Abstract: Matrix-vector multiplication is accomplished by continuous wave polarized ght energy transmitted along a plurality of optical waveguides through modulation by a first optical modulator in response to a column vector type input signal and additional modulation by a second optical modulator in response to a row vector type input signal. The resultant modulated light energy outputs are received by a polarization analyzer for transforming modulations in polarization and phase to commensurate amplitude modulations. A photo-responsive storage and integrating means receives the light energy associated with each of the optical waveguides and develops a cumulative signal representative of the matrix-vector multiplication.

Abstract: The invention concerns a firing device for a number of electric valves, particularly thyristors. Each thyristor control path is associated with a firing circuit with a detector for electromagnetic radiation responsive to a transmitter which is controlled by a firing control signal and is equipped with a radiating device which energizes the individual detectors. The detectors are arranged close together in a plane perpendicular to the radiation direction of the radiator. In order to obtain latitude in the arrangement of the detectors, the radiator is designed so that it furnishes a parallel-ray bundle of radiation and the detectors are spatially arranged relative to each other, such that they are exposed to the parallel ray bundle without mutual shadowing upon projection in the direction of the radiation on a projection plane which is perpendicular to the radiation direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members which are respectively backed by an array of conductor (electrode) members, the conductor array behind each dielectric material member being appropriately oriented with respect to the conductor array behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes constituting a discharge unit, the surface of at least one dielectric material member comprising at least one inorganic non-oxide lead compound, said compound being present in an amount sufficient to improve the operating characteristics of the panel, especially more uniform and/or lower panel operating voltages.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of extraneous matter and/or cracks in translucent containers and in particular translucent containers when the colour density and/or wall thickness of the translucent containers vary significantly from container to container which includes a vertical spot beam of light which is projected through the container to generate an electrical inspection signal corresponding to the amount of light passing through the container. This electrical inspection signal is compared with a predetermined electrical acceptance signal, which is a function of the vertical position of the spot beam of light relative to the container. There is an ambient light correction and for colored containers either the inspection signal or the acceptance signal is altered during the inspection process to take account of the colored density and/or wall thickness.

Abstract: An omnidirectional wide-band antenna which operates with simultaneous horizontal and vertical polarisation consists of two truncated conductive cones which operate as a bi-conical antenna and each truncated cone is associated with a conductor array perpendicular to the axis of the cones. The conductors are in the form of logarithmic spirals.

Abstract: An electric discharge lamp lighting circuit in which a discharge lamp is lighted by a circuit comprising a semiconductor switching circuit in which the cathode of a first thyristor is connected to the gate of a second thyristor and the first and second thyristors are commonly connected at the respective anodes, an integration circuit consisting of a capacitor and a resistor and connected between the gate of the first thyristor and the cathode of the second thyristor, a resistor connected between the integration circuit and the anode of the first thyristor, and a resistor connected between the gate and cathode of the second thyristor.

Abstract: A system to locate selected vehicles traveling on standard streets or highways which periodically and automatically determines the location of the vehicle relative to a pre-established reference such as a map using fixed passive optical arrays as sign posts and means on the vehicles to read the sign posts and communicate the locational information thereon to a central monitoring station.

Abstract: A main capacitor is connected across a series combination of a flash discharge lamp and a thyristor to flash the flash discharge lamp through the thyristor in its ON state. A commutation circuit connected to the thyristor includes a commutation capacitor and another thyristor turned on upon a flashing light from the flash discharge lamp reaching a predetermined magnitude. When turned on, the latter thyristor permits the commutation capacitor to supply a reverse voltage to the first thyristor to turn it off. A semiconductor diode is connected between the commutation capacitor and the first thyristor to prevent that capacitor from applying a forward voltage to the first thyristor.

Abstract: This invention relates to circuitry for the connection of a load to and disconnection of a load from an AC power source. The circuitry is specifically useful in the on/off control of such as incandescent lamps, but not exclusively so, and provides for the timed disconnection of a load when the load is connected in series with the circuitry and AC power source, or alternately provides for the timed reduction of power delivered to the load.

Abstract: The apparatus is used primarily to monitor the occurrence of lightning diarges in the vicinity of a known objective such, for example, as a large rocket launch tower or other object which might be detrimentally affected by the lightning. A continuous, linear single-axis, position-sensing photodiode is deployed a predetermined distance from the objective and an optical objective lens focuses a relatively narrow field of view, such as a 40.degree. field on the photodiode. The arrangement is such that the image of a lightning discharge occurring within the field of view is in the form of a focussed narrow-line channel bisecting the length of the photodiode at varying locations dependent upon the actual location of the lightning discharges itself. In a conventional manner, the photodiode produces two signal outputs each corresponding in magnitude to the particular location of the bisecting channel image of the lightning. Using the fractional distribution of these signal outputs, the angle to discharge (.psi.

Abstract: An acousto-optic modulation device is provided which is comprised of an interaction material of an injection moulded plastic integrally combined with a transducer which is bonded automatically to the interaction material during the injection process. A beam of light is projected through the interaction material, the light being diffracted by an acoustic field established by the transducer.

Abstract: An antenna system for single or plural beams providing continuously variable beamwidth selectively in one or both of two orthogonal senses, i.e., azimuth and elevation, for either communications or angle-tracking. The system includes two parabolic cylindrical reflectors, which are respectively a main reflector and a sub-reflector; the reflectors are positioned with the focal axes thereof orthogonally. A point or multibeam (e.g., monopulse) feed is mounted adjacent the main reflector on the focal axis of the sub-reflector in the Airy disc of the system. Beamwidth is controlled using telescoping sections on the main and sub-reflectors to control the size of the surface areas thereof. Simultaneous operation of the telescoping sections of the reflector and sub-reflector provides bidirectional zooming of the beam without distortion while individual operation of the sections of the reflectors permits unidirectional zooming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for generating electric signals. Basically, the disclosed apparatus comprises a cathode-ray-type tube wherein the electron-beam sweeps across an especially designed electron-receptor. By suitable design of the receptor in conjunction with the beam-deflecting signal, the disclosed apparatus generates many desired output signals.

Abstract: High gain limited scan operation of phased array antennas is accomplished with microwave circuitry by appropriately coupling the array elements into sub-arrays and establishing a 90.degree. out of phase relationship between even and odd mode power at the aperture of each array element. Even and odd mode power from the feed circuit of each element is coupled to the feed circuit of each nearest adjacent element to form three element overlap subarrays in each plane of scan.

Abstract: A pair of position sensing photodiodes of a conventional quadrature or duaxis type are deployed face-upwardly at a predetermined distance one from the other. A vertically pointing fisheye lens covers each of the position sensing diodes so that the diodes view a full 360.degree. in azimuth and about 180.degree. in zenith angle. Each of the diodes produces four current outputs whose fractional distribution provides the location of the optical center of a luminous source, such as a lightning discharge. The outputs, in turn, are applied to a data acquisition system, such as a simple analog computer, which provides the location data for the lightning discharge as well as its total intensity. The circuit applying the outputs to the data acquisition system includes filtering means for eliminating background noises and passing to the system only the optical transients of the discharge.

Abstract: A device for scanning optical images wherein light intensity of a scanned image line is converted to a pulse width modulation rather than a charge profile. A photo transistor row is connected to an inverter chain, and OR-gates have outputs which are fed to a common read line while the input signal of each OR-gate is tapped over coordinated partial rows of the photo transistor row.

Abstract: A horizon sensor for satellites comprising a mask with four sets of four openings one of which receives a projected portion of the earth-space transition line, another is in the form of a grating and the remaining two slit-shaped openings include each a detector on which a secondary image of the grating or of the transition are reflected by an oscillating concave spherical mirror to derive therefrom a digitized measuring signal indicating the position of the transition line.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically detecting angular motion of a test object, such as a clutch output, utilizing photoelectric devices in combination with helically apertured light shutters, the electric outputs of the photoelectric devices being interpreted by analog logic. Provision is made for a predetermined number of warm-up rotations of the test object to assure normal working conditions, for a predetermined reference threshold of detected motion, for controlled sequencing of the test object for testing for motion at various predetermined angular positions, and for determining malfunctioning of the test sequencing control.

Abstract: A solid state dimmer for fluorescent lights with standard (non-dimming) ballasts. Dimming is adjusted by changing the resistance in a capacitor charging circuit. Features include a trimming adjustment for eliminating flicker, a voltage regulator compensating for line voltage change, a sequential switch which allows the lamp to heat up before being dimmed, and a diode varistor, zener thyrector or the like in the charging circuit which supply additional charging current as the dimming is increased. The dimmer mounts in the same outlet box as a conventional toggle switch and can be substituted for the switch in an existing installation without changing the ballast. The dimmer is also useful for other loads requiring a variable voltage.

Abstract: A plasma injection method, in which a magnetic field is produced which has a configuration in the form of a convergent nozzle so that there is a high magnetic field gradient between the inlet and the neck of said nozzle, the lines of the magnetic field being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the said nozzle, and in that the said plasma is produced at the inlet and along the axis of said nozzle by appropriate means, the said magnetic field gradient having the effect of injecting said plasma from the inlet to the neck of the said nozzle.