting depth of the side panels of the concrete ramp portions. An upper surface of the bulkhead is sloped downwardly in a plane parallel to that of the upper surface of the concrete ramp portion. Apparatus is provided to elevate the front portion of the assembled form so as to place the upper surface of the bulkhead in a horizontal plane that is parallel to the plane of the level surface upon which the form rests.

Abstract: An adaptive aircraft cabin pressure control system is disclosed that customizes basic ascent and descent schedules to accommodate variable requirements of specific airlines, the airlines' route structures, and regional air traffic control standards. The system includes an adaptive control logic that identifies a plurality of points generated by the schedules that define ascent and descent curves corresponding to anticipated cabin pressure change rates during ascent and descent. During aircraft flight, the logic samples and stores actual cabin pressure change rates at each of the plurality of points. After the flight, the actual cabin pressure change rates are averaged and the average rate is compared to the anticipated cabin pressure change rate at each point.

Abstract: A turret-lathe coolant system is disclosed for selectively directing a stream of coolant to an interface between a workpiece on a turret lathe and a cutting tool positioned by a turret to cut the workpiece. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a coolant-discharge assembly secured to the turret, wherein the assembly has a plurality of semi-rigid coolant tubes that are affixed to coolant-distribution ports, to distribute coolant fluid to a plurality of cutting tools on the turret. A coolant plunger is affixed within the coolant-discharge assembly that includes coolant-discharge outlets that pass coolant fluid from within an interior chamber in the plunger through adjacent distribution ports in the assembly.

Abstract: A method of attaching an optical fiber to an IOC includes the step of preparing the IOC for attachment by utilizing a dicing saw to cut into the IOC at a depth less than the thickness of the IOC, the cut forming a surface which is normal or at an angle with respect to an optical axis of the waveguide, such step of cutting having the additional result of optically polishing the surface. A portion of the IOC between the initial cut and an end of the IOC is then progressively removed by a series of cuts using the dicing saw, the cuts are to a predetermined depth which is less than the thickness of the IOC, and greater than the radius of the fiber so as to insure proper coupling of the IOC waveguide and fiber core, such series of cuts producing a stepped surface in the IOC. Next, the fiber core is optically aligned with the waveguide by translational and rotational positioning of the fiber end face adjacent to the surface and above the stepped surface.

Abstract: The diametral clearance of an aperture of a bearing is measured by an apparatus which includes a mounting for placing both the bearing and an associate pivot in axial relation with each other along an axis of alignment and positioning devices for positioning the pivot in relation to the bearing. The positioning devices include axial direction positioning devices for adjusting the pivot in each of two mutually perpendicular axial directions transverse to the axis of alignment to locate an approximate center of bearing clearance and for adjusting the pivot from the approximate center of bearing clearance in each of the mutually perpendicular axial directions until the pivot displaces the bearing in the corresponding direction.

Abstract: A FOG system with a high polarization extinction ratio includes an integrated optic circuit (IOC) having a waveguide array fabricated by a proton exchange (PE) process, the IOC being operatively connected for providing single mode, single polarization filtering of incident light guided from the FOG light source to the sensing loop and of the interference signal guided from the sensing loop to the detector.

Abstract: A package for an IOC fabricated from an anisotropic material, such as X-cut lithium niobate or lithium tantalate, having identical thermal expansion coefficients in the X and Y directions and a different thermal expansion in the Z direction, or for an IOC fabricated from an isotropic material, such as gallium arsenide or silicon, includes an IOC enclosure having a planar mounting surface which has identical thermal expansion coefficients in the X and Y directions. The coefficients of the planar mounting surface are relatively similar to the thermal expansion coefficients of a planar surface of the IOC. A planar surface of the IOC is attached to the planar mounting surface of the package.