Abstract: An automated butchering method and system for separating the edible loin portions of transverse tuna slices. Each transverse slice of the principal loin bearing section of a tuna is viewed or scanned to produce electrical signals representative of the boundary between the edible loin portions and the contiguous waste meat portions. Control signals can be derived from these electrical signals for government of cutting apparatus for precise separation of the edible loin portions along the detected boundary.

Abstract: A two stroke spark ignition engine requiring a minimum of one pair of cylinders is constructable in multiple cylinder pairs. Each cylinder contains two oppositely working pistons. Four pistons drive, without rocking couples, opposite sides of a single crankshaft having three crankpins. Two paired cylinders are interconnected through and share a common precombustion chamber insuring cylinder pressure equalization and require only one fuel injector and one spark plug. The valveless engine has piston controlled intake and exhaust ports and crank phasing insures that exhaust ports are opened and closed prior to the respective opening and closing of the intake ports rendering the uniflow scavenged cylinders superchargeable. The precombustion chamber is optionally made variable in volume to simultaneously provide a variable compression ratio to both cylinders without affecting piston geometry or stroke.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger is shown for indirect heat exchange between two fluid media. The heat exchanger has thin metallic walls and a multitude of convoluted shaped internal flow passages, increasing the effective contact time during which heat is transferred between the media. The heat exchanger is particularly suitable for heat exchange between fluids having low differential temperatures or specific heats, due to the thin wall structure, the elongated internal flow path created by the convoluted core structure and the absence of welds, soldering, or other thick areas which tend to inhibit heat transfer due to their relatively greater mass. The heat exchanger may be produced by a novel technique. A support matrix is assembled from a plurality of low melting point forms, each of which has angled internal passages. The passages of each form are positioned in register with the passages of adjacent forms.

Abstract: A cartridge retention system includes a cartridge carrying electronic, compressed gas or other components which has a spring-loaded button at one end and which is removably mounted in the breech of an adapter module connected either in a streamer section or between opposing ends of adjacent streamer sections of a towed array. The cartridge is demountably retained within the adapter by providing an adapter housing with a breech which is somewhat longer than the cartridge, and by providing the housing with an overlying two part shell which is rotatable about the housing, with one of the shell parts containing an aperture to accommodate cartridge insertion and with both parts containing an internal circumferential groove adapted to coact with the spring-loaded button on the cartridge to move the cartridge from one end of the breech to the other end upon rotation of the shell.

Abstract: Apparatus, such as a compass, for determining the positional relationship between two structures having limited motion therebetween is disclosed. The apparatus includes a photoelectric array spaced from an illuminating or light source. The array and light source are mounted to a first structure or member, such as for example, a compass housing. A second member suitable for limited motion such as a rotating disc having a mask mounted thereon is located between the array and the light source so as to substantially block light transmitted from the source being received by the array. The mask, however, includes light transmission areas of selected shapes, such as for example, a spiral, or three lines. These light transmissive areas result in the illumination of unique, random patterns of individual elements of the array for each specific relative position between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing cooked crabs for further processing to separate meat from shell by centrifugal action is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a holding means (28), cooperating with a clamping means (190, 192) for securing a crab body (30) to a conveying means (20). The conveying means (20) moves the crab body (30) which has had the carapace shell removed along a predetermined path to a cutting means such as for example circular blades (50A-50D). The circular blades are supported and driven such that as the crab body is moved into the blades by conveying means (20), these blades make a "V" cross-sectional shape cut extending betwee the front and rear of the crab. The open or top of the "V" shape is located at the top or back of the crab and the "tip" of the "V" extends into the crab body such that the "tip" is proximate to but does not cut through the belly shell of the crab. Thus, a "V" cross-sectional portion (116) containing the viscera of the crab is removed from the crab body.

Abstract: A cable leveling device is attached to a streamer cable by providing an adapter module secured between two seismic streamer cable sections with one of the cable strain members secured to the adapter. An overlying coaxial housing is mounted for rotation about the adapter module so as to rotate with respect to the module. The overlying housing carries leveling apparatus in the form of paravanes as well as depth sensing and other apparatus, with the top part of the overlying housing containing a hollow or foam-filled buoyant portion, and with the bottom portion of the housing containing batteries, electronics and sensing devices, such that the housing is maintained in a vertical orientation because of its buoyant top portion and weighted bottom portion.

Abstract: This invention provides in a compact roll film type camera a data processing system for recording at least one line of information along the edge of a picture, to present variable and manually entered data relating to the picture. It contains entirely within the camera cover the keyboard and film recording equipment. The line of information is recorded by programming stored data for synchronous presentation along the edge of a frame when it is being moved to frame another picture. Only seven keyboard keys are needed to give a full range of alphanumeric data entry with each entry requiring two successive keystrokes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a magnetic compass, and system to accurately calibrate the compass with a rotation of the vessel on which the compass is mounted through a single rotation of 360 degrees. The compass comprises gimballed field sensing elements, and processor to provide a signal which is corrected for compass offsets, for permanent magnetic field anomalies and for induced magnetic field anomalies.

Abstract: A mold and process for integrally forming a modular helical shaped device such as a screw conveyor is disclosed. The mold has a center operating axis (26) and includes a first section (20A) which forms a portion of the axial member (33). The first section (20A) also forms one of the helical surfaces (36A) disposed around the center axis (26) which has an amount of rotation no greater than 360 degrees. In a similar manner, a second section (20B) is adapted for reciprocating movement along the center axis (26) between an open and closed position with respect to section (20A). The second section (20B) forms the other one of the helical shaped flight members (41). Thus, the two mold sections define a substantially enclosed cavity having an elongated axial portion and a helical shaped flight portion with a selected cross-section that forms the helical shaped device.

Abstract: A conveyor belt composed of interconnected like modules of integral molded construction. Each of the modules has a flat conveying surface and first and second link ends spaced along the width of the module, each of the link ends including segments having circular bores aligned on a pivot axis across the width of the module and which segments are operative to provide a pivot bearing surface, and to cover a pivot rod on the conveying side of the module, the pivot rod remaining substantially exposed on the bottom side of the module for inspection and cleaning and for more uniform temperature cycling.

Abstract: A position determining system for providing electrical signals representative of the positions of a light source movable within a defined area. The system may be implemented for purposes of data entry or for purposes of object location or surveying. When embodied in a data entry tablet, the invention provides signals representative of the positions of a stylus movable within the area of the tablet and comprising first and second photodetectors spaced along a base line by a predetermined distance, and means associated with each photodetector and operative to provide a movable narrow field of view for each photodetector. Means are provided for monitoring the angular position of each of the fields of view with respect to the base line and for providing a signal indication of the respective angular positions. A stylus having a light emitter at the tip thereof is movable within the area of the tablet and provides light detachable by each of the photodetectors.

Abstract: The number of keys on a keyboard are reduced by employing the decimal point key as a control key when stroked the second time in the entry of a decimal number word. This eliminates the need for a key standard in the computer arts which is either designated as an "enter" key or as an "=" key depending upon the computer arithmetic process. It thereby becomes possible to use only twelve keys on a keyboard to control a modern computer with the order of 133 built-in programs or execution commands. This is done by providing in addition to ten decimal keys 0 to 9 and the decimal point key one additional control or execute key which initiates a two or more sequential key program step select mode in which any of the twelve keys are then stroked to designate a particular execution command. An accompanying graphic display of the various execution choices available makes the keyboard usable without necessity of frequent consultation of an instruction manual.

Abstract: A staircase stringer fabricating apparatus includes a structural machine frame having a carriage moveably mounted with respect to the frame for supporting an elongated stringer work piece. A track mounted upon the structural frame defines a guide for the carriage so that the carriage can move on a controlled path with respect to the frame. Material working stations, such as wood routers, welding torches or the like are spaced upon the machine frame for simultaneously preparing the work piece with selectively spaced apart tread assembly positions that define the horizontal stair step positions (including the spacing and angular positions) upon the stringer during use. The tread positions are preferably formed responsive to the movement of the carriage and work piece upon the track along the controlled path so that the work stations traverse the work piece.

Abstract: A combined heading and depth sensor for acquisition of both compass heading and depth data and transmission of the combined data over a two wire communication link as a single packet of information to a remote data acquisition unit. The sensor includes a remote reading compass assembly, a depth sensor and circuitry to interface the compass and depth sensors to the communication link. A communication protocol is defined permitting addressable interrogation of a plurality of combined heading and depth sensors over the two wire link.

Abstract: A cabinet for use with a visual display for eliminating reflections and glare with respect to an observer having a selected eyepoint is disclosed. The cabinet includes a housing 9 having means mounted to housing 9 for adjustably positioning a visual display having a viewing plane 30. The viewing plane 30 is oriented with respect to a nominal eyepoint 28 of an observer such that the viewing plane 30 is at a selected angle between 65.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to a line of sight extending from the selected nominal eyepoint 28. A support shelf 22 secured to housing 9 supports and locates a keyboard 24 at a viewing position juxtaposed to the visual display CRT 18 such that minimal eye motion is required for an observer to view both visual display 18 and keyboard 24. Also included is an adjustable light obstructing shield 16 having a front edge 26 and a light absorbing inside surface 44.

Abstract: A computer keyboard matrix overlay panel carries indicia indicating the functions of keys and other operating instructions, to replace a significant part of the information formerly set forth in an external instruction manual. Individual panels are coded by incorporated switch parts acting with cooperating computer switch parts to set up a particular operating mode for which the respective key functions are identified when the panel is in place over the computer keyboard keys, the functions being selected by the use of two sequential, non-simultaneous keystrokes involving any of the keys on the keyboard. The panels also serve as software media by incorporation of data strips along panel edges to permit carrying program and data information external to the computer memory which is readable into the computer by corresponding transducers. The panel codes can change the comptuer mode and enter corresponding programs, subroutines, constants, and variable data.

Abstract: A cartridge carrying electronic or other components is removably mounted in the breech of an adaptor module connected either in a streamer section or between opposing ends of adjacent streamer sections of a towed array. The adapter module is provided with channels for loosely guiding all but one strain member, one strain member being clamped to the module, with the longitudinal axis of the module breech being established by the longitudinal axis of the clamped strain member such that alignment of the cartridge is uniquely keyed to the single clamped strain member, the loose mounting of the unclamped strain members preventing differential forces being applied to the adapter module. In one embodiment, a spring-loaded pin and shuttle connector arrangement severs connection for an empty breech and provides for both point contact to an inserted cartridge and relatively long leakage paths so that any entrained sea water will not short out the adapter module or connector system.

Abstract: A stair having a central stringer and two side stringers adapted for mounting between an upper level and a lower level at a relatively steep angle of inclination. A plurality of tread members are disposed in alternating arrangement on respective sides of the central stringer and each tread member extends laterally from the central stringer to the respective side stringer. The tread members, which are substantially identical in shape, mateably join the central stringer and respective side stringers at tread member ends with a dovetail joint having a recessed mortise defining tread supporting shoulders. Handrails are provided at an angle substantially parallel to the stringers and of a height to support a user while descending the stair. Typically an upper tread member is provided which is even with the upper level. The stair is of a structure which permits disassembled shipment as a relatively compact, lightweight package and ease of assembly at a location of intended use.