Abstract: A test fixture for testing microstrip assemblies and similar electronic circuit components and assemblies under application of high-frequency signals introduced through launchers whose positions are adjustable in the test fixture to accommodate circuit assemblies of different sizes and different geometry. An easily operated rapid connector positioning mechanism moves connectors which complete electrical connection between outer conductors of the launchers and a ground plane conductor of a microstrip assembly. The connectors also lift the microstrip assembly and support it while electrical connection is completed, without the need for a carrier beneath the test assembly. A lid is moved in coordination with operation of the connector positioning mechanism to provide electrical contact to a third point on the upper face of a circuit assembly to be tested.

Abstract: A load push-pull slipsheet handler is disclosed having automatic features adapting it particularly for use with driverless, automatically-guided vehicles. These features include proximity sensors which sense the distance between the slipsheet handler and a vertically-oriented external surface so as to deposit a load in a predetermined relationship to the surface either on the floor or atop another load. Load contact sensors also are provided for enabling the device to gauge the distance to a load to be picked up so as to control the approach thereto. Further sensors sense the transversely-opposite extremities of a load prior to engagement, and transversely center the push-pull assembly relative to the load. Other features include a system associated with the slipsheet clamp for sensing the presence or absence of a slipsheet tab prior to clamping, and a device for permanently deforming the tab to facilitate subsequent regrasping after the load has been deposited.

Abstract: An electrically conductive medium or high density lignocellulose particle board useful in the manufacture of flooring, wall paneling, and furniture functioning to establish static-free environments for the manufacture and operation of microcomputers and related equipment and protection from static electrical discharge problems generally. The particle boards comprise dry-formed, hot-consolidated mixtures of______________________________________ finely divided, electrically conductive carbon particles 0.2-5 particle board adhesive 1.5-15 lignocellulosic particles balance ______________________________________In this composition the carbon particles are characterized by having specific surface areas of at least 20 square meters per gram. The lignocellulose particles comprise lignocellulose chips and flakes having width to length ratios within the range of from 1--1 to 1-20, and lignocellulose strands having width to length ratios within the range of from 1--1 to 1-40 and minimum widths of one millimeter.

Abstract: A method of determining a receiver's noise parameters by measuring one noise power for a first source noise temperature and a plurality of noise powers for another source noise temperature, all at known different source reflection coefficients.

Abstract: A fork positioner is mounted on a side-shifting carriage of a forklift truck and has transversely-movable, powered yoke assemblies for detachably engaging the upstanding portions of the forks and selectively moving them transversely toward and away from each other while they are supported by the upwardly-facing surface of the fork-supporting member of the side-shifting carriage. The fork positioner has a frame connected to the outwardly-facing, opposed transverse ends of the carriage fork-supporting member in rearwardly-overlapping relation thereto, so that neither the frame nor the fork-engagement structure of the fork positioner protrudes forwardly beyond the forward extremities of the upstanding portions of the forks, thereby minimizing the forward protrusion of the fork positioner beyond the front axle of a counterbalanced lift truck and thus maximizing its load-carrying capacity.

Abstract: An interface structure, for connecting a pair of coplanar transmission lines in end-to-end overlapping relation to each other, employs dissimilarly-shaped overlapping end portions of the respective signal and/or ground lines of the transmission lines. The dissimilarly-shaped end portions are effective to minimize variations in the impedance of the interface structure due to variations in transverse and/or longitudinal alignment of the overlapping end portions of the respective transmission lines, thereby making the interface tolerant to misalignments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing uniform pulp yields, wherein at least a refiner is controlled in accordance with the UV absorbance of the lignin dissolved in the digester cooking liquor, thereby to produce for a given quantity of wood chips a uniform pulp yield. A backflow control valve is automatically adjusted to maintain uniform flow of a sample of the digester cooking liquor through a UV analyzer, and a flushing arrangement is provided for flushing out contaminates such as sulphur dioxide from the system. Preferably the refiner is of the two-stage type, the first stage being automatically adjusted as a function of the UV absorbance of the digester cooking liquor, and the second stage being automatically adjusted as a function of the freeness of the output fiber slurry. Also, one or more of the cooking parameters is controlled by the UV analyzer to control the fiber yield.

Abstract: A method for removing color from the caustic effluent produced during kraft pulping and bleaching is characterized by heating the caustic effluent to a temperature and under a pressure sufficient to cause an alteration in the chemical structure of the lignin chromophores in the effluent. The cooked effluent is cooled and has its pressure reduced to near atmospheric pressure. An acid material, such as chlorine extract from the bleaching process, is added to the effluent to lower the pH of the effluent to between 2.6 and 3.8 to initiate flocculation of the altered chromophores of the effluent. During flocculation, the chromophores are continuously separated from the effluent in order to produce a relatively clean and color-free liquid which may be deposited in the sewer system of the pulp mill.

Abstract: A method of measuring and compensating for measurement frequency inaccuracies encountered when measuring noise power of a device under test within a desired calibrating frequency range. The method includes sweeping a frequency synthesizer through a frequency range which includes the desired measurement frequency range. Power is measured for different synthesizer frequencies with the noise power meter set to the desired frequency range. Alternatively, the frequency synthesizer may be set to the desired measurement frequency and the noise power meter swept through a range including the desired measurement frequency. The resulting power measurements show the frequency range within which the noise power meter actually measured power.

Abstract: A load push-pull slipsheet handler is disclosed having automatic features adapting it particularly for use with driverless, automatically-guided vehicles. These features include proximity sensors which sense the distance between the slipsheet handler and a vertically-oriented external surface so as to deposit a load in a predetermined relationship to the surface either on the floor or atop another load. Load contact sensors also are provided for enabling the device to gauge the distance to a load to be picked up so as to control the approach thereto. Further sensors sense the transversely-opposite extremities of a load prior to engagement, and transversely center the push-pull assembly relative to the load. Other features include a system associated with the slipsheet clamp for sensing the presence or absence of a slipsheet tab prior to clamping, and means for permanently deforming the tab to facilitate subsequent regrasping after the load has been deposited.

Abstract: A system for calibrating vector corrected electrical measurements to adjust for distortion due to reactance in the measuring circuit, particularly that caused by variable positioning of a circuit element, such as probe or coupling. Initial error factors for directivity, source match, and frequency response, respectively, normally calculated from assumed reflection coefficients of respective primary impedance standards, are adjusted to correct for such reactance. Reflection coefficient measurements (magnitude and phase) of a further impedance standard, different from the primary standards, are obtained at multiple frequencies and corrected by the initial error factors. The corrected magnitude and phase measurements of the further impedance standard are compared with theoretical magnitude and phase values which very linearly with frequency, and the initial error factors are adjusted so as to minimize any deviation of the corrected measurements from the linear values.

Abstract: A newel post fastener and rail attachment consisting of a bolt or screw perpendicularly oriented and fused to the center of a metal disk, with holes encircling its periphery, allows the joining of newel posts to the floor or stair tread and joining of railing to newel posts such that the fastener means is not visible after connection of the members. In the manner of fastening the newel post to the floor, the need for additional millwork to conceal the means of fastening is obviated.

Abstract: A launcher having an outer conductor and a tapered central contact pin within a bore of the outer conductor connects coaxial transmission lines with microstrip transmission lines. The launcher, when used with a microstrip transmission line having a specific dielectric substrate thickness, provides matching of both the characteristic impedance and the electro-magnetic field configuration. The launcher also may be used effectively with microstrip transmission lines having different substrate thicknesses An adjustable stop transversely positions the upper surface of the microstrip transmission line relative to the launcher's outer conductor to counteract capacitive discontinuities caused by different substrate thicknesses. Although such adjustments flex the central contact pin transversely, thus changing the launcher's characteristic impedance, the launcher provides better overall matching between the two types of transmission lines.

Abstract: A microwave wafer probe having a replaceable planar transmission line probe tip which detachably connects to a planar transmission line circuit board within the probe head. The circuit board may include passive and/or active electrical circuit components interconnecting its conductors which, due to the detachable interconnection with the probe tip, do not have to be replaced if the probe tip should be damaged. The detachable interconnection between the probe tip and the circuit board is tolerant to misalignment of the two elements because the interconnected end portions of the respective conductors are shaped so as to maintain the impedance between the two elements substantially constant despite misalignment. Preferably, both the circuit board and the detachable tip include coplanar transmission lines interconnected by compressing the overlapping end portions of their conductors together.

Abstract: A self-locking corner structure for trays, cartons, lids, or the like has a generally plainer main panel and first and second side panels foldable along fold lines relative to the main panel to positions normal to each other and to the main panel to form a corner structure. One of the side panels has a flap portion at one end thereof foldable along a fold line to a position parallel and with one of its side surfaces adjacent to the other side panel, the flap portion having a sloping edge. The other of the side panels has a tab portion foldable along a sloping fold line generally parallel and adjacent to said sloping edge with the side panels positioned normal to the main panel and normal to each other and with the flap folded to a position parallel to the other side panel.

Abstract: A wafer probe for accessing bonding pads on a planar device includes contact pads mounted on one edge of the under side of a dielectric substrate board and arranged to align with the bonding pads to be accessed. Coplanar ground and signal conductors deposited on the under side of the substrate board form constant impedance transmission lines for connecting test equipment to the contact pads. A ground contact is mounted on the upper side of the substrate near the end on which the contact pads are mounted, the ground contact being connected by a conductive path to the ground conductors on the under side of the substrate. When two such wafer probes simultaneously access bonding pads on the same planar device, the ground conductors of the two probes are interconnected by a conductive sheet of foil extending between the ground contacts on the upper sides of the substrates of both wafer probes.

Abstract: A corrugated paperboard corner post as utilized for packaging in a shipping container is formed by folding over a portion of corrugated, the upper and lower portions of the corrugated being divided into three panels each by slit score lines extending the length of the corner post, and gluing the outer panels of the upper and lower portions together. The corner post is initially formed in a flattened configuration to facilitate its shipment and handling in bulk and may be quickly and easily re-configured into its operable orientation by pushing both edges together and causing the panels to fold about their score lines.