Abstract: A flow channel for a fluid laser medium which promotes high pulse rate high power lasing of the medium. The flow channel operates to permit this high efficiency operation by preparing the flowing laser material to stream past a set of windows for the application of transverse pumping radiation with a very smooth laminar flow having thin laminar boundary layers. This flow characteristic is provided by a carefully configured input channel. In addition, high quality flow characteristics are further insured by an exhaust channel which triggers a turbulent flow directly downstream of the windows and provides a controlled expansion without separation of the flowing laser material into an outlet conduit.

Abstract: An electronic security system detects a resonant tag circuit even in the presence of a substantially identical spurious resonance. The spurious resonance is fixed or quasi-stationary in time, in relation to the time that a resonant tag circuit is present in a security system. A representation of the quasi-stationary noise is stored in an electronic memory and is subtracted from a received signal to automatically cancel the interfering noise.

Abstract: A device for disentangling and spreading short steel fibers used for the reinforcement or crack prevention of concrete or mortar employed for civil engineering works, building constructions or the like. The device comprises a hopper for storing short steel fibers which has a bottom opening which is connected to a nozzle. A horizontal disc rotated by a motor is mounted at the intersection of the bottom of the hopper and the nozzle with the plane of the disc parallel with the general orientation of the nozzle, the disc being formed with a plurality of plate shaped members ranged radially on its upper surface forming an impeller. Projecting from the upper surface of the disc on the axis thereof is a central boss having a plurality of vanes radially mounted thereon in such a manner that they are alternately at different heights. The boss also has pendulum-like agitating arms pivotally mounted at the top thereof.

Abstract: A torque meter for a rotating or stationary shaft and capable of providing a visual or electrical output indication of applied torque. An aperture is provided with respect to which a shaft is rotatable, the aperture being angled with respect to an axial marker on the shaft. In the presence of an applied torque to the shaft, the marker moves axially by an amount which is magnified in relation to the amount of twist and sensible through the aperture to produce an indication of the amount of applied torque.

Abstract: An automatic photographic film processor or like device for treating sheets of materials of the type provided with a plurality of approximately equal-length, annularly arranged parallel rollers positioned in longitudinally contacting relation to form the periphery of a chamber adapted to contain a processing solution, fluid-tight seals being provided between the ends of such rollers and flat side plates. The rollers are each comprised of a rigid shaft having a resilient covering of a thickness at least comparable to that of the roller shaft. The end of the roller and the side plate are contoured so that a portion of the roller adjacent to the outer diameter thereof provides a seal when brought into flush contact with the side plate. This contouring also permits the rollers to be longitudinally compressed to assist in providing the seal, while providing strain relief to the roller end in the vicinity of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for checking the printed condition of a stack of multicolor printed sheets in which at least one corner of each of the sheets has a check mark including stripes corresponding to each color printed. A counting machine separates the sheets one by one and exposes the corner having the check mark so that a density signal generator can scan the mark by means of a photoelectric element by detecting reflected light therefrom produced by a strobe flash synchronized with the separating operation. The resulting density signal output is analyzed and processed by a density signal processor which generates a pulse output indicating the respective positions of the check mark stripes. A computer operates to inspect for presence of the pulse signal from the density signal processor and any time lag thereof to thereby detect missing print and shear in printing, respectively. The system output then indicates the sheet having the faulty print.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an endless metallic belt of high strength for use as a drive belt or a part of a drive belt. A stress gradient is introduced in the belt in the radial direction thereof by bending the belt at such a radius as to produce plastic deformation of the metal. The belt is first subjected to tensile stress, which stress is maintained during the bending process.

Abstract: An autozeroing integrating circuit which compensates for input offset voltages and input current to the integrator differential amplifier. During an integrate period, an input signal is integrated in the conventional manner, and a voltage is accumulated on the integrating capacitor. The integrator may be reset to discharge the integrator capacitor in preparation for a new integration. During reset mode, the integrator automatically corrects for input offset voltage errors in the amplifier by storing the offset voltage. During an autozero mode, a charge is stored on a capacitor which provides via a buffer amplifier a current which compensates for the current flowing into the input of the integrator.

Abstract: A device for unloading silos of divided material such as flour includes a rotary shaft on which axially spaced, radial members are carried. The members support flexible elongate elements which have a length no greater than the distance between the outer edges of the radial members and the walls of the silo.Rotation of the shaft causes the material to be fluidized and to pass down and out the silo without preventing simultaneous filling of the silo. The outlet from the silo is at its bottom end and discharge is achieved by helical elements which may be driven by the same motor as the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of like modules on each end of which are an array of link ends. The link ends are of a width substantially less than the spacing between confronting link ends along their pivotal axis. The link ends of each module are pivotally connected to the link ends of adjacent modules by a pivot pin. The pivotally connected modules can be laterally flexed or movable along the pivot axis for exposure to visual inspection of the normally concealed portions of the pivot pins.

Abstract: A system for applying accelerating forces to ionized particles of a vapor in a manner to suppress the flow of electron current from the vapor source. The accelerating forces are applied as an electric field in a configuration orthogonal to a magnetic field. The electric field is applied between one or more anodes in the plasma and one or more cathodes operated as electron emitting surfaces. The circuit for applying the electric field floats the cathodes with respect to the vapor source, thereby removing the vapor source from the circuit of electron flow through the plasma and suppressing the flow of electrons from the vapor source. The potential of other conducting structures contacting the plasma is controlled at or permitted to seek a level which further suppresses the flow of electron currents from the vapor source.

Abstract: A vibration damper comprising a resilient messenger cable having a clamp intermediate its ends for securing it to a conductor. The cable has a weight secured to each end thereof, the center of gravity of each of the weights being disposed away from the axis of the cable. Each of the weights comprises an enlarged head portion attached to the ends of the cable, an arm extending from the head portion in a generally inward direction and a further mass supported at the distal end of the arm, the further mass being smaller in size and weight than the head portion. The size and placement of the further mass produces substantial local flexing of the messenger cable adjacent the innermost point of contact of the cable with the weight when the weight oscillates about its center of gravity.

Abstract: A mold closing device of an injection molding machine is disclosed which is reliable in operation and simple in structure. Both the opening and closing of the valve for hydraulic oil passage can be attained in the mold closing device of the invention in which two valve controlling oil chambers are formed in the boundary between the valve member and a quick shifting ram. One of the above oil chambers is connected to a forward cylinder and the other, to a return cylinder, thereby attaining the opening and closing of valve by hydraulic pressure in synchronism with the movement of a mold closing piston which is attached to the quick shifting ram.

Abstract: A system for producing isotopically selective excitation of particles of a predetermined isotope type in a mixture of isotopes from plural low-lying energy levels to respective, plural excited energy levels. Ionization and separate collection of particles of the predetermined isotope type are then achieved through further excitations through a single, further excited energy state. Decay losses from the second excited energy states are reduced due to distribution of the excited particles among several states and resulting lower cross-sections for self-lasing decay.

Abstract: A noncontact gauge for edge detecting of semiconductor wafers in a test rig which indexes between circuits in the semiconductor wafer to provide functional tests upon them. The noncontact gauge includes a capacitive probe having an elongated finger that is bent into position a few thousands of an inch above the wafer when positioned for circuit tests in order to detect whether the circuit test system, in indexing from circuit to circuit in the row and column matrix of integrated circuit chips in the wafer, has moved to one edge or the other of the water. The edge detection system operates with conventional wafer test systems which raise and lower the wafer between tests to index from one integrated circuit to the next in the wafer matrix.

Abstract: A truck cover for use with an open top truck body and which can be furled in an open position at the forward end of the body and unfurled into a position covering the open body top. A cover sheet of flexible material is secured at its forward edge to a motor driven assembly disposed at the forward end of a truck body and having a rotatable shaft. The rearward edge of the cover sheet is secured to a spring-loaded frame which normally urges the cover into a rearward position covering the open body top. A plurality of cables are disposed along spaced parallel paths extending the full length of the cover sheet and are slidably attached to the cover sheet by a plurality of rings. The cables are secured at one end at the spring-loaded frame and at the other end to the rotatable shaft. Upon rotation of the shaft in a first direction, the cables are wound onto the shaft, causing the cover sheet to be drawn forward into a furled position.

Abstract: An explosion-proof emergency light. The emergency light includes an explosion-proof housing containing a rechargeable battery, a sealed-beam light and emergency electronics for providing a charging current for the battery and for connecting the sealed-beam light to the battery upon loss of AC line voltage. Access is provided to the interior of the explosion-proof emergency light through a circular cover containing an explosion-proof glass window through which emergency illumination is provided. The sealed-beam light is located eccentrically with respect to the glass window; and indicator lights for denoting the charge state of the rechargeable battery and the presence of AC current are mounted above the sealed-beam light, both being disposed in the cresent-shaped area formed by the aforesaid eccentric mounting, so as to be visible from the exterior of the explosion-proof emergency lamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for sterilizing a thermoplastic band used in the production of sterile packs.During the sterilization operation in the sterilization zone the edge of the thermoplastic band which subsequently forms the inside of the pack is applied to a movable sterilization support which is heated to the sterilization temperature and accompanies the band over part of its path to the shaping station located in the sterile enclosure and the contact being maintained between the support and the band until the latter enters the sterile enclosure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for achieving isotopically selective adiabatic inversion, particularly for improved isotope separation efficiency. In a preferred embodiment for practicing the invention, chirped laser radiation induces photoionization of a vapor state material in isotopically selective excitation and ionization energy steps. A frequency sweep or "chirp" is provided in the excitation laser radiation at a controlled rate and over a range of frequencies which is limited to prevent loss of selectivity in the excitation. The frequency swept radiation has a theoretical capability of producing 100% inversion of ground state particles in the vapor. The features of the invention additionally permit excitation of a material to very high energy states useful in producing high frequency, ultraviolet lasing.

Abstract: An optical combiner for combining multiple synchronized, pulsed light beams is disclosed. A pair of planar mirrors are joined, facing each other, along an edge of each, to form a V-shaped assembly rotatable about an axis normal to the line of intersection of these edges, passing through the center of that line and bisecting the center of the angle formed between the two mirrors. A plurality of pulsed laser beams is impinged upon such mirror assembly as it rotates, the lasers each being pulsed at a rate equal to an even integral multiple of the rotational speed of the mirror assembly in synchronism with the rotation of the mirror assembly. The individual incident laser beams are combined by the mirror assembly and emitted as a single pulsed laser beam having a pulse repetition rate equal to the product of the number of incident beams multiplied by the pulse rate of each such beam.