Abstract: An improved arrangement for powering a two-way portable radio or the like comprises rechargable battery cells and sets of power input and output contacts interconnected to each other and the battery cells in such a way that the output contacts may be electrically connected to the battery cells for powering the radio, or to the input contacts for receiving power directly from a battery charger for dead battery operation while simultaneously recharging the battery cells, all battery pack contacts being electrically isolated from the battery cells in the latter mode of operation.

Abstract: A dual-coupled resonator crystal is fine-tuned by frequency balancing the input and output resonators and thereafter plating a coupling adjust spot on the grounded side shadowing the unelectroded region of the front side of the crystal to produce a change in synchronous peak separation frequency. Thereafter, the front side electrodes are sequentially plated to bring plateback and synchronous peak separation frequency to their target values. Interim adjustments in synchronous peak separation frequency may be made during the tuning process to compensate for misalignment of the plating elements.

Abstract: A system for plating resonator electrodes or the like by the vapor deposition process employs one or more shutters between the deposition material source and a plating mask. At least one of the shutters has a pair of apertures aligned with different apertures in the plating mark. In one embodiment comprising a two shutter, four position system, the two shutters may be positioned such that either, both or neither of the resonators can be plated. Because each shutter is either ON or OFF, a simple binary analogy for control of the shutters results.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for mounting a telephone handset in a plurality of orientations comprises a wedge-shaped mounting plate and cooperating L-shaped handset hanger. The mounting plate is generally square in plan form with a base generally perpendicular to the sides and an inclined upper face. The base and upper face each are provided with four sockets in a back-to-back arrangement, pairs of which share common axes perpendicular to the base. The handset hanger has a pair of rearwardly projecting bosses which mate with a pair of sockets of either face to provide at least five different orientations of the handset hanger with respect to the mounting plate to accommodate differently sloped surfaces upon which the mounting plate may be secured.

Abstract: A circuit is provided which is capable of band switching a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) while maintaining the relative sensitivity of the voltage controlled device and, hence, the control line voltage itself. The circuit includes an array of capacitors, including a pair of capacitors and a voltage variable capacitor (varactor), a switch, and a tuning coil. When the switch is in the open position, the pair of capacitors are connected in parallel with the varactor. When the switch is closed, the pair of capacitors are connected to ground, arraying themselves on opposite sides of the varactor. In this closed position, the overall capacitance of the tuned circuit increased, thus lowering the tuned frequency of the circuit. Since the switched capacitance (i.e., the capacitance which changes the tuned frequency of the circuit) is arrayed on both sides of the varactor, the varactor maintains its relative sensitivity.

Abstract: Digital signals transmitted twice are decoded by a receiver arrangement which determines the value and deviation of each pair of corresponding signals relative to a selected level. A weighting signal indicative of the deviation (either maximum or minimum depending on the selected level) is assigned to each signal. The value of the signal having the greater weight is selected as being correct. Thus, transmitting signals three times for a majority voting is eliminated.

Abstract: A tubular assembly for transferring fluids in relative isolation from the ambient environment is disclosed. The assembly includes at least two similar conduit sections. Each conduit section has contoured ends which may be frusto-conical in shape. Means for joining the two conduit sections end-to-end are provided which position conforming contoured ends in mutually confronting, spaced relationship. In one embodiment, the assembly and the interspace formed by the space, conforming surfaces are oriented such that the condensate of the fluid flowing through the assembly is trapped in the interspace thereby forming a thermal barrier between the fluid flowing through the assembly and the ambient environment.

Abstract: A keyboard with number and volume control pushbuttons is provided with a microcomputer, a digital-to-analog converter, and an output circuit to provide signalling tones to a radio transmitter in response to operation of the number pushbuttons, and to provide volume control signals to a radio receiver in response to operation of the volume control pushbuttons.

Abstract: Noise blanking is provided by amplifying, limiting and detecting received signals. The detected signals are compared with a threshold circuit. The leading edge of each detected signal that rises at a rate greater than a selected rate to exceed an amplitude threshold level produces a blanking pulse of selected time duration. Low as well as high level noise signals are blanked. Slow rising information signals are not blanked, and fast rising information signals of high level are blanked initially for the selected time duration, but are not blanked thereafter.

Abstract: A vehicular radio transceiver is normally powered by a vehicular ignition switch and a transceiver on-off switch both being closed. A latch circuit senses the presence of communication over the transceiver, and produces a latch signal that powers the transceiver despite opening of either of the switches.

Abstract: Two printed circuit boards are connected together by a female coaxial connector, open at both ends, on one board, and by an elongated pin on the other board. When the boards are fastened together, the pin engages the female coaxial connector from one end. When the boards are separated, a male coaxial connector may engage the female coaxial connector from the other end.

Abstract: Control signals for switching the bandwidth of a filter in a phase locked loop are provided by comparator circuits having time delays at their inputs that vary as a function of the magnitude of changes in the outputs from a phase comparator. These variable time delays permit the comparator circuits to produce an output having a duration of the proper length in order to permit the filter to have a large bandwidth for a long enough time to permit the phase locked loop to become locked.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator for use in a phase locked loop is provided with a first varactor circuit that responds to a control signal to set the center frequency of the oscillator, and with a second varactor circuit comprising a modulation varactor that responds to a modulation signal to cause the oscillator to produce a modulated output. The modulation sensitivity of the oscillator is made relatively constant between upper and lower center frequencies by applying a portion of the modulation signal to the first varactor circuit in addition to the control signal.

Abstract: A scanning receiver is provided with a pause detector which causes the receiver to tune to a priority channel during pauses in the transmission on a nonpriority channel. If a priority transmission is present, the receiver remains on the priority channel until the priority transmission ends. If no priority transmission is present, the receiver is tuned back to the former nonpriority channel.

Abstract: Rapid lock or synchronization between a reference oscillator and a voltage controlled oscillator in a phase locked loop circuit is achieved by a synchronizing circuit. The synchronizing circuit senses the magnitude of the ramp signal produced by the phase locked loop circuit, and produces a blocking signal when the ramp signal exceeds a predetermined level. This blocking signal is applied to one of the oscillators to block that one oscillator pulse during the blocking signal, thus moving the two oscillator signals closer together more quickly, and thus providing lock or synchronization more rapidly.

Abstract: Radiotelephone loudspeaker and handset volumes for different types or modes of operation are set by a single control and stored. After being set and stored, the volume for each mode can be retrieved and applied to an electronic attenuator to automatically provide the desired volume.

Abstract: An insulated casing assembly for use in injecting steam into wells or transmitting steam from the generating source to the wellhead is disclosed. A plurality of interconnected casings are used, each casing have outer and inner tubular sections and an annular spacing between the two sections containing either multilayered thermal insulation or glass microspheres, enveloped in a low conductivity gas. Rigid thrust rings connect and prevent relative movement between the corresponding ends of the two sections. A pressure sealing ring disposed between adjacent inner tubular sections prevents ingress of steam into the coupling cavity. An insulation assembly between adjacent casings includes coupling cavity insulation fitted tightly over the thrust rings and a gap insulating ring disposed between adjacent outer tubular sections. A threaded coupling screwed onto threaded ends of outer tubular sections of adjacent casings joins them.