Abstract: A system for and method of precisely controlling the temperature of an electronic component through a range of temperatures by controlling the temperature of a gas forced into contact with the component is disclosed. The system comprises a dual control loop including two sensors, one for measuring the temperature of the gas and the other for sensing the temperature of the component, for controlling the temperature of the gas so as to provide accurate control of the temperature of the component.

Abstract: An improved lift truck for transporting a load is described.

Abstract: A novel press load monitoring system for a variable speed press which is capable of automatically adjusting the measured load level of the press so as to compensate for strain in the press frame produced by mechanical vibrations occurring as the speed of the press is varied.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved method of growing crystalline bodies from a melt. The method involves providing (1) a crucible for containing a melt having a plurality of first and second grooves of capillary size formed in first and second opposite side walls thereof respectively, and enlargements at the upper ends of the slots for facilitating crystal growth, (2) a feed cavity associated with the crucible for receiving solid source material for replenishing the melt, and (3) a passageway between the feed cavity and the crucible for transmitting melted source material to the crucible so as to replenish the melt in the crucible. A plurality of ribbons are formed by positioning a seed between each pair of first and second grooves, contacting the seeds with the melt, and then withdrawing the seeds vertically out of the crucible.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a test static-electric discharge from a test tip to equipment under test in two modes, which apparatus includes a capacitor, a power supply, and a normally closed relay for connecting the high side of the capacitor to the tip. Means are provided for actuating the relay to open and close, and means are provided for actuating the power supply to charge the capacitor. In an air-discharge mode, the power supply is actuated for charging the capacitor while the relay is closed and thus not energized. For direct-injection mode operation, the apparatus includes a timing circuit interconnected so that the relay is opened a finite delay time before power supply is actuated to charge the capacitor, the relay remaining open until the capacitor is charged, and thereafter the relay automatically closes to permit discharge of the capacitor.

Abstract: An assay method and apparatus employing total internal reflection of excitation radiation at an activated region on the surface of an optically conductive rod or fiber surrounded by a liquid phase of lower index of refraction, so as to excite into fluorescence fluorophores in the liquid present in a thin layer around the rod surface. The induced fluorescence is then gathered and measured. Excitation occurs while flowing a sample of the liquid phase through an enclosure of fixed dimensions bounded in part by the activated region.

Abstract: A surgical tool of the type comprising a first stationary jaw member and a second movable jaw member adapted for pivotal movement towards and away from the first stationary jaw member, wherein the second movable jaw member is attached to the first stationary jaw member by a first arcuate lug and groove arrangement, and the second movable jaw member is also attached to a coupling member by a second lug and groove arrangement, in order that when the coupling member is moved in a first direction relative to the first stationary jaw member, the second movable jaw member will open away from the first stationary jaw member, and when the coupling member is moved in a second opposite direction relative to the first stationary jaw member, the second movable jaw member will close towards the first stationary jaw member. The invention may take the form of surgical punches or surgical forceps. A novel locking means is provided for the surgical forceps.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is disclosed for use in a system for growing a hollow tubular body of crystalline material by growing the body from the end of a die member, whereby the hollow tubular body can be cut lengthwise along predetermined lines of the body to provide separate crystalline bodies. The apparatus comprises means (preferably in the form of notches provided in the die end of the die member from which the hollow body is grown) for concentrating stress in the hollow tubular body along the predetermined lines as the body is pulled from the die end. The method comprises the steps of (a) growing the tube from a die end of a die member so that stress is concentrated in the tube along predetermined lines as the tube is grown; and (b) cutting the tube along the predetermined lines so as to separate the hollow tube into the plurality of bodies of the crystalline material.

Abstract: An edge locating device is particularly useful in a system having an articulating frame for supporting and aligning a first sheet of material relative to a second sheet of material supported on a belt below. The device is attachable to the articulating frame and has an edge contact element for locating the edge of the first sheet and a radiation source and detector for locating the edge of the second sheet. The edge contact element, source and detector are fixed with respect to one another and movable between a first position wherein the element is spaced from the edge of the first sheet and a second position wherein the element contacts the edge of the first sheet. When moved to the second position the source and detector can be used to move the articulating frame until the edge of the second sheet is located.

Abstract: An improved system is disclosed for generating a signal encoded with stereophonic information and adapted to be used with a monophonic signal to synthesize stereophonic reproduction. The system includes means for generating the encoded signal as a function of at least a portion of the program information of a monophonic input signal so as to control the amount of stereophonic spread provided during stereophonic reproduction provided by the encoded signal and a monophonic signal derived from the monophonic input signal. The system is particularly adapted for use in the transmission and/or reception of stereophonic television signals.

Abstract: Apparatus is adapted to automatically fold and secure the edges and corners of a relatively flexible, larger sheets over the corresponding edges and rounded corners of at least one relatively rigid, smaller blank so as to substantially maintain the contour of the corners.

Abstract: A new drill-type cranial perforator is disclosed of the type which comprises a front drill head assembly made up of a leading inner drill and a trailing outer drill, and a rear support and drive assembly adapted to enable both drills so long as the leading inner drill is encountering a resistive surface and to disable both drills when the leading inner drill stops encountering the resistive surface.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method and apparatus for recovering waste heat from a low temperature process stream by means of a vaporizable heat sink liquid, characterized by an effective lowering of the boiling temperature of the heat sink liquid without need to reduce its boiling pressure. The heat sink liquid essentially comprises a mixture of two immiscible liquids that form a low boiling azeotrope. The heat sink liquid is brought into indirect heat exchange with the low temperature process stream for heat extraction. The invention involves simultaneous boiling of the two immiscible liquids to suppress the temperature of the heat sink liquid to below the low temperature of the process stream, whereby the heat sink liquid is able to recover heat from the process stream. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat sink liquid comprises the reactants that are fed to a reactor, and the low temperature process stream is the reaction effluent from the reactor.

Abstract: An improved optical match to a subsequently-formed antireflection overcoating is achieved by providing a silicon solar cell substrate with an altered surface layer that is formed by an ion-beam process, and has a refractive index between about 3.4 and about 3.6 at 633 nm and between about 3.6 and about 3.8 at 442 nm. The surface layer is formed by adding between about 2% and about 10% methane, by volume, to the hydrogen flow in a Kaufman type broad beam ion source.

Abstract: An improved device of a combination of elements is adapted to be used with an elongated flexible instrument, such as an endoscope, and capable of at least partially extending with the instrument into the lumen of a tubular body part, such as the large intestines. A sheath is adapted to be mounted on the instrument. The instrument and sheath are provided with selectively inflatable cuffs movable with respect to one another by axially sliding the sheath on the instrument. The movable relationship of the sheath and instrument and the selective control of air to the cuffs allows the user to more easily navigate the front of the instrument through the lumen of the body part with less discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: A multiple location system is provided for controlling application of alternating-current power to a load. The system employs a triac as a power carrying device, the gate control circuit for which has been modified to include auxiliary switching. Potentiometers are disposed at various different locations for determining, responsively to the setting or positioning of an actuator, such as the slide control of a linear potentiometer, the magnitude of respective control signals substantially immediately upon setting of the actuator. The signals are mutually exclusively applied to control the triac in accordance with which of the actuators is being set. Alternatively, the control signals can be applied in accordance with which one of a series of take-command switches (one for each location) was last operated. In either case, only two wires are necessary to connect the different locations to one another. In one embodiment, the actuator controls a pair of momentary-close switches associated therewith (e.g.

Abstract: A machine for automatically producing a sandwich having a variety of fillers such as sliced meat, sliced cheese, shredded lettuce, and sliced pickles. A plurality of cannisters for storing the fillers are positioned above apertures formed in the base of the machine along a straight row. Dispensing means associated with each cannister permit selective removal of sandwich filler. A carriage having support means for carrying the sandwich facing, such as a submarine roll or Pullman bread, is mounted for reciprocation beneath the row(s) of apertures. As the carriage passes beneath selected apertures, sandwich filler is dispensed through the apertures onto the sandwich facing. Control means permit user selection of sandwich fillers and controls operation of the dispensing means and movement of the carriage beneath the apertures in accordance with user selection.

Abstract: A novel shift block assembly is provided for a cassette tape loading machine. The shift block assembly essentially comprises first, second and third shift blocks that are mounted for sliding and rotating motion on a common axis. Each of the shift blocks has a guideway for aligning tape to be spliced and also is provided with means for applying suction to hold a tape in position in the guideway. The three blocks are disposed in tandem along the common axis, and the first and third shift blocks are used to hold the two leaders, while the second shift block is used to hold the tape to be loaded. Means are provided for shifting each block axially along the axis and additional means are provided for rotating each block relative to the other on the axis. Also associated with the shift block assembly is a cutter mechanism which includes a knife having a knife edge disposed in a given cutting plane extending at a right angle to the aforementioned axis.

Abstract: A system and method enhances a first pictorial representation of an image within a first frequency band so as to provide an enhanced pictorial representation of the image. The system and method uses information contained within at least one other registered pictorial representation of the image within a second frequency band and having a better resolution than the first pictorial representation of the image. In accordance with the operation of the system and carrying out the steps of method of the present invention, the other pictorial representation is modified, preferably by effectively blurring the representation to the resolution of the first pictorial representation such that local correlation information between the resulting modified pictorial representation and the first pictorial representation are determined and used to generate the enhanced version of the first pictorial representation.

Abstract: A magnetic particle clutch or brake structure is provided having a magnetic coupling element comprising a disk and at least one cup formed as an annular and coaxial peripheral flange at the periphery of the disk. The coupling element is mounted between two pole pieces, and a single electromagnetic energizing coil unit is provided which is arranged so as to cause the magnetic flux to pass through the disk and cup in series. The pole pieces are coupled together by an arrangement of magnetic and non-magnetic elements so as to provide for efficient direction of the magnetic flux in the manner contemplated by the invention. The invention is susceptible of being modified by having two cups attached to the same disk.