Abstract: The invention provides a generic shield that can be used in welding, surfacing and cladding operations. These operations can be performed with either high power density processes such as lasers and out of vacuum electron means or arc assisted processes and plasma welding and/or cladding systems. The shield physically isolates the shielded region from the surrounding area by providing a zone of inert gas over the work area. As a result, the shield is functionally made to resemble a chamber which moves over the substrate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an acousto-optic dispersive light analyzer (AODLF) which is an electronically adjustable spectroscopic device capable of instantaneously monitoring many wavelengths with a fixed drive frequency. The AODLF has about a one octave range, whose center is selected by changing the RF. The resolution of the AODLF in the infrared is several thousand, and it is electronically adjustable. The acousto-optic device according to this invention is particularly useful for the detection and analysis of short light pulses.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for the detection of a selected species in a gas sample and includes a photo-acoustic detector coupled to an infrared radiation source with an acousto-optic tunable filter disposed between the source of infrared radiation and photo-acoustic detector. This combination is capable of measuring concentrations of controlled vapors in the parts-per-million range. These measurements may be performed in a few seconds via the portable gas detection and measurement device of this invention.

Abstract: A method of preparing an antimony-doped stannic oxide gas detecting film device responsive to the combustible constituents in an environment of interest is disclosed. Stannic oxide is structurally doped with antimony for use as a thick film gas detecting element.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the absorbent surface characteristics of a material having low carbon solubility or whose properties are not adversely affected by alloying with carbon comprises the step of mixing the material with lampblack in order to deposit a coating of lampblack on the material. Furthermore, the lampblack acts as a deoxidizing and fluxing agent to clean the substrate surface and promote effective wetting by the molten material during a laser processing procedure.

Abstract: A method for growing large, shaped, oriented crystals and an apparatus for cooling the seed crystal so that a portion thereof remains solid throughout the crystal growth process. The critical and time consuming process of seeding crystals under continuous supervision is eliminated. The unmelted portion of the seed crystal is maintained at a temperature below its melting point through a seed temperature control apparatus which utilizes a pool of a substantially liquid metallic material as a heat transfer medium. The pool is contained in a reservoir formed in a thermal energy conductive base member in which the growth vessel is disposed.

Abstract: The invention is a wire harness fabrication apparatus for use in the manual fabrication of wire harnesses and as a wire receiving member for use in combination with an automated factory cell. The apparatus is a rotatable cylindrical member with a continuous surface upon which the wire is disposed. The wire is secured to the continuous surface by clamps and the various branches of the harness are defined by further clamps and routing pins. The various lengths of wire are secured to the surface as the cylindrical member rotates about a generally horizontal axis. Upon completion of the fabrication of the wire harness, the cylindrical member is rotated in the opposite direction to remove the wire harness.

Abstract: The invention is a system for the assembly of wire harnesses. More particularly the invention provides an assembly tool and a wire feed system for delivering a completed wire from a wire fabrication cell to the final wire harness assembly point. The assembly tool consists of two symmetrical parts which function together in jaw-like fashion to receive and then guide a wire to an assembly point. Each half of the assembly tool is double-ended, so that the wire may be inserted from either the left or right half of the assembly tool. The wire feed system includes a wire tensioning and centering tool mounted on the end effector and a pneumatically driven wire feed system. Back pressure is used to effectively blow the wire from a first point remote from the assembly point to the gripper for acquisition by the gripper.

Abstract: A microcomputer is programmed to respond to the zero crossings of an AC power source to trigger a uniform pulse pattern of an integral number of AC cycles as the AC excitation to a heater element to maintain the temperature of the heater element essentially constant.

Abstract: An improved acousto-optic tunable filter infrared analyzer system useable in a variety of industrial and commercial combustion control applications includes an acousto-optic tunable filter having a crystalline material selected from the group consisting of mercurous chloride, mercurous bromide and mercurous iodide. Selectively polarized infrared radiation is passed at a predetermined plane of incidence to the crystal axis, which plane contains both the (110) and (001) axes. The system relies upon a narrow band pass tunable acousto-optic filter which is selectively tuned by predetermined rf frequency signals to selectively transmit the narrow band pass of interest which corresponds to a specific molecular species for identification and analysis. The system includes a microcomputer and associated memory function to measure and compare detected signals from an infrared detector which converts the filtered infrared signal to an electrical signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement for an apparatus which utilizes a preheating step in which the wire heat content of a consumable electrode is increased by means other than the welding current. Thus, the invention provides in combination with at least a first source of electrical power for heating a consumable electrode, a first electrode contact tip having a bore therethrough, a second electrode contact tip having a bore therethrough and a dielectric element having a bore therethrough disposed between the first and second electrode contact tips. The bores are adapted to receive therethrough the consumable electrode for the application of electrical power thereto. The bore of at least one of the electrode contact tips is axially displaced relative to the electrode contact bore of the other electrode contact tip. The invention provides several embodiments whereby either one of the electrode tip bores or the bores of both electrode contact tips are axially displaced.

Abstract: An n-type semiconductor gas detecting element. The semiconductor oxide is bismuth molybdate having the composition Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3.3MoO.sub.3 and the gas detecting element formed therewith has high sensitivity to combustible gas. The detection of the combustible gases is based upon the change of electrical conductivity of a thick film of the semiconductor oxide detecting element resulting from the combustible gas component in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A device and a system for ascertaining dimensions includes at least one gaging block held by negative pressure to a workpiece. The gaging block has a body with a first face and a second face. The first face includes a recess portion therein and the second face defines a measurement reference surface. The body includes a port in communication with the recess portion and adapted for communication with a negative pressure generating device such as a vacuum pump. The gaging block is held by negative pressure in intimate and highly accurate contact with a workpiece in order to provide a reference point for measurements that might for a variety of reasons be most difficult to obtain.

Abstract: A multichannel surface acoustic wave device is employed to respond to remote channel actuation signals to control the cable television program signals delivered to a subscriber premise.

Abstract: An end effector for an industrial manipulator acquires, loads and inserts a dual in-line package device into a printed circuit board, DIP socket or the like. The end effector includes a gripper body which defines a chamber portion therein and a pair of multi-fingered gripper means operably associated with the body portion for reciprocal movement between a first, fully extended device acquisition position and a second, fully retracted position within the body portion chamber. The body portion also includes retaining means for removably retaining a DIP device in said chamber after the disengagement of the gripper means.Pneumatic cylinders are provided to effect the aforementioned reciprocal movement and to urge the DIP device from the retaining means and insert the device into a circuit board or the like. The retaining means both hold the DIP device during the loaded state and align the DIP connector pins for insertion into the circuit board or the like.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for controlling the thermal state of a welding wire which is continuously fed and heated between two electric contact tips having a dielectric gap of a predetermined length therebetween. Heating is effected by passing an electric current between the two contact tips and through the wire. The method of this invention comprises the steps of characterizing the welding wire by establishing a preheating current versus wire feed rate relationship, predetermining the average temperature of the outcoming wire at known preheating currents and known wire feed rates, and establishing a series of temperature isotherms based at least in part on the aforedescribed relationship between heating current and wire feed rate. The apparatus includes a pre-programmed computer system which coordinates the wire feed rate and preheating power application to the cold wire according to the method of this invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a temperature profile along a single optical fiber. The temperature profile is determined by measuring the output power spectral distribution. By measuring n points along the spectral power distribution curve, n "resolution elements" of temperature can be determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for enlarging the spectral range of an acousto-optic tunable filter by extending the operation of the transducer structure to its third harmonic. The transducer structure consists of a plurality of individual transducer elements in electrical communication through a switching network which modifies the total capacitance of the transducer structure to provide a satisfactory impedance match at both the fundamental and the third harmonic.

Abstract: A gantry type orthogonal axes manipulator system including a rack and pinion mechanical drive for the X and Y axis assemblies and a ball screw mechanical drive for the Z axis assembly employs closed loop DC servo electrical drives controlled by the conventional numerical control techniques.A rotary index feature permits horizontal rotation of the Y axis assembly, which supports the Z axis assembly, at the end of travel of the X axis assembly to service work zones on either side of the X axis assembly.

Abstract: A retainer member formed from wire or sheet metal secures the movable contact rod guide bushing to the end plate closure of a vacuum interrupter.