Abstract: An electromechanical energy conversion system comprising a brushless motor and a stored program controller for controlling motor operation in a plurality of modes in accordance with internally generated and/or external commands.

Abstract: Method for electroplating non-metallic surfaces on a substrate, e.g. of plating holes in metal clad laminates, is disclosed. Metallic sites are formed on the surface and the resulting site-containing surface is electroplated by means of an electroplating bath comprising a component which causes the plating to preferentially occur at said sites in comparison to the plating on surfaces of the same metal as the one plated out; whereby a rate differential of the plating-reaction on site-surfaces is achieved with respect to the plating-reaction on a surface consisting of the metal to be plated out.

Abstract: In a power supply system, an inductance L is connected between a rail at a voltage V.sub.1 and a rail at earth through a switch S. When the switch is opened, a current i.sub.2 flowing from the inductance L is directed to a third rail through a diode D, voltage on the third rail rising to V.sub.2. The system may function as a dc to dc converter with an output voltage between the V.sub.1 rail and V.sub.2 rail equal to V.sub.2 -V.sub.1. The system may alternatively be used in, for example, a reluctance motor drive, in which case a further inductance with associated switch and diode is included in the circuit in inverse configuration to prevent excessive voltage rise on the third rail.

Abstract: A method of making an electric motor with the stator winding inside a slotless cylindrical stator shell.

Abstract: An interconnection board for high frequency signals is made by wire scribing coaxial conductors. The board is provided with holes. The coaxial conductors with signal conductor surrounded by a dielectric in turn surrounded by a conductive shield are wire scribed on a first surface of the board. The ends of the coaxial conductors are stripped to expose signal conductor sections, and dielectric sections. The stripped ends are inserted through the holes so that the dielectric sections reside in the holes and the exposed signal conductors protrude through the holes on the second surface of the board. The signal conductors are terminated on the second surface, and the conductive shields are connected together on the first surface.

Abstract: In a lithographic printing system, a light source and a plurality of photodetectors are used to monitor the amount of fountain solution interacting with the ink. The light source irradiates an ink form roller and the photodetectors are disposed at a specular angle and at one or more non-specular angles to monitor the reflected light. An electronic circuit is responsive to the output of the photodetectors and is used for providing an indication of the amount of fountain solution emulsified in the ink, and lying on the surface of the ink.

Abstract: In a base drive circuit for a high power transistor, an external signal is applied to the circuit by an optical coupler. In response to the external signal, the circuit provides a positive current to the high power transistor in order turn it on. The positive constant current is characterized by an initial spike that prevents any localized hot spots from developing in the high power transistor and thereafter the positive current becomes constant. The circuit also provides a constant negative current when the external signal is removed, thereby quickly turning off the high power transistor. The optical coupler and a time delay device provide the circuit with high noise immunity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous composition and process for the electrodeposition of a layer of zinc containing silicon and phosphorus on a metal substrate. The electrodeposition composition is prepared by reacting metallic silicon and zinc with phosphoric acid and an alkali metal hydroxide in the ratio of between 0.4 and 1.3 moles of alkali metal hydroxide per mole of phosphoric acid, and adjusting the solution to a pH of 2 or higher after completion of the reaction. The coating is deposited on the metal substrate by electrodeposition and comprises about 70% to about 99.5% by weight of zinc, and about 0.10% to about 10% by weight of silicon, and about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of phosphorus.The resultant zinc/silicon/phosphorus coating improves the resistance of the metal substrate to corrosion, wear, galling and stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: A drive system includes a reluctance motor, driving a load. The motor has stator and rotor poles and magnetizing windings for each stator pole. The airgap is small so that saturation occurs during pole overlap, and the poles are constructed so that there is torque overlap between phases as successive phases are energized during rotor rotation. A sensor provides a rotor position input to a reference waveform generator. The output of the generator is determined by rotor position and is applied to a power converter through a current controller. Accordingly the waveform generator establishes a relative magnitude for motor phase current for every position of the rotor during the period of energization of a motor phase. A further input may be applied to the system to determine the absolute magnitude of the phase current, subject to the waveform pattern established by the generator.

Abstract: An improved process for selective metallization of insulating substrates, as for example in the manufacture of wire scribed interconnection boards, is provided. The substrates optionally include one or more holes or cavities for electrical connections.

Abstract: A process for avoiding blister formation between a metal layer which is electrolessly deposited on a surface of a ceramic substrate and the substrate. The substrate is adhesion promoted with an alkali metal composition containing between 0.35 and 0.9 mole fraction alkali metal compound, and water in an amount which is sufficient to lower the melting temperature of the composition to between 145.degree. and 240.degree. C. and adhesion promote the ceramic surface with the molten composition in a time period between 1 and 200 minutes. Thereafter, the adhesion promoted ceramic surface may be activated to render it receptive to electroless metal deposition. The treated ceramic surface is coated free of blisters using an electroless metal deposition bath with an adherent, metal layer having a thickness greater than 5 micrometers.

Abstract: Non-metallic articles are sensitized for deposition of adherent metal from electroless metal solutions in contact therewith by treatment with a first medium including cuprous ions and stannous ions thereby absorbing on the surface in situ at least said cuprous ions; thereafter treating the surface with a second medium to decrease the solubility of the cuprous ions and/or simultaneously removing the excess; and simultaneously or subsequently, if necessary, treating the surface with one or more agents to transfer said cuprous ions into a catalytically-active state.

Abstract: In a servo control system for a reluctance motor, the output of a reference waveform generator is applied to a power converter through a current controller. Under standstill conditions, at least two of the motor windings are energised so that both forward and reverse torques are established, the forward torque being in equilibrium with the reverse torque. The controller may be responsive to a bias signal to establish said torques. The control system may form part of a reluctance motor drive system.

Abstract: Discloses a method for making a coaxial conductor interconnection circuit board, as well as the board per se, by providing a first conductive coating on a substrate, scribing an insulated wire signal conductor pattern on the first coating and a second conductive coating over the wire to provide a conductive shield surrounding the wire, eliminating conductive material from the coatings in clearance areas at terminal points and drilling at the terminal points by laser beam or mechanical drilling to expose the signal conductor.

Abstract: In a system having a plurality of electric motors which are rated at different voltages, a voltage control circuit enables the electric motors to be connected to a common power supply. The voltage control circuit determines a first voltage appearing between the positive bus of the power supply and the motor and a second voltage appearing between the negative bus and the motor. One voltage is inverted and then summed with the non-inverted voltage to provide an average voltage. The average voltage is compared to a reference voltage and when the average voltage exceeds the reference voltage, a limit signal is generated. The limit signal is used to prevent higher voltages from being applied across the motor.

Abstract: A process for preparing a ceramic substrate for metallization wherein a surface of the ceramic substrate is contacted with an admixture comprised of an inert solid material and a composition containing one or more alkali metal compounds. The admixture and the substrate are heated at least to a temperature at which the alkali metal composition becomes molten. The molten alkali metal composition is kept in contact with the ceramic surface for a time period sufficient to etch the surface and thus prepare it for adherent deposition of metal. The presence of the inert solid material in the admixture prevents coalescence of the alkali metal composition on the ceramic surface. Uniform surface coverage with catalyst and metal and an adherent bond of metal to the ceramic surface are ensured by treatment with the admixture. Furthermore, an article comprised of metal directly and adherently bonded onto a ceramic substrate is provided.

Abstract: A high speed optical inspection system for determining the conformity of a sample printed circuit pattern with a master circuit pattern by digitized template matching techniques including illuminating the sample pattern by high intensity lamps and filtering the incident light and reflected light, such as by cross polarization of such light, for contrasting. The contrasted pattern is viewed by an electronic video camera including a charge coupled multi-element pixel array which senses reflected points of light on the illuminated sample pattern for sending electrical signals to a micro-engine for forming a digitized image of the sample pattern.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling the power factor of a power distribution system connected to inductive loads, banks of delta connected capacitors are added to or removed from the power lines of the power distribution system by a plurality of solid state switching devices which are under the control of a microprocessor. The solid state switching devices include optically isolated SCR devices that do not generate electrical interference and provide transient free operation. The microprocessor is also capable of calculating the power factor and displaying it on a digital readout.

Abstract: A linear DC permanent magnet motor comprising a wound member having a plurality of windings wound on a slotted magnetic structure and a field member movable relative to said wound member, the field comprising permanent magnet means for developing a magnetic field and means for energizing with DC current at least some of the windings, the magnetic field of said permanent magnet means interacting with the energized windings causing said field member to move relative to said wound member. The motor also comprises support means for maintaining air gaps between the wound member and the field member.

Abstract: In a positioning guide for an ultrasonic stylus disposed in a scribing head, a hub surrounds the stylus and is secured to the stylus near its working tip. A surrounding retainer is secured to the housing of the moveable scribing head. Radial spokes secure the hub to the surrounding retainer, thereby providing a high degree of lateral rigidity and longitudinal compliance for the working tip of the stylus.