Abstract: A tachometer system for an internal combustion engine. The tachometer system uses one of two electromagnetic pulse sensing means to detect an electromagnetic signal produced by a firing of the engine. The sensing device may be an antenna or an inductive pickup. One of the signals is chosen and processed. A parameter indicative of pulse timing in the output signal is determined. This parameter is most advantageously a time between different ones of the output signals. The parameter is then converted into a value indicative of revolutions per unit time of the engine. The converting structure is advantageously formed by a personal computer.

Abstract: The invention icludes a device for protecting electronic circuitry from damage, especially damage resulting from high neutron flux density produced by a nuclear explosion. The invention protects the circuitry by disabling its power supply system upon detection of the nuclear event. The power supply system is disabled both by short-circuiting the main power supply, which provides control voltages to various subsidiary powert supplies, and by short-circuiting all the output filter capacitors in the system, which may have a substantial residual charge. The invention periodically and automatically attempts to re-start the power supply system, but the system can be re-started only if the nuclear event detector is not actuated. The circuit made according to the invention is entirely analog, and therefore does not depend, for its operation, on the continued functioning of the circuitry to be protected.

Abstract: A computer-controlled system and method for separating and sorting plastic items is provided. The computer-controlled system first comprises a first component for separating, singulating and orientating the plastic items, a second component for identifying the composition of the plastic material, a third component for identifying the color of the plastic material, and a fourth component responsive to the first and second component for distributing the plastic material to a specific collection vessel. The method of the present invention comprises a first step of separating, singulating and orientating the plastic items. The second step of the method of the present invention is to determine the composition of the plastic item. The third step of the method of the present invention is to determine the color of each plastic item. The fourth step of the method of the present invention is to discharge each plastic item to an appropriate collection vessel based on the plastic item's color and composition.

Abstract: An aerial refueling system includes a reel mounted for rotation about a central axis for winding and unwinding a hose. A sheave is provided to receive the hose as it leaves the reel and to change the direction of the hose so that it trails axially of the reel. The sheave is mounted on a non-rotating carriage which is supported by the reel and moves axially along the reel as the reel rotates.

Abstract: A double-containment thermoplastic pipe assembly provides for transfer of differential thermal expansion forces to rigid external supports. The assembly includes a flanged restraint coupling having an inner carrier pipe portion, an outer containment pipe portion, a wall connecting the inner and outer pipe portions, and a radially extending flange around the outside of the containment pipe portion. The flange is secured to an external support such as a manhole for underground system by being cast into the wall of a cast-in-place manhole or by being engaged by rings on each side of the flange for precast manhole systems. The outer pipe terminates at the manhole wall so that the containment function within the manhole is performed by the manhole inself. For above-ground applications, the coupling is secured by engagement of the flange with a cast concrete wall or metal saddle connected to an underground footing.

Abstract: A miniaturized check-valve construction utilizes a length of straight cylindrical tubing for its body, wherein the open ends of the tube are the inlet (or upstream) and outlet (or downstream) ports of the valve. The tubular body is locally deformed to fixedly retain an inserted annular valve-seat member at a first axial location of downstream offset from the inlet end of the pipe. The tubular body is also locally deformed, at a second axial location of upstream offset from the outlet end of the pipe, to fixedly retain another annular member which serves to establish a fixed reference for the downstream end of a compression spring which continuously urges a valve member into its valve-closing relation with the valve-seat member. Various modifications are described for the configuration and retention of internal parts of the check-valve assembly.

Abstract: A method apparatus for constructing an oxygen sensor in a layered construction including an anode element, a cathode element and an intermediate electrolyte-retentive insulator, wherein the layered anode element has a central flat metallic plate with two narrower outer plates bound against respective surfaces of the plate by an electrical conductor wrap, and the cathode element is uniformly compressed toward the anode along an elongate length by elongated support struts.

Abstract: Cooking process is provided for cooking food products in a continuous manner whereby the moisture formed during the process of cooking is removed from the cooking oil and the time-temperature profile within the cooker along the cooking path may be adapted to substantially conform to a linear or non-linear curve. The apparatus provides a novel process the cooking process results in specialty snack foods having harder bite and/or lowered oil content.

Abstract: A vibrating crystal transducer for measuring temperature including a bonding area from which three or more tines extend. The tines have a torsional mode resonant frequency that is a function of temperature. Electrodes on the transducer excite the tines into vibration so that the torsional moments of the adjacent edges of the adjacent tines are reverse symmetric. When the tines are vibrated, the reverse symmetrical vibrational moments of the individual tines cancel so that there is no torsional moment, or twisting, within the area between the points where the tines intersect, which is the area defined by the bonding area. Since the bonding area does not serve as a sink for torsional energy, torsional energy is not lost through the bonding area so that the transducer has a relatively high quality factor and torsional vibration of the transducer cannot cause the transducer to eventually work loose of a mounting pad to which it is attached.

Abstract: A pitch guidance system for an aircraft utilizes inertially derived pitch information to provide the pilot with information defining the optimum pitch angle for maximum climb during a wind shear condition. The system utilizes a pitch reference modulator that receives a stall warning discrete from a stall warning system to reduce the commanded pitch angle upon the occurrence of a stall warning to reduce the possibility of stalling the aircraft during degraded performance conditions such as tail winds and engine-out conditions. The system utilizes inertially derived pitch information rather than air mass derived angle of attack information to avoid transients in the angle of attack vane signal, and the commanded pitch angle is biased as a function of altitude and vertical speed to optimize the pitch angle for different altitudes and descent rates.

Abstract: A device for sorting tablets by capacitive measurement, including a disk rotating between capacitor plates, a tablet fielding device for sequentially metering a series of tablets onto the disk, an arcuate guide assembly for guiding the tablets along a guide path as the disk rotates, and a deflector assembly for deflecting the tablets along one of the possible paths, as a consequence of the capacitance measurement.

Abstract: An electronic foot pedal for outputting an electrical signal proportional to the degree a treadle is pivoted. The electronic foot pedal has an improved spring arrangement for yieldably biasing the treadle toward its home position. Dual springs are provided, independently mounted and supplementary to each other. Each spring has an adequate biasing force to urge the treadle to its home position. The springs are of a ribbon-like material that are wound into a flat spiral. The springs are subjected mainly to bending forces and have flexure as the treadle is pivoted to its pivotal limits.

Abstract: A reusable union coupling is provided, particularly for refrigeration service, comprising two fittings, a body and an adapter, which are attached to the two conduits or other components to be joined. A variable washer seal cavity is created when the body and adapter are mated, within which a teflon washer is disposed. Means are provided for moveably connecting the body to the adapter and selectively compressing the washer within the cavity, in particular a rotatable collar is provided which engages the adapter and threads onto the body. Means are also provided to prevent extrusions, displacement, and over-compression of the washer.

Abstract: A computer operated device for controlling an ink key (58) used to adjust the position of a fountain blade used in an ink fountain of a printing apparatus. A linear actuator (10) imparts reciprocating axial motion to a shaft (14) which in turn actuates a lever arm (34). The lever arm (34) operates an eccentrically pivoting cam (36) which transforms the axial motion from the linear actuator (10) into eccentric rotational motion. A second cam (48) reconverts the eccentric rotational motion of the first cam (36) into reciprocating axial motion and imparts that motion to the ink key (58) with a substantial reduction in distance of travel relative to that of the shaft (14) of the linear actuator (10), thereby permitting precise incremental adjustment of the position of the ink key (58).

Abstract: A monolithic multi-layer capacitor having a central capacitively active area and two electrode joining section separated from the active area by sloped sections has dielectric layers about 1 micron thick in the active area which taper gradually to zero thickness in the sloped sections. Electrode layers in the active area have a thickness in the range from 200 to 500 Angstroms and sufficient thickness throughout the sloped sections for adequate current carrying capacity. Various acrylates are used for the dielectric layers, the number of layers ranging from a few to many thousands.Apparatus and methods for the fabrication of such capacitors on a high speed, production scale basis employ techniques for the flash evaporation of highly reactive monomers of acrylate dielectric materials. The vapor is controllably directed to a deposition surface for condensation and subsequent curing by a field enhanced gas discharge electron beam source.

Abstract: A door handle assembly including an escutcheon plate, a handle secured to the outer face of the escutcheon plate, and a turn lever mounted on the outer face of the escutcheon plate. The turn lever includes an actuator portion which passes through a transverse slot in the escutcheon plate and through an actuator hole in the door for access to the actuator of a latch assembly so as to move the latch assembly between latched and unlatched positions in response to turning of the turn lever.

Abstract: A regulating shut off valve for a high pressure gas bottle useful when the pressure within the bottle can be higher than the maximum safe working pressure of a pneumatic system connected thereto. The valve is sized to fit under a standard protective cap when installed on a gas bottle. The valve includes a poppet assembly with a needle that acts with a valve seat so that the poppet assembly can be screwed open to allow gas to pass from the bottle to the system or screwed closed against the seat. The valve seat, which is operatively connected to a spring loaded piston to which system pressure is applied, is responsive to the maximum safe working pressure of the system. When such pressure is present, the valve seat moves against the needle to regulate flow.

Abstract: There is provided an efficient circuit which monitors micropressor operation and directs a reset signal to the microprocessor in the event of malfunction. The status monitor circuit operates by maintaining a capacitor charge with a status pulse from the microprocessor. The base of a transistor is controlled by this charged capacitor, such that the transistor switches OFF when the charge is drained and the absence of a status signal is indicated. When the transistor is switched OFF a reset pulse is enabled to the microprocessor. To provide the reset signal, a transformed AC line voltage is applied to the base of a second transistor to switch it ON and OFF in synchronization with the line frequency.

Abstract: A surveillance camera system including a base plate, a truncated cone, a rotation ring spaced from the base of the truncated cone, a camera assembly which readily mounts within the rotation ring, and a dome which rotates with the camera assembly and is easily engaged into position against spring-biased rollers. The system is a unique and novel combination of electrical and electromechanical components providing for ready access of all components in the event of servicing. The system will accept any suitable surveillance camera, and is readily adaptable with any surveillance camera of the appropriate size.

Abstract: A drive system for providing different excitation voltages to the separate beams of a multiple beam vibrating transducer is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention an amplified voltage at the resonant frequency of a master beam is amplified and applied to a secondary beam, to force the secondary beam to vibrate at the resonant frequency and amplitude of the master beam to force the transducer to resonate at the frequency of the master beam. Since the transducer vibrates at the resonant frequency of one of the beams, the transducer energy losses to the adjacent mounting structure are reduced. This results in a higher transducer quality factor so that frequency shifts in the resonant frequency can be readily measured as changes in the parameter that the transducer is intended to monitor.