Abstract: An automatic lubricator is microprocessor controlled and can be programmed to deliver lubricant to a bearing or the like at selected intervals. A pressure for lubricant delivery in the range of 80-90 psi can be attained in less than a minute, but the bulk of the lubricant is kept under a minimal pressure of about 7 psi to avoid bleeding. Operation of the lubricator rests upon the use of a minor pressure imposed by a spring to force lubricant into the threads of an auger, so that rotation of the auger by a servo motor controlled by the microprocessor then dispenses the lubricant while at the same time providing a mixing action to the lubricant. Provision is also made for automatic shutting off of the lubricator at a preselected temperature.

Abstract: A stocking cap includes a tail adapted for encircling the neck and then being attached near the distal end thereof to the side of the cap so as to serve as a scarf. Included in the tail is a slot body containing a slot, and then a cord, so that by passing a length of cord through the slot there is formed a loop that can be placed around a button on the side of the cap. By such means, a tassel or the like disposed at the end of the cord can be made to fit snugly against the head. Additional embodiments are formed by variations in the width of the tail, a first variation being initially wide, then narrow, and then wide so as to cover one ear region, the neck and chin, and then the second ear region, and a second variation being wider near the center and having an elongate slit therein for the mouth so as to provide a ski mask.

Abstract: A grapple paricularly adapted for use with a helicopter is able to control heavy loads and to latch onto such loads, or release the same, by remote control from the helicopter. Shock absorbing features serve to minimize the effects of such loads on helicopter operation. The weight of the arms and frame in one embodiment provide the necessary latching action, while in other embodiments the latching system is operated hydraulically, either separately as to each arm/frame pairs or by use of a single hydraulic control for both arm/frame pairs. A hydraulic pressure sensitive device is provided to adapt the amount of shock absorption to the magnitude of the load. Spring assistance to the load-grasping process is also incorporated into the device.

Abstract: A grapple particularly adapted for use with a helicopter is able to control heavy loads and to latch onto such loads, or release the same, by remote control from the helicopter. Shock absorbing features serve to minimize the effects of such loads on helicopter operation. The weight of the arms and frame in one embodiment provide the necessary latching action, while in other embodiments the latching system is operated hydraulically, either separately as to each arm/frame pairs or by use of a single hydraulic control for both arm/frame pairs. A hydraulic pressure sensitive device is provided to adapt the amount of shock absorption to the magnitude of the load. Spring assistance to the load-grasping process is also incorporated into the device.

Abstract: An attachment for use with paint cans, kitchen containers, laboratory equipment and the like in a wide range of sizes serves to prevent both spillage when pouring liquids from such containers or splashing when pouring liquids into such containers. Attachment and detachment of the device is rapid, involving merely slipping the device on and off in one embodiment, or the turning of a simple knob on several attachment clips in another embodiment. Variations in the design of specific instances of the device may be made to accommodate liquids having widely different viscosity.

Abstract: A self-contained laser module assembly has a diode laser and driver circuit enclosed with a cylindrical metal housing which forms a first electrical contact for inputting a DC voltage to power the circuit and laser. The housing has a first end which includes a lens positioned to emit a collimated laser beam along an axis of the housing and a second end including a second external electrical contact positioned to contact the power supply. One application of the module is in a pen-like pointer. The pointer includes conductive cap and body portions which are threaded together to house a laser module and a battery in end-to-end relationship. An O-ring between the battery and the body or module is axially compressed by tightening the cap on the body to enable turning on the pointer. The cap has a pocket clip through which electrical contact is selectably made between the body and a side contact on the module to cause a beam to be emitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for mounting a laser diode in an existing TO-5 structure within a cylindrical heat sink so that the laser beam can be focused, aimed and collimated in a mechanically repeatable manner in about 45 seconds. The basis for so doing lies in the use of an alignment apparatus to align the beam of a laser diode within its TO-5 heat sink structure with a lens that has been placed within a second heat sink, and thereby to form an aimed laser optic system (ALOS). The apparatus is constructed using processes that leave several compressive forces acting within itself, whereby the structure is constrained to adopt configurations that are essentially identical upon each installation of a laser diode. An interference fit of the TO-5 heat sink flange against the second heat sink provides an additional degree of heat sinking, thereby permitting the diode to be operated at temperatures of up to 130 deg. F. without damage.

Abstract: A variable FET attenuator uses feedback in a control loop to correct the attenuator automatically for input/output return loss as the attenuator is varied with a control signal input. Both the series and shunt variable FETs are set to the proper conductance to maintain a proper input match with a desired attenuation value. A second, reference attenuator circuit provides feedback control of the primary attenuator circuit through an operational amplifier. The reference circuit is designed to be electrically equivalent to the attenuator circuit in terms of characteristic impedance. The control nodes, and attenuation control signal input and an output from the operational amplifier, are paralleled so that both the reference and primary attenuator circuits behave identically, without having to RF decouple the feedback loop from the attenuator circuit. Preferably, identical bridged-T variable attenuators are used for both the attenuator circuit and the reference circuit.

Abstract: A probe assembly for use in testing an integrated circuit embodied in an integrated circuit chip in wafer form, comprises a stiff support member formed with an aperture, and a membrane. Both the support member and the membrane comprise dielectric material and portions of conductive material supported by the dielectric material in electrically-insulated relationship. The portions of conductive material of the membrane constitute inner contact elements distributed over a main face of the membrane in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern in which contact areas are distributed over the contact face of the chip under test, outer contact elements distributed about a peripheral region of the membrane in a second pattern, and transmission lines extending from the inner contact elements to the outer contact elements respectively.

Abstract: A cathode drive circuit couples a video drive signal from a cathode output amplifier to the cathode of a cathode ray tube along a first matched transmission line. Any signal energy not absorbed by the cathode is coupled along a second matched transmission line to a power dissipating load. The use of matched transmission lines avoids reflections in the system and eliminates attendant signal degradation. The power dissipating load can be located at any distance remote from both the cathode output amplifier and the cathode so as to minimize heat dissipation problems.

Abstract: A sequence controller includes a plurality of time slice modules, each producing an adjustable number of sequentially asserted time slice signals, and a plurality of phase generators each having as input the time slice signals produced by an associated one of the time slice modules. Each phase generator produces a square wave output signal, the timing of the rising and trailing edges of each pulse thereof being determined by a selectable pair of its input time slice signals. A state machine monitors time slice signals produced by the time slice modules and transmits a separate enable signal to each time slice generator in response to the time slice signals. Each of the time slice modules produces time slice signals only when output enabled by an enable signal from the state machine.

Abstract: A wafer probe comprises a support member having an end region which is shaped to permit the end region to be brought into close proximity with a component under test. An amplifier is mounted on the support member at its end region. A conductive probe element is attached to the amplifier and is electrically connected to the amplifier's input terminal. A transmission line is connected to the amplifier's output terminal for transmitting signals from the amplifier to a measurement instrument.

Abstract: An intermediate structure in the fabrication of a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor is made from a substrate of p+ silicon having an elongate insulated gate structure on its main face. First and second areas of the main face are exposed along first and second opposite sides respectively of the gate structure. Donor impurity atoms are introduced into the substrate by way of at least the first area of the main face, to achieve a predetermined concentration of electrons in a region of the substrate that is subjacent the first area of the main face. The gate structure is opague to the impurity atoms. A sidewall of silicon dioxide is formed along the first side of the gate structure, whereby a strip of the first area of the main face is covered by the sidewall and other parts of the first area remain exposed adjacent the sidewall.

Abstract: A multilevel logic circuit includes a pair of resistors coupling collectors of an emitter-coupled pair of transistors to a voltage source, and includes a switch selectively connecting the emitters of the transistors to a current source. When the switch is closed, an input signal applied across the bases of the transistors controls an output signal produced between their collectors. When the switch is open, both transistors are off and the output signal is not affected by the input signal. A clamping circuit connected to a circuit node at the emitters of the transistors maintains a constant voltage at the node sufficient to prevent leakage current from charging or discharging inherent circuit capacitance at the node when the switch is open.

Abstract: A microlens is precisely positioned on the end of an optical fiber by urging the fiber against a moving abrasive lap at a desired angle and simultaneously turning the fiber end, either continuously or in discrete steps. The turning causes the fiber end to contact the abrasive at points all around its periphery, thereby removing material equally from all sides of the fiber and producing a precise lens form. The pressure with which the fiber end is urged against the abrasive is maintained substantially constant by spring action of the fiber. The resulting conical lens is centered on the fiber by action of friction forces which constrain the fiber to rotate in a fixed position despite the fiber's freedom of movement within a guide tube. The invention repeatably provides optically accurate lenses of a variety of conifurgations centered to within one micron on fibers of all types, including polarization-preserving fibers.

Abstract: An optical connector in accordance with the invention includes a body to which an optical fiber supporting ferrule is mounted. A photo diode is rigidly mounted to the connector such that the photo active portion of the photo diode is optically coupled to the optical fiber. An interface is provided between the photo diode and an electronic circuit. In one form of the invention, the electronic circuit is mounted to the optical connector to facilitate this interface. Alternately, the circuit may be remote from the connector. In this case, the connector includes at least one electrically conductive wire lead for connecting the photo diode to the electronic circuit. An apertured substrate may be used to mount the photo diode to the ferrule with the photo diode optically coupled to the optical fiber through the aperture. The structure may be capped for protection against the environment, or alternatively, the circuit board itself may provide protection to the opto-electronic interface.