Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a measurable characteristic of an object includes a sensor element which emits an analog sensor output signal, the sensor output signal corresponding to the measurable characteristic of the object, an analog/digital converter for converting analog signals from the sensor element into digital output signals, a processor receiving the digital output signals and supplying a control signal to the controllable auxiliary variable generator. The controllable auxiliary variable generator is controlled by the control signal emitted by the processor, and the auxiliary variable signal is interrupted for a selected time span after each measuring interval.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump controller provides control of a positive displacement pump as either an uncalibrated or calibrated flowmeter, or a calibrated dispenser. A calibration constant is calculated, after the pump is primed, to determine the amount of volume output produced by an increment of angular rotation of the pump. The constant is determined during a calibration operation where an arbitrary calibration volume is metered. The controller has a low flow and high flow mode where the low flow mode provides a higher resolution for dispensing. The flow mode of operation is determined by the value of the calibration constant and is automatically set when the constant is calculated. DUring a dispensing operation, the controller will meter fluid to within a predetermined amount of the final volume dependent upon the speed of the pump motor and then dribble in the remaining amount of a batch for precision.

Abstract: A data logger having a plurality of input ports has a library of predefined selectable input data conversion protocols. Inputs are individually controllable as to the type of sensor conversion. The data logging rate is varied during the recording period to ensure that all meaningful data values are recorded, while at the same time ensuring that the entire data storage capacity of the data logger will be substantially fully utilized at the completion of the recording period. Sensitivity is constantly adjusted to ensure that no meaningful data values are missed, whether the pertinent information concerns high frequency, low amplitude fluctuations (e.g., noise), or concerns longer-term trends, ignoring short-term variations.

Abstract: To facilitate a smooth and quick start-up of a rotary kiln, a Fuzzy Logic Control system is proposed, the principal feature of which is to mandate control actions to decrease the specific heat consumption along a straight line from an initial high value to a steady-state value established for the kiln, and then to switch over to an existing steady-state fuzzy logic control mode. In the start-up phase, further process variables are preferably measured and monitored against reference values to mandate concurrent control actions influencing the Fuzzy Logic Control system in a weighted manner.

Abstract: Proteins, such as enzymes having enhanced stability are designed through the use of a computer method. The method identifies amino acid residues of a protein which may be replaced with a cysteine residue in order to promote the formation of a protein-stabilizing disulfide bond. The computer-designed, stabilized proteins can be produced using recombinant DNA technology.

Abstract: A device for regulating the operation of a chemical treatment plant, by attenuation of the variances of the regulating parameters, has a calculation circuit connected to a measuring device for measuring flows of compounds at the input of the plant and measuring devices for measuring the contents of residual input compounds still present at the output of the plant. The calculation circuit performs coherence processings of the measured values to attenuate the variances of these values. The measurement provides a set-point signal which is used for the regulation of the plant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method simultaneously measures a plurality of spectral wavelengths present in electromagnetic radiation. A modulatable birefringent optical element is employed to divide a polarized light beam into two components, thereby producing a phase difference in two resulting light beams such that the two beams can be made to interfere with one another when recombined, the interference pattern providing the wavelength information required for the analysis of the incident light. The interferometer thus created performs in a similar manner to a Michelson interferometer, but with no moving parts, and with a resolution dependent on the degree of phase shift introduced by the modulator.

Abstract: This adaptive environment control system provides an HVAC control system that adapts to the continually-changing thermal characteristics of the building in which it operates. The adaptive environment control system periodically estimates the thermal characteristics of the building and uses these estimates to control the operation of the HVAC system. The adaptive environment control system also periodically measures the performance characteristics of the HVAC system to obtain data with which to update these thermal characteristic estimates. These thermal characteristic estimates enable the adaptive environment control system to determine both the length of time it takes the building to heat up and cool down when the HVAC system idles, as well as the amount of time it takes the HVAC system to heat or cool the building.

Abstract: A computer-based defect recognition system for the automatic detection of parts defects includes an inspection knowledge base which enables automated defect inspections based upon a variety of nondestructive imaging tests, particular parts under test, the particular zone and region of the part, and the types of nondestructive imaging tests used. The knowledge database also provides for automated defect recognition to be applied to a wide variety of parts using a variety of nondestructive imaging tests while enabling flexible testing of different classified zones and regions of each part using the part-specific, zone- or region-specific, imaging test-specific inspection criteria, image processing algorithms, and computation algorithms.

Abstract: A novel system for determining the magnitudes of loads on rotating helicopter components from signals remotely measured on the helicopter fuselage is characterized by a processor which decomposes the measured signals into corresponding Fourier components and extracts selected components therefrom. A programming module performs a multiplication on the respective Fourier components to correlate the measured components with corresponding determinative parameter values. The parameter values are established in a calibration process which is characterized by determination of the independent values of a measured signal set using a Jones orthogonalization process. The signals output from the coefficient programming module are provided to a multiplying resolver which receives synthesized reference sinusoids from a digital processor and generates time dependent signal components therefrom. These signals are ultimately summed in an analog summer circuit whose output signal corresponds to the desired parameter signal.

Abstract: A plurality of control units are connected via a common signal line through which they communicate. Each control unit is operative to control an apparatus according to certain information the control unit normally receives directly through an exclusive signal line by operation of a directly-inputting device. A check is made to determine whether the directly-inputting device is operating normally. If not, then the required information is inputted from its source indirectly through another control unit by way of the common signal line.

Abstract: A weigh feeding system using a stochastic controller wherein the weight of material is sensed, and an estimate of the mass flow state of the material being discharged is created by use of a Kalman filter process. Plant noise processes and measurement noise processes, which affect the measured weight signal, are modeled as stochastic processes and are used, in combination with the sensed weight signal, to calculate the estimated mass flow state. The noise model is modified to account for disturbances. The estimated mass flow state signal is used to calculate a motor feedback signal which, in turn, is used to control the speed of the discharge apparatus. In this manner, the mass flow of the material actually being discharged is driven to a desired mass flow with minimum error variance in the presence of unavoidable plant and measurement noise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for standardizing spectral line intensities in a spectral monochromator separate an input beam into a sample spectral line characteristic of a sample element, a reference spectral line, a standard spectral line and a background spectral band. At a first point in time an intensity I.sub.A of the sample line, a first intensity I.sub.R1 of the reference line and a first intensity I.sub.B1 of the background band are measured. At a second point in time an intensity I.sub.S of the standard line, a second intensity I.sub.R2 of the reference line and a second intensity I.sub.B2 of the background band are measured. An intensity ratio IR defined by the formula ##EQU1## is computed wherein the intensity ratio IR represents a standardized intensity of the sample line compensated for source fluctuations.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically measuring the interior dimensions of tunnels. The apparatus is mounted on an inspection vehicle and comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers which are arranged to form an imaginary template a predetermined distance from the tunnel wall. The transducers are periodically operated by a computer to derive measurement information as the inspection vehicle moves through the tunnel. The results of each measurement are stored by the computer for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A system and method determines the rotational speed of a rotating member by determining speed from signals having a frequency directly proportional to the rotational speed. The system provides for the estimation of rotational speed even if no speed signals are detected over a sampling interval.

Abstract: A hierarchial library of spectra representing the point-by-point characteristics of known samples is created. Vectors representing each spectrum are classified according to their similarlity and dissimilarity. Vectors representing unknown samples are compared to known groups of vectors according to similarity until a near match is found.

Abstract: A cycle computer has a pair of push-buttons connected respectively to a mode switch and to an on/off switch. Sequential actuation of the mode switch places the computer selectively in one of a plurality of Modes including a "stop watch" mode. Alternate actuation of the on/off switch, while in the stop watch mode, turns the stop watch function on and off. Simultaneous depression of both push-buttons, while the computer is in stop watch mode, resets the stop watch mode and at least two other modes. To facilitate resetting under poor visibility conditions, or when it would be unsafe to divert the rider's attention from the road or other traffic, the push-buttons abut along a common line and have a shared recess straddling that line which can be located by feel alone, enabling the push-buttons to be depressed simultaneously with one thumb while both rider's hands safely grip the handlebar.

Abstract: A computer based system and method determines and displays possible chemical structures for converting two naturally aggregated but chemically separated polypeptide chains into a single polypeptide chain which will fold into a three dimensional structure very similar to the original structure made of the two polypeptide chains. A data base contains a large number of amino acid sequences for which the three dimensional structure is known. After plausible sites have been selected, this data base is examined to find which amino acid sequences (linkers) can bridge the gap between the plausible sites to create a plausible one-polypeptide structure. The testing of each possible linker proceeds in three steps. First, the span (a scalar quantity) of the candidate is compared to the span of the gap. If the span is close enough, step two is done which involves aligning the first peptides of the candidate with the initial peptide of the gap.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring temperature by using a state change of a working fluid, a temperature measurement is executed in a manner such that the working fluid is initially supplied at a constant mass flow rate into a flow channel having a throttle portion at a temperature-sensitive portion. Upon the measurement of a pressure difference between opposite ends of the throttle portion, the temperature can be determined through a calculation using the measured pressure difference. The temperature measuring apparatus includes a source of a working fluid and a probe. The probe includes an external cylinder closed at one of its ends and an internal cylinder which is accommodated in the external cylinder and has a capillary tube at its forward end. The apparatus further includes a supply tube for introducing the working fluid from the source into either the internal cylinder or the external cylinder, and a pressure control device.

Abstract: An engine control system controls the fuel charge and ignition spark timing of an operating engine as a function of stored tables based on engine speed and air charge. The air charge is determined as a function of engine throttle angle. Advantageously, the fuel delivery, spark timing, and idle speed control are adaptively corrected. The adaptive correction is based upon feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.