Abstract: A scanning monochromator or spectrometer having a reflecting grating whose curvature in the meridian plane is equal to the curvature of a circle upon which the source, detecting means and grating lie and whose lines are ruled with a frequency which varies systematically and directly in proportion to the distance of the lines from a point of origin on the track as determined by the geometry of the equipment, and gratings therefor.

Abstract: In a fractional distillation process and apparatus two columns are intercoupled to provide variable reboil in one and variable reflux in the other so as to approach closely to thermodynamically ideal fractionation. The variable reboil column has a series of heat transfer assemblies at different levels up its height and these are fed with vapor withdrawn from respective different levels of the variable reflux column. Partial condensation of each withdrawn stream takes place in the respective heat transfer assembly, after which the partially condensed stream is returned to the variable reflux column at a level close to the level at which the corresponding vapor was withdrawn. The variable reflux column will ordinarily be at a higher pressure, and mounted at a lower level than the variable reboil column.

Abstract: In an optical scanning system having a rotary scanner with multiple reflectors, which scanner images a light-responsive detector and moves that image repeatedly across the flat image field of an objective to generate a scanning raster, an optical corrector is mounted in the beam imaging the detector to correct for the fact that the detector image moves in a curved path. The optical corrector has a stepped surface such as to adjust the detector image incrementally during a scan, in the direction normal to the plane of the image field of the objective, so as to make the detector image motion substantially parallel to said image field.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus for scanning a field of view having a multidetector array which traverses the field of view, the detectors of which are sensitive to variations in electromagnetic radiation wherein each detector is a.c. coupled to an amplifier in a respective video channel and at the end of each scan the gains of the amplifiers in the said channels are equalized one with another.

Abstract: In a VTOL, aircraft having pairs of angularly movable jet-engine-efflux discharging vectored thrust lift and propulsion nozzles at the under side of the fuselage, a deflector door is provided to divert the hot exhaust gases that rise toward the fuselage when the aircraft is near the ground and thereby prevent such gases from approaching the engine air intakes. The deflector door swings from a retracted position to a position in which it projects downwardly and forwardly below the fuselage and it has edge blowing slots through which bleed air from the engine is blown in a downward and forward direction with a lateral fan-wise spread. This door also serves duty as an airbrake.

Abstract: A marine outboard motor is provided with an exhaust valve assembly to operate automatically and prevent ingress of water in the event of a capsize. The exhaust gases pass downward through a vertical tube, to a ring of exhaust ports in the tube wall and, if the engine is inverted, a weighted sleeve fitted telescopically round the lower end of the tube drops into a position where it closes the exhaust ports in a fluid-tight manner. Inside the tube is a check-valve in the form of a captive ball, that upon inversion, drops on to a valve seat located above the ring of exhaust ports.

Abstract: In a mechanism for controlling the movements of a dirigible scanning head, movement about one of three orthogonal axes is imparted to the head by means of a pair of flexible straps which are fastened to the head at opposite sides of said one axis and extend along a part-circular track at the back of the head that is centered on said one axis. The straps are wrapped around respective rollers mounted on a carrier that is itself displaceable in a direction generally along the track by a coupling to an endless flexible band driven by an electric motor-drive. The straps and the drive means for them are carried by the head for rotation with the head relatively to a support member about a second of the three axes.The straps support conductors for carrying electrical supplies to those units of the scanning head that so require.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus which is adapted to bring at least two media of different density into alternate contact with the apparatus surfaces, preferably for the purification of one medium, is formed by a body which is closed except for ingress and egress apertures and which has means for causing the body to rotate. In the interior the body has contact surfaces for the media. The contact surfaces are so arranged in the body that at least the medium having the greatest density is advanced therethrough at the rotation. The rotary body is a body having buoyancy of its own and is directly supported in the media of greater density inasmuch as it is adapted to rotate supported by these media and automatically to adjust itself to the levels thereof.

Abstract: An electrical generator is powered by the kinetic energy in ocean waves breaking at the shore. Waves are directed up an inclined surface through which an intake port is defined at a level substantially below the average wave height and extending across the entire length of the generator. Water entering the port is directed to drive the blades of a turbine located below the inclined surface but above the normal water level. Water overshooting the port is collected as it flows back down the surface by a second port which similarly feeds the water to drive the turbine. Water overshooting the top of the inclined surface is collected in a flow-reversing channel and likewise directed to drive the turbine. The system is mounted on wheels which are movable on rails extending from the ocean floor onto the beach, whereby the system can be moved to optimum position for different tidal conditions.

Abstract: A digital memory is configured as a hierarchical system with at least three levels. The first level consists of a main bus and interfacing for one or more main memory units; the second level consists of a separate second level bus in each main memory unit with a plurality of memory frames independently interfaced to each bus; and the third level consists of a separate third level bus in each memory frame with a plurality of memory storage blocks independently interfaced to each bus. Virtual addressing is employed in which the whole of each address is decoded in the individual memory block which includes for the purpose soft-ware settable registers containing identification numbers.

Abstract: For supporting bridge structures and like heavy-weight rigid structures upon displacement thereof, at more points than those giving statically determined bearing forces, the rigid structure is placed on a plurality of hydraulic jacks distributed beneath it and provided with sliding means at their upper ends facing the structure. The jacks are so coupled hydraulically in groups that the bearing force is uniformly distributed in each group independently of whether there are variations in height between those surfaces of the rigid structure which are in contact with the sliding means at the upper ends of the jacks.Upon displacement of bridge structures and like heavy-weight rigid structures supported on a plurality of sliding means distributed in groups beneath it each of the sliding means in at least one group is associated with a jack for displacement of the structure, the jacks at the sliding means in said group cooperating hydraulically at the displacement.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes a hull-contained, open-ended duct extending from bow to stern along the bottom of a vessel, the top of the duct being disposed above the water line and all duct walls extending parallel to the axis of motion of the vessel. Buoyancy chambers extend along the top and sides of the duct from a location aft of the duct inlet to the stern and converge at their forward end to define a venturi throat. A reaction device, located aft of the duct inlet and forward of the venturi throat, imparts rearward flow velocity to water in the duct. In one embodiment the reaction device is a partially-submerged horizontally-extending cylinder oriented perpendicular to flow through the duct. The cylinder, when rotated, increases water flow velocity in the duct and additionally pumps the water toward the throat in which the water experiences further flow velocity increase.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a hand-held shower head includes a bracket which is secured to the water supply pipe and a receiver which is pivotally mounted to the bracket so that its position may be adjusted in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supply pipe. The receiver is open along one side to permit a hose attachment for the shower head to be inserted into or removed from the receiver. The receiver is adapted to receive the shower head in a plurality of angularly related positions so that the horizontal direction of the spray may be adjusted. Vertical spray direction is adjustable by pivoting the receiver relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A compact device and method for asceptically filling containers eliminates the need for clean work stations. A small enclosure has an outlet opening adapted to fit over and surround the neck of a pre-sterilized bottle. Sterile pressurized gas is introduced into the enclosure which is contoured to force the gas to flow at high velocity through the outlet opening, thereby causing the gas to flow into the bottle and to form a curtain of sterile high velocity gas which surrounds the bottle neck and prevents entry of ambient air. While the gas continues to flow, the bottle is filled with sterile media which passes through enclosure and displaces sterile gas in the bottle while being protected from contamination by the sterile flowing curtain.

Abstract: In an automatic inventory system for crops, especially tree-borne crops, an airborne television camera views the area being surveyed and delivers an analogue video signal which is converted into a series binary digital signal by a level detector. The serial digital signal is received in a shift register that delivers a parallel digital output to a computer. The shift register is controlled by shift pulses derived from a pulse generator that has the video signal applied to it to maintain the pulses in synchronism with the camera operation. The computer receives the information from the shift register a frame at a time and determines from it parameters such as the average size, and spacing of crop-bearing trees and their numbers.

Abstract: In a wheel cleaner for the cleaning of truck wheels solely by centrifugal action, a weigh beam is incorporated whereby the individual axle loadings and the total weight of the truck can be determined. At the center of a wheel cleaner frame that is set into the ground, pairs of transverse horizontal rollers are provided on which the truck wheels can be spun to throw off mud, stones etc. At the end of the frame a transverse weigh beam, having its top surface substantially at the same level as the tops of the rollers and the frame members, is carried for limited downward travel on end suspension mountings each incorporating a load cell. The load cells give analogue electrical signals that are converted to digital form and processed to derive individual axle loadings and vehicle payload.

Abstract: An improved oral irrigation technique is characterized by an oscillatory swept water jet issued to sweep back and forth at high frequencies across the user's gums and teeth. High frequency operation is achieved by oscillating the jet itself rather than the jet-issuing body. The high frequency sweeping jet effects faster cleaning action and more effective gum massage than prior art pulsed jet irrigators having lower effective operating frequencies.

Abstract: In a process control system for machines operating according to a repetitive cycle, with a number of machine events occurring in appropriate mutual phase relationship during the cycle, transducers are employed in association with rotating parts of the machine to generate reference pulses, one at the end of each complete cycle, and a large number of marker pulses equally between consecutive reference pulses. The marker pulses drive a counter which is reset to zero by each reference pulse; and at each count increment the count is compared with he whole contents of a memory in which is stored count numbers constituting data as to the points in the machine cycle at which particular events are to commence and terminate, with output stages responsive to the comparator and the memory addressing control giving output control signals when number identity is recognized.

Abstract: A process and a machine for packaging items in stretchable foils of plastic material, wherein the foil is subjected to maximum stretching in at least a transversal direction, before bringing the item to be packaged into contact with the thus pre-stretched foil. To avoid further stretching of the pre-stretched foil, the machine comprises a lifting table for vertically elevating the item relative to the pre-stretched foil, and means for controllably releasing at least the transversal opposed foil side edges as the lifting table moves upwardly, while folding the side edges under the item.

Abstract: In a neutron generator of the type in which a tritium-titanium target is bombarded by a deuterium ion beam, the target half-life is increased by separating the beam with a weak magnetic field to provide three separate beams of atomic, diatomic and triatomic deuterium ions which all strike the target at different adjacent locations. Beam separation in this manner eliminates the problem of one type ion impairing the neutron generating efficiency of other type ions, thereby effecting more efficient utilization of the target material.