Abstract: A method of bonding glass-based optical elements comprising the steps of positioning a first glass-based optical element relative to a second glass-based optical element, applying a glass-based bonding compound about the first and second optical elements, and applying sufficient localized heat to the glass-based bonding compound to cause the glass-based bonding compound to soften and fuse with the optical elements.

Abstract: A band switchable double tuned circuit having a balanced secondary is presented. A primary tunable tank circuit with a plurality of first inductances is tuned to a first frequency by a first capacitor coupled in parallel with the first inductances. A secondary tank circuit with a plurality of second inductances inductively coupled to ones of the first inductances has a second capacitor coupled in parallel with the second inductances for tuning the secondary to the first frequency. The DC reference potential for the secondary circuit is coupled to a nodal junction of the plurality of second inductances with the secondary tank circuit providing a balanced signal output. At least one of the plurality of first inductances and the second inductances are switchable for bandswitching the tuning of the primary and secondary tank circuits to a second frequency.

Abstract: A deflection waveform correction signal generator comprises a multiplying circuit for generating a pincushion correction signal. A horizontal frequency ramp is generated by a clipped retrace pulse. The ramp generator has an output coupled to an integrating circuit for generating a parabolic shaped signal. The ramp generator and ramp integrator are reset at a horizontal rate by reset pulses of differing duration. The different duration of reset pulses results in the parabolic signal having regions of non-parabolic shape. The parabolic shaped signal is coupled to an input of the multiplying circuit. A control circuit is coupled to the parabolic shaped signal for maintaining a peak amplitude thereof by controllable coupling to the ramp generator. A control loop is coupled to the integrator for controlling an integrator input bias current to generate the parabolic shaped signal at a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A branch metric computer for the Viterbi decoder of a convolutional decoder primarily intended for use in a multi-channel compressed-digital television receiver capable of receiving FEC data transmitted over satellite, terrestrial and transmission channels. The branch metric computer employs a RAM, having an effective depth of 2.sup.x storage locations and an effective storage-location width of 16 m, which is preloaded with two selectively programmed I and two selectively programmed Q lookup tables, wherein each table entry is made up of four m-bit values,. The RAM is designed to operate with either QPSK punctured-coded I and Q signal inputs or any one of a plurality of different PAM or QAM higher alphabet or an 8-PSK pragmatic trellis-coded 2.sup.x -bit I and 2.sup.x -bit Q signal inputs to the convolutional decoder that are forwarded as signal inputs to the RAM for controlling the particular I and Q lookup-table entries read out from the RAM.

Abstract: An entry controlled ribbon core engager for a recorder having an interior space accessible through a selectively movable cover when in an open position during which providing or removing of a ribbon cassette with a supply ribbon thereon may be effected. The ribbon core engager has a rotatable drive hub potion and a rotatable and axially movable positioning hub portion that are selectively rotatable about a hub axis to engage and correspondingly force rotation of a ribbon core when said drive hub portion is rotated. A motion converter connected to both said cover and said positioning hub permits movement of said positioning hub portion axially back and forth along said hub axis when said cover is correspondingly moved between said open and closed positions therefor.

Abstract: Digital FM demodulator and method in which zero-crossings of a frequency modulated input signal are detected, a binary pulse is provided for each of the zero-crossings, and the binary pulse stream is filtered digitally to provide enhanced resolution of the incremental phase (frequency) of the input signal over a period which is asynchronous with the input signal. In the disclosed embodiments, the digital filtering is done with comb decimation filters, with a higher order filter being employed where greater resolution is desired.

Abstract: A semiconductor deposition and oxidation process using a single furnace cycle. The temperature and gas mixture is stabilized inside the furnace prior to introduction of a dopant at a relatively low temperature. The temperature of the chamber is then ramped-up and the dopant is diffused into the wafer in an inert ambient. The temperature is then ramped-up again and oxygen is introduced to produce an oxide layer. The wafers are then removed from the furnace and any residue of the dopant within the chamber is effectively neutralized by introducing a high flow of oxygen.

Abstract: A wire-trap connector with a means for protecting the connector's contact from becoming overstressed. The connector housing has a connection passageway for providing access to the contact mounted within the connector. In addition, the connector housing has a release passageway, located separately from the connection passageway, which provides access to the contact. In order to release a wire from the contact, a wire extraction tool is inserted in the release passageway and presses against the contact. During the release of the wire from the connector, the contact has at least one tab projecting from it which will abut against an overstress stop abutment mounted within the connector housing. The restricted travel of the contact during the release of the wire will prevent the contact from becoming permanently deformed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a passive, highly efficient, low noise coupling device that includes a balun and noise reduction circuitry uniquely configured for converting an unbalanced video signal on a 75 ohm transmission line or connector to a balanced signal on a 100 ohm transmission line or connector and vice versa. The device efficiently allows use of a 100 ohm unshielded twisted pair, such as a conventional telephone cable, for multiplex transmission of video signals or the like in the frequency range of 50 to 500 megahertz. The preferred embodiment has a circuit board with a 75 ohm unbalanced side and a 100 ohm balanced side separated by a balun having a toroid core with a very high permeability. A common mode choke for noise rejection is inserted in the balanced side. The choke has a dual toroid core, one core of high permeability and one of low permeability, and has windings with a 100 ohm characteristic impedance. A common mode toroid shunt on the device's balanced side provides further noise reduction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording onto or playing back from a magneto optical disk eight channels of digital audio data. Eight channels of serial audio data, for example in a AES/EBU format is converted to parallel data and provided to one or more buffers via a DMA controller. After buffering, the data may be recorded onto a MO disk via an SCSI.

Abstract: A satellite dish antenna for receiving a broadcast signal from a satellite includes a low noise block which receives the signal reflected from the dish and provides a human-perceptible guidance signal, such as a sequence of beep tones, to aid an individual in properly orienting the satellite dish with respect to the satellite. A time interval between the beep tones is varied in dependence on the strength of the broadcast signal received at the low noise block. A circuit for providing the guidance signal is activated by a non-contact switch, such as a magnetic lead switch. A magnet is movably mounted on the surface of the low noise block for selectively activating and deactivating the guidance signal circuit.

Abstract: Compensation for offset errors caused by data truncation is accomplished by adding a compensation value to processed data in systems where the truncation stages are arranged in determinable configurations. More than one compensation value may be selected and applied. The selection of the appropriate value is determined by the number and type of truncation stages used in a given system configuration. The compensation value may be predetermined or measured.

Abstract: A molded electrical connector having a grounding and compression ground washer exposed and interposed in the outer surface of the molded body of the connector and having an internal integral tab welded to a ground wire both being surrounded by the molded body of the connector.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of vibration dampeners pivotally attached to the clockspring housing which provide multi-directional compression to the flat cable.

Abstract: A video display having deflection correction comprising a cathode ray tube with a deflection coil mounted on the cathode ray tube for generation of a raster having horizontal line length variations which describe a generally sinusoidally shaped raster edge. A deflection amplifier is coupled to the deflection coil for generating a deflection current therein. A modulator is coupled to the deflection coil for generating a corrective current therein responsive to a corrective signal. A corrective signal generator for generating said corrective signal having a generally sinusoidal shape is coupled to the modulator for raster edge correction.

Abstract: Apparatus for neutralizing a heating element contaminated with acid. A housing is provided which receives water and a base material. The water and base material combine within the housing to form a neutralizing agent. The neutralizing agent is then passed through the heating element in order to neutralize the heating element for safe disposal as municipal waste.

Abstract: A cart for maintaining items, which are used in a cleanroom, at a predetermined cleanliness level. The cart includes a cabinet having an internal cavity and opposed first and second internal walls. The cart further includes a shelf affixed horizontally within the cavity to form top and lower compartments within the cabinet. In addition, a lower horizontal track is affixed to the cabinet above the top compartment. A lower door is slidably affixed within the lower track. Additionally, the cart includes an upper horizontal track affixed to the cabinet above the lower track and an upper door slidably affixed within the upper track, wherein the upper and lower doors are movable in a horizontal direction above the top compartment. The top compartment is substantially isolated from contamination when the upper door contacts the first wall and the lower door contacts the second wall or when the upper door contacts the second wall and the lower door contacts the first wall.