Abstract: A gas valve having a main valve closure member carried by a first diaphragm biased to close the main valve, the first diaphragm being exposed on opposite sides to gas supply pressure and to pressure in a control chamber. The control chamber is connected to the main valve outlet through a normally closed control valve, whose position is primarily determined by an electromagnetic voice coil, in series with a normally open control valve, whose position is primarily determined by a second diaphragm exposed to the valve outlet pressure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ion beam gun wherein the ions are produced by radio-frequency excitation. A plasma is created in a vessel, or chamber, by ionizing gas molecules by means of a coil about the outside of the vessel. The coil receives radio-frequency energy which ionizes the gas molecules. The inside of the vessel contains an anode and resonator to assist in shaping and containing the plasma. The resonator acts as an internal electrode to produce eddy currents generated by the radio-frequency energy to enhance the plasma. A multi-apertured screen grid also helps contain and shape the plasma within the chamber while a multi-apertured accelerator grid is used to extract the ions from the ion beam gun.

Abstract: A method for fabricating polysilicon resistors of intermediate high value for use as cross-coupling or =ingle event upset (SEU) resistors in memory cells. A thin polysilicon film is implanted with arsenic ions to produce a predetermined resistivity. The thin film is then implanted with fluorine ions to stabilize the grain boundaries and thereby the barrier height. Reducing the variation in barrier height from run to run of wafers allows the fabrication of reproducible SEU resistors.

Abstract: A process of operating an electronic thermostat so that it models the effects of a mechanical thermostat anticipator.

Abstract: A system has at least one output device, the output device having a first set of output terminals connected to a corresponding field device. Each output device has a corresponding redundant output device having a corresponding first set of output terminals connected to the same corresponding field device as the corresponding output device. The output device and the redundant output device each have a second set of output terminals corresponding to the first set of output terminals, the second set of output terminals being connected to an apparatus for controlling the information outputted from the first set of output terminals. The apparatus comprises a plurality of switching elements, having a set of first and second contact points. Each of the second set of output terminals of the output device being connected to a corresponding first contact point, and the second set of output terminals of the redundant output device being connected to the corresponding second contact point.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of long-term control of the temperature within a refrigerated space, such as the cargo compartment of a refrigeration truck. The technique employs sensors which monitor both discharge and return air. A control algorithm uses the multiple sensors to control modes of a refrigeration unit capable of supplying cooled or heated air. This causes the temperature within the refrigerated space to remain within a narrow range about a target temperature. The target is chosen to provide maximum safety for the cargo. If the target temperature is too high, the cargo is needlessly exposed to spoilage. If the target temperature is too low, the cargo is subject to the risk of damage from freezing.

Abstract: An angular position sensor is provided with a carrier assembly in which a magnetically sensitive device is disposed. The carrier assembly has a portion which is shaped to receive a rotatable member in sliding association therein. A magnet is disposed within the rotatable member and is rotatable in response to rotation of a shaft attached to the rotatable member. A pivot means is provided for permitting the carrier assembly to move relative to a stationary housing and in response to movement of the rotatable member. A means for urging the carrier assembly toward the central axis of the rotatable member is also provided to maintain a consistent relationship between a magnetically sensitive device disposed within the carrier assembly and the magnetic disposed within the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: During ATCRBS surveillance procedures, a multiplicity of target aircraft are typically detected through target replies from interrogation signals. However, the nature of the target acquisition procedures are such that positive identification of the target aircraft is not available. Rather than ordering the target tracks with increasing range and correlating the target replies with tracks based on the ordering of the target tracks, the tracks are prioritized, based on confidence in the reliability of the identification of each track, into groups. An attempt to correlate the tracks of each group with the set of target replies is performed for the groups in order of decreasing priority. A target reply is assigned to a track when a correlation between a track and a target reply is determined.

Abstract: A laser illuminated helmet mounted sight that determines helmet or sight position from an externally mounted light source. The electronics, including light sources and detectors, are on the helmet. Also, no electrical cables or mechanical linkage is connected to the helmet. The helmet only has passive reflectors for reflecting light beams from a laser source. The return times and directions of the returning light beams processed by off-helmet electronics, result in a position indication of the helmet.

Abstract: A fuel gas control valve capable of internationally acceptable operation, including a main valve operable in an on-off mode by an electromagnetic actuator that receives a signal from a conventional electric thermostat. A pilot valve is initially operated by a manual control, and is retained in the operating position by a power unit responsive to sensed presence of a pilot flame. A latching mechanism associated with the manual control interrelates with the main valve and overrides operation of the electromagnetic actuator in the event the pilot flame is extinguished for any reason. The valve also includes a mechanism that retains the manual control in pilot position until the pilot flame is established.

Abstract: A thermostat providing external communication comprising two microprocessors. One microprocessor may be dedicated to the external communication while the other microprocessor runs the application programming. The thermostat is separated into a thermostat housing and subbase. One microprocessor may be located within the thermostat housing with the other located within the subbase. This allows for changing the applications programming through replacement either the housing or the subbase. Replacement of only one portion of the thermostat is cheaper and can be easier.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is described that includes gray scale capability. Each pixel of the display is subdivided into a plurality of subpixels. Each subpixel has coupled thereto a thin film transistor, the thin film transistor coupled to the effective subpixel capacitor. The liquid crystal material is contained between the effective capacitor plates. The voltage applied to the effective capacitor resulting from current flowing through the thin film transistor controls the optical activity of the subpixel. By controlling parameters associated with the thin transistor and by controlling the voltage applied to the pixel (and the subpixel thin film transistors), the optical properties of the subpixel can be controlled as a result of the charge applied across the effective capacitor to provide an angular independent gray scale for the pixel.

Abstract: A controller of a control system, which operates as a master, has a slave input/output processor (IOP) connected thereto which communicates with at least one device of a predetermined type, and a backup slave IOP connected thereto of the same type as the slave IOP, the slave IOP operating as a primary IOP to the device. A method for providing backup to the slave IOP by the backup slave IOP comprises the steps of loading the backup slave IOP with the same data base as the slave IOP. The backup slave IOP eavesdrops on all communications from the controller to the slave IOP. When a write command is communicated to the slave IOP, the backup slave IOP taps the data from the bus and updates its data base. If the command is not a write command, ignores the communication. When a fault is detected by either the slave IOP or the backup slave IOP, the detection of the fault is communicated to the other IOP.

Abstract: A cathode for use in a gas discharge device that is resistant to sputtering and therefore extends the life of the gas discharge device. The configuration of the cathode effectively uses the hollow cathode effect allowing the laser to operate with a lower excitation voltage. That configuration involves a body having a cavity therein and an entrance port to the cavity. Within the cavity there exists a protrusion extending from an interior surface toward the entrance port.

Abstract: The apparatus controlling operation of a digital thermostat mounted in an enclosure corrects the internally measured temperature for heat generated within the thermostat enclosure by the switching element controlling operation of the load, typically a HVAC unit. The actual ambient temperature is derived by subtracting from the internal temperature a correction value which follows the fraction of total time the switching element conducts power for the HVAC unit (duty cycle). The duty cycle is preferably multiplied by a scale factor and the difference between the ambient temperature as currently calculated and the internal temperature to form the correction value.

Abstract: The joint between two nearly rigid, mating walls has a tongue on one wall's surface and a groove on the other wall's surface which have special cross section shapes cooperating to resist penetration of the joint by fluids such as water. At least one of the walls is formed of a plastic material which deforms under compressive loading. The shape of the tongue includes sides thereof which intersect the end to form corners defining the longitudinal edges of the tongue. The groove has walls which converge toward each other at the bottom of the groove from a mouth wider than the width of the end of the tongue. The shape of the groove forms a line of contact with each of the tongue's corners when the tongue is mated with the groove. During assembly, the corners of the tongue are forced into the walls of the groove by some type of clamping mechanism so as to at least slightly deform at least one of the tongue and groove.

Abstract: Apparatus for fixing a member at any angular position to the non-circular cross section of a shaft has an insert formed of a relatively soft material and a clamping element fixed to the member. The insert has a central bore whose cross section matches the shaft section cross section, a circular periphery, and a slot between the periphery and the central bore. The clamping element is formed of relatively hard, rigid material, and has a bore in surrounding relation to the periphery of the insert and conforming to it so as to permit rotation of the member with respect to the insert while the clamping element bore is undistorted. There is at least one tooth on the periphery of the clamping element bore projecting radially inward toward the insert. Preferably the periphery of the clamping element bore is completely knurled instead of having a single tooth.

Abstract: An optical recording head for use with a magneto optical recording device wherein a rhomboid prism is utilized having a single PBS coating thereon and being totally internally reflective so that light from a source will pass through the PBS coating once, be totally internally reflected, pass through the PBS coating a second time to form first and second beams, the first passing to the recording apparatus and the second being reflected to pass to a detector to monitor the intensity of the radiation. Light from the recording apparatus containing information is reflected back through the PBS coating to form third and fourth beams, the third being reflected to suitable detecting means and the fourth being passed through the rhomboid prism where it is internally totally reflected and emerges to a detector which is used for monitoring the focal position of the objective lens.

Abstract: A photodetector is provided with a housing that has a discontinuity formed in an outer surface of its light transmissive portion. The discontinuity serves to inhibit liquid droplets from adhering to the outer surface of the endface in the region where the discontinuity is located. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include discontinuities formed in the outer surfaces of housing windows which have flat inner surfaces or inner surfaces which are shaped to formed lenses. By preventing liquid droplets from adhering to the outer surface of the window, the present invention prevents the reflective liquid surfaces of droplets from creating false signals for the photodetector by reflecting light back from the light source toward a light sensitive component.

Abstract: Two articles are provided with mounting surfaces which are to be joined together. A ring shaped preform is selected which consists substantially of indium. The preform is placed on a plate like support means having a plurality of flow through apertures such that the apertures are located to be in alignment with and under at least portions of the preform to permit the passage of cleaning agents through the apertures and around at least selected portions of the preform. A motion limiting means is coupled to the support means so as to serve to limit motion of the preform, bounded by the support means and the motion limiting means. With the motion limiting means in place, the combination of the motion limiting means and the support means can be handled without any contact with the preform.