Abstract: A spread beam computational section of a digital beam controller for an electronically controlled phased array radar includes a linear computational portion for computing a plurality of pairs of intermediate digital words corresponding to a desired spread beam radar pattern; and a non-linear computational portion for computing a spread beam phase command word from each computed pair of intermediate digital words which have been digitally rounded off. The instant disclosure is directed to apparatus which is disposed in the spread beam computational section for digitally rounding off each computed pair of intermediate digital words by adding randomly generated digital words to a residue bit portion thereof, preferably to the most significant bits of the residue bit portion.

Abstract: In an area correlation video tracker, a reference subarray of picture elements acquired from a selected track window array of picture elements of an acquisition video frame is cross-correlated in accordance with a predetermined metric function with the picture elements of the selected track window array of each of a number of video frames generated subsequent the acquisition video frame. From these cross-correlations, a minimum cross-correlation value is derived and a subarray of picture elements associated therewith is identified in the track window array of the subsequently generated video frames. An adaptive threshold processor performs autocorrelations in accordance with the predetermined metric function with the video information of the acquisition frame to derive a reference threshold correlation value and with the video information of each of the number of subsequently generated frames to correspondingly derive another threshold correlation value each.

Abstract: A method and means of generating an electron spin echo signal having a relatively higher output frequency than the input frequency of the applied 90.degree. and 180.degree. RF pulses applied to an electron spin echo sample located in a static magnetic field by increasing the magnitude of the Zeeman magnetic field by a predetermined amount after the application of the 90.degree. and 180.degree. pulses. Also the spin echo sample is situated in a microwave cavity which has two resonant frequency modes, the first of which has a relatively high Q while the second has a relatively low Q. The 90.degree. and 180.degree. RF pulses are applied to the system at the first resonant frequency having the high Q while the spin echo signal is coupled out of the system at the second resonant frequency having the low Q.

Abstract: An electronically scanned phased array antenna system comprises a phase shift controller corresponding to each antenna array element for individually computing a phase shift value which governs the phase of the signal associated with the corresponding antenna element. The computed phase shift values of all the phase shift controllers effect a phased array on the signals of the antenna elements to point the antenna beam in a desired direction. Each of the phase shift controllers is programmed with a predetermined phase shift value increment for computing a sequence of phase shift values at specified intervals of a predetermined time pattern, each new phase shift value being preferably concurrently computed by the phase shift controllers at the specified time intervals.

Abstract: An electrical phase shifting circuit element of the reflection type including a quadrature coupler branch network, a matched pair of selectively coupled transmission lines and an electrical switching element corresponding to each pair of transmission lines, all being separated distributively from each other and a ground plane by a dielectric material, is disclosed. One end of one transmission line of each pair is connected to a corresponding phase splitting port of the quadrature coupler and another end of the other transmission line of each pair is coupled to the switching element which is preferably a pin diode. The pin diodes may be governed by a common switching signal to electrically connect and disconnect the another ends of the other transmission lines to the ground plane.

Abstract: A turbine speed control system comprising a pair of concurrently operable electronic microprocessor-based controllers which are coupled together by a data link to functionally cooperate in controlling turbine acceleration primarily during start-up operations in accordance with a set of predetermined measured and calculated turbine conditions. One controller is operative to control the speed of the turbine at selected accelerations from turning gear to a predetermined speed value. This same controller monitors a plurality of temperature differences from preselected regions of the turbine and inhibits turbine acceleration in accordance with an out-of-limit temperature condition associated therewith. In addition, the one controller is further operative to selectively override the turbine speed hold initiated by an out-of-limit temperature condition, the override permitting the one controller to proceed with controlling the speed of the turbine at a desired acceleration.

Abstract: A digital processor comprising a network of arithmetic units and including apparatus for detecting and isolating a static bit fault therein is disclosed. A plurality of first arithmetic units of the network employ non-linear type operations. Each of the first arithmetic units arithmetically operate on a corresponding number of the binary coded digital input words of the network to produce a first output binary coded digital word which is coupled to the remaining network of arithmetic units. Corresponding to each of the first arithmetic units, there is provided a modulo 3 model to emulate in modulo 3 arithmetic the operation thereof and to compare the result of the modulo 3 emulation with the modulo 3 equivalent of a preselected word from the corresponding first arithmetic unit, the preselected word being intermediate the non-linear operation performed thereby. A non-equivalence condition resulting from the comparison is indicative of a static bit fault.

Abstract: A system for intelligently governing the selection of one of a boiler follow or turbine follow mode of control of a steam turbine power plant is disclosed. Boiler and turbine master controllers are concurrently operative in one of the boiler follow and turbine follow modes for controlling the firing rate of the plant boiler or positioning the steam admission valves of the steam turbine, respectively. Each of the boiler and turbine master controllers are operative to respectively generate a first and second plurality of signals which are representative of plant control status. A selecting means is disposed as an integral part of the plant controls for switching between the turbine follow and boiler follow control modes.

Abstract: An efficient valve position controller adapted for use in a steam turbine power plant for efficiently positioning a plurality of steam admission valves to substantially effect a desired power generation level is disclosed. The power plant includes a boiler for generating steam to the turbine at a boiler throttle pressure that is governed by a pressure set point; a valve control means which is governed by a reference signal corresponding to the desired power generation level to position the plurality of steam admission valves in a state according to a predetermined valve positioning pattern based on the value of the reference signal; and an electrical generator driven by the steam turbine to generate electrical energy. A plurality of values of the reference signal are predetermined as being related to efficient valve position states for regulating steam admission to the turbine.

Abstract: A system which integrates the controls of a steam turbine power plant for minimizing power plant energy losses substantially caused by steam flow valve throttling is disclosed. The steam turbine power plant includes boiler pressure controls for controlling the boiler throttle pressure of a steam producing boiler and turbine-generator controls for positioning a plurality of turbine steam admission values to regulate the steam flow conducted through a steam turbine which governs the electrical energy generated by an electrical generator at a desired power generation level. The turbine-generator controls predetermines a plurality of valve position states to establish a predetermined valve grouping sequential positioning pattern for the steam admission valves to regulate steam flow through the steam turbine across the range of power generation, each predetermined state substantially corresponding to a minimum of valve throttling losses.

Abstract: A dual field effect transistor structure for reducing the effects of threshold voltage of one of the field effect transistors as reflected to a signal source device which is coupled thereto is disclosed. More specifically, a p-channel enhancement mode field effect transistor having a surface conduction channel and an n-channel depletion mode field effect transistor having a buried conduction channel are formed in a semiconductor structure such that both transistors have a common gate. A voltage potential is applied to the common gate to affect the first and second depletion regions in the semiconductor structure respectively associated with the enhancement mode and depletion mode transistors to render a quiescent threshold voltage of the enhancement mode transistor which is reflected to the measuring device.

Abstract: An overspeed protection controller (OPC) which is incorporated as part of a turbine speed/load control system for the purposes of controlling the monitored speed of a steam turbine at a first predetermined speed valve subsequent to an OPC activation is disclosed. The governor and interceptor valves of the steam turbine are positioned controlled by a set of electrohydraulically operated valve position servo systems. The OPC provides for rapid hydraulic closure of each valve when activated by either a detection of an interruption of generated electrical power flow to a power system load when the generated electrical power is greater than a predetermined value or the detection of the monitored turbine speed being greater than a second predetermined speed value. The rapid closure of the valves results in an interruption of steam flow to the high and lower pressure turbine sections of the turbine system which causes steam energy to be trapped in the reheater which is disposed between the turbine sections.

Abstract: A sampling linearizer including a phase shifter for use in improving the accuracy of an FM generated waveform with respect to a desired frequency rate of change is disclosed. The sampling linearizer comprises an oscillator for generating a reference frequency signal; a mixer governed by the generated FM waveform signal and the reference frequency signal to generate a first signal which is sampled at predetermined sampling times; and a linearizing servo controller which is governed by the sampled signal to reduce the inaccuracies in the genereated FM waveform with respect to the desired frequency rate of change. The sampling linearizer further includes a phase shifter disposed between the oscillator and mixer thereof and operative upon the reference frequency signal to generate another signal, the phase shifter being operative to shift the phase of the another signal with respect to the reference frequency signal as governed by a sequence of control signals representative of predetermined phase shift values.

Abstract: An electronic system for operating a nuclear steam turbine power plant including a cycle steam reheater controller to control the heat transfer operation in a cycle steam reheater according to the steam and metal temperatures measured in one or more low pressure turbine sections, is disclosed. The steam and metal temperatures are closed-loop controlled as a function of the low pressure turbine design operational limitations. The reheater controller controls dual reheaters, each employing one or more heating sections which reheat cycle steam flowing therethrough to one or more low pressure turbine sections with split side entry steam inlet ports.

Abstract: A system for processing a set of M base-one coded digital data words each having a capacity of N-bit levels for extracting a desired threshold data word therefrom is disclosed. An array of N M-stage shift registers are arranged to sequentially store each data word of the set in one of its columns. A data word is stored by shifting into the first column of the shift register rows only the bit levels of each data word which have a one status. This shifting operation renders a magnitude-related ordered set of the data words in the columns of the array. A predetermined column or columns may be tapped for extracting a data word representative of a desired threshold level of the contents of the array. In an alternative embodiment, a sequential train of similar base-one coded data words may be processed for extracting a desired data word from each of the most recent M data words of the train.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based control system for controlling the speed of a steam turbine by governing the steam supplied thereto from a steam supply source using one or more hydraulically operated servomotor throttle valves is disclosed. The operation of the speed controller is characterized by a plurality of permanently pre-programmed read-only memories containing sets of instructions and data words arranged in an addressable order. The instructions and data words are synchronously processed by the microprocessor as governed by a system clock. Apparatus is provided to initialize the status of the speed controller under the control of the microprocessor in accordance with the processing of one portion of the sets of programmed instructions and data words thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus for ascertaining the phase coherency of the pulse trains comprising signals in which the phase relationship of pulse trains of one signal sorted from a first dwell of pulses is compared with the phase relationship of the pulse trains of another signal sorted from a second dwell of pulses to determine the phase shift between the signals. At a substantially later time, the process is repeated to again establish the phase shift between the signals, and the two phase shifts are then compared. If the phase relationships are substantially identical, the signals are considered to be phase coherent.

Abstract: A dual-dielectric emitter bipolar transistor device is disclosed. Two dielectric layers are deposited over the base region of a base-collector junction and are used to emulate an emitter of a conventional bipolar transistor. The transistor device obtained thereby provides for a compatible technology to easily incorporate bipolar transistors with CMOS, MNOS, and CCD structures. Preferably, the first of the two dielectric layers which is in contact with the base region is made from SiO.sub.2 and has a thickness of substantially less than 30A. The second of the two layers which sandwiches the first layer between itself and the base region may be made from a silicon-nitride compound, preferably having substantially equal proportions of silicon and nitrogen and a thickness dimension ranging from 50 to 500A.

Abstract: A phased array of dipoles mounted above a ground plane and including capacitance plate elements made of conductive metal mounted at greater distances from ground plane than the dipoles to compensate for variations in impedance over the scan angle of the phase array. With appropriate choice of the dimensions of the capacitance plate, the spacing between the dipole elements and the ground plane, and the spacing between the capacitance plates and the ground plane, the variation of input impedance over the scan angle is greatly reduced for H-plane scan.

Abstract: A method for making an overlapping electrode structure on an insulation layer comprising selectively etching a conducting layer on the insulation layer to form channels which are oxidized to form conducting ribbons surrounded by an insulating blanket. Contact windows are then opened in selected areas of the insulating blanket such that a conducting material cooperates with the conducting ribbons to form the overlapping electrode structure. In an alternative method, a bilayer structure comprising layers of first and second etching materials is formed on the insulating layer. Channels are then etched in selected portions of the bilayer structure and etch stops are formed along one side wall of the channel through the bilayer structure. The exposed surfaces of the insulation layer and first etching material are then simultaneously etched to form a sloped area in the surface of the insulation layer as a consequence of differential etching rates of the insulation layer and the first etching material.