Abstract: Apparatus for computing an approximation of a running average of the peak voltage of an AC power wave. If this average drops below a predetermined level a brownout signal indicating potential failure of electronic units powered by the AC wave is generated.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing distortion of an AC power wave and providing an error signal if distortion of the type likely to cause DC output of a power supply receiving the AC power wave to fall below acceptable levels occurs.

Abstract: A microcode program sequencer includes first and second registers (herein designated the Q and P registers), each connected to a computer memory to receive addresses therefrom. Control means is provided for each register such that the P register will provide output addresses to a microcode memory, whereas the Q register(s) provide output addresses to the P register. By properly operating the control means, incrementing of addresses from the P register can be accomplished, as well as address jumps and returns, using the Q register. Further, the contents of the Q register may also be incremented in synchronism with the P register, as desired. One feature of the invention resides in a conditional latch circuit which may be selectively operated as a latch or as an OR gate.

Abstract: A circuit receiving a varying waveform and providing a plurality of signals, each signal changing when the waveform crosses a predetermined voltage level associated with that signal.

Abstract: A conditional latch circuit is selectively operable as a latch or as an OR gate. The circuit comprises an OR gate having at least three inputs, each connected to the output of separate ones of three AND gates. A fourth AND gate has an inverted output connected to an input of two AND gates and a non-inverted output connected to an input of the third AND gate. The output of the OR gate is connected to a second input of the third AND gate. With one input of the fourth AND gate connected to a binary clock source, the circuit will operate as a latch to store binary signals received at the second input of the first and second AND gates when the second input of the fourth AND gate is connected to binary one. When the second input of the fourth AND gate is connected to a binary zero, the circuit will operate as an OR circuit.

Abstract: In a magnetic memory storage device an enclosure is provided to contain the disk pack assembly and the recording head carrying arms, the enclosure being adapted for supplying filtered cooling air, thus eliminating heat generated in the operation of the equipment; and for reducing temperature gradients between the components within the enclosure. The spinning disks of the disk pack act as a centrifugal air pump and a shroud forming part of the enclosure is spirally shaped to increase the air flow through a sized air inlet thus reducing warmup time. This basic flow pattern is enhanced by the addition of two lesser air flow patterns, from above the pack and from below the pack around the drive spindle, so that an excess of cool incoming air does not contact the disks, thereby balancing top inlet air with bottom inlet air to control air movement.

Abstract: An article and a method for manufacturing the same, for use as a jaw face of a vise and which applies pressure evenly along any approximately flat surface clamped therein. The face comprises a plurality of cantilevered beams integral with the body of the jaw. The beams are spaced apart from each other and in the preferred embodiment have along a corresponding exterior surface of each, a pair of projections the tips of which are tangent to a geometrically flat plane. When the jaw is used, the projections bear against a flat surface of the workpiece to be clamped and the individual beams deflect slightly to correct for deviations from flatness in the flat surface, thereby assuring that the clamping force is distributed relatively evenly along the surface. A preferred method for manufacturing this article comprises the making of a plurality of cuts perpendicular to the jaw face of a block, which carries the projections.

Abstract: A phase locked circuit according to the present invention includes means for multiplying a signal to be phase locked by an integer N. A resettable divide counter divides the multiplied signal by N for return to a phase comparator. Reset means operates the resettable counter upon command so that when the input signal to the phase locking circuit is changed (i.e., between two signals each having approximately the same frequency but which may be out of phase), the reset means is operated to reset the divide counter so that the maximum phase error if the signal delivered to the phase comparator is .pi./N radians.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device is disclosed in which the temperature sensing element is a semiconductor diode. The reference supply current for the diode is derived from an offset voltage regulator in such a way that power source fluctuations appear as common mode inputs to an operational amplifier. The operational amplifier controls a voltage controlled oscillator. The output pulses of the oscillator are counted over periodic time intervals of predetermined length to produce periodic counts which correlate to temperature. The device is designed in the preferred embodiment for use on commercial alternating current power lines where the length of timing for temperature sensing, the interval between readings and switching between multiple sensors is controlled by the power line frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided to determine the relative shift of position of a vehicle carrying a transmitter transmitting at a predetermined frequency. A plurality of receivers are positioned to receive the signal transmitted, and each includes a counter for advancing a count representative of the number of cycles of signal received. A computer receives the counts from the receiver to determine the relative shift of vehicle position. Preferably, a reference transmitter is provided for transmitting a reference signal of predetermined frequency, which, when processed with the signal received from the vehicle, provides a difference or "beat" frequency which provides the basis for cycle counting at a reduced rate.

Abstract: In a plasma display panel, of a conventional type or of the planar type, a drive system consists of an array of paired, parallel drive lines, both of which may be on the same side of the enclosed gas atmosphere, as with the planar panel, or disposed on opposite sides of the enclosed gas atmosphere, and a second array, orthogonal to the first, of paired parallel write/erase trigger lines. The parallel drive lines are driven continuously with a sustain voltage drive signal. The trigger lines are selectively driven in conjunction with a selected pair of the paired drive lines to write or erase a selected display element.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the density of data tracks on the recording surfaces of a disc memory of the type having at least one pre-recorded servo track which is continuously read by a servo head whose output signal changes with its position relative the track and is constantly adjusted to maintain a predetermined servo head output signal condition, without increasing the number of servo tracks in the memory. The improvement comprises a servo head having a plurality of flux paths, each passing through a signal winding, and having adjacent read gaps arranged and spaced such that by successively employing one or another of the read gaps to sense a servo track, the number of data tracks can be increased by an integer multiple.

Abstract: In magnetic disc recording apparatus, an intermediate arm which transmits spring pressure from a load spring to the transducing head pad is pivoted on a shaft journaled either in holes in the intermediate arm or head arm. These holes have substantially flat interior surfaces obliquely facing the shaft and each other. The angles at which these surfaces are set are chosen to cause the arm to slip if necessary with respect to the load spring whenever the head is lifted from the disc surface, to a centered position with respect to these interior surfaces, by supplying sufficient force to overcome the frictional forces existing on the intermediate arm while the head is being lifted from the recording surface. This centering is important because it repositions the intermediate arm accurately with respect to the cantilevered arm which results in the head being accurately positioned with respect to the arm.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic core for use in data transducing, characterized by having the depth of the shallower flux gap face precisely equal to a predetermined value. The method involves machining a notch in the flux gap face of one element at a precise distance from a reference surface before bonding of the two elements of the core together. The transducing surface can then be machined after assembly to an exact distance from the reference surface to automatically determine the desired flux gap depth.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an indication of the value of an unknown capacitance or inductance, which employs a variable frequency oscillator producing a sinusoidal output which is fed through a resonant circuit comprising a reactive circuit element of known value selected to attain resonance with the unknown reactor within the oscillator frequency range. A phase detector measures the phase shift between oscillator output voltage and output current, and its direction and supplies a phase shift signal specifying this information to a controller which supplies a frequency control signal to the oscillator. The controller varies the frequency control signal responsive to the phase shift signal to eventually reduce phase shift to 0.degree. or other predetermined value indicating the resonance condition in the circuit.

Abstract: An improved substrate on which a cobalt-magnetic recording layer may be plated and a method for producing it. The substrate includes inner and outer nickel layers with an intermediate gold layer between them. This results in a smooth surface on which a uniform and adherent cobalt recording layer can be deposited.

Abstract: In a plasma display system, electronic circuitry is used for applying voltage to a plurality of selected cells, all part of a single gas-filled chamber, to cause these cells to be written and erased if previously unwritten, without disturbing the written/not written (lit/unlit) status of every cell in the panel. By thus writing and erasing cells in a particular chamber, writing of data into them is made more reliable because the free electrons necessary to ensure reliable writing are made available for a period of time. The particular technique employed to write and erase these selected cells is particularly well suited for displays using coincident-select writing and erasing. The pulses to perform the operation comprise first, a pulse applied to the electrode adjacent the entire length of a selected chamber. A second pulse is applied to the electrodes transverse to the chambers, causing the unlit cells in the selected chamber to be written.

Abstract: A transistorized non-linear device is provided for converting input voltage signals to logarithmic current output signals and input current signals to exponential output voltage signals. This is performed using operational amplifiers having as the reference current for the computational element the collector current of a transistor which is operated with a near zero collector-base voltage. Square, square root, product and geometric mean functions are shown in circuits according to the invention.

Abstract: A plasma display panel according to this disclosure comprises a plurality of display elements having a dielectric surface upon which charges may accumulate adjacent a plurality of conductors. The conductors are supported by a single substrate in substantially coplanar arrangement so that charge accumulation occurs at different locations on the dielectric. Specifically disclosed is a serial shift display wherein data to be displayed may be inputed at one edge of the panel for display and serially shifted across the panel by selective application of sustaining signals to selected electrodes. Data may be read out of this panel from the opposite end for recirculation or other purposes.

Abstract: An armature adapted for use in a voice coil or linear motor and having a conductor winding and at least one stiffening layer coaxial and coextensive with, either inside or outside, the conductor winding. The stiffening layer is formed of a multiplicity of turns of a high elastic modulus, non-magnetic fiber such as graphite. The fiber and conductor turns are all firmly bonded into a rigid, composite unitary cylinder by a substance such as epoxy impregnating the entire composite cylinder. In a preferred embodiment, the conductor turns are located between interior and exterior layers. In a preferred method for manufacturing such an armature, the composite cylinder is formed layer by layer on a rotating mandrel, impregnating each layer with epoxy resin premixed for self-hardening.