Abstract: The specification describes a way of using distance sorting in order not to require a prioritization of those polygons that are to be rendered prior to a pixel-by-pixel construction of an image. The video processor recalls the input data into the pixel processor at least a number of times equal to the number of objects to be displayed.

Abstract: A gamma feed microstrip antenna for a Doppler navigation system includes a forward firing feed parallel spaced to a backward firing feed. A plurality of parallel spaced radiating arrays are transversely connected between the feeds. Each array includes radiating elements of preselected sizes having radiating coefficients and coupling coefficients to the feeds whereby an amplitude function of the antenna along the axis of travel is a truncation of a long slanted array amplitude function. Sequential excitation of four input ports at the ends of the feeds causes sequential generation of four beams. Return signals to the antenna, at the four input ports, may be sampled and held for averaging. This antenna structure is adapted for use to as to provide frequency, temperature and over-water corrections.

Abstract: A logarithmic mixer circuit in the form of a conversion circuit for mixing digital representations of logarithmic values eliminating the usual mathematical processes of determining anti-logs, summing them and then determining the logs again, the invention using addition, subtraction and a look up table. Additional utiity is obtained by the use of scaled offset representations of logarithmic values for digital processing and separate representations for zero values. Also the final output values are limited to the range of the inputs in anticipation of further processing.

Abstract: An arrangement for purging a magnetic bubble memory and providing a visible purge verification utilizes the thermal compensation Z-axis coil for providing a purge field. A power supply, purge switch and current sensitive circuit interrupter are connected across the thermal compensation coil. When the switch is closed, a surge of relatively high current many times greater than that required for thermal compensation is applied to the coil. Accordingly, the bubbles in the memory will completely disappear. The circuit interrupter is used to halt the purge current once it exceeds the required purge value. This protects the thermal compensation winding and also provides a visual verification that a purge pulse has occurred.

Abstract: A device to measure the mass-flow rate of a fluid from the Coriolis force resulting from the flow of the fluid through the device during oscillation. The device comprises four U-shaped tubes wherein the phase and direction of flow in these tubes are arranged so as to cancel the errors due to motion of the instrument base.

Abstract: A portable power tool including a power unit housing having first and second housing segments joined together in clam shell fashion includes a tool head which is mounted to extend forwardly from the power unit housing by means of a bearing plate provided with tapped holes for reception of screws extending through the tool head. The bearing plate is contained entirely within the interior of the power unit housing, to avoid external seams by means of a clamping flange defining the forwardmost extent of the first and second housing segments. The bearing plate is formed with plural auxiliary handle mounts projecting from openings formed in the first and second housing segments for reception of auxiliary handles. The mounts are adjacent vents in the housing segments, promoting cooling of the bearings during operation.

Abstract: A continuous strip of bulk absorbing material is bonded to the looped ends of the arrays of a microstrip antenna for reducing the power that normally would have been reflected back across the arrays.

Abstract: In a multisensor assembly for detecting angular rates and linear accelerations, a diamond-shaped piezoelectric crystal beam is used to restrain a gyroscopic element to a base of the multisensor assembly. The diamond-shaped piezoelectric crystal is fixed to both the gyroscopic element and the base of the assembly by means of wires in an orientation orthogonal to the hinge axis and the spin axis of the assembly. This allows the piezoelectric crystal to experience only one degree of freedom. To improve the accuracy of the output electrical signal, oblong electrodes are placed on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric crystal beam.

Abstract: Vacuum cleaner attachment storage in recesses beneath a floor supported vacuum cleaner housing with pivoted latch elements for attachment retention which does not require increased cleaner housing dimensions or a cover for the stored attachments, either to conceal the stored attachments or to prevent dirt collection in the storage recesses.

Abstract: A needle looper assembly for a lockstitch sewing machine wherein the upper thread is retrieved by a sewing needle extending through a work material, which sewing needle has an extensible hook portion for catching an upper thread and drawing the same down through the work material to a looptaker in the bed of the sewing machine. The needle looper assembly is supported on the end of a lever pivotally carried in the sewing machine bed to extend transversely thereof. The lever has the needle looper assembly attached to one end thereof, and may be actuated by a cam so as to drive the needle looper assembly to an elevated thread catching position or to a retracted thread releasing position. Retaining means are provided associated with the needle looper to permit an upper thread to be caught and held during passage through a work material and to be released when in a retracted position adjacent the looptaker.

Abstract: A latching arrangement is provided in a high speed battery charging circuit. The latching arrangement includes a momentary switch for momentarily changing a voltage level on a gate controlling capacitor for a gate controlled high current path and an inversion circuit between the capacitor and the gate, thus permitting a voltage provided by a thermostatically controlled switch to be applied to the capacitor for controlling the gate. The thermostatically controlled switch senses battery cell temperature and permits fast charging for temperatures below a threshold. The momentary switch is momentarily activated to initiate the fast charging operation. Upon sensing a temperature rise, the thermostatically controlled switch terminates fast charging and initiates trickle charging. When the battery cell cools and the thermostatically controlled switch again closes, the latching arrangement prevents resumption of a fast charge operation.

Abstract: A latch device for a filter bag supporting tray comprising a plurality of latch bolts operatively interrelated to move together so that blockage of any latch bolt will result in prevention of any other bolt from entering its latch recess, and only secure fully latched constraint of the tray is possible.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a circuit to avoid overloading a computer-generated image system with limited capacity for processing image data in real time. A circuit that is constructed and arranged according to this description avoids such overloads by varying the resolution of the image in real time under the control of a real-time control computer.

Abstract: A cutter head assembly for a power planer in which cutting blades are arranged on an arbor in engagement with eccentric heads of blade locating elements journaled in the arbor and in which clamping plates for securing the blades in adjusted position constrain the blade locating elements on the arbor.

Abstract: A disposable filter bag accommodating tray insertable through an opening in a vacuum cleaner includes a front wall closing the cleaner opening and features absence of a tray rear wall permitting rearrangement of bag shape during tray withdrawl to minimize bag rupture and easy bag disposal by simply inverting the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for achieving simultaneous circular polarization of a four-beam doppler antenna wherein four different grid layers are positioned into a radome. The first grid layer, besides radiating a linear polarized beam, is used to partially reduce contaminants of the linearly polarized beam by means of cross-hatch strips. The second grid layer is used to further purify the linear polarized beam such that an essentially purified linear polarized beam is obtained. The third grid layer, designed according to certain equations, is used to convert the purified linearly polarized beam into a partially circularly polarized beam. And the fourth grid layer is used to make sure that the circularly polarized beam is perfectly matched.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuated cam driven parallel gripper includes a supporting bracket adapted for attachment to the end of an arm of a robot or a pick and place system. A cam comprising a cylindrical member is supported for rotation in the bracket and has at its outer periphery diametrically opposed pins, with a lever attached to the cam. A pneumatic actuator is coupled to the lever and adapted to rotate the lever and cam between a first and second position. First and second slides with attachable fingers are supported for sliding movement on shafts extending from the two sides of the brackets. First and second compliant arms have one end attached to one of the pins on the cam cylinder and another end attached to one of the slides for converting rotation of the cylindrical member into linear movement of the slides.

Abstract: A depth of cut adjusting mechanism for a planer comprising an infeed shoe which is spring biased upwardly from the plane in which the planer cutter operates against a stop provided by a spiral cam formed on the infeed shoe and abutting a cam follower adjustably supported on the planer.

Abstract: A ring laser gyro path length controller has a cup-like fixture which mounts a piezoelectric actuator and is bonded directly to the gyro block. A mirror assembly is concentrically located within the fixture and is independently mounted to the gyro block thereby enabling independent assembly and disassembly of the fixture and the assembly. Diaphragm sections of the assembly are coaxially positioned and connected to a diaphragm section of the fixture so that bidirectional displacement of the assembly may occur and the moment generated by the actuator results in an axial deflection force on the assembly. A strip of material having a high coefficient of expansion is mounted to the piezoelectric actuator to augment the deflection force as temperature increases thereby reducing the power demands of the actuator.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system of connecting a plurality of independently operable data processor systems to obtain a substantial increase in power and flexibility. Each of the pluralities of independently operable systems has its own memory, and the respective memories are accessible by a data transfer controller connected to each memory by a common bus. Since all data transfer activity is controlled by the data transfer controller, there is no need for any communication between respective independently operable data processor systems, and in one embodiment of the invention, the data transfer controller has its own separate memory to store data temporarily as it becomes available in one memory which will be needed by another data processor system.