Abstract: Ice Detector for Protecting Boats has a waterproof hollow float. An electro-magnet is mounted in the float. A flexible arm is rigidly mounted on one side of said float. A first metal segment is mounted in the arm and placed to be attracted by the magnet. A metal detector is mounted in the float. A second metal segment is mounted in the arm and placed to come into closer proximity to the detector when the arm flexes, whereby, ice forming between the wall of the float and the arm will prevent movement of the arm and will detect the formation of ice.

Abstract: A security system suitable for monitoring the presence of the occupants of a vessel such as a sailing yacht has two receivers at fixed locations on the yacht for receiving signals from one of a number of transmitters each worn by a respective crew member. The receivers are connected to a detector having a comparator triggered when a predetermined relative signal strength is generated by the receivers indicating the presence of a transmitter in an "unsafe" region acting to cause triggering of an alarm and automatic ejection of a life buoy or other life saving equipment.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive perimeter intrusion detector comprises at least two pressure sensitive housing members adapted for the transmission of acoustic waves in response to pressure applied to the exterior of the housing members. Each housing member is capable of providing a first electric signal in response to seismic waves or ground vibrations. In addition, distributed along the housing members are pressure-sensing elements for detecting pressure applied along the housing members. These pressure-sensing elements for each housing member provide a second electric signal having substantially no time delay. The first and second electric signals are transmitted to an evaluation circuit adapted to produce an alarm signal in response to the detection of an intrusion occurrence.

Abstract: A sensor electrode is capacitively coupled to the environment. Electric charges carried by surrounding objects induce corresponding electric charges on the sensor electrode. A high input impedance circuit senses change in charge on the electrode and provides a first varying signal indicative of that change. A second circuit compares the first signal against a threshold level and provides a second signal indicative of the movement. A pair of sensors may be included to cancel out extraneous environmental chasrges. Difference between charges on each sensor electrode of the pair is compared in a circuit which provides signal indicative of the difference. The varying signal is compared against a threshold to provide a signal indicative of the movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus measures the tension of an advancing yarn which is subject to interruptions of the yarn path, resulting for example from the severance of the yarn. During such interruptions, the zero setting of the tension sensor does not always return to zero, thereby providing an erroneous output reading during subsequent yarn advancing cycles. In accordance with the present invention, a circuit is provided which identifies such errors and sounds an alarm when the error exceeds a predetermined limit. Also, the erroneous output signal is input as the zero point signal for the subsequent yarn advancing cycle, and during such subsequent cycle, the tension is determined on the basis of the newly set zero point.

Abstract: A shear detection circuit includes a resistive element in series with another resistor for providing an electrical signal at a node proportional at the value of the resistors when a voltage potential is applied to the detection circuit. The electrical signal is compared to a known value to permit detection of a severed shear pin or an open or short circuit in the detection circuit. The electrical signal is monitored by a computer for displaying the status of the shear pin and the detector circuit and for storing the status of the shear pin and the shear detection circuit for maintenance or repair.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic marker for an electronic surveillance system is magnetically biased so that the magnetic fields of two different regions thereof extend in different direction, e.g. in opposite directions.

Abstract: Nickel rich amorphous ferromagnetic alloys having a nickel content in the range of 35 to 55 atomic percent have been conceived. These alloys are in the amorphous state and exhibit high permeability relative to prior known amorphous ferromagnetic alloys. These nickel rich alloys can be produced by rapid solidification techniques without the need of subsequent heat treating.

Abstract: A novel illumination device is provided which is small, inexpensive, and conveniently plugs into a standard power outlet, thereby allowing easy installation and deinstallation by nontechnical consumers, and thereby allowing the security light to be easily moved to any wall outlet as security needs change. This illumination device includes a motion detector so that the illumination is provided only in the presence of one or more persons who would find the illumination beneficial. A photoelectric device is provided such that the security light is illuminated in response to motion only when there is an insufficient amount of ambient light available from other sources. In one embodiment, a vision restrictor is provided such that motion is detected only from a desired detection area. In one embodiment, a vision extender is utilized in order to optimize the field of view for the motion detector, making the device more useful in narrow hallways and other unique installations.

Abstract: Amorphous ferromagnetic alloys having a niobium content in the range of 2.5 to 15 atomic percent have been conceived. These alloys are obtained directly in the amorphous state or as a mixture of amorphous and crystalline places. These alloys have superior properties relative to prior known amorphous and some amorphous alloys. The amorphous ferromagnetic alloys of this invention are readily produced by rapid solidification techniques with no need for subsequent treatment.

Abstract: A position sensor includes of two primary sense windings for establishing a forward or drive field, two secondary sense windings in which a voltage may be induced in the presence of the drive field, and at least one conductive screen capable of blocking the magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary sense windings. When the screen blocks the magnetic coupling between one pair of sense windings to the same extent that ti does between the other pair of sense windings, the sensor circuitry generates a marker signal to indicate the position of the screen.

Abstract: A source sends light towards a receiver through an optical channel, a part of which has an interface with the external environment. The light that reaches this interface is reflected towards the receiver when the external environment is in contact with air and is refracted towards the external environment in the presence of water or ice. In streaming down the interface, the rain creates a modulation, not created by ice, in the signal of the receiver. The circuits downline of the receiver search for this modulation to determine whether the modifications of the signal of the receiver are due to rain or to ice.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a motor vehicle of the type including an automatic transmission, a steering system having a steering column, an ignition switch having an on position and a key-in/lock position, means operative in response to movement of the ignition switch to the key-in/lock position to lock the steering column, a starter circuit, a push button shift control assembly in the vehicle passenger compartment, and a closure system requiring one or more operator steps to enter the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A system for better determining the fit of shoes, particularly children's shoes, is described wherein transparent areas are provided in the shoe bottom along with fitting indices to enable comparison of the outline of a foot in the shoe to the fitting indices. The shoe may also be provided with optional audio-visual warning means to signal when the shoe is about to be outgrown.

Abstract: A control system for a revolving door includes an ultrasonic sensor having multiple sensor heads. The door has a housing, and multiple moveable compartments formed by door wings attached to and radially extending from a rotatable axis. The sensors emit energy waves into the housing in bursts, then receive echoes from any objects, including people, in the chambers. The sensors are activated when the door is activated by an authorized user. A controller stores a binary "echo" or "no echo" signal in memory in response to an emitted energy wave. The memory is formed by multiple arrays, each array having a column associated with a particular sensor and used for storing echo signals from a particular ultrasonic burst. Each bit in a column represents incremental ranges of objects from the sensors head, and the controller stores the "echo" or "no echo" signal in an appropriate bit based on the elaspsed time from the preceding burst.

Abstract: A tag for use in a magnetic article surveillance system employs an antenna means responsive to a transmitted magnetic signal and a piezoelectric means responsive to the antenna means for generating an audible acoustic signal. Embodiments are provided responding to unmodulated, amplitude modulated, and frequency modulated magnetic signals.

Abstract: A field-sensitive tag or label incorporates a layer for mechanically deactivating the tag resulting from subsequent use of the article to which the tag has been applied. To this end, a layered tag is provided which, in addition to the layers which are traditionally provided to achieve the function of a resonant circuit (e.g., substrate and etched outer layers), further incorporates a circuit-deactivating layer which preferably takes the form of an abrasive substance disposed in a suitable binder. The resulting layer can then operate to mechanically deactivate the tag by damaging at least a portion of the resonant circuit which comprises the tag due to movement of the article in subsequent use. The field-sensitive tag of the present invention is advantageously applied to footwear in regions where flexure of the tag can be anticipated, preferably in the sole, making the article well suited to placement in a self-service retail setting while maintaining an adequate degree of security.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes operator interaction for maintaining an operator alert. A switching means is provided which must be actuated by the operator within an adjustable time period to prevent a first alarm from being activated. Upon detection of this first alarm, the driver must actuate the switching means, indicating his alertness and restarting the first time period, otherwise after expiration of a second time period a second alarm will be activated to further alert the operator and passengers. This second alarm will remain activated until the switching means is actuated restarting the process. The present invention also includes a waiting mode whereby the timer can be deactivated while driving in congested traffic. During the waiting mode, a third alarm is activated to provide some alerting function. The present invention can be portable and thus easily used and installed in different vehicles. A variety of mounting means can be used to mount the device in the vehicle.

Abstract: A marker for an electronic surveillance system includes an element of a magnetostrictive material, and a non-magnetostrictive element of substantially the same size as said magnetostrictive element and firmly affixed thereto.

Abstract: An arrangement for protecting selected devices of an electronic equipment from radiation, e.g. resulting from a nuclear event, including a timing circuit (13) responsive to the output of a radiation sensing device (11) first to operate a first switch (35a) to isolate a power supply rail for the devices from the power supply to the equipment when the radiation level exceeds a predetermined level, and then to operate a second switch (35b) to ground the supply rail, thereby shunting to ground residual stored energy in devices connected to the rail.