Abstract: A system and a method of controlled electrochemical power generation are disclosed. The system includes an electrochemical cell comprising an alkali metal anode, a cathode initially spaced about 10-25 mils from the anode to define a flow channel, an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the alkali metal and, for example, a separator system adapted for providing a substantially uniform pattern of flow of the electrolyte through the flow channel is utilized in a system and method of controlled power generation. Flow control valves may, for example, be used to control the volumetric flow rate of the electrolyte through the flow channel thereby attaining substantially uniform voltage from the cell.

Abstract: A group III-V digital logic circuit which includes either at least two enhancement type metal semiconductor field effect transistors and one load element or two first type field effect transistors having a first threshold voltage and two second type field effect transistors having a second threshold voltage, for providing a logic operation. The second threshold voltage is less than zero and is less than the first threshold voltage. The group III-V digital logic circuit can be formed as an integrated circuit on, in particular, a GaAs substrate. The field effect transistor can be either a metal semiconductor field effect transistor or a junction field effect transistor.

Abstract: A carrier for use in flexible circuits and tape-automated-bonding includes a layer of vacuum deposited metallic chromium between the copper and polyimide. The chromium is vacuum deposited on the polyimide, affords resistance to undercutting from gold and tin plating baths, and allows conductor to be deposited on both sides of the polyimide.

Abstract: A method of forming an article comprising microporous elemental silver is disclosed wherein a porous conductive substrate is impregnated with molten silver nitrate. The silver nitrate in the pores of the substrate is then crystallized. Subsequently, the silver nitrate crystals are converted to Ag.sub.2 O and electrochemically reduced to yield microporous elemental silver. In addition, the invention comprehends articles formed by this method, as well as the preparation of articles therefrom.

Abstract: A single mode fiber optic multiplexer/demultiplexer has first and second optical fibers, each having an input and an output end. The first and second optical fibers are single mode fibers each having a core of a predetermined diameter and a cladding about the core of a predetermined diameter. Along a predetermined length two fibers are placed in juxtaposition and the claddings are fused together to form a fiber optic coupler. Previous to being fused, the claddings are reduced by etching. The coupling of the fiber optic device is such that a first light having a first predetermined wavelength and a second light having a second predetermined wavelength enter together on an input of one of the fibers and are substantially split such that substantially only the first light will appear on an output of one of the fibers and substantially only a second light will appear on an output of the other fiber.

Abstract: A fast and flexible data decompressor decodes data, such as that encoded by CCITT Group 4 facsimile machines, to produce display data. In the decompressor, a microprocessor controlled by microcode evaluates variable length codes each representing a series of data cells, each data cell in a series having a single value assigned thereto. The variable length codes have a first code type, such as vertical codes and pass codes used in two-dimensional coding schemes, are decoded by the microprocessor. The variable length codes having a second type, such as one-dimensional horizontal codes, are decoded by a pair of loo k-up tables in read only memories (ROM's). One ROM determines the length of the code and the other determines the run length of the series of data cells represented by the code. A shifter which receives encoded data is shifted by the length of the code, whether determined by the code length ROM or the microprocessor.

Abstract: A high resolution raster display includes a central processor for providing image data, a digital image processing circuit for converting the image data to display signals, and an analog display circuit for converting the display signals to drive signals for driving a CRT to form a color raster display on the screen of the CRT. The digital image processing circuit includes a display memory for storing the image data and a programmable attribute look-up table for storing attribute data. Under the control of the central processor, the image data stored in the display memory is read out and is used to address the attribute look-up table which provides attribute signals as an output. A pixel rate converter reads in the attribute signals at a first rate and outputs analog display signals at a second rate which is much higher than the first rate, with a video bandwidth of up to 210 MHz.

Abstract: A hydrolyzed dye/gel polymer for use in a pH-based sensor is characterized by its chemical and optical stability with respect to dye loss with time. Preferably, the dye/gel polymer is hydrolyzed by heating in a dilute base solution for a period of time sufficient to remove weakly bonded dye molecules from the polymer, then washed to remove the base solution and loose dye.

Abstract: A deflection detection device for monitoring deflection of a diaphragm having a radius r has a first plurality of optical fibers having fiber ends concentrically disposed about the center of the diaphragm at a radius r.sub.1 where r.sub.1 is less than r. A second plurality of optical fibers having fiber ends concentrically disposed about the center of the diaphragm forms a circle having a radius r.sub.2 where r is greater than r.sub.2 is greater than r.sub.1. A third plurality of optical fibers having fiber ends concentrically disposed about the center of the diaphragm forms a circle having a radius r.sub.3 where r is greater than r.sub.3 is greater than r.sub.2. The ends of the first and third plurality of optical fibers are light capturing and the ends of the second plurality of optical fibers are light emitting.

Abstract: A method of making a single-mode evanescent-wave coupler having reduced wavelength dependence includes the steps of (a) providing first and second single-mode optical fibers having substantially identical propagation constants; (b) heating the first optical fiber along a first longitudinal segment thereof while stretching the first optical fiber to reduce the diameter of the first longitudinal segment, the reduced diameter being substantially uniform along the first longitudinal segment; (c) maintaining the first and second optical fibers in parallel juxtaposition with one another along a portion of the first longitudinal segment; and (d) fusing together the portions of the first and second optical fibers maintained in parallel juxtaposition to form a coupling region.

Abstract: A gallium arsenide device converts an ECL voltage signal to a gallium arsenide voltage signal. The device has a pair of depletion transistors for transforming the ECL voltage signal and a predetermined reference voltage into corresponding signal and reference currents to provide pull-up. A pair of enhancement transistors are connected to the pair of depletion transistor for outputting the gallium arsenide voltage signal which is representative of the ECL voltage signal. Positive feedback means for increasing the gain of the pair of enhancement transistors is provided and is connected to the pair of enhancement transistors. The predetermined reference voltage may be derived from a set voltage source or may be derived from a logical one level in the ECL circuit so as to provide temperature tracking for the gallium arsenide circuit. At least a third depletion transistor is connected to a third enhancement transistor.

Abstract: A current limiting cartridge fuse having a portion of restricted diameter in one end cap, which serves as a rejection feature, is provided with an insulating insert which cooperates with the fuse casing and the one end cap to allow an active portion of a short circuit element to be located in the restricted diameter portion of the end cap.

Abstract: A multimode fiber optic coupler includes a first multimode optical fiber having a core and cladding surrounding the core and having a first longitudinal segment in which the cladding has been substantially removed exposing the core and in which a portion of the exposed core forms a first biconical taper segment; a second multimode optical fiber having a core and a cladding surrounding the core and having a second longitudinal segment in which the cladding has been substantially removed exposing the core and in which a portion of the exposed core forms a second biconical taper segment; and a coupling region formed by portions of the first and second biconical taper segments being fused together in parallel juxtaposition with one another.

Abstract: A method for removing excess solder from a printed circuit board is practiced by mixing a quantity of ceramic beads with an oil to form a fluidized bed mixture. The fluidized bed mixture is heated to a temperature above the melting point of a solder on the printed circuit board. A surface of the printed circuit board to be cleaned is placed in contact with the heated fluidized bed and agitated against the bed to remove excess solder.

Abstract: A separator system for electrochemical cells whereby a reactive metal anode and active porous cathode are isolated from one another while the uniformity and turbulence of the electrolyte flow therebetween is increased. The separator system includes a rigid porous member adjacent to the cathode and a resilient porous member adjacent to the rigid porous member and between the rigid porous member and the anode. This orientation of the separator system components results in a cell having improved controllability and reduced polarization during operation.

Abstract: A power generation system utilizing an electrochemical cell comprising a consumable metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode to define an electrochemical reaction zone therebetween and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the consumable metal is disclosed. The electrolyte is circulated through the reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and to form the hydroxide of the consumable metal. The hydroxide of the consumable metal is converted to water and at least one oxide of the consumable metal. The water is separated from the consumable metal oxide and is added to the electrolyte. The invention also comprehends corresponding methods of power generation.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a Schottky barrier MOSFET wherein a polysilicon gate chip is disposed adjacent the drain and source regions of a single crystal silicon substrate surface, and a metal is deposited on the top surface of the gate chip and the drain and source regions of the substrate surface by direct reaction of the silicon of the surfaces with a compound of a tungsten or molybdenum. Preferably, the sidewalls of the gate chip are masked during the deposition of metal to avoid the formation of a metal bridge between the gate and drain or the gate and source.

Abstract: A fiber optic interferometric hydrophone is based on the change in optic path length of optic fibers bonded to both sides of a bending beam which acts as an acoustically sensitive diaphragm.The bending beam is segmented into an even number of segments, acoustic windows are arranged such that opposite sides of the beam see the acoustic field in adjacent segments, and the optic fibers cross from one side of the beam to the other to maintain the phase of strain signal for the two fibers, one on each side, along the full length of the bending beam. The fringe sensitivity of the interferometer is multiplied by two since both interferometer legs are strained by the acoustic field, and of opposite sign, and further multiplied by the number of segments compared to a single simple beam bender of the dimensions of one segment.

Abstract: A threshold receiver circuit consists of a reference subcircuit and one or more signal input subcircuits. The reference subcircuit derives a mirror voltage by regulating a reference current flowing through an external reference resistor. The mirror voltage is distributed to each of the signal input subcircuits. Within each signal input subcircuit a signal transistor has its gate connected to the mirror voltage and its drain connected to a common input node, thereby causing a signal current to flow into the common input node which is proportional to the reference current. The signal current also flows through an external signal input resistor which is connected to the input node, and into the external input signal source. The input node voltage is thus equal to the input signal source voltage plus the voltage-drop across the signal input resistor. This input node voltage is compared to an internal reference voltage by a comparator which is also connected to the common input node.