Abstract: An auxiliary burner provides supplemental thermal energy to a vehicle having a room and domestic water to be heated. The auxiliary burner operates efficiently at a rated thermal output when it is operated for at least the duration of a minimum operational cycle. A reservoir contains heat transfer liquid having a selected thermal energy storage capacity, measured by the amount of thermal energy required to heat the liquid from a minimum to a maximum operating temperature. The heat transfer liquid receives heat from the auxiliary burner. The thermal energy storage capacity is selected so that the auxiliary burner must operate at its rated thermal output for at least the duration of the minimum desired operational cycle to provide the selected thermal energy storage capacity to the reservoir.

Abstract: A pixel control system and method of controlling the intensity of pixels on a raster video display screen with scan lines grouped in 20 pixel increments across the scan line to display an object. In a first operational sequence for a given polygon that represents a part of the object separate red, blue, green and depth sections use the value (R) of a reference pixel in a first pixel group at the left side of the object to determine the pixel by pixel change (delta) in intensity and depth across the first pixel group. The sections are operated in successive operational sequences to process the other pixel groups along the scan line until the pixel group at the right side of the polygon is processed. The operations are repeated in respect to successive scan lines to process the entire polygon. Each section has two adder stages. The first stage produces signals representing R, R plus and minus certain deltas and selected other deltas.

Abstract: An auxiliary grip handle and shaft are pivotally connected to a main shaft of an implement to reduce the back and shoulder strain associated with the use of implements, such as garden tools and snow shovels. The implement has the main shaft which is extended, a main grip handle secured thereto and an implement tool fastened to the bottom end of the main shaft. A brace pivotally connects the main shaft to the auxiliary shaft, which has the auxiliary grip handle fastened thereto. When the invention is used with a shovel, the auxiliary shaft is movable from a push position into a pull position. In the push position, the auxiliary shaft is at a small angle relative to the main shaft, enabling the user to apply a forward force on the shovel through both the auxiliary and main grip handles. In the pull position, the auxiliary shaft is at a larger angle in relation to the main shaft, enabling the user to pull upwardly on the auxiliary grip handle to exert a transverse force on the main shaft to lift the shovel.

Abstract: A system for converting vector data to pixel data to draw the vector on a display screen. The display screen is divided into groups of pixels (matrices) each having a certain number of pixels in the x and y directions. As the vector data for a given matrix is processed, the next matrix through which the vector extends is identified according to where the vector extends in relation to two decision points within the given matrix. If the vector is above a first one of such points, the next matrix is in the x direction, whereas if the vector is below the second one of such points the next matrix is in the y direction. If the vector extends between such points, the next matrix is one matrix away in both the x and y directions.

Abstract: Data is generated for graphically displaying objects having surfaces defined by vertex locations, each having a particular intensity. The values of electrical signals that represent the coordinates of the vertex locations and a point normal used to obtain the intensities are controlled by programming a computer to generate electrical signals that represent coordinates of the vertices. The values of each of the coordinates is in terms of an equation having parameters "s" and "t". "t" is identified and kept constant at a first amount. The coordinate equations are factored to redefine them in terms of a first constant and a variable represented by "s". The equations are sequentially solved by substituting therein a predetermined series of values for "s" to control the values of the electrical signals so that certain of the signals represent ones of the coordinated that form a first row of the vertices.

Abstract: A system to convert vector data to pixel data for drawing a vector on display screen that is divided into groups of pixels (matrices) having selected numbers of pixels in the x and y coordinate directions. The vector data is processed to define the slope of the vector and the number of matrices in the x and y directions the vector extends through. Counters are set to such numbers. Starting with the first matrix in which one end of the vector is located, a circuit defines which pixels must be enabled to draw the vector through that matrix. According to the location of the vector relative to decision points in the first matrix, a circuit identifies the next matrix through which the vector extends and causes the counter to count. This continues until the last matrix is identified and the pixels therein are enabled. An additional circuit masks those pixels, if any, in the first and last matrices that are beyond the end of the vector.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding a substrate for use in supporting a magneto-optic recording structure includes a mold having a cavity that defines a plane and that is designed to form a thin disk-like magneto-optic substrate. The mold is mounted with such plane horizontal and an axis of circular symmetry thereof substantially vertical. Hot fluid plastic flows from the center of such horizontal mold so that the fluid plastic flows horizontally and relatively uniformly and radially outwardly from the center of the mold to minimize azimuthal variations in birefringence. Such flowing is by injection molding. The molding apparatus for manufacturing such magneto-optic substrate includes a support for positioning such mold with the plane thereof horizontal. Hot fluid plastic is injected to the center of such mold, as for example from the vertical axis of symmetry of such mold.

Abstract: A method for molding a substrate for use in supporting a magneto-optic recording structure includes the steps of providing a mold having a cavity that defines a plane and that is designed to form a thin disk-like magneto-optic substrate and mounting such mold with such plane horizontal and an axis of circular symmetry thereof substantially vertical. Hot fluid plastic flows from the center of such horizontal mold so that the fluid plastic flows relatively uniformly and radially outwardly from the center of the mold to minimize azimuthal variations in birefringence. Such flowing may be by injection or compression molding. Molding apparatus for manufacturing such magneto-optic substrate includes such mold and a support for positioning such mold with the plane thereof horizontal. Hot fluid plastic is injected to the center of such mold, as for example from the vertical axis of symmetry of such mold.

Abstract: Apparatus and method determine the concentration of an individual component, such as water vapor, of a multi-component mixture, such as a gaseous mixture for cooling a nuclear reactor. A hygrometer apparatus includes an infrared source for producing a broadband infrared energy beam that includes a strong water vapor absorption band and a weak water vapor absorption region. The beam is chopped to select infrared pulses. A temporally first pulse has a wavelength in the weakly absorbing region, a temporally second pulse has a wavelength in the strong band and a temporally third pulse has a wavlength in the weakly absorbing region. A fourth reference pulse representing background radiation is interposed in such chopped pulses.

Abstract: A passive, multi-channel microwave radiometer includes an antenna-lens assembly for receiving, and a first waveguide designed to provide a common path for propagating, 23.8 GHz and 31.4 GHZ atmospheric signals. The 23.8 GHz signal is above the frequency of relative maximum water vapor absorption and the 31.4 GHz signal is near a relative minimum in the water vapor absorption spectrum. Circuitry is responsive to the atmospheric signals for generating output signals representing the respective water vapor and liquid content in and the temperature of the atmosphere. For realtime calibration a blackbody assembly is mounted in the near field of the antenna-lens assembly. The blackbody assembly emits known blackbody microwave signals at 23.8 GHz, 31.4 GHz and in the V band. The radiometer is calibrated during its normal operation by causing a mirror to select the blackbody signals for propagation along the common path.

Abstract: A detention basin contains liquid and solids suspended therein. A planar flow control deck extending across a part of the basin is formed from a plurality of elongated flap members. One edge of each such flap member is fixed and an opposite edge is in releasable sealing engagement with the fixed edge of an adjacent flap member. That opposite edge of each flap member is free to move out of engagement with the adjacent flap member in response to the upward flow of the liquid in the basin. Inclined lamina form quiescent zones in which the liquid flow is reduced so that the solids settle and are separated from the liquid. The lamina are suspended in the basin in parallel relationship, with the angle at which the lamina are inclined being adjustable by a submerged adjustment mechanism. Each zone is open at the bottom to receive the liquid laden with the solids. The top of each quiescent zone is closed by the cooperation of the flap members. Each lamina is supported at a vertex connected to a flap member.

Abstract: An improved lubricant for use with a conveyor in a meat packing plant meeting the requirements of (1) adequate lubricity, (2) "drip-resistance," (3) safety, i.e., approval of the composition and its ingredients by the U.S.D.A., (4) rust resistance, (5) economy of manufacture and use and (6) the ability to be removed by cleaning methods is provided by preparing a mixture of mineral oil, a fatty acid and a polybutene, each being acceptable for incidental contact with food, in certain minimum amounts and increasing the amounts of one or more of said components such that the improved lubricant has a viscosity of 20-160 centipoise. A method of improving a lubricant for use on a conveyor in a meat packing plant and a method of lubricating the conveyor are also disclosed.