Abstract: The apparatus employed to burnish the coated surface of disks has a rotating platen onto which a disk is placed and an arm around one terminal end of which the tape passes. The apparatus also has means for lowering the arm, oscillating it, laterally raising it and advancing the tape. The operation of these mechanical elements of the apparatus are controlled and synchronized by a system of electronic control modules and transducers.

Abstract: A device adapted for storing items, in particular, magnetic information media, said device including a hollow exterior rectangular box having depressions and ridges such that the box may be stacked efficiently with other identical boxes to have lateral interlocks both on the vertical and horizontal surfaces and including in the interior thereof guide rails for receiving a drawer. The drawer is designed to be usable in either of two orientations, the second orientation being a 90.degree. rotation from the first, the drawer further including walls for enclosing the media and a hinged gate for allowing the media to tilt forward for ready access while restraining the media within the drawer.

Abstract: Etching method and etching and etchant removal apparatus. A specific embodiment includes two sets of fan spray nozzles located adjacent to the etching chamber and positioned to direct a spray at the work piece as the work piece exits the etching chamber. A sensor is also located adjacent to the etching chamber for turning the nozzles on when the work piece is present. Hydrometer means for determining the specific gravity of the etchant solution controls one set of nozzles whereby the nozzles are turned on to decrease the density of the etchant and turned off to increase the density of the etchant.

Abstract: A solar heat exchanger having a mesh sandwiched between two thin films for transfer of radiant solar energy to a fluid drawn through the mesh by suction.

Abstract: An electronic identification and recognition system in which the recognition portion includes a voltage controlled oscillator which sweeps over a range of frequencies. The identification portion resonates at certain frequencies determined by a variable reactance in the resonant circuit in the identifier which is responsive to bits from a sequential data register. The bits result in the on-and-off switching of the variable reactance which modifies the resonant frequency in the identification portion or modifies the frequency of an oscillator in the identification portion. The changes and sequence of changes in the resonant frequency are detected and recorded by the recognition portion such that the internal code of the identifier is determined.

Abstract: An improved reinforcement member for a central aperture in a flexible recording disk and a method for forming the same. The improved reinforcement comprises an integral, annular-shaped ring formed on one or both sides of the flexible recording disk about the central aperture thereof. This improved reinforcement is formed by transfer printing a liquid image of the reinforcement member onto a side surface of the flexible recording disk and then subsequently solidifying that liquid image. The liquid image to be transfer printed onto the flexible recording disk is first established by filling a metering reservoir shaped to be an image of the reinforcement member with a solidifying liquid. A terminal end of compliant rubber tampon is then first contacted to the reservoir thereby picking up the liquid image which is then contacted to the surface of the flexible disk to be deposited there.

Abstract: A tool for forming electrical interconnections between the terminal ends of storage cell plate lugs. This tool is particularly suited to forming such welds between the terminal ends of plate lugs which project through a cell case wall.

Abstract: A jet etch apparatus and method for decapsulation of molded devices having an etching block through which an etchant solution is drawn. The etchant solution which flows through the etching block forms a jet spray that impinges upon a device to be decapsulated. The etchant solution is drawn through the etching block by means of suction created by a jet pump. The decapsulation process is monitored by detecting current flow between an electrode in the etchant solution and the device. The imposed current also serves to limit excessive oxidation of aluminum pads within the device, thereby preventing attack of the aluminum by the etchant.

Abstract: A meter for measuring the velocity of a fluid by ascertaining propagation periods of acoustic wave packets transmitted therein, the meter including a pair of transducers for disposition in the fluid, a transmitter for transmitting a packet between the transducers in an upstream or downstream direction designated by an up/down signal at each time designated by a transmit signal and a receiver for developing a received signal marking the time of receipt by a transducer of each packet, the times being marked so as to avoid amplitude and half-cycle ambiguity errors.

Abstract: A retrofit whirlpool bath is described which includes an oblong tub having inwardly tapering side and end walls. The end walls each have a back supportive surface and each are provided with a wedge shaped recessed surface. One of the end walls is also provided with a vertical, semi-tubular recessed surface intersecting the wedge shaped recessed surface. The recessed surfaces include apertures receptive to water jet nozzles and are designed to enhance the pressure and turbulence of water flowing from the nozzles and to distribute the turbulent water against the back of a person reclining against the supportive surfaces.

Abstract: A purging apparatus having a process gas connector wherein a purging gas is injected into the connector so that trapped process gas is thoroughly purged from the connector. Tubing in the shape of a double helix is connected to the process gas connector. One tube of the double helix is connected to a purge valve for providing purging gas to an injection port of the process gas connector. The other tube of the double helix provides a flow path for the process gas which then flows through a filter, a vacuum pump valve, a high pressure process valve, a regulator, a low pressure process valve, and then out to the process equipment. In order to purge the process gas from the purging apparatus, the high pressure process valve is set to direct a gas flow to a vent valve which is connected to a scrubber. The low pressure process valve may also be set to direct gas flow to a low pressure vent valve which is also connected to a scrubber.

Abstract: A disposable applicator device for applying tubal occlusion clips, particularly clips utilized in mini-laparotomy sterilization surgery. The applicator includes a grasping lever for grasping the hook portion of the clip and a guiding arm for gripping, guiding and forcing the projection portion of the clip. The grasping lever and guiding lever are connected by swivel hinge and a separation restrictor such that the relative motion of the levers is restricted to a predetermined arc within a plane. The applicator is adapted to deliver a tubal occlusion clip into position, force the clip from an open mode to a closed mode about the desired tissue, and then slidably disengage from the clip, leaving the clip installed upon the tissue.

Abstract: An improved high intensity metal halide lamp constructed from a lamp envelope assembly to which are fused a pair of mating prebeaded electrode assemblies. The lamp envelope assembly is formed from an arc discharge envelope to which are attached a pair of side arms coaxial with the arc discharge envelope and on opposite sides thereof. The prebeaded electrode assemblies are constructed from an electrode ribbon assembly which is encapsulated by vitreous quartz which has a lower hydroxyl ion content than the quartz used in the side arms of the lamp envelope.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant computational system having a voter circuit which receives inputs from several computational devices and produces an output in agreement with a majority of the inputs. Also included is a clock circuit for synchronizing the output of data from the computational devices so that the input to the voter circuit is synchronized. The system may be adapted for fault detection by comparing the output of the voter circuit to the outputs of each of the computational channels.

Abstract: An improved wet cleaning disk assembly for use in cleaning reading and writing transducers of a floppy disk drive. The cleaning disk assembly includes an envelope having apertures formed therethrough for receiving reading and writing transducers and a reinforced opening along one edge thereof for insertion of a cleaning disk thereinto. In use, a cleaning disk, presoaked with a liquid cleaning solution, is removed from a sealed package and inserted into the envelope to form the cleaning assembly which is then inserted into a floppy disk drive. A spindle within the drive passes through a central aperture therefor in the envelope and through a central aperture in the disk to thereby engage the disk and rotate it within the envelope. The envelope and cleaning disk also include sensing apertures adapted to permit optical sensing of disk rotation by the drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of use thereof for cast encapsulation of items, particularly electronic components. The apparatus consists of a plurality of identically shaped split matrix elements. Each matrix element has a first surface for receiving and securing the item to be encapsulated. A second surface of another identically shaped matrix element, located on a side thereof opposite to its first surface, is then mated with the first surface securing the item. Thus mated, the first and second surfaces establish a molding cavity for enclosing the item and an orifice providing access thereto. This process of securing an item to a first surface and enclosing it with a second surface is repeated thereby assembling a stack of matrix elements. This stack is then rigidly secured and the molding cavities are filled with particulate filler material through upright orifices. Excess filler is removed by quickly turning the stack over and then righting it again.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved nutrient, in particle form, for use in enhancing fungus growth, and particularly directed to edible mushrooms. The nutrient is in the form of conglomerate particles including an irregularly shaped matrix particle and a plurality of enhancer droplets attached to the matrix particle at various recessed attachment positions. The matrix material is denatured protein while the enhance droplets are fatty oil and phospholipid material microencapsulated in a layer of activated protein mixed with mycelium growth stimulators. The present invention further includes a method for preparing nutrient particles for increasing the growth and yield of mushrooms.

Abstract: An improved unitary hinged box-type container for enclosing contents such as flexible disk packages including complementary top and bottom portions, connected by an integral intermediate hinge, which mate together to form an enclosed box in the closed position and further including an open position locking device for securing the container in an open position with the top portion rotated approximately 270.degree. about the hinge from the closed position.

Abstract: A chrominance subcarrier regeneration network having high stability, the network being adapted for use in a video tape recorder and including a phase detector for comparing the phase of a gated subcarrier burst of a video signal with that of a subcarrier regenerated signal to develop an error signal; a voltage controlled oscillator driven by the error signal to develop a corrected signal at a frequency substantially below that of the subcarrier burst; and a crystal oscillator, mixer and filter for translating the frequency and filtering the corrected signal to develop the regenerated signal.