Abstract: A computer controlled optical system for automatically acquiring and storing spectral radiance data for a multiplicity of targets. Several measurement modes are available for each target ranging from a single wavelength measurement to measurement over a plurality of discrete wavelengths. Stepping motive means prompted by computer instructions direct the apparatus to a given set of target coordinates.

Abstract: A siren comprises a compressed air supply which is deflected by stationary deflectors to exit radially through stator ports. A rotor with spaced ports rotates between the stator and deflector thereby opening and closing the stator ports. Stationary vanes are disposed at circumferentially spaced locations, and constitute together with the deflector plate and stator and rotor housing, plenums. There are fewer rotor ports than stator ports, which generates an out-of-phase acoustical pattern which creates an acoustic combination from the stator ports of an acoustic output at a distance from the siren which is more uniform spatially. The thermoplastic seal between the stator and the rotor has minimal clearance under operating conditions having been run-in and plastically deformed at a temperature higher than for normal operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for verifying the accuracy of watt-hour meters at their operational site includes applying a phantom load to the meter and to a watt transducer. The relative watt hour readings of the meter are compared to the watt hours computed from the power to the watt transducer and represented as a percentage error of the meter. The phantom load is constituted by a loading transformer with optional load adjustments to take into account different loads to the meter and there are also adjustment means to take into consideration different meter characteristics. The meter watt hour reading is determined from an articulated light generating and receiving means mounted in alignment with the revolving disc so that light passes through the aperture in the disc to the receiving means and then signals the verifying apparatus to give an indication of the watt hour reading of the meter. Alternatively the reading is obtained manually.

Abstract: A control device for regulating the output voltage of a voltage regulator wherein the output from that regulator would normally be variable includes inputting that voltage to the control device. There are two overlapping bands which define an effective bandwidth between the upper limit of the lower band and lower limit of the upper band. The output of the device provides a signal responsively regulated in the effective bandwidth such that the output from the regulator can be similarly regulated. In power generation systems a narrow bandwidth can be effectively maintained to permit narrow variations of voltage. A micro-processor facilitates changing the regulated levels for the control device such that the output from the control device can be selectively and controllably changed as desired.

Abstract: A siren comprises a compressed air supply which is deflected by stationary deflectors to exit radially through stator ports. A rotor with spaced ports rotates between the stator and deflector thereby opening and closing the stator ports. Stationary vanes are disposed at circumferentially spaced locations, and constitute together with the deflector plate and stator and rotor housing, plenums. There are fewer rotor ports than stator ports, which generates an out-of-phase acoustical pattern which creates an acoustic combination from the stator ports of an acoustic output at a distance from the siren which is more uniform spatially. The thermoplastic seal between the stator and the rotor has minimal clearance under operating conditions havign been run-in and plastically deformed at a temperature higher than for normal operation.

Abstract: Subsynchronous resonance is detected in an electric a.c. power supply system by determining changes in wave parameters of substantially successive half cycles and applying said changes as a relationship of said subsynchronous resonance. The parameter change measured is the wave period, and changes in the ratio of the difference of the period of positive and period of negative half cycles over the sum of the period positive and the period of negative half cycles is related to detection of subsynchronous resonance.

Abstract: An electrical energy diversion measurement device includes a first clip-on transformer for location about the power cable at high elevation in the zone of the weather guard or at underground manhole location where power supply enters the consumer's dwelling. A second clip-on transformer is simultaneously located about a cable passing through the watt power meter housing supplying power to the consumer. A digital measurement means is responsive to the current sensed by either the current transformers or simultaneously by the transformers and digitally displays the current of each or the difference between the sensed current as a representation of current difference and energy diversion.

Abstract: A siren comprises a compressed air supply which is deflected by stationary deflectors to exit radially through stator ports. A rotor with spaced ports rotates between the stator and deflector thereby opening and closing the stator ports. Stationary vanes are disposed at circumferentially spaced locations, and constitute together with the deflector plate and stator and rotor housing, plenums. There are fewer rotor ports than stator ports, which generates an out-of-phase acoustical pattern which creates an acoustic combination from the stator ports of an acoustic output at a distance from the siren which is more uniform spatially. The thermoplastic seal between the stator and the rotor has minimal clearance under operating conditions having been run-in and plastically deformed at a temperature higher than for normal operation.

Abstract: A luminaire shield, particularly for protecting street lights from breakage by vandals includes a laminate plate mounted in spaced relationship from the lens of the luminaire. Heat can thereby escape between an air gap and between the light source housing and the shield, and the shield extends beyond the lens with a tail portion covering the electrical converter (ballast) mounted within the luminaire housing, such that this is also protected.

Abstract: An energy-efficient device for managing residential loads on electrical generating systems is disclosed. The device is suitable for installation in existing circuit breaker load center panels at low labor costs, to be signalled from Load Management System(s), of various types. The device of the present invention causes the circuit breaker to disconnect and reconnect thereby controlling power consumption during peak periods of energy use. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for detecting current imbalance between phases of a polyphase alternating current generator. A detector responds to the maximum peak current in the generator, and detecting means generates an output for each phase proportional to the peak current of each phase. Comparing means generates an output when the maximum peak current exceeds the phase peak current.

Abstract: An improved blade rotor structure for an axial flow turbine substantially reduces vibratory stress at resonant frequencies by rigidly connecting the blades to each other in groups equal in number to an integer multiple of the resonant frequency of the blades (i.e. a harmonic frequency) divided by the rotor running speed. Flexible tie means are used for connecting adjacent groups of blades together for substantially reducing axial-torsional vibration of the blades.

Abstract: A theft resisting device for use as part of an electric watthour meter includes a moveable slide bar positioned in a housing within the base plate of the meter. The slide bar is normally retracted, but when unauthorized removal of the meter from its socket occurs, the bar extends thereby preventing reinstallation of the meter in the socket in any position. Locking means engages the slide bar to prevent retraction of the bar. An access aperture to the housing permits a tool to be inserted to reset the locking means and permit slide bar retraction.

Abstract: A watthour meter with a rotatable metering movement responsive to the flow of energy through the meter includes a gravity activatable contact or stop element to engage the metering movement when the meter is inverted for preventing deregistration of consumed energy. Latching means can lock the element in a position showing that the meter had been inverted.

Abstract: By the process of the invention a unique crystalline calcium sulfate dihydrate product is precipitated from an aqueous solution of calcium sulfate and a combination of molecularly dehydrated inorganic phosphates. Also within the scope of the invention is a wallboard manufacturing process and a gypsum wallboard which comprises the gypsum of the invention.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of underwater pipeline leaks comprising first measuring the resulting pressure within the pipeline, calculating depth of pipeline at the site of the leak and then determining the location of the leak by reference to a graph of the profile of the pipeline which plots the depth of the pipeline against the distance of the pipeline from shore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing oxides of nitrogen and sulfur from flue gases. The apparatus comprises an enclosure wherein the flue gases are washed with a scrubbing solution, preferably containing ferrous chelates and sulfite ions, and an electrochemical cell for regenerating the spent scrubbing solution. The electrochemical cell preferably comprises a plurality of cathode and anode compartments separated by ion transfer membranes. The spent scrubbing solution is regenerated by passing the solution through the cathode compartments of the electrochemical cell. The regeneration process involves the removal of the sulfate ions from the scrubbing solutions through the ion transfer membranes and the reduction of the nonreactive ferric chelate to the reactive ferrous chelate.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous combustion of nitrogen-rich fuels and nitrogen-poor fuels which results in the production of less nitrogen oxide emissions.

Abstract: An improved water intake system with fish control means includes a watercourse through which water is drawn from a body of water containing fish and debris, a fish diversion structure mounted across the watercourse for diverting fish unavoidably sucked therein and fish removal means located at one end of the fish diversion structure for removing the diverted fish from the water in the watercourse for return to the body of water.

Abstract: A relay for detecting sustained subsynchronous current on a power system. The relay includes a filter network for separating subsynchronous current from synchronous current and a detector network for measuring the detected subsynchronous current.