Abstract: A sector of data to be recorded on a magnetic medium is formatted by dividing the data sector into a plurality of data segments. Recorded with each segment is a time code which is identical for all segments in a given sector. During recordation of the data and time code for each segment, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) signal is generated and the CRC signal is recorded after the data and the time code. As data in a segment is recorded, it is also temporarily stored. The temporarily stored data is combined according to a prescribed function with data in the succeeding segment and that function is temporarily stored for combination with the data in the next succeeding segment so that after all segments of data have been recorded there is a function that uniquely represents the data in all data segments. The function is recorded as a check segment. On recovery of the data, an error in any given segment can be detected by employment of the CRC signal associated with the segment containing an error.

Abstract: A multichannel pump wherein the flow rate through each channel can be independently adjusted. In one embodiment there is a frame composed of upper and lower disc-shaped members which support a shaft in the center and a plurality of tube holders around the periphery. An eccentric cam is carried on the shaft and sequentially contacts resiliently deformable tubes in the respective tube holders. Each tube holder is independently adjustable toward and away from the path of travel of the cam and each can be removed for replacement or repair without affecting operation of the remainder of the apparatus. Also included are structures permitting the use of tubing having a low degree of elasticity, such as Teflon and the like. In another embodiment there is one or more cassette-like pumping units each of which contains two independently adjustable channels. The cassette-like units are so constructed that any reasonable number of the units can be combined to provide a multichannel pump having as many channels as needed.

Abstract: A refuse compaction trailer of the type used with a stationary packer positioned adjacent to the rear of the trailer to compact refuse into the body of the trailer. The body of the trailer has a rear portion shaped to prevent spillage outside the trailer after removing the trailer from the stationary packer. The body of the trailer includes sloped side walls which define the opening for a stationary packer. A rear overhead door is adapted to slide up and down inside tracks in the sloped side walls. The shape of the rear of the trailer body permits the rear wheels of the trailer to be moved back under the packer extension to reduce loading on the rear wheels.

Abstract: A sun tracker for use on a sun following device such as a concentrating solar collector. The sun tracker includes two spaced apart photosensitive elements which are separated by an opaque splitter plate so that when the splitter plate points directly at the sun the photosensitive devices are uniformly excited. The west facing surface of the splitter plate is reflective so that movement into alignment with the sun can be achieved even after long periods during which the sun is obscured by clouds. The outer edge of the splitter plate is arcuately formed so that excitation of the photocells is substantially independent of the angular orientation of the sun tracker.

Abstract: A circuit board ejector mountable on opposite ends of a circuit board connector for guiding the circuit board into the connector and for facilitating ejection of the circuit board from the connector. The ejector includes a rigid elongate body in which is formed a channel groove aligned with the connector so that movement of the circuit board along the channel groove guides the circuit board into the connector. Supported for pivotal movement on the body is a lever which has a portion that engages a shoulder on the circuit board. The lever has an externally accessible handle portion. Movement of the handle portion urges the shoulder engaging members against the shoulder and moves the circuit board outward of the connector where it is supported by the channel grooves and the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding binary data in a data stream so as to increase the number of data bits represented by one transition, such as a transition recorded on a magnetic medium, and thereby increase the storage density. The data stream is converted into words each having m bits. Two of the data words are stored so as to be simultaneously accessible to a converting system that converts the data words into code words wherein each code word has n bits. In the invention, m/n=2/3. In order to increase the space between adjacent transitions, the conversion is carried out according to a scheme wherein all code words have at least one binary ONE and lack successive binary ONEs except certain cases in which a code word is converted to all ZEROs to avoid ONEs in the nth bit of a given code word and the first bit of the code word following the given code word. Also described is a decoding method and apparatus for recovering the encoded data and decoding it to the original binary data.

Abstract: Supporting apparatus for a refuse container and the lid for such container. The apparatus includes a bracket mountable on an upright and a support pivotally mounted to the bracket between a lower generally horizontal position and an upper generally vertical position. The support has portions which confine the container against lateral movement and portions which rest on the lid when the support is in the horizontal position so as to prevent access to the container by dogs and the like.

Abstract: A tachometer for generating a velocity signal in a data disc pack servo system comprising a sampling pulse generator for producing pulses that are spaced from one another by a constant amount representative of a distance increment of radial movement of a servo head in the system, a timer for measuring the time between the sampling pulses, the timer including a clock pulse source and a counter which is started by one sampling pulse and reset by the next succeeding sampling pulse so that the digital output thereof is proportional to time and a computer for computing average velocity by deriving the quotient of the distance increment divided by the time required for the servo head to traverse such distance increment.

Abstract: A binary data encoding and recovery technique for which the encoding is carried out by separating the binary data into successive data words each containing an equivalent number of data bits, generating one or more code signals representative of each data word where each code signal corresponds to a signal change at one of a plurality of signal change positions in a data cell associated with the data word and is spaced from adjacent signal changes in the data cell by at least a prescribed minimum amount, and assuring that succeeding signal changes occurring in a sequence of data cells are spaced at least the prescribed minimum amount by determining whether a signal change in one data cell would be spaced less than the prescribed minimum amount from a signal change in an adjacent data cell and in such event providing for the code signals related to such signal changes to be merged into a code signal corresponding to a signal change positioned at the boundary of the adjacent data cells so that the prescribed mi

Abstract: A sensor formed on the surface of a body of piezoelectric material. Two input transducers disposed on the surface in parallel spaced apart relation produce surface acoustic waves in the body in response to the application of signals to the input transducers. A row of output transducers is disposed on the surface between the input transducers. Individual output transducers are offset from one another by amounts related to the wavelength of the surface acoustic wave so that at or near only one of the output transducers will the two surface acoustic waves from the input transducers cancel each other. An analog circuit and a digital circuit for ascertaining which output transducer experiences maximum cancellation to afford a determination of the delay difference between the two signals applied to the input transducers.

Abstract: A curling iron holder formed of molded plastic and defining a central cavity sized to receive the heated portion of a conventional curling iron. The diameter of the cavity is greater than that of the heated portion of the curling iron so that there is an annular space between the outer surface of the curling iron and the inner surface of the cavity. Extending into the cavity at longitudinally limited sites is a plurality of centering guides which hold the curling iron centrally of the cavity to maintain such annular space. There are openings at opposite ends of the annular space to afford air circulation therethrough. At one end of the cavity is an enlarged mouth which facilitates entry of the curling iron and which assures that the heated parts thereof are entirely surrounded by the holder. An external linear rib adjacent the mouth prevents the holder from rolling on a flat surface. On the external surface of the holder is a pair of cord cleats which afford compact storage of the curling iron cord.

Abstract: An article carrying bag and a structure affording removable mounting of the bag to a bicycle or like vehicle. The bag is formed of two separate compartments which are joined at their upper edges by a relatively narrow web so that when the bag is carried it resembles a briefcase. The mounting structure includes a rigid, relatively small diameter tube; the web of the carrying bag includes a resilient member forming a channel having walls which frictionally engage the tube. The support structure for the tube includes a guard member which supports the tube and keeps the inner surfaces of the compartments of the carrying bag outward of the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: An improved shielded ribbon cable arranged to expedite termination of the shield for grounding the shield. There is an isolator strip placed during fabrication of the cable between the conductor array and the shield; the isolator strip prevents flow of plasticized insulating material between the cover sheet and the conductor array, which usually occurs through the interstices in the shield, so that the shield can be readily separated from the conductor array to permit termination of the shield without jeopardizing the integrity of the insulation on the conductor array.

Abstract: A system for locating faults in an electric cable including a flyback transformer or inductor and control circuitry therefor for developing an arc through a high resistance short circuit between two conductors or one conductor and ground. The control circuitry limits the current flow in the arc to avoid burning or welding of the conductors but maintains the current so that the high resistance short appears temporarily as a low resistance short which can be detected. A low level DC bias current stabilizes the system, particularly in the presence of large line capacitance when the distance between the apparatus and the cable fault is large. The circuitry includes an audible tone generator which can be sensed by induction with known inductive pickup equipment. The circuit also allows use of a time domain reflectometer to determine the location of high resistance shorts from a remote location on the cable to which connections can be made.

Abstract: In a disc pack data storage system that has a plurality of discs and a plurality of heads for coaction with the discs, a tachometer for producing a signal indicative of the radial speed of the heads with respect to the discs. At least one of the disc surfaces is a servo surface and at least one of the heads is a servo head so that in response to radial movement of the servo head a triangular position signal is produced. Sampling pulses indicative of specific radial positions of the head are derived from the position signal so that the time required for the head to move between two positions represented by adjacent sampling pulses is inversely proportional to radial head speed. Control and computing circuitry measures the time between adjacent pulses by providing a clock pulse source and counting the number of clock pulses that occur between adjacent sampling pulses.

Abstract: A cable separator including a pair of slotted rolls that define uniformly spaced apart slitting or shearing sites which are spaced from one another by a distance corresponding to the conductor spacing of a flat cable. A guiding structure at the inlet of the slitting sites for guiding the flat cable thereinto at a proper transverse position to assure that slitting takes place between adjacent conductors. The guiding structure has a plurality of longitudinally extending spring loaded ribs that are spaced from one another by an integral multiple of the interconductor spacing of the cable. A pivotal clamping frame mounted at the inlet of the guiding structure and a mechanism for adjusting the clamping frame to adjust the distance over which the cable conductors are separated by the apparatus.

Abstract: A horizontal cylinder having a circular discharge opening at one end and a piston moveable toward and away therefrom. The cylinder has an upwardly open side inlet opening through which dry potato agglomerates and water is introduced. An impervious barrier spanning the discharge opening prohibits egress of water through the discharge opening, and after the dry product and water are introduced through the inlet opening into the chamber, the piston is moved toward the impervious wall to consolidate the dry product and water into a confined volume so as to distribute the water uniformly throughout the dry product and produce a homogeneous potato dough that can be formed into shaped potato pieces, such as french fry shaped pieces. A method for enhancing uniform wetting of the dry product, which includes the steps of introducing into the chamber a minor amount of the water, then introducing the dry product, and then introducing the balance of the water.

Abstract: A vehicle supporting endless traction band including an endless resilient band of concavo-convex transverse shape and a pair of assemblies for supporting and protecting opposite sides of the band. The assemblies are similar to conventional roller chains except that the inner support links (those adjacent the sides of the band) are configured to pivot on the chain studs and to define slots into which the side margins of the band are received. A plurality of tension resistant members obliquely span the space between the roller chain assemblies on the concave side of the band to prevent the band from buckling when subjected to concentrated loads.

Abstract: A vehicle supporting endless traction band including an endless resilient band of concavo-convex transverse shape and a pair of assemblies for supporting and protecting opposite sides of the band. The assemblies are similar to conventional roller chains except that the inner support links (those adjacent the sides of the band) are configured to pivot on the chain studs and to define slots into which the side margins of the band are received. A plurality of tension resistant members obliquely span the space between the roller chain assemblies on the concave side of the band to prevent the band from buckling when subjected to concentrated loads.