Abstract: For fast variation of the wavelengths of lasers, a rotating chopper mirror is provided in the laser resonator. This mirror alternately transmits the light to a grating or deflects it to at least a second grating or to a second mirror. Instead of a chopper mirror, an oscillating mirror can be used, by means of which the beam can be directed to a grating. The oscillating mirror is moved at constant frequency, but with variable amplitude.

Abstract: A device for illuminating components of transparent material by dot-scanning so that the components may be tested for surface irregularities and occlusions which comprises a component rotatably mounted so that the component may be rotated on its axis at a predetermined speed, a light source for generating a parallel light beam for illuminating the component, and a mechanism for periodically linearly deflecting the light beam at a frequency greater than the predetermined rotational speed of the component. The periodically linearly deflecting mechanism is disposed in the path of the light beam between the parallel light beam generating source and the component. The device also includes a focusing lens for focusing the light beam in a testing plane, where the focusing lens is disposed between the periodically linearly deflecting mechanism and the component at a location whereby the focal point of the focusing lens is at the edge of the periodically linearly deflecting mechanism.

Abstract: Metal strip may be cast directly from molten metal in an open tundish onto a chill roll. Strip thickness is controlled by contouring the tundish lip with an offset near the casting wheel. This can be used remedially to offset the natural tendency for the strip to be thicker near the edges, which is undesirable for cold rolling, or it may be used creatively to produce contoured strip.

Abstract: A process for producing a dispersion hardened copper alloy includes admixing to a copper melt from 0.3 to 15 weight % of molybdenum to provide a mixture which is a melt; superheating the mixture to a temperature ranging from about 200.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. above the melting point of coper to provide a superheated melt; and subjecting the superheated melt to very rapid solidification at a cooling rate ranging from 104.degree. to 106.degree. C./sec. The above process produces dipsersion hardened copper alloy comprising copper and from 1 to 15 weight % of molybdenum which is present in the dispersion hardened copper alloy as particles having a diameter of less than 0.1 .mu.m embedded in the copper matrix. Such dispersion hardened copper alloys are useful for providing electrical conductors which are subjected to elevated temperatures, such as for providing spot welding electrodes, particularly for welding of zinc-galvanized sheet metal.

Abstract: A device for testing components of transparent material for surface irregularities and occlusions which comprises a mechanism for rotatably mounting the component so that the component may be rotated on its axis; a mechanism for generating a light ray which moves linearly so that the light ray can dot-scan the component along a diameter of the component; at least one signal generating device disposed at a predetermined angle to the direction of impingement of the light ray for detecting surface irregularities and occlusions of the component and then generating a signal representative of the irregularity or occlusion; and a signal evaluation device for evaluating the signals produced in the signal generating device.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for use in measuring the topography of a surface by contact which comprises a piezoelectric polymer film sensor, such as polyvinyldiene difluoride film, with a body portion and a tip portion, with electrically conductive films adhered to each principal surface of the sensor, and a non-conductive support restraining the sensor a fixed distance from the surface to be measured and with the sensor having an arcuate form when flexed by the surface.

Abstract: In a system for measuring torque, torsional vibrations and power, emitters and sensors are arranged on at least one rotating shaft. From one of the frequencies (f.sub.1 or f.sub.2) of the signals (S.sub.1 or S.sub.2) of the sensors, a new signal (S.sub.3) is generated whose frequency (f.sub.3) corresponds to the sum or difference frequency of the frequencies (f.sub.1, f.sub.2), and which is phase-locked to the signal (S.sub.1 or S.sub.2) from which it is generated. The relation of the initial phase of the new signal (S.sub.3) with the frequency-generating signal (S.sub.1 or S.sub.2) is determined also by the other signal (S.sub.2 or S.sub.1). The signals (S.sub.1, S.sub.2) and the new signal (S.sub.3) are fed to a multiplier. The measure of the torsion-dependent twist of the emitters with respect to each other, from which the torsional vibration signal can be derived, is determined by integration of the signal (S.sub.1.S.sub.2.S.sub.

Abstract: In the inspection of cylindrical objects, particularly O-rings, the object is translated through a field of view and a linear light trace is projected on its surface. An image of the light trace is projected on a mask, which has a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape which the image would have if the surface of the object were perfect. If there is a defect, light will pass the mask and be sensed by a detector positioned behind the mask. Preferably, two masks and associated detectors are used, one mask being convex to pass light when the light trace falls on a projection from the surface and the other concave, to pass light when the light trace falls on a depression in the surface. The light trace may be either dynamic, formed by a scanned laser beam, or static, formed by such a beam focussed by a cylindrical lens. Means are provided to automatically keep the illuminating receiving systems properly aligned.

Abstract: A method for storing compressed data indicative of an analog signal and reproducing that analog signal from the compressed data. The analog signal to be stored is superimposed on a rectangular coordinate system. An elementary interval is defined on the X-axis of an X-Y coordinate system for the selection of a first series of points, a second series of points (R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3) is determined by establishing a threshold ratio between the chord (C.sub.1, C.sub.1 ') separating two non-consecutive points and the sum of the chords (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3 ; C.sub.1 ', C.sub.2 ', C.sub.3 ') separating each of the consecutive points within two non-consecutive points. An interval (N) between these two non-consecutive points is selected to correspond to the maximum ratio below this threshold.

Abstract: Invention provides optical correlation apparatus comprised of optical means producing a light image of the mailpiece including the address information, holographic filter means receiving the optical means light image and producing a filtered light image correlated to an address information reference pattern, detector means receiving the holographic filter means filtered light image and producing an output electronic signal which contains the degree of correlation of the mailpiece address information to the address information reference pattern, and signal processor means receiving the detector means output electronic signal and producing an address location signal based on a high degree of correlation of the mailpiece address information to the address information reference pattern.

Abstract: An arrangement for the production of straight-line symmetrical signals from at least two signal generators, which have a periodic structure and which are movable relative to one another, by means of sensors that generate signals corresponding to the position of the signal generators, wherein at least two sensors are provided for at least one of the two signal generators with the output signals of the two sensors being combined in a subtraction or addition stage. The two sensors are positioned to be offset with respect to each other by one half period of the structure of signal generator or by an integer multiple of such period.

Abstract: Process for producing high purity aluminum nitride powder by reacting aluminum sulfide with gaseous ammonia at an intermediate temperature (about 700.degree. C.) and holding at that temperature until an intermediate product (Al.sub.x N.sub.y S.sub.z) is formed where x, y, and z are integers; then further heating to a temperature above 1100.degree. C. and reacting with gaseous ammonia. A high purity, low oxygen containing, free flowing powder is produced. A posttreatment using a carbon source such as graphite further reduces the oxygen content. The oxygen content can be further reduced by reacting the aluminum nitride formed with carbon at about 1600.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of removing liquid from a suspension by concurrently subjecting the suspension to the action of a pulsed electrical field and optionally a concurrent sonic or ultrasonic field so as to remove liquid from the suspension. The suspension is moved into a liquid removal chamber between opposing electrodes one of which is permeable to the liquid. The sonic or ultrasonic field may then be optionally applied to the suspension concurrently with the pulsed electrical field, at a frequency and amplitude adapted to cause liquid to separate from the suspension particles. The concurrently applied electrical field between the electrodes causes the particles to migrate away from the permeable electrode and liquid to migrate toward the permeable electrode. Liquid is then removed through the permeable electrode. The method requires less energy to remove a unit of liquid, has a more advantageous rate of liquid removal and achieves a lower moisture content than if a steady electrical field is applied.

Abstract: The disclosed device comprises electric conductors (1, 1'; 2') arranged under the writing surface and associated to a writing implement provided with a permanent magnet of which the power supply is orientated in parallel to its longitudinal axis. Said conductors form elongated meandres-like windings covering the writing surface so that when the implement is displaced in parallel to said surface and tranversely to the meandres of the windings, a sinusoidal voltage is induced at the terminals of the windings provided the instrument is close enough to the writing surface. The pitch of the meandres of the windings is so elected as to induce a sinusoidal voltage having an amplitude higher than a given threshold for a predetermined interval between the writing implement and the writing surface.

Abstract: A more uniform cooling system for direct strip forming processes on chilled drums wherein the drum 1 is hollow and is partially filled with a coolant pool 6. A central tube 7 provides coolant spray 8 to the portions of the drum interior when not covered with the coolant pool. Patterned cooling for thickness control is practiced by changing the heat conduction through the drum wall at selected locations.

Abstract: The liquid atomizer consists essentially of an ultrasonic excitation system coupled with a narrow bending strip of so small thickness that it does not have sufficient inherent stability for linear alignment. In the case of excitation of bending waves with several essentially parallel, closely spaced nodal lines can be generated on the bending strip. Dimensional stability of the bending strip is achieved by at least one mechanical fixing devices and one prestressing device.

Abstract: In combination with a rotating casting drum and a tundish for feeding molten metal to the surface of said drum, a pair of rotating brushes in tandem which rotate in the opposite direction to the drum rotation to clean the casting surface prior to the deposit of molten metal from the tundish.

Abstract: For averaging in the case of a signal consisting of rectangular pulses, a circuit arrangement which provides the instrumentability for carrying out moving averaging over specific periods of time which are defined by the intervals between the successive pulse edges of the signal. The amplitude of the pulse sequence is assumed to be constant. Then the arithmetic mean is determined from a specific number of the preceding results of moving averaging.

Abstract: One or more optical fibers are attached to an optical component element or supporting substrate by coating the peripheral surface of the optical fiber with a metallic layer and then positioning the metallic layer in electrical contact with a metal surface of the object along an interface. An electrical current pulse or pulses is applied through the interface sufficient to cause local melting or near melting and welding at the interface.

Abstract: New alloys highly resistant to corrosion by concentrated acid and having excellent adhering properties when coated on stainless steel are formed of 60 to 90 atomic percent tantalum or tungsten, with the remainder being iron, chromium and nickel in the proportions found in stainless steel, e.g., 304L stainless steel. They may be formed in situ on the surface to be coated by sputter deposition, using a sputter target which is part tungsten or tantalum, and part stainless steel.