Abstract: A vector processing computer is configured to operate in a pipelined fashion wherein each of the functional units is essentially independent and is designed to carry out its operational function in the fastest possible manner. Vector elements are transmitted from memory, either main memory, a physical cache unit or a logical cache through a source bus where the elements are alternately loaded into the vector processing units. The vector control unit decodes the vector instructions and generates the required control commands for operating the registers and logical units within the vector processing units. Thus, the vector processing units essentially work in parallel to double the processing rate. The resulting vectors are transmitted through a destination bus to either the physical cache unit, the main memory, the logical cache or to an input/output processor.

Abstract: A fusion reactor (10) includes a sphere (12). Structure (20) is disposed within the interior of the sphere (12) for producing a magnetic field. Structure (24, 26) is circumferentially disposed around the exterior of the sphere (12) for producing a countermagnetic field. Structure (28, 32, 38, 46a) is provided for injecting a gas containing fusible ions into the sphere (12). Structure (30, 32, 38, 46) is also provided for heating the gas within the interior of the sphere (12). Structure (62, 64, 66, 68) is provided for extracting heat from the sphere (12).

Abstract: A hand held scraping device has a rotatable head mounted on a handle; said head rotates about an axis substantially collinear with the elongate axis of said handle, has means to frictionally engage a razor blade, or other scraping spade, and has means for allowing the sharp edge of the razor to be exposed beyond the head; said handle has a razor storage housing mounted on it to provide a storage place for spare razor blades, and a cutout to facilitate the user's gripping of the invention and to conserve materials.

Abstract: An improved cold plate (10) is disclosed for use in cooling carbonated water and syrup which is mixed to form a beverage. The cooling coil (10) employs a plurality of involute carbonated water cooling coils (12-16) formed of tubing through which is flowed the carbonated water. The use of involute coils provides a more uniform thermal gradient within the cold plate (10) and resists bridging of the cooling medium, typically ice. The syrup cooling coils (18-28) can be constructed in either a serpentine or involute configuration.

Abstract: An interchangeable robot end-of-arm tooling system is provided for performing multiple tasks using interchangeable tools within a work cell. The system includes a computer control for the system attached to the robot controller, a quick change adapter, and at least two tools adapted for attachment to the quick change adapter.

Abstract: A pipe tape tensioner (26) is disclosed for applying tape (12) with constant tension to a pipe (14). The pipe tape tensioner (26) employs a primary roller (32) rotatably mounted on a base (34). First clutch disks (92) and second clutch disks (100) are urged against each other by clutch springs (104) to generate a frictional resistance to rotation of the primary roller relative to the base (34) to tension the tape (12) engaged with the outer surface (36) of the primary roller (32). The first clutch disks (92) are splined to the splines (58) formed on the interior of the base (34). The second clutch disks (100) are splined to the hub (96) of the primary roller (32). A cooling fluid can be employed to cool the splines and surrounding components.

Abstract: Christmas tree stands and packaging systems for the distribution of Christmas trees. The packaging system includes an elongated receptacle and a Christmas tree contained within the receptacle. A stand base is secured to the trunk of the Christmas tree at the butt end thereof. The packaging system is provided with means securing the base and tree within the receptacle in a manner to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the tree and the receptacle when the packaging system is in transit. The securing means fastens the base to the receptacle in a manner to prevent movement of the base toward the tip end of the receptacle while permitting the base and tree to be withdrawn from the receptacle when the butt end of the receptacle is opened. The stand base comprises a bottom pan portion and a peripheral rim portion so that the base is adapted to contain water. A peg extends upwardly from the pan portion and is provided with an axial bore therethrough from the underside to the top of the peg.

Abstract: A reactive attitude stabilization system to be carried by a vehicle is provided where a first shaft is pivotally mounted on the vehicle in a normally horizontal relation. A second shaft is supported in horizontal relation at its midpoint by the first shaft and oriented perpendicular to the first shaft. Nonrotating slide bearings support a platform on the second shaft for translation of said second shaft relative to the platform. Resilient members oppose translation of the second shaft relative to the platform in either direction and normally maintain the intersection of the axes of the first and second shafts vertically above the center of gravity of the platform. An acceleration induced shift of the second shaft axially and horizontally relative to said platform causes a torque due to gravity to counteract the acceleration dependent torque.

Abstract: A rail and post fence structure (20) includes tubular posts (22) having a plurality of apertures (50) in the side walls thereof for receiving one end of the rails (24, 26, 28, 30). Each rail has a generally channel cross-section with a web (56) and side walls (58) extending therefrom. The side walls have flanges (60) extending inwardly. The aperture in the side walls of the posts substantially correspond with the outer configuration of the rails such that assembly is accomplished by inserting the rails into the apertures of the posts. The rails are attached to the posts by use of a separator structure for spreading the side walls of the rails. This separator structure includes an elongated clip (70) having a web (72) and a pair of legs (74, 76) extending from opposing longitudinal sides of the web for engagement with the inturned flanges of the rail.

Abstract: The specification discloses a in situ cased pile and method for constructing same under the footing of a building. The invention is particularly suited to the stabilization of building footings in regions of unstable soil subject to uplift or subsistence. The cased pile extends through the unstable soil to a region of stable soil, and rests thereon. An enlarged pile footing in the stable soil is used. The movement of the unstable soil is isolated from the pile by means of a casing or tubular sleeve which surrounds the casing. A method of forming this structure in situ, without removing the unstable soil, is also disclosed. In the practice of this method a self-propelled soil displacing mole forms a hole in the subsoil and draws down a steel tube (15) to line the hole. The mole is withdrawn, a PVC or cardboard tube (16) is slid down the lined hole, and the lined hole is filled with concrete. The mole is re-run to produce a pile footing (17) and is again withdrawn.

Abstract: A video compressor for use in an image processing system is provided. The compressor includes structure for detecting a data image pattern and for generating a code representing the detected data image pattern. A counter counts the number of times a data image pattern is detected and generates a repeat count. The code is stored in a fixed sized bit field. The repeat count is stored in a variable sized bit field. Structure is provided for merging the fixed sized bit field and the variable sized bit field into a continuous bit field.

Abstract: An electronic diving apparatus detects pressure by means of a bellows transducer (12). A variable frequency oscillator (10) produces a variable frequency output in proportion to the pressure applied to the transducer (12). A local oscillator (16) produces a fixed frequency signal which is mixed with the variable frequency signal in a mixer-demodulator (14) to produce an audio depth signal. The audio depth signal is provided to up/down counters (30). A time base and synchronizer circuit (24) sequences the counters (30) for an up frequency count and a down frequency count of the audio depth signal. When the difference count exceeds a preset limit, a maximum rate of depth change circuit (34) produces an alarm signal which is transmitted through a beep timer circuit (36) to activate an audio driver and output circuit (28) which produces alarm signal at an audio disk (38). This gives a warning of too rapid of an ascent or descent by the diver.

Abstract: An improved socket wrench (300) is provided which includes a first pawl (318) sliding on a first slide surface (312) and a second pawl (320) sliding on a second slide surface (314). At least one of the slide surfaces is not perpendicular to a radial line from the axis of rotation (27") of the drive member (302) intersecting the plane of the slide surface when the slide surface is least distant from the rotational axis. This provides an increase in the number of pawl engagements per revolution over that possible with only a single pawl. A square drive to hex drive adapter (380) and a hex drive to square drive adapter (400). Finally, retainer spring (414) is used to frictionally engage sockets on a breaker bar (260).

Abstract: A nodalized rotor system is provided for a multi-bladed helicopter. Equally spaced radial arms each have an inboard flapping section to accommodate beam-wise blade flapping and an outboard flex section to accommodate pitch changes. A blade is coupled to the end of each arm with a cuff and pitch horn rigidly connected to the blade and pivotally connected to its arm in the region of the flapping section. The blade has a concentration of weight over the section of blade extending from about 32% to 42% of the hub-blade radius of running weight four times the running weight at 50% of the hub-blade radius. Said blade has a reduced mass at outboard 30% of the hub-blade radius, at a level of 80% of the running weight at 50% of the hub-blade radius.

Abstract: A variable light source includes a light (14) which projects a white light beam. Three filters sets (60, 62 and 64) each include three pivotable dichroic filter elements. Each element is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the light beam in order to vary the angle of incidence to vary the hue of the light beam. Rotation of the filter elements also varies the white light transmitted past the filter elements in order to vary the saturation of the light. The distance between the light source (26) and the reflector (28) may be varied to change the divergence of the light beam.

Abstract: A video correlator is provided for use in an image processing system wherein video data representative of a document image or portions thereof is received in a gray level data format in which the image is composed of a plurality of cells for enhancing the black/white characterization of each cell. The correlator includes structure for comparing a cell's gray level data with the average gray level of a preselected number of surrounding cells. Structure is also provided for automatically selecting the number of surrounding cells for determining the average gray level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally reacting one or more inorganic materials, the method involves the step of maintaining a flame in a combustion chamber at a predetermined reaction temperature by supplying a sufficient quantity of a hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen into the flame through a fluid stream, comminuting the inorganic material to be reacted to a particle size which can be transported by gas flow and suspending the comminuted inorganic compound in an intimate admixture with the fluid stream containing the hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen and passing the admixture to the interior of the flame to effect thermal reaction of the particulate inorganic material. The apparatus can comprise a blower, a grinding means, a furnace means, and a means for collecting the reacted material.