Abstract: A chemically sensitive device for monitoring chemical properties is described. The device includes a depletion-mode field-effect transistor. Two electrical leads are connected between source and drain region of the field-effect transistor to monitor changes in current or potential resulting from changes in the amount of chemical to be monitored. A reference electrode is attached to a lower substrate surface of the field-effect transistor and electrically connected to the source via a highly doped region adjacent to the source and another highly doped region adjacent to the reference electrode, both having a polarity identical to the substrate. A sensing membrane which is specific to the chemical to be monitored is located on a portion of the substrate remote from the gate region but electrically connected to the gate region to alter conductance between the source and the drain in accordance with the presence or absence of the chemical to be monitored.

Abstract: A data communications system is disclosed which uses a passive communications medium such as coaxial cable for communication between multiple stations connected to the bus. A token concept is employed such that when the token is owned by a station, it allows that station to transmit high level messages over the bus and to command, if desired, other stations to transmit high level messages to it. The communications system is primarily masterless with each station capable of token ownership using the same set of rules to determine the circumstances when perceived events by the station cause that station to change state. Improvements are presented in the initialization of a token list, the addition of stations to an existing token list, duplicate station address protection through random numbers associated with each station, power down patch out of a station from the token list, the joining of two networks (two token lists), timer period randomization, and the use of redundant communication mediums.

Abstract: A systematic data memory error detection and correction apparatus periodically reads data from each addressable memory location, determines the presence or absence of an error in the addressed data memory location and, if an error is detected, corrects the error and writes the corrected data back into the addressed memory location. The apparatus may include circuitry for logging those areas of the data memory where errors have been detected, such logging showing either the address location where an error is detected or alternatively indicating the repetitiveness of an error at any particular addressed memory location. Such data logging facilitates determination of hardware or "hard" type errors as distinguished from non-hardware or "soft" type errors.

Abstract: An optical device for monitoring pressure is described. The device is capable of monitoring pressure in relatively hostile high temperature, high pressure environments through the use of a pressure-sensitive means having an all-glass housing. The subject optical device relies on the photoelastic effect produced when a material is subjected to a uniaxial stress to produce birefringent banding. In the subject device, polychromatic light is modified to produce a signal having wavelength-dependent intensity variations to allow the pressure-sensitive device to monitor pressure over a relatively wide range.

Abstract: A switch (11) for use in controlling operation of a metal-air battery (10). The switch includes a slide (21) guided for reciprocal movement in a preselected path adjacent a wall (18) defining a vent opening (19). The switch includes contacts (25,26,31,27,32,28) providing a closed electrical circuit as a result of the slide being disposed in a first position and providing an opened electrical circuit as a result of the slide being disposed in a second position. In the second position, the vent opening (19) is sealingly closed by a flexible closure strip (35) having one portion (37) adhesively bonded to the slide and a second portion (39) adhesively bonded to the wall portion (18) defining the vent opening. The strip is arranged to be selectively peeled from the slide bottom surface (38) and wall portion surface (40) and readhered to the opposite surface as a result of the selective movement of the slide in effecting the opening and closing of the vent opening.

Abstract: A data communication system is disclosed that utilizes a synchronized serial bus for communication between multiple stations connected to the bus. A token is employed such that when owned by a station it allows that station to transmit high level messages over the bus and command other stations to transmit high level messages to it if required by the token owner. Fundamental events called primitives are perceived by stations. Each station capable of token ownership embodies the same set of rules, the rules in turn defining the circumstances when perceived events cause a station to change from one state to another.Fundamental sets of rules, or modules, are used in the communication system to achieve a system for the automatic generation of a token list of stations with periodic ownership of the token, as well as for expansion or contraction of this token list. In addition, automatic change in the token pass handshake protocol is described.

Abstract: A method of preventing overpressurization of a lithium-thionyl chloride battery cell by formation of excessive SO.sub.2 during high rate discharge. The method comprises the step of providing PCl.sub.5 in the cathode. Alternatively, the PCl.sub.5 may be provided in the electrolyte or in both the cathode and electrolyte as desired. The PCl.sub.5 may be incorporated in the cathode by introduction thereof into the porous carbon structure of a preformed carbon element. Alternatively, the PCl.sub.5 may be dry mixed with the carbon and the mixture formed into the desired cathode element.

Abstract: A signal processor for filtering unwanted narrowband noise from received wideband electrical signals also containing desired wideband noise is described. The signal processor includes means for partitioning the wideband received signal into a plurality of narrowband, noise-containing signals and for producing a plurality of narrowband output signals. The signal processor further includes means for monitoring each of the narrowband output signals and for reducing the voltage of any narrowband output signal when that signal exceeds a predetermined level. In the preferred embodiment, the monitoring means of the signal processor includes a plurality of voltage-regulating networks, wherein each network receives as a network input signal, a single one of said narrowband output signals into a detector and integrator network to produce an output command signal only when the voltage across a channel exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: An improved programmable controller having the ability to use two different data bases while presenting to the outside world a uniform word size. The programmable controller includes pipeline processing and hardware solution of a user control program in a network node format. A memory management scheme is provided allowing for the direct addressability of one-half million words by utilization of a page register. The programmable controller can be incorporated into a network containing other programmable controllers. The programmable controller also incorporates a multi-task interrupt so that the processor can handle more than one job at any particular time. Input/output tasks are handled logically in the scan solving the user networks rather than being based upon a particular physical area of the controller memory.

Abstract: An adjustable coupling device for fiber-optic power dividers in which the coupling characteristics of the divider are influenced by application of transverse forces on the optic fibers in a repeatable fashion. The preferred embodiment consists of a pair of optical fibers which are evanescently coupled by having a portion of each etched to a core and twisted about the other. The etched and twisted portions of these fibers are encased in a rigid housing filled with an elastic filler material. Means are provided for creating forces in the filler material which are transverse to the fibers.

Abstract: By providing a multi-faced connector having a female contact receiving portion formed on a first face, a male contact connecting portion formed on a second face thereof, opposite said first face, and printed circuit board receiving contacts formed on a third face thereof, a unique backplane connector is achieved which is capable of mating electronic engagement with adjacent connectors while also being capable of receipt and transmission of electronic signals from and to the printed circuit boards connected therewith. In the preferred embodiment, the backplane connector of the present invention is removably mountable in a support channel which is capable of receiving and supportingly maintaining input/output modules electronically engaged with the backplane connector.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device for use in a fluid flow system for accurately sensing the temperature of fluid delivered through a lumen of a housing of the device. A temperature sensor element is isolated from the fluid in the lumen by its reception in an enclosure extending through a portion of the wall of the housing into the lumen. The temperature sensor is provided in association with a connector including suitable leads for transferring the electrically generated signal from the sensor to a cable connected to a computer for use in making thermodilution determinations. By permitting the expensive temperature sensor structure to be reusable without the need for repeated sterilization thereof while permitting the flow-through housing to be disposable, long, troublefree life at low cost is provided.

Abstract: A telemetry system for sensing remote physical events and for transmitting and boosting a digital data signal representing the sensed events on a transmission line, which comprises a master clock and a plurality of sensing stations for sensing local data. The sensing stations inject local data onto the transmission line as a digital data signal, and a controller/receiver receives the digital data. The master clock initializes the system timing and generates a sync signal. Each sensing station includes a booster subsystem for receiving the local digital data and for injecting the digital data onto the transmission line as a digital data signal. During system start up, each booster subsystem claims a slot, in accordance with an organizational process, for injecting the digital data signal onto the transmission line. The booster subsystem in each sensing station further includes a booster circuit for boosting the digital data signals which are propagating on the transmission line, as well as the sync signal.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a combination handle and cover apparatus for use with a plug-in device having an electrical terminal strip on a front end. The device is contained within a mainframe assembly. The apparatus comprises first and second means. The first means is for covering the electrical terminal strip and for inserting the device into and removing the device from a mainframe assembly. A second means is attached to the first means and is also hingably attached to the front end of the device such that in an open position the first means functions as a handle and in a closed position the first means functions as a cover.

Abstract: The subject invention involves the provision of a cermet for providing relatively high resistivity in a relatively small space. The cermet includes a substrate and multiple, ultra-thin, alternating layers of conductive and nonconductive materials on the substrate. Each ultra-thin layer is formed by radio-frequency sputtering to produce layers of discontinuous islands of particles of each of the above materials. The invention also relates to a method of producing such cermets by radio-frequency sputtering.

Abstract: An automatic phase compensation circuit is disclosed for use with carrier transducers. A quadrature oscillator drives the carrier transducer and provides phase reference and quadrature reference signals to a phase shifter. The phase shifter provides phase shifted reference signals. The return signal from the carrier transducer is separately demodulated with respect to each of the phase shifted reference signals. The demodulated signal with respect to the phase shifted quadrature reference signal is converted into a DC control signal which controls the amount of the phase shift of the phase shifter. The phase shifter receives the quadrature reference signal into a variable gain amplifier controlled by the DC control signal. The output of the variable gain amplifier is summed with the phase reference signal. The resultant summation is a phase shifted reference signal with the control signal controlling the amount of phase shift.

Abstract: A technique utilizing either particular software with a microprocessor or computer or a hard wired digital or analog circuit for determining, from a few sample magnitudes acquired from an analog signal at equal time intervals, the shape of the waveform and displaying it. The analog waveform slope at each sample is calculated from the magnitude of the two samples taken from the waveform immediately preceding a given sample and the two immediately following the given sample. A slope of the analog waveform intermediate of each sample interval is then calculated from this information, leading to a final calculation of the magnitude of a selected number of points during the sample interval. The acquired sample magnitudes and the calculated intermediate magnitudes are then combined in a display of a reconstruction of the original analog waveform.

Abstract: An electrochemical system including a chlorine positive electrode, such as zinc-chlorine cell, is disclosed which complexes chlorine by utilizing (1) a selected organic compound, such as, for example, n-butyl carbamate, which includes a --NH.sub.n R.sub.2-n functionality wherein R is an appropriate organic moiety, and n is an integer, either 1 or 2, and an electron-withdrawing substituent alpha to the nitrogen and (2) a buffer to provide a liquid oil, which yields chlorine when required in discharge of the cell.