Abstract: A long life, high emission electron source for a plasma environment. The plasma environment is made up of corrosive particles having a lower work function than the exposed material of the electron source. The electron source is operated at an elevated temperature not only to provide free electrons but also to establish and maintain a thin partial monolayer coating of the source's emissive surface with plasma particles in an equilibrium between condensation and evaporation. The equilibrium coating increases the emissivity of the surface without permitting substantial corrosion of the surface or structure from the particles of the plasma environment. The cooler regions of the electron source are shielded from the plasma particles to prevent a build-up of corrosive particles.

Abstract: A modular conveyor comprising a plurality of interconnected modules each module having a receptacle integral therewith and in which each module is pivotable about both a horizontal and a vertical axis. The module receptacles are in a closed position during conveyor movement along a straight path or through horizontal turns, while during movement of the conveyor through a vertical turn, the receptacles are in an open position for dispensing or releasing of a product contained therein.

Abstract: For use in an intrusion alarm system, transmitting and receiving transducer structures adapted for mounting at the ceiling or other surface of a protected enclosure and providing modified energy patterns. Each transducer structure has reduced sensitivity along the normal or boresight axis thereof, and increased sensitivity along axes angularly displaced from the boresight axis. Each transducer structure includes a resonant cavity terminating in an aperture, the geometric characteristics and dimensions of which provide partial cancellation of energy reflections returned along the boresight axis while enhancing or cancelling to a lesser degree those reflections received along axes angularly displaced from the boresight axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns the control of an infinitely variable transmission, provided with an endless transmission member running over a primary and a secondary V-shaped pulley, one conical disc of each pulley being affixed to a shaft, respectively the primary and the secondary shaft, and the other conical disc being controlled in axial direction by a hydraulic cylinder-piston unit, respectively the primary and the secondary cylinder-piston unit, the tension in the endless transmission member being controlled by means of a first control valve and that the transmission ratio is controlled by regulating fluid supply and discharge from and to the other cylinder by means of a second control valve.

Abstract: A conveyor composed of a plurality of identical interconnected modular links and movable through straight and multiply curved travel paths. Each link is pivotally connected to adjacent links for relative pivotal movement about a first axis. Each modular link is composed of two sections which are pivotally joined for relative pivotal movement of the sections about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. Sprocket teeth are integrally formed with the modular links along for cooperation with vertical or horizontal sprocket wheels for transport of the conveyor in either plane. The upper surface of the modular links defines a conveying surface and may include a spaced array of upstanding ribs.

Abstract: A low noise differential amplifier circuit which requires only two operational amplifiers and which has lower noise than conventional differential amplifiers. An alternate embodiment is disclosed including circuitry for autozeroing the amplifier.

Abstract: A feedthrough connector for use on an implantable electronic cardiac pacer. A single structure provides a means for connecting a heart lead to the pacer and feedthrough into the body of the pacer. The feedthrough may include filtering means to protect against external interferences. The entire structure has provisions for physical compliance to absorb stresses due to different heat coefficients and as may be caused during assembly and use. Also disclosed is a method for making the feedthrough connector.

Abstract: A battery charger circuit for providing a charging current to a rechargeable battery from AC line voltage. The charger circuit is especially adapted for use in an emergency light and includes circuitry to provide automatic charging current shut-off when the battery is fully charged. Failure of AC power is detected by the charger circuit, and current is applied to an emergency lamp in response to such failure. Circuitry is included for monitoring the charge state of the battery and for interrupting discharge current to the lamp from the battery when the charge state falls below a predetermined limit. Provision is included for use of the battery charger circuit in a portable lantern configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and means for applying one or more coatings on to a substrate. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with applying metal or alloy coatings on to metallic substrates in order to improve the formability and corrosion resistance of the substrates. Known coating processes include hot dip galvanizing, tinning and aluminizing, and in particular the method comprises feeding the substrate through a molten composition of a first coating material and subsequently feeding the so coated substrate into a molten composition of a second coating material whereby the coating of the second material is overlaid upon the coating of the first material.

Abstract: A system for monitoring misalignment between two in-line rotating shafts and for indicating the direction of shaft misalignment wherein alignment sensors are mounted directly to and rotate with the shafts. The sensors are mounted to detect position or stress variations between elements on coupled shafts as a function of the rotational position of the shaft and thus errors normally encountered where the sensor is positioned off the shaft are avoided. A coupling system such as a rotary transformer is employed to apply power to the sensors and associated circuitry on the shaft and to receive from the shaft signals indicative of sensed misalignment. A signal representative of relative phasing between the rotating shaft and surrounding equipment is provided and is used in electronically processing the misalignment signals to provide output signals indicative of the direction and orientation of misalignment between the rotating shafts on orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A carriage drawing machine having a horizontal carriage driven along a horizontal slide rail support and carrying a vertical slide rail support. The vertical slide rail support and the horizontal carriage are coupled and are mutually tensioned by means of an interlocking mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides a holographic device for X-ray or .gamma. ray imaging, especially for tomography in the medical field, in which low frequencies of radiation can be included in the image construction by virtue of having a mask with a particular transmittance law.For example the transmittance law of the mask may be such that transmittance is a function of x.sup.2 +y.sup.2 or of .sqroot.x.sup.2 +y.sup.2 where x and y are spatial co-ordinates of the mask.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging loose particulate solid material from a storage space, for instance the hold of a ship. A screw conveyor is suspended in a carriage mounted at the upper part of the space and is horizontally movable. The carriage has a hoisting machinery for wire ropes in which a beam is suspended along which the conveyor is mounted. At least two stabilizing wire ropes are secured to the beam and run to pulleys on the carriage, which pulleys are so disposed that the wire ropes cross each other at a point between the carriage and the beam. From the pulleys stabilizing wire ropes run to a device for keeping the wire ropes tensioned when the beam is raised, lowered and stationary.

Abstract: A fire-resistant seal for application to a structure e.g. a door jamb, comprises a holder of substantially tubular form for securing to the structure, and a fire-barrier material, which swells under fire conditions, retained in the holder interior. To minimize dislodgment of the material by accident or tampering, the holder has a series of small external openings distributed therealong which communicate with its interior. The total flow area of the openings at the outer surface of the holder is less than the total imperforate area of the outer surface. The holder may be a hollow strip, and the openings confined to margins which extend along one face of the strip adjacent to opposite edges of the face, or the openings may be formed on opposite faces of the strip.

Abstract: A mounting for an elongate horizontal shaft, for example a rotor shaft of a turbine or compressor, comprises two radial end bearings, and at least one intermediate radial bearing. The intermediate bearing is an electromagnetic bearing and is controlled by a detector responsive to the radial position of the shaft. The use of such an intermediate electromagnetic bearing enables relatively long shafts to be mounted satisfactorily.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing a logarithmic analog-to-digital conversion in which the logarithm of an input signal is determined via a successive approximation technique. In operation, a reference signal is multiplied by a series of exponentially related factors to produce a series of intermediate trial signals. The input and intermediate signals are compared and each intermediate signal which is smaller than the input signal becomes the new reference signal. The series of binary comparator output signals for each intermediate signal is the logarithm of that input signal.

Abstract: A link chain useful for transmission and conveyor purposes in which the links are interconnected by flexible strip members which accommodate relative angular movement of each link with respect to the strip members and links without need for pivot pins and without frictional movement between adjacent links.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a locking device for an automatic scraper in a centrifuge. The locking device has an automatic safety device in the form of insertable and withdrawable pins which are arranged to prevent unintentional axial movement when the scraper is in an initial position and to prevent unintentonal rotation of the scraper when it is in operative position.

Abstract: A small, wave-following, relatively stable marine buoy designed for floating at the surface of a body of water and for carrying data measuring equipment. The buoy comprises a buoyant hull member of substantially cylindrical configuration of relatively small axial extent, a mast, and a keel. The keel comprises a spar and a ballast weight attached to the spar. Both the mast and the keel are guyed to the hull at opposite ends thereof, and supported thereagainst by couplings which do not transfer bending moment between the hull and each of the mast and spar.

Abstract: In an automobile, a device for monitoring the flow and temperature of the coolant in the internal combustion engine, comprising a switch of a supply circuit for an alarm, whose mobile part is controlled by a single detector detecting both flow and temperature, disposed at one point of the cooling circuit.