Abstract: Parallel low-level and high-level quadrature demodulators (60,62) are provided, each including high speed analog-to-digital converters (82,84) with a nominal number of bits. A signal limiter (56) upstream of the low-level demodulator (60) limits the amplitude of an input analog signal (IF IN) to a value corresponding to a predetermined signal level. An attenuator (58) upstream of the high-level demodulator (62) attenuates the input signal (IF IN) by a predetermined factor, so that the signal level into the high-level demodulator (62) is correspondingly lower than the signal level into the low-level demodulator (60). When the amplitude of the input signal (IF IN) is below a predetermined value, a digital switching and scaling unit (72) selects the output signals from the low-level demodulator (60) and extends the digital output to a larger number of bits.

Abstract: To correct luminous non-uniformity of light provided by a phosphor screen, the phosphor efficiency is varied across the diameter of the phosphor screen. A material that reduces the efficiency of phosphor is deposited on the face of the phosphor screen, such that the material compensates for the luminous non-uniformity and provides a uniform distribution. The material, which can be aluminum, is deposited onto the phosphor screen by a evaporation process.

Abstract: An electrical test probe with replaceable tip is provided, which is of low cost and high durability. The probe includes a body (16, FIG. 5) having a chuck-holding recess (26) in its front, with the walls of the recess forming a shoulder at the front and forming an external thread. A probe-holding chuck (52) has a rear portion lying in the body recess; a nut (14) surrounds the front of the chuck and is threadably connected to the body. The chuck is split along an imaginary plane (70) extending at an angle of about 45.degree. from the axis of the probe, into front and rear chuck parts (64, 66). As the nut is tightened to press against the front end of the chuck, the front chuck part (64) slides sidewardly along the split plane so the probe tip (12) is trapped by shear forces between the forward and rearward chuck parts (64, 66).

Abstract: A "smooth" fine classification of varactor diodes according to their electrical parameters is achieved in the manufacturing process to provide groups of matched varactor diodes. The diodes are matched within a predetermined tolerance limit. The dice are picked up from the silicon wafer along a meander path generally perpendicular to the temperature gradient of the diffusion process steps applied to the wafer when the diodes were formed, mounted on a lead frame, bonded, encapsulated, removed from the lead frame, and measured.

Abstract: The maximum amplitude of an input signal (IN) is compressed or reduced to a smaller value suitable for operation on the compressed signal (OUT) by a downstream signal processing stage (16) having insufficient dynamic range, ratio of maximum amplitude to root-mean-square (RMS) noise, to accommodate the original input signal (IN). The input signal (IN) is digitally sampled with coarse resolution to generate a correction signal (44) having a waveform which approximates only the large signal components (24) of the input signal (IN). Where the input signal (IN) consists of recurring received radar pulses, the large signals (24) represent clutter. The amplitude of the correction signal (44) is lower than and increases as a predetermined function of the amplitude of the input signal (IN), and is subtracted from the input signal (IN) so that the large signal components (24) are reduced whereas the small signal components (26), which represent desired target information, retain their original amplitude.

Abstract: A method of accurately determining the temperature of a thin layer of bandgap material without requiring contact to the layer involves the use of optical radiation reflected off the bandgap material and the detection of the reflected energy. The relationship between the temperature varying bandgap energy and the resulting reflection characteristics provides an indication of temperature, independent of ambient temperature.

Abstract: A thin film phosphor screen structure includes a light-transmitting substrate layer, a phosphor layer on the substrate layer formed with a plurality of parabolic-shaped cells containing phosphor material, and a reflective layer coated over the parabolic phosphor cells for reflecting light generated in the cells for transmission externally through the substrate layer. The parabolic cells are configured corresponding to the desired resolution of the display and to critical angle of diffraction for the phosphor/substrate interface. An anti-reflection coating may be applied at the phosphor/substrate interface. The phosphor layer may have a graded dopant structure or an impressed electric field for causing generated electrons to migrate toward the focal plane of the parabolic phosphor cells.

Abstract: A digital limiter for processing a digital video signal includes a limiter stage whose output is subtracted from the input to the stage in a subtracting stage. The resulting difference signal is accumulated by means of an accumulating device. The accumulated signal is added to the digital video signal to be processed. The accumulator provides a memory function for the signal component clipped in the limiter. It also includes a leakage device, so that the accumulated signal can decrease again after the start of limiting action.

Abstract: A high pressure piston seal with low pressure seal capabilities. At high pressure the seal configuration increases the footprint loading for high pressure sealing. The seal arrangement also provides a labyrinth effect at low pressure combined with reduced loading.

Abstract: A C-band transmit-receive module for an active aperture radar is provided employing gallium arsenide chips preferably manufactured by the Multifunction Self-Aligned Gate process and employing both open and closed loop error correction for both phase and amplitude to correct for errors due to temperature, power supply variations, operating bandwidth and phase states.In a second embodiment a power output amplifier is provided employing predriver, driver and power amplifier stages wherein the power amplifier or the power amplifier and the driver may be switched out of the circuit if not needed. The bias on the amplifier may also be lowered if not needed. This is done to increase efficiency and reduce temperature.In both embodiments class B amplifier are preferred.

Abstract: A connector is described, which has several rows of contacts connected to two rows of leads that engage terminals on a circuit board assembly, which enables a large number of contacts to be located in a connector of moderate cost. A connector insert comprises a wafer device (44, FIG. 3) and multiple leads, the leads having front lead portions (50) connected to multiple rows of contacts (30) on the wafer device, middle lead portions (56) molded into the wafer device, and rearward lead portions (52) lying in two parallel rows for contacting terminals on opposite sides of the circuit board assembly. Each wafer device includes two substantially identical wafers (74, 76, FIG. 6), to allow molding of a single row of leads at a time into a wafer. Each wafer has forwardly projecting towers (130, FIG. 5) that each lie around the front portion of a lead, and each contact has a periphery captured by a tower portion and a hole that receives a lead front portion.

Abstract: A hollow, tubular steering column jacket surrounds a hollow, tubular steering column shaft. First and second brackets are fitted into the first and second ends of the jacket for mounting the jacket to the stationary structure of a vehicle at one end and to receive a steering column switch assembly and a steering wheel at another end. A third bracket may be mounted intermediate the first and second ends of the jacket and to the vehicle for providing selective pivoting of the jacket with respect to the first end of the jacket. The steering column shaft has an integrally formed yoke at one end. The opposite end of the steering column shaft is formed for attachment to a vehicle steering wheel.

Abstract: A plastic quick-connect connector for connecting a plastic tube or fluid line to a connector stem. A elastically expandable plastic compression sleeve is slid over the end of the mating plastic tube or fluid line. The connector stem receives the plastic tube and surrounding compression sleeve the stem to expand the plastic tube and the tightly surrounding compression sleeve radially outwardly into a gripping relationship with the stem therebetween. The compression sleeve is of a material which does not relax at elevated temperatures on the order of 350.degree. F. This arrangement prevents creep or relaxation of the plastic tube or fluid line which, in turn, prevents an undesired pull-off, or separation of the completed connection.

Abstract: An improved combination steam and fuel oil supply and purge valve has a steam valve and actuator member which provides for a closed position, a purge operation with communication established between a steam supply line and a discharge line leading to an oil burner, and a burner operation position wherein the actuator portion of the member engages and opens a double-acting oil supply and recirculation valve member and thus establishes communication between an oil supply line and an oil discharge line to the burner. In its closed position the oil supply and recirculation valve member provides for communication between the oil supply line and a recirculation line which redirects oil to a storage tank or the like for reheating and for maintenance of a desired viscosity during burner shutdown.

Abstract: A high reliability socket contact assembly is provided, of the type that has a seamless exterior, which has tines with closely spaced initial and final points of pin contact engagement, and which has a closed entry region limiting the size of pin contacts that can be inserted, which can be constructed at low cost. The assembly includes a seamless barrel (12, FIG. 3) having a cylindrical cavity (16) extending into its front end, and a clip (20) formed of sheet metal rolled into a tube and lying in the cavity. The clip has a rearward portion (32), tines (42a-42d) extending forwardly from the rearward portion and having free forward tips, and a forward portion. The tips (56) of the tines have radially inner edges (60) lying on a first imaginary circle, and the forward portion of the barrel forms a closed entry region (72) having an inside diameter no greater than the diameter of the first imaginary circle, to prevent entry of pins of a diameter that could damage the tines. In one barrel (FIG.

Abstract: A shift register is disclosed in which an n-stage shift-register chain (sr) consists of 2n series-connected, like basic cells (zi) which are driven in antiphase by a first and a second shift clock (C1, C2) from a clock generator (g). The nonoverlap range of the two shift clocks is temperature- and frequency-stable, so that the shift register can be used within a wide frequency and temperature range. Frequency adaptation is accomplished simply by changing resistance values.

Abstract: A universal quick connector release tool includes a handle and a bifurcated body resiliently mounted to the handle and including one or more finger members extending from each half of the body which collectively form a tapered fitting receiving passageway which is radially resiliently adapted to male tubular fittings of varying diameter and to demate such male fitting conduit with corresponding connectors.

Abstract: A two or three piece seal apparatus and method is described for providing a positive seal of threads in extreme temperature ranges up to 2000.degree. F. for at least 20 minutes. A stainless steel compression/retaining nut is utilized in combination with a high temperature alloy ring or diamond-shaped seal to effect sealing of the threads.

Abstract: A telescopic sight which can be used for either nighttime or daytime operation and is particularly adaptable for use on weapons ranging from rifles to anti-tank weapons.A first embodiment includes a single objective and two parallel light paths, one for day viewing and one for night viewing. The objective forms the beginning of the night path. Separating mirrors transmit light from the objective along the night path and reflects light from the objective to the day path. The night path includes an image intensifier assembly. A mirror at the end of the night path reflects the light from the image intensifier assembly to a beamsplitter/combiner on the day path. The beamsplitter/combiner transmits the light from the day path and reflects the light from the night path along the same path to an ocular assembly for viewing.A second embodiment of the telescopic sight is similar to the first embodiment but contains two objective lens assemblies for collecting light, one for the night path and one for the day path.

Abstract: The invention relates to battery-operated appliances, and to an improved battery storage compartment. The battery (47, FIG. 7) lies in a compartment in a housing (20), the housing having a front face containing controls (28, 30) and a display (26). An aperture (44) lies in the housing front face to enable battery replacement from the front, and a cover (110) covers the aperture. The cover has ports (124) through which plugs (122) pass to reach sockets (32). A circuit board (36, FIGS. 3 and 4) lies behind the rear wall (134) of the battery compartment, the circuit board having about as great a width and length as the housing.