Abstract: An Almen type gage with an improved test strip support mechanism, which concentrates the holding force at the contact points. The support mechanism includes four paired contact balls and a permanent magnet engaged between the paired balls to magnetically hold the test strip against the contact balls. Each contact ball seated atop a set screw turned into a test platform with the magnetic flux of the permanent magnets passing through both the contact balls and the set screws.

Abstract: A memory circuit is provided with a phase locked serial input port that is adapted to receive unsynchronized raw serial data. The memory eliminates complex serial input timing problems associated with conventional video RAM, and allows direct connection to high speed external storage devices and communication devices. The memory circuit includes a memory array having an input port and an output port, a serial sequential circuit coupled to the memory array for loading data into the memory array, and a phase locked loop circuit for receiving raw serial data. The phase locked loop circuit is coupled to the serial sequential circuit for providing a synchronized data signal and a clock signal to the serial sequential circuit.

Abstract: A digital memory having a plurality of electrically connected bit structures extending over a path with adjacent ones offset from one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to that path. The bit structures are formed of two ferromagnetic films with an exchange coupling barrier therebetween.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for a railway emergency brake system that is simple in construction, easy to manufacture and to assemble and that, in operation, is self-cleaning of brake pipe dirt and debris. The inventive valve comprises a valve body having a hollow space being divided by a diaphragm into a first and a second chamber. Chambers are coupled via an orifice in the diaphragm, coupling pressure from the first chamber to the second. The valve comprises a peg aligned with the orifice, penetrating and cleaning the latter when the diaphragm moves from a closed position into an open position.

Abstract: A multipurpose keyboard incorporating an electronic pressure sensing device, a digitizer pad featuring spatial minimization of a pressure contact area capable of locating the leading and trailing edges of the pressure contact area is described. A processor coupled to the electronic pressure sensing device is programmed to sense when various regions on a simple, fully interchangeable template overlay and the underlying electronic pressure sensing device are depressed. The sensed region is associated by the processor with a particular key identification on the template overlay. The variation of the resistance in the digitizer pad enables the processor to detect the actuation of more than one key on the template overlay at the same time, thereby defecting key rollover. A method of fabrication for a multipurpose keyboard is also described.

Abstract: A thick-film integrated flat fluorescent lamp consists of a plurality of thick-film integrated split hollow electrodes printed on the inside of two opposing flat glass plates. These plates are sealed together, with a fixed space between them, which is filled with mercury and inert gas. Phosphor is coated on both glass plates and aluminum is preferably coated on one. The split hollow electrode structure produces more uniform brightness from the lamp over the entire area of the lamp, and results in a lamp of long life.

Abstract: A system for treating and removing toxic by-products of semiconductor plasma etching processes utilizes a collection box having various treatment chambers in seriatim. A heated inlet conducts a vaporous process stream into an expansion chamber where the gas is expanded. The expanded gas flows over a baffle weir into a packing chamber filled with plastic media spheres. In the upper reaches of the packing chamber but below the weir top, a deionized water atomizer sprays deionized water to humidify and cool the expanded gases which allows the water soluble toxic by-products, such as aluminum trichloride, to initially precipitate out and condense on the spheres. With continued water flow the by-products solubilize in the water and flow to an acid drain. Remaining vaporous gaseous exhaust products pass under a weir defining one side of the packing chamber up to an exhaust chamnber where a series of inclined staggered baffles and a strainer trap remove water from the gaseous exhaust and return it to the acid drain.

Abstract: A mechanically refrigerated chiller system for a process coolant has a process coolant circuit which includes a coolant reservoir with refrigerant evaporator coils in it. Coolant returns from the process to the reservoir through several and alternate paths. An additional coolant path is provided through a heat exchanger. An extra hot-gas line from the high pressure side of the refrigerant compressor is coupled through the heat exchanger to the refrigerant condenser. When the temperature of the coolant is too low, adjustment is made by adding heat to some of the coolant in the heat exchanger. Coolant temperature is sensed in an area where coolant returns from the process through a direct path and in another area where the coolant is leaving the evaporator through the aforementioned heat exchanger are mixed with a portion of the reservoir coolant.

Abstract: An emergency light fixture is permanently mountable in a conventional power utlet box having, in fixed relation, a threaded bore for accommodating a screw for a face plate and slots for accommodating an electric plug. The emergency light fixture includes a housing, an electric plug extending from the rear wall of the housing, a battery, a battery charger, and a lamp mounted in the housing and wired to provide illumination during a power outage. The fixture also includes an aperture in the rear wall of the housing for accommodating a screw for permanently attaching the housing to the outlet box. The aperture is in fixed relationship with the electric plug so that the aperture is aligned with the threaded bore in the outlet box when the electric plug is aligned with the slots in the outlet box.

Abstract: A sensor timer is provided for automatically turning on and off a lamp or alternatively for allowing the lamp to be manually turned on and off using the switch normally associated with the lamp. The sensor timer automatically senses the arrival of nighttime despite seasonal variations in the actual time of nightfall and automatically turns on the lamp a first selected time period after nightfall. The lamp is then automatically turned off a second selected time period after the lamp has been turned on or alternatively is turned on and off randomly during the second selected time period. The sensor timer can also dim the lamp. The sensor timer converts from automatic mode to manual mode in response to the turning on of the lamp through its manual switch thereby to allow the lamp to be controlled directly by the manually operated lamp switch. To convert the sensor timer from manual mode to automatic mode the lamp switch is turned on, off and on in rapid succession.

Abstract: A thin sheet is formed into a surface having compound curvature by vacuum forming the sheet against an array of support posts which have been adjusted to define the locus of the desired surface. A rigid frame is placed on the exposed back surface of the sheet and bonded thereto while the vacuum formed shape is maintained. Alternatively, a frame of beam members kerfed to make them compliant is placed on the back surface and bonded to the sheet which restores the structural integrity of the beams by briding the kerfs.

Abstract: An electrolytic type level sensor is secured atop spaced posts of a ceramic pedestal by applying epoxy only about the periphery of each post where it contacts the glass container of the level sensor and so that the glass container otherwise rests upon the posts. A thermal shunt of flexible braided copper is disposed about the glass container and is urged snuggly thereagainst by heat shrinking a plastic tube about the thermal shunt. The ceramic pedestal is received in an opening of a mounting plate and is urged by a spring pin against a "v" block type seat formed in the opening to establish points-of-contact therebetween. Epoxy is applied between the pedestal and opening to secure same together except at said points-of-contact. Plastic insulation is disposed about the sensor and pedestal and otherwise fills spaces in a housing for same and attached to said mounting plate.

Abstract: A video amplifier for decoding a digital signal input and providing at least three video brightness levels plus a black level to a cathode ray tube is disclosed. The amplifier includes input logic decoding circuitry for providing control signals to a plurality of switching elements which vary the voltage level of a video output signal. The video signal has at least four discrete voltage levels corresponding to a black, dim, normal, or bright display. The amplifier is preferably mounted on the socket of the cathode ray tube and provides a bandwidth on the order of 75 to 100 MHz.

Abstract: Disclosed is a snap action circuit breaker with a compact one piece steel frame in a two part, telescoping molded circuit breaker case. The compact construction is combined with a symmetrical toggle actuator to provide a pleasing appearance suitable for mounting at readily accessible and visible locations on the front of an instrument panel. A variety of handle constructions are usable with the same basic mechanism. By providing a snap actuated contact construction with substantial overcurrent trip delay the device combines the best features of modern manual switches and circuit breakers so that it is in effect a manual switch with nuisance free over-current trip protection.

Abstract: A station selecting system for use in a multi-channel communication system having a plurality of display devices respectively corresponding to the communication channel. Circuitry is provided for placing the system in a monitor mode of operation where all channels are scanned once to determine which ones are available for communication, the latter channels being indicated by actuation of the display devices respectively corresponding thereto. Circuitry is also provided for placing the system in an autoscan mode of operation where the channels are sequentially scanned until a channel available for communication is located, at which time scanning ceases and the selected channel is indicated by the actuation of its corresponding display device.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for producing an alarm or shut down signal when the ratio of engine speed to engine oil pressure of a tractor engine becomes excessive. A frequency signal from a speed transducer is applied to a digital counter having a counting cycle varied in accordance with a voltage signal from a pressure transducer. The voltage signal is converted to current and used to determine the period of a one shot multivibrator.