Abstract: A variable beamwidth stage light relying upon an axially movable reflector for changes in beamwidth. The reflector has a plurality of radially outwardly and axially forwardly extending leaves in side-by-side relation to define a bowl-shaped reflector surface. A stationary support flange is in frictional contact with the radially outward surface of each leaf. The reflector leaves are sandwiched between a base member and a ring member at the base of the reflector. A motor driven lead screw is attached to the base member to cause axial movement of the reflector relative to the support flange. The reflector defines a first and a second focal point along the axis of the reflector. A light source is fixed at the first focal point, which remains substantially fixed relative to the base member.

Abstract: A highly controllable video camera is disclosed which includes an image intensifier for collecting light reflected or emitted from an object for a short period of time and developing a luminous image of the object which is communicated to a completely exposed CCD image sensor over a second period related to the decay rate of the light emitting phosphor screen of the image intensifier, the type of photograph being taken and the desired image quality. The CCD subsequently develops the light focussed thereon into electrical signals representative of the object. The electrical signals collected within the CCD are serially read from the CCD by a readout processing control and the discrete signals are alternately switched into ODD and EVEN memory banks for storage in a pattern which will facilitate producing an interlaced video signal from the output of the memories.

Abstract: Computed tomography inspection apparatus and method of inspecting electronic devices and features of PCBs/PWBs, such as solder bonds, tracings and vias. The system scans radiation passed through the devices in thin slices and detects attenuated radiation from which it generates data representing slice images with high resolution. The detected image data are analyzed automatically by an image data analyzer which receives model data against which it compares and evaluates the detected image data.

Abstract: A means of improving an E-beam lithography system cassette to reduce wear of contaminating particles from the cassette whereby frictionally engaged surfaces of the cassette are coated and hardened with an electroless deposit of nickel-phosphorous alloy.

Abstract: A process for uniformly measuring the performance characteristic of a computer peripheral by accommodating for variations in the clock rate of the host computer system is disclosed, where after connecting the target to the host and initializing the system automatically calibrates itself to the clock rate of the host and determines the parameters of the target. The user may then define a select test, a set of test, or a continuous set of tests to be run on the target. In performing the selected test or tests, the system determines the amount of overhead time associated with the host and target, and the data transfer time, before determining the various base access times of the target. Upon the determination of a base access time, the host overhead time is then removed to yield an accurate access time measurement that is independent of variable characteristics of the host computer system.

Abstract: An optico-mechanical alignment apparatus having at least two optical paths, one with low resolution and one with high resolution providing an image to video image generator. The image forms a first data set that is compared to a second data set representative of the preferred alignment of an object to be aligned by a comparison means that can automatically move a stage mounting the object to be aligned in the X, Y and Z directions and rotate it in the X Y plane. The object is coarsely aligned with the low resolution optics and then finely aligned with the high resolution optics.

Abstract: A method of inspecting repeating pattern devices according to which an image of the patterns is aligned with an array of pixels in the image detection plane of an optical detector. The image is magnified to a scale so that features of patterns repeated in the image occupy corresponding pixels or groups of pixels repeated in the array. Data is resolved from selected pixels and directly compared either to data obtained from corresponding pixels or from a data base, whereby defective features are identified through well-known data comparison techniques.

Abstract: A vapor dryer system in which products to be dried are positioned in a tank and immersed in a hot vapor cloud and saturated with hot vapor, which removes water from the surface of the product as the vapor condenses on the surface. The condensate is collected and diverted to preserve the purity of the solvent reservoir. The vapor is formed from a liquid reservoir which is heated by heat transducer means disposed remotely from the tank to minimize the risk of igniting the vapor.

Abstract: A protective covering for a machine tool where work pieces can be mounted on a worktable comprises a loading door which can be pivoted between two end positions and which in a first end position closes the protective covering while in the second end position it clears an opening in the protective covering providing access to the work piece. The bottom of the loading door describes during this movement an upwardly curved locus extending above and across the work piece. It is proposed for this arrangement that the loading door be provided on its inside with a device for diverting liquid flowing down its inside towards the lateral edges and that the said loading door does not project beyond the outer contour of the said protective covering during its movement.

Abstract: A modular stage light system which features a plurality of trusses, each containing a number of stage lights. The lights are joined to a microprocessor which has an input and an output terminal adapted to be connected to a data bus. A plurality of similar trusses can be mounted on the same data bus. This modular arrangement simplifies transportation, set up and tear down of stage lights associated with theatrical and musical productions.

Abstract: A conveyor belt system having an improved pulley is disclosed in which the improved pulley includes a roller having grooves of varying width machined into the cylindrical surface of the roller to form raised guides or lands of equal width therebetween which spiral outward relative to the center of the roller with decreasing pitch. The contacting surface of the guides is operative to engage a conveyor belt or webbing passing over the pulley and the varying pitch of the guides allows for the quick centering of unaligned belts or webs. The roller may be machined to have more than one helical guide spiralling outward from the center of the cylindrical surface of the roller at one time. The guides may be squared, chamfered or rounded and may optionally contain serrations. The roller may additionally be machined to taper slightly from its center to the respective ends thereof.

Abstract: A programmable integrated circuit micro-sequencer apparatus including a dynamically programmable logic device (DPLD) combined with an EPROM look-up table to form a novel look-up table programmable logic device (LTPLD) which is combined with a register to form a stand alone micro-sequencer (SAM) that may be used to implement state machines and microcoded controller devices. The usefulness of the present invention is further expanded by the addition, in various other embodiments, of code look-up tables, priority encoders, multiplexors, stacks and counters and all associated control circuits.

Abstract: An optical resonator, preferably of a solid state laser, is tuned by one or more sheets of piezo-electric material bonded to one or more tuning facets of an optically transparent solid state member portion of the resonator. A tuning voltage applied across the piezo-electric sheet tends to change the area of the bonded interface of the sheet to generate a set of tuning forces predominantly in the plane of the surface of the tuning facet. These tuning forces are transmitted through the tuning facet into the solid state portion of the optical resonator to produce a change in its refractive index and dimensional change which tunes the frequency of the optical resonator and the laser using same, if any. In a preferred embodiment, the piezo-electrically tuned optical resonator is an optically pumped ring resonator made of a lasant material such as Nd:YAG for tuning the output frequency of the ring laser.

Abstract: A soft break switch for forming a short circuit between two conductors while the switch is in a closed position, for forming an increasingly resistive circuit between the conductors while the switch is being moved to an open position, and for forming an open circuit between the conductors when the switch is in an open position. The resistive circuit enhances arc suppression.

Abstract: A non-audible speech generation apparatus and method for producing non-audible speech signals which includes an ultrasonic transducer or vibrator for projecting a series of glottal shaped ultrasonic pulses to the vocal track of a speaker. The glottal pulses, in the approximate frequency spectrum extending from fifteen kilohertz to one hundred five kilohertz, contain harmonics of approximately 30 times the frequency of the acoustical harmonics generated by the vocal cords, but which may nevertheless be amplitude modulated to produce non-audible speech by the speaker's silently mouthing of words. The ultrasonic speech is then received by an ultrasonic detector disposed outside of the speaker's mouth and electrically communicated to a translation device which down converts the ultrasonic signals to corresponding signals in the audible frequency range and synthesizes the signals into artificial speech.

Abstract: A specially adapted Linnik microscope is used in combination with a video camera, a wafer transport stage and data processing electronics to form a novel inspection apparatus based on the use of the two beam interference microscope. The apparatus can utilize either broad band or narrow band light to develop a plurality of interference images taken at different axial positions relative to the surface under investigation. The point-by-point brightness along scan lines across such images is then used to develop data which is proportional to the degree of coherence (or to the fringe amplitude, the variance of the fringes, or the amplitude of oscillation of the fringes) as the optical path difference is varied in a two beam optical or acoustic microscope.

Abstract: A two stage cryopump with an improved first stage for condensing water vapor at high speed independently of the rate of gas flow into the second stage and without increasing the heat load on the cryopump. The cryopump utilizes a low profile high precision variable aperture to control flow to a lower baffle obstructing the mouth of a shroud containing the second stage, utilizes a support shaft mounted on the top of the lower baffle and extending upstream through the aperture, and utilizes an upper baffle mounted on the top of the shaft in thermal contact with the lower baffle to condense water vapor before reaching the aperture.

Abstract: A computer diskette automatic loading device having a hopper for holding a plurality of diskettes, and an automated diskette selection mechanism for the serial removal of diskettes from the hopper for processing and sorting of diskettes into accept and reject bins.

Abstract: An electron spin resonance spectrometer comprises a resonator containing a sample and arranged in a magnetic field of constant strength and high homogeneity. A microwave bridge can be supplied with microwave energy in the form of an intermittent signal. Measuring signals emitted by the resonator are supplied to a detector and a signal evaluation stage. A line provided between a microwave source and the microwave bridge is subdivided into parallel pulse-shaping channels, one of them containing a phase shifter, an attenuator and a switch for the signal passing through the pulse-shaping channels. In order to be able to set, if possible, an unlimited plurality of pulse sequences for experiments of all kinds, the pulse-shaping channels are supplied in equal proportions from the line by means of a divider. All pulse-shaping channels are provided with a phase shifter and an attenuator. The pulse-shaping channels are re-united by means of a combiner arranged before the input of a common microwave power amplifier.