Abstract: A central portion of the lamp is ionized by a RF field applied between two auxiliary electrodes and the strength of the RF signal resulting between the terminal electrodes of the lamp is measured as an indication of the fill gas pressure.

Abstract: A glass screw base of a bulb is provided with a first channel for accomodating solder filling used for mechanical locking of the glass base to a metal screw shell. A second, narrow channel is made in the base to receive a lead wire and direct it to the rim of the shell whereupon an electrical contact is established by a minimal amount of solder and solder flux.

Abstract: In a pyroelectric vidicon, the target is covered with a layer of vacuum compatible material which has a high secondary emission coefficient, a low first cross-over and low conductivity to prevent decomposition of the target.

Abstract: A method of reducing the thickness of a wafer of fragile material, e.g. pyroelectric material, by placing the wafer, supported only at its rim, in a holder filled with a non-corrosive liquid. The holder with the exposed surface of wafer is placed in an etch bath to reduce the thickness of the wafer. The wafer is removed from the etch bath, without removing it from the holder, to measure its thickness, using its index of refraction, which is facilitated by the presence of a bubble in the non-corrosive liquid.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed fixed film resistor including a coupling element of soft alloy material between the resistive element and the leads for providing strain relief. The resistive element is composed of a resistive film having coated ends composed of a refractory metallic material for providing reliable electrical and mechanical connection to the coupling element.

Abstract: A method of growing silicon carbide whiskers from a gaseous phase by means of a vapor-liquid-solid mechanism on a substrate using iron in a finely divided state as a solvent for the silicon carbide.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp having two opposite electrodes, wire probes located near the electrodes for collecting electrons during the positive half-cycle on an electrode, and a coating of a dielectric material, such as boron nitride, on each probe for storing some collected electrons and attracting a part of positive ions during the negative half-cycle.

Abstract: A miniaturized variable capacitor including a stator and a rotor, a pinion rivet fixed to the rotor, and a spring clamp terminal electrically connected to the rotor electrode and cooperatively engaged with the pinion rivet for pressing the stator and rotor together.

Abstract: A straylight compensation circuit which corrects for excessive dark current features a blanking circuit to ensure a stable black level without spikes and blanking noise. The video is integrated to provide a measure of the average picture level and is added to a reference level to compare with the blanking level in the original signal. The blanking circuit has a differential amplifier with diodes to ensure a correct and stable black level without noise or spikes.

Abstract: A pyroelectric target for a vidicon is effectively sealed in a vacuum-tight envelope by resiliently mounting in a retainer ring bonded by indium to a window transparent to visible and infra-red radiation. The window is then sealed in one end of an envelope which is evacuated.

Abstract: A device for the compensation of dropouts in an angle modulated signal. The device comprises a variable delay line, which receives a control signal from a control unit for variably delaying said angle-modulated signal. The control unit comprises a dropout detector and a transformation means co-operating therewith for supplying an output signal which is representative of the magnitude and the polarity of the dropout. Said output signal is applied to the variably delay means as a control signal.

Abstract: An improved ballast circuit for one or more electric discharge lamps includes a nonlinear variable capacitor connected in series with an iron core inductor and the lamps across the terminals of a source of alternating current. The nonlinear capacitor preferably exhibits a voltage and/or current dependent capacitance characteristic. The use of the nonlinear capacitor improves the crest factor of the lamp current waveform thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the ballast circuit and reducing the size and cost of the iron core inductor.

Abstract: A fault detection indicator comprises an electromagnetic core and coil assembly, a repulsion permanent magnet and two trip-latch permanent magnets. In addition, an indicator button may be employed to present the state of the indicator. The indicator design presents a simple construction which will electrically change its indicated state, remain in latched position and be capable of being manually restored. Internal switches may be included in the indicator which function in conjunction with the trip-latch magnets.

Abstract: For Peltier-induced liquid phase epitaxy on a substrate which is an intermetallic III-V compound of gallium, electrical contact is made to the substrate via a layer of gallium in which aluminum has been dissolved to a concentration of more than 0.5% by weight.

Abstract: An article transfer and inspection apparatus comprising chamber-defining means, substantially impermeable to x-rays; and x-ray source for directing x-rays to a first portion of said chamber; feed and extraction conveyor systems individually having at least a portion thereof outside the chamber and respectively serving to introduce and remove an article into and from the chamber, the feed conveyor system being operable at a first speed; an inspection conveyor system located between the feed and extraction conveyor systems and at least partly disposed at the chamber first portion, the inspection conveyor system being operable at a second speed at least equal to the first speed and serving to carry the article through the chamber first portion; and means for converting x-rays passing through the first portion and the article into a visual image.The apparatus can also include means for achieving a pre-determined spacing between various articles.

Abstract: A signal detector including a transducer element, an X-Y addressed array of field-effect transistor electrically coupled, e.g., capacitively or directly coupled, to the transducer element, and means for addressing the transistor X-Y array.

Abstract: A circuit controls the gain of a first active stage in a radio receiver. The control voltage is derived from a point ahead of a filter, and thus controls the gain when a strong off channel signal is present. A normal AGC can also be used for on channel signals.