Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for aligning and press-fitting connector terminals into a substrate. The terminals are initially supported together by a bandolier strip, and an alignment tool aligns the terminals with apertures in the substrate to which the terminals will be press-fitted. A pressing tool engages the shanks of the terminals to fold the bandolier away from the terminals and thereafter press the terminals into the apertures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for aligning and press-fitting connector terminals into a substrate. The terminals are initially supported together by a bandolier strip, and an alignment tool aligns the terminals with apertures in the substrate to which the terminals will be press-fitted. A pressing tool engages the shanks of the terminals to fold the bandolier away from the terminals and thereafter press the terminals into the apertures.

Abstract: A demand driven access mechanism comprises logic apparatus at each station capable of seizing use of a shared communication channel for enabling access to a selected one station. The logic apparatus receives status signals from all stations so that if one station seeks access to the channel it will be enabled immediately upon an inactive status to the channel. If two or more stations simultaneously seek access to the channel, the logic apparatus establishes a priority order between them, thereby enabling access to only one station at a time. The priority ordering is based, in part, by the identity of the station last enabled, to thereby assure priority order allocation among the stations.

Abstract: A pneumatic radius sensor is embodied in a fluid bearing, such as an air bearing for a tape transport, to determine the radius of tape wrapped on an adjacent supply or take up reel. The sensor includes a chamber in fluid communication through a plurality of metered orifii to the region of the changing wrap angle of the tape on the air bearing, the plurality of orifii being arranged to provide an essentially linear relationship between pressure in the chamber and the wrap angle of the tape. Pressure sensing means in the chamber senses the pressure therein, so the radius of tape on the adjacent reel can be determined.

Abstract: A cateye-signal intercept detector for aligning a read-write head above a computer data storage disk. The detector used in conjunction with a standard disk having two adjacent cateye-type head alignment tracks thereon. The subject invention automates the detection of each intercept in the cateye-signal so that associated processing equipment responsive to the output signal produced can measure the read-write head disk alignment automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for enhancing the quality of characters printed on a media by a dot matrix printer, and particularly for enhancing edges of characters disposed at an angle to the rows of the matrix. First and second memory matrices contain the information as to the relative position along each row for printing dots to form each character; the first memory containing information to form a basic pattern and the second memory containing information related to an enhancement pattern which, if printed at the same carrier frequency as the basic pattern but phase shifted therefrom by a predetermined relationship (for example, 180.degree.), will enhance those edges of the character being printed disposed at an angle, other than 90.degree., from the rows of dots being printed. The information in the first and second memories are sequenced through first and second shift registers, one of which is sequenced by a clock signal and the other is sequenced by an inverted clock signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for aligning and press-fitting connector terminals into a substrate. The terminals are initially supported together by a bandolier strip, and an alignment tool aligns the terminals with apertures in the substrate to which the terminals will be press-fitted. A pressing tool engages the shanks of the terminals to fold the bandolier away from the terminals and thereafter press the terminals into the apertures.

Abstract: A tension sensor is placed within a fluid bearing supporting a flexible tape at least partially wrapped around the periphery thereof. The bearing includes a source of pressurized fluid, such as air, and a plurality of metered orifii for admitting fluid into the region of the periphery to support the tape on a fluid bearing. The sensor includes a chamber and at least two metered orifice means, one in communication with the region of pressurized fluid supporting the tape and the other in communication with the source of pressurized fluid. A pressure sensor senses the pressure within the chamber, the pressure being directly proportional to the tension in the tape.

Abstract: A monitor and control apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a configuration and environment monitor (CEM) connected to a plurality of remote station monitors of a computer system for executing commands at the remote stations and for monitoring abnormal conditions thereat. The remote monitors each include a Johnson counter responsive to clock signals from the CEM to sequentially step through its output positions. Address means is selectively connected to first output positions of the Johnson counter to provide a unique address for each remote monitor. Monitor means receives monitor condition signals and is arranged with a transmitter to transmit a signal to the CEM upon sensing a fault. The CEM then sequences the Johnson counters to cause the address and fault identification data in the operated monitor to be transmitted to the CEM.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotating priorities among stations on a communication channel, and particularly on a contention channel where a plurality of active stations are provided, each capable of seizing use of the channel. Counter means at each station contains an indication representative of the station having highest priority to the channel Each station establishes a priority rank for itself based upon the contents in the counter means. The indication is sequentially altered to provide priority to other stations. The priority indications in the counter means are synchronized each time a station seizes use of the channel, and may also be synchronized periodically if no station seizes use of the channel.

Abstract: A plurality of print hammers disposed along a print station are caused to be swung against a print band and there is provided a top edge guide to limit upward movement of the band and maintain the print band in a precise path in its travel past the print station. The print band is trained around pulleys which are biased upwardly by light springs to maintain the band in contact with the top edge guide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for eliminating conflicts on a communication channel, and particularly on a shared communication channel having a plurality of active stations, each capable of seizing use of the channel. A counter at each station contains a representation of the identity (address) of the station having the current opportunity to seize use of the channel. The representation is sequentially altered to provide the opportunity to each station to seize use of the channel, and each station not having such opportunity is inhibited from seizing the channel. The representations in the counters are synchronized each time a station seizes use of the channel, and may also be synchronized if no station seizes use of the channel.

Abstract: A welding fixture includes members supporting the ends of a print band and spaced to permit welding of the ends of the band with a laser beam. The edges of the band on either side of the weld joint are held parallel by means of at least two alignment pins on either side of the weld with the pins forming one terminal of a plurality of switches in circuitry to indicate proper alignment of the band prior to welding. One support member of the fixture is pivotable or tiltable to enable the ends of the band to be made square prior to welding.

Abstract: A magnetic head is manufactured by depositing a layer of spacer material onto the facing surfaces of the magnetic cores; the thickness of each layer being approximately one-half the length of the intended gap and the thicknesses of both layers together being approximately equal to the thickness (length) of the gap. A layer of bonding glass is deposited onto the surfaces of the spacer layers and the cores are pressed together at an elevated temperature to fuse the glass layers and extrude most of the glass.

Abstract: A computer interface for interconnecting a plurality of computer modules in a multiplex manner to emulate a computer configuration includes transmitters and receivers associated with each master and slave module, together with logic means whereby the master module is permitted to initiate computer operations with acknowledgement from the slave to insure proper data speeds. Conflicts are resolved between master modules.

Abstract: A dual loop phase locked oscillator system comprises a pair of phase locked oscillators coupled with priority logic gates for selectively operating each oscillator. During a lock-to-data mode, the logic gates are operated so that one of the oscillators is operated by the input data to lock to the data rate, while the other oscillator is operated by the output of the first oscillator to also lock to the data rate. During a normal mode, or coasting mode (when no data is present), each oscillator operates off the output of the other to thereby maintain oscillation at the data rate. Thus, the oscillators are selectively operated in tandem or in parallel.

Abstract: A cable is stripped, according to this disclosure, by slitting the insulation along the length of a portion of the cable between the edge portions and the bounds of the conductors from the side closest the conductors to a depth at least as great as the ground plane; simultaneously slitting through the cable across the edge portions; and simultaneously slitting the insulation and plane between the edge portions from the side closest the ground plane. One of the tabs formed as a result of the aforementioned slittings is then pulled to peel away insulation and ground plane. Apparatus is employed to simultaneously accomplish the slittings.

Abstract: A grid system for an ion beam generator is provided having a frustoconical shape so that the collimated ion beam converges at a predetermined angle toward the target to provide selective beveled etching.

Abstract: A current drive circuit for deriving a triangular current waveform for driving an inductive load, such as the field coils of a bubble memory, comprises a series of at least four diodes connected between the positive and negative input voltage lines. A pair of switching devices, such as switching transistors, are connected in series such that each switching device is in parallel with two of the diodes. The junction between the switching devices is also connected to one output for the inductive load. The intermediate diodes are connected together and to one side of a time delay circuit, the opposite side of which is connected to the second output for the opposite side of the inductive load. A modification of the invention comprises a second diode and switching circuit connected between the time delay circuit and the second output.