Abstract: A variable reluctance stepper motor including cooperating fixed and moving structures having tooth-like patterns of equal pitch but with the fixed and moving teeth having different lengths, measured in the direction of movement. The smaller teeth are divided into groups which are offset from one another by fractions of a tooth pitch to provide a bi-directional motor capable of being stepped from one position to the next with the teeth tending to produce force in the desired direction carrying essentially all of the flux and the teeth tending to produce force in the opposite direction carrying essentially no flux. Methods and techniques are also disclosed for fabricating tooth structures and bearing systems.

Abstract: Surfaces of articles are sensitized for the deposition of adherent metal from electroless metal solutions in contact therewith by prior treatment with a liquid containing an activatable complex of copper. The copper-containing complexes of the instant invention are the product of forming solutions comprising a halogen component, a cuprous component and a cupric component. The solutions may optionally be in contact with elemental metal.

Abstract: A closed loop control system for variable reluctance stepper motors which senses a voltage indicative of motion on the driven windings, uses this voltage to confirm that motion has occurred, compares this voltage with one modeled after a waveform indicative of no motion and effects successive changes in the winding drive states at optimum times.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for independently, adjustably limiting both the peak current and average current in a switching servo amplifier.

Abstract: A bidirectional, axial air gap, brushless, printed circuit DC motor having a stationary, low inductance armature bonded to the motor frame and having a plurality of rotating permanent magnets. Electro-optical sensing is employed which produces a unique digital representation of the magnet position. The digital output of the electro-optical sensor is decoded and, using brush substitution techniques, is used to selectively and progressively energize fields in the armature winding ahead of the rotating magnets. Both single field per pole and multiple field per pole commutation techniques are taught. The armature may be cut so as to produce several independent coils which may be combined in various ways, depending on the application.

Abstract: Novel liquid seeders and catalyzation processes for the electroless deposition of metal on substrates. The seeders comprise the admixture of sources of cuprous, hydrogen and halogen ions, organic solvent(s), and an agent to convert cupric ions to cuprous ions. The processes include the steps of contacting a substrate with a certain seeder, fixing the seeder to the substrate with water, and catalyzing the fixed seeder by further water treatment, use of a strong reducing agent, or both.

Abstract: Metal-complex compounds suitable for use in the electroless deposition of said metal are formed in aqueous solution by a method which comprises providing an aqueous solution of the complexing agent, immersing in the solution at least one anode comprising the metal to be deposited and at least one cathode, the anode and cathode being connected to an adjustable current source, applying a current to the anode and cathode to create a voltage difference therebetween which is sufficient to dissolve metal from the anode into the aqueous solution of the complexing agent and thereby form a compound of the metal and complexing agent, and depositing a lesser amount of metal from solution onto the cathode to enrich the solution in the metal-complex compound. In other embodiments of the invention, devices for carrying out the process are also provided.

Abstract: Surfaces of articles are sensitized for the deposition of adherent metal from electroless metal solutions in contact therewith by prior treatment with an activatable complex of copper in a liquid medium formed from a solution comprising a mixture of halogen, cuprous and cupric components and thereafter forming a deposit on the treated article surfaces of a water-insoluble derivative of the said complex. Such surface deposits are treated with a reducing agent or water to enhance their reception of metal in an electroless metal deposition bath.

Abstract: A multi-wire electrical interconnecting circuit member having a multi-wire matrix of insulated wires mechanically terminated on the multi-wire electrical interconnecting member. Wire retaining members positioned on the multi-wire electrical interconnecting member terminate the wires and establish a gas-tight electrical connection therewith. Each of the wire retaining members includes means for engaging a wire with sufficient force to penetrate any insulation thereon and establish and maintain a gas-tight electrical connection with the conductive core of the wire.

Abstract: Novel liquid seeders and catalyzation processes for the electroless deposition of metal on substrates. The seeders comprise the admixture of sources of cuprous, hydrogen and halogen ions, organic solvent(s), and an agent to convert cupric ions to cuprous ions. The processes include the steps of contacting a substrate with a certain seeder, fixing the seeder to the substrate with water, and catalyzing the fixed seeder by further water treatment, use of a strong reducing agent, or both.

Abstract: There is provided an improvement in the method of preparing printed circuit boards by chemically catalyzing the surface of an insulating material, electrolessly depositing a layer of copper thereon, masking selected areas of the copper layer not correspnding to the desired pattern of conductor lines, electrolytically depositing additional copper on the unmasked areas, removing the masking material and etching away the copper from the previously masked areas. The improvement comprises the steps of forming an etch-resistant protective layer of oxide on the surface of the electrolytically deposited copper layer before removing the masking material, then removing the masking material and etching away the electrolessly deposited copper from the previously masked areas.

Abstract: Metal layer thicknesses on articles during formation or degradation, as in electroless or electrolytic deposition or chemical etching, are measured and controlled by a process comprising determining the radiation scattering capacity of a corresponding metallic layer deposited on or removed from a test sample while the test sample is present in a bath solution during formation or degradation of the metal layer. Also provided is a novel immersible sensor for measuring the rate and thickness of metal layers being deposited or degraded.

Abstract: Coupling of the end portion of a continuous conductive filament to an element mountable at a work station is attained in accordance with the method and apparatus of the instant invention by emplacing the conductive filament from a feed means so that the end portion of the conductive filament is congruent with a predetermined geometric location, and arranging the feed means relative to the work station so that the geometric locus defined by the position of the emplaced conductive filament is predetermined and repeatable. Advantageously, the continuous conductive filament may be emplaced by pushing or pulling. The end portion is thereafter joined to a predetermined terminal area on an element which is coextensive with the predetermined geometric location. Preferably, the conductive filament is subsequently joined to a second terminal area then cut or broken to form a permanent or temporary package.

Abstract: A reflection spectrophotometer which illuminates a sample with flux derived from a light source, such as a pulsed xenon flashtube, divides the light diffusely reflected by the sample into its component wavelengths and simultaneously senses the energy present at each of the component wavelengths.

Abstract: Securely bonded layers of electroless metals on bodies having a resinous surface are provided after first contacting the surface of the body with a highly active, easily controllable, readily disposable composition comprising water, permanganate ion and manganate ion, the molar ratio of manganate to permanganate being up to about 1.2 and the composition having a pH controlled in the range of 11 to 13. Means to regenerate the composition and a temperature controlled in the range of 20.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. are also described.

Abstract: Metal layer thicknesses on articles during formation or degradation, as in electroless or electrolytic deposition or chemical etching, are measured and controlled by a process comprising determining the radiation scattering capacity of a corresponding metallic layer deposited on or removed from a test sample while the test sample is present in a bath solution during formation or degradation of the metal layer. Also provided is a novel immersible sensor for measuring the rate and thickness of metal layers being deposited or degraded.

Abstract: An improved direct drive for turntables having a disk-shaped armature integrally coupled to the turntable and concentrically arranged about the shaft of the turntable for causing rotation of the turntable during the application of current to the disk-shaped armature. Advantageously, when such an arrangement is used with audio turntables a disk changer mechanism can be readily accommodated in the turntable.

Abstract: A multi-wire electrical interconnecting circuit member having a multi-wire matrix of insulated wires mechanically terminated on the multi-wire electrical interconnecting member. Wire retaining members positioned on the multi-wire electrical interconnecting member terminate the wires and establish a gas-tight electrical connection therewith. Each of the wire retaining members includes means for engaging a wire with sufficient force to penetrate any insulation thereon and establish and maintain a gas-tight electrical connection with the conductive core of the wire.

Abstract: Securely bonded layers of electroless metals on bodies having a resinous surface are provided after first contacting the surface of the body with a highly active, easily controllable, readily disposable composition comprising water, permanganate ion and manganate ion, the molar ratio of manganate to permanganate being up to about 1.2 and the composition having a pH controlled in the range of 11 to 13. Resinous surfaces so treated are neutralized in a process including treatment with hydrazine in order to yield metallized resinous surfaces exhibiting superior peel strengths following electroless metal deposition.

Abstract: Securely bonded layers of electroless metals on bodies having a resinous surface are provided after first contacting the surface of the body with a highly active, easily controllable, readily disposable composition comprising water, permanganate ion and manganate ion, the molar ratio of manganate to permanganate being up to about 1.2 and the composition having a pH controlled in the range of 11 to 13. Means to regenerate the composition and a temperature controlled in the range of 20.degree. to 100.degree. C are also described.