Abstract: A light source signal is amplitude modulated by a phase modulated sinusoid and passes through two directional couplers so that two beams are formed. The beams are transmitted to the ends of an optic-fiber coil for propagation therethrough in opposite circular directions. An optical phase modulator is present at one end of the coil so that a phase modulation of fixed frequency and amplitude is introduced to a first beam as it enters the coil and to the counterpropagating beam as it leaves the coil. The counterpropagating beams produce a signal at a photodetector which is a function of rotation rate. An electronic control unit is connected to the photodetector to generate a digital signal output as a frequency which is a measure of rotation rate. A feedback loop is completed by connecting a signal, produced by the control unit, to the amplitude modulated light source for nulling the phase shift due to rotation rate.

Abstract: A vibration damping device for a thermostatic expansion valve comprises a spring member having a plurality of cantilevered fingers substantially parallel to the direction of travel of moving components but which are spring loaded to provide a force normal to that direction. The damping device is fixedly attached to one of the moving or stationary components and is arranged so that its fingers exert the normal force against the other of the moving or stationary components. Accordingly, a constant magnitude frictional force is produced over the range of movement, thus damping vibrations caused by pressure pulses from the compressor of the refrigeration system in which the thermostatic expansion valve is installed.

Abstract: A lockstitch sewing machine is provided with a thread handling device comprising opposing lengths of cloth that receive and frictionally engage thread therebetween to maintain the takeup of the machine thread and impose restraint upon the descent of the thread when the takeup is moved downwardly from a stitch setting position.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an image pick-up assembly for use in a vehicle training simulators and the assembly has an optical system to detect images in a direction of travel and to transmit these images to an electronic camera. A terrain-following head unit is formed to traverse a terrain model and contains the optical system. A gimbal joint couples the terrain-following head unit with the electronic camera to permit relative universal movement between the two. Releasable locking device is described to lock the terrain-following head unit in an operating position relative to the electronic camera so that it is releasable by a force when the terrain-following head unit engages an obstacle on the terrain model.

Abstract: An angularly configured bracket is mounted at one end portion for pivotal adjustment in a sewing machine into a position of engagement at another end portion with fixed machine structure. A fastener extending through a slot in the bracket while the bracket is so adjusted secures the bracket to the upper end of a fixed post having a rotatable work feed controlling cam thereon, and so stabilizes the post against distortion by a spring biased cam engaging follower.

Abstract: Dither compensation in a ring laser gyroscope is effectuated by one or more retroreflective prisms or by one or more pairs of cofunctioning transparent wedges mounted to the gyroscope casing in a dither compensation plane parallel to the plane of the laser light path in the gyroscope cavity. Prisms or beam splitters reflect at least one of two counter-rotating laser beams to the dither compensation plane from the plane of the cavity. An optical sensor comprising a photodiode for detecting and analyzing the interfering laser beams can be placed in the dither compensation plane or in the plane of the gyroscope cavity.

Abstract: An expanded interval drive mechanism for a program timer includes two ratchet rings. One of the ratchet rings is fixed to the monoblock and at certain regions thereon it is missing teeth over a portion of its width. Thus, the first ratchet ring has regions of narrow teeth. The other ratchet ring is arranged for free relative rotational movement in a first direction with respect to the monoblock. All of the teeth of the two ratchet rings have substantially the same major and minor diameters. However, the second ratchet ring is formed with at least one deep notch. In the region where the first ratchet ring has missing teeth, the toothless region is at substantially the same level as the notch. A single drive pawl extends over both ratchet rings and its driving surface is formed at a plurality of levels so that the drive pawl engages the first ratchet ring in the arc length corresponding to the toothless region only when the drive pawl engages the notch of the second ratchet ring.

Abstract: A hand operated sewing machine with opposing loop seizing points for forming chain stitches. A work feeding plate reciprocates with a plate member about a pivot. A flexible upstanding portion at one end of an arm is biassed by the moving plate member causing the other arm end to bias a cam affixed to the loop seizing points. This bias determines the cam path taken by a drive pin that provides motion to the loop seizing points.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a timer includes a drive pawl having a pin which is trapped between two camming surfaces of a continuously driven drive cam. The drive pawl is slidably mounted in the timer frame so that it is linearly reciprocated when the drive cam is rotated. A spring biases the drive pawl against the ratchet track.

Abstract: In a clear viewing screen of the kind comprising a fixed screen element; a disk-like screen element supported for rotation at the outside of the window; a motor for driving the rotatable disk-like screen element supported at the inside of the fixed screen element; the motor to coupled the rotatable disk-like screen element, the motor mounted at the periphery of said rotatable disk-like screen element, and a magnetic coupling having first and second coupling halves is provided, one coupling half coupled to the motor, and the other coupling half coupled to the rotatable disk-like screen element, the coupling members disposed opposite each other on opposite sides of the fixed screen element so that coupling can take place without making a hole in the fixed screen element.

Abstract: A momentary contact rocker switch utilizes a pair of torsion springs as movable switch contacts, with fixed terminal posts being used as fixed contacts. The terminal posts are grooved in the region of contact with the torsion spring to provide a wiping action. This wiping action, along with the high electrical contact forces provided by the torsion spring, eliminates the need for silver contacts.

Abstract: In distance measuring equipment apparatus which includes an antenna; a transmitter/receiver coupled to the antenna to transmit interrogation pulses and receive responses from a ground station, the pulses being spaced apart, the ground station also transmitting other responses between the responses; and a data processor receiving video and gate signals from the transmitter/receiver and calculating therefrom the distance to the ground station in order to calibrate for receiver and installation delays. The receiving signal, other than when one of the responses is being received, is modulated. The phase of the resulting modulation on the video signal with respect to the phase of modulation at the modulator is detected to determine the receiver and installation delay.

Abstract: A sewing machine which is operable in either a cam controlled feeding mode or a manually controlled feeding mode is provided with a spring which is moved into loading engagement with a feed regulating control lever by mode selecting mechanism when the selecting mechanism is disposed for manual control, and is moved away from the feed regulating control lever when the selecting mechanism is disposed for cam controlled feeding.

Abstract: An in-line sander for hand held operation and having a housing in which a rotating electric motor drives a drive shaft to rotate on a first axis, with a second axis of the drive shaft canted to the first axis and supporting a bearing thereon. A bearing housing is supported on the bearing to orbit therewith, the bearing housing having an arm extending to a platen support and extensibly and pivotably connected to a portion thereof. This orbiting of the bearing housing influences motion of the platen support in accordance with the angle of the cone described by the second axis of the drive shaft. The platen support is made of a resilient material and carried by the housing on legs extending to a base portion, which legs have a low moment of inertia in the direction of in-line sanding, and a high moment of inertia normal to the direction of in-line sanding, so as to be disposed to motion in the in-line sanding path only.

Abstract: A mechanism for allowing adjustment of a cushion spring assembly to vary the distance between the wall of the bobbin case and the cushion spring in two directions. Means are incorporated to permit movement of the cushion spring assembly to facilitate removal of the bobbin case from the loop taker, without affecting the adjustment of the mechanism.

Abstract: A differential feed system in which a main feed bar supports an auxiliary feed bar for rising and falling motion but for independent longitudinal motion and wherein longitudinal motion of the auxiliary feed bar is derived from oscillations imparted to a differential feed shaft from a main feed shaft. A safety mechanism is provided in which a safety bar is pivotably connected to a feed regulator control for the main feed and is fashioned with a lost motion connection to a feed control for the auxiliary feed. Motion of the lever for auxiliary feed control is possible in a limited range determined by the degree of lost motion in the safety bar and motion of this lever beyond the limited range will shift the regulator for the main feed system in the same increasing or decreasing feed direction as the lever for the auxiliary system is being shifted.

Abstract: Vibrational movements of a spring biased lever, which is selectively positionable by a stitch length control lever and controls the operation of feed regulating mechanism in a sewing machine accordingly, are dampened by the operation of a plunger that is carried by said control lever and has a camming surface thereon to engage and lift the spring biased lever when the control lever is moved.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor includes a diaphragm operated switch coupled to a Venturi in a flow conduit. The apparatus includes a housing having a diaphragm defining a chamber. The chamber has a first port connected to the Venturi and a second vent port. A valve connected between the first port and the diaphragm is spring loaded so that the first port is normally open. In the absence of fluid flow, the Venturi pressure is zero under the diaphragm and the diaphragm is at rest in an up position so that the valve is open. With fluid flow through the Venturi, vacuum will build under the diaphragm so that the diaphragm will travel down until the valve closes the first port. With the valve closed, pressure under the diaphragm will increase due to flow through the vent port and the diaphragm will move up. The valve will remain closed until the diaphragm up stroke is equal to the valve stem lost motion.

Abstract: A bobbin case, which is loosely confined within the looptaker of a sewing machine, is biased both into engagement on one side against the looptaker and about the looptaker axis toward a position of engagement with a stop by a continuously engaging light force applying resilient member, and a shock absorber is disposed for engagement with the bobbin case only upon movement thereof through a predetermined distance in opposition to the bias of said resilient member.