Abstract: A pyrometer is located beneath a soldering path downstream of a flow nozzle and is shielded by a metal plate which extends transversely relative to the soldering direction and obliquely upwardly toward the path. The pyrometer is connected to a limit value generator which responds when the limit value is exceeded.
Abstract: An acoustic ash depostion monitoring apparatus for a boiler arrangement having at least one soot blower. The apparatus comprises at least one tone generating apparatus for generating a tone and at least one tone receiving apparatus, located in proximity to the tone generating apparatus, for receiving the tone generated by the tone generating apparatus. Also provided are controlling apparatus for determining when the tone received by the receiving apparatus falls below a predetermined level and for enabling a soot blower in proximity to the tone generating and tone receiving apparatus when the tone received by the receiving apparatus is determined to have fallen below the predetermined level.
Abstract: An annunciator is presented that, when connected to an automotive signal light flasher, emits an agreeable, short tone each time the signal lights are turned on by the flasher. It is suitable for use in automotive emergency flasher light circuits as well as turn signal circuits. It connects to the flasher via a special, flat interconnector that does not interfere with the normal location or operation of the flasher itself. It operates by allowing a capacitor to charge during the `open` portion of the flasher's cycle, and as the flasher closes, discharges the capacitor through an oscillator, which in turn drives an audio transducer. The tone thereby produced is pleasant and not "elctronic` sounding because it decays with the charge of the capacitor.
Abstract: A transmitter secured to the body of the confinee is provided with tamper detection means such as a conductive mounting strap, which if broken, sets a resettable electronic latch whose output determines the status of a tamper signal receivable by a remote station located within the confinement area. The latch is connected to a timer which serves to automatically reset the latch a first interval of time after it is initially set thereby eliminating the need for external reset equipment to carry out the reset operation. In order to avoid subterfuge, said first time interval is selected to be longer than any continuous interval of time the confinee is permitted to be absent from the confinement area. Information relating to the status of the tamper signal may also be relayed to a central monitoring station.
Abstract: By providing pressure-responsive switch-actuation means constructed for being substantially unaffected by temperature changes, a pressure sensor is attained which is capable of monitoring pressure levels with precision, regardless of the ambient temperature to which the system is subjected. By employing temperature insensitive material to effectively compensate for temperature changes incurred by the remaining sensor components, the actuation control assembly of the sensor is capable of achieving precision monitoring of desired pressure levels regardless of changes in the ambient temperature to which the monitor assembly is exposed. In one preferred embodiment, the pressure sensor of the present invention incorporates a uniquely constructed, machined bellows which further enhances and provides precision pressure sensing capabilities.
Abstract: A bicycle which sounds an audible signal on motion of the bicycle is described. The alarm system is totally self contained and appropriately attached to the frame of the bicycle. It contains critical delay circuits which gives the bicycle rider the opportunity to arm and disarm the alarm by a key switch without tripping the audible alarm. Additional circuitry prevents the audible alarm from remaining in an on state indefinitely after the alarm is tripped, thereby conserving battery power. Said bicycle includes a motion detection switching means, alarm timer means, limit means and oscillator means all conveniently contained in a compact package. Recent progress in the development of energy efficient audible alarms assures a loud signal on the impermissible motion of the bike.
Abstract: A railroad track fault detector is mounted on a tracked vehicle and uses the track ahead or behind the vehicle as a transmission line for a high frequency signal. The transmission line has a known characteristic impedance in a condition of no track fault. The impedance is included in a bridge network that is excited with the high frequency signal. Bridge imbalance is detected as an indication of a track fault that can be a complete or partial short circuit or open circuit. The bridge excitation is applied to the track through moving contacts like brushes ahead of the front wheels or behind the last wheels. The shunt effect of wheels close to the brushes is eliminated by a tuning impedance that creates an effective infinite impedance to the portion of the track between the moving contacts and the shunting wheels.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 1989
Date of Patent:
December 25, 1990
Assignee:
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
Abstract: The invention is a two-step alarm disarming device with automatic rearming which uses sensors and buffer circuits to detect the condition of the car doors, hood, and trunk. It can disarm an alarm in two steps--with a signal input to an exterior key switch buffer for temporary disarming and a signal input to the ignition for permanent disarming. It is comprised of two-step alarm disarming circuits, a flip-flop, a timer, and a buffer for alarm disarming so that the burglar alarm can operate at maximum effectiveness without failure due to external interference or user negligence.
Abstract: A warning system for rotary wing aircraft that monitors the altitude above ground of the aircraft and issues a warning when there is insufficient terrain clearance. The warning criteria are optimized for rotary wing aircraft and are altered as a function of landing gear position and airspeed. Two distinct warnings are given. One indicates insufficient terrain clearance and the other warns the pilot if he attempts to land with the landing gear up. Logic circuitry is provided to modify the criteria necessary to generate a warning, and to inhibit certain warnings, as required by the mode of operation of the aircraft.
Abstract: An ice detector circuit for sensing an ice deposition on a sensing surface of an ice detector probe from an air mass flowing relative to the probe. The probe includes a heater to heat the sensing surface and a temperature sensor for sensing the sensing surface temperature during heating. The temperature sensor provides the circuit with an output having a level varying as a function of the sensing surface temperature. The circuit includes a controller which selectively energizes the heater, a timer which provides a timing output representative of a time interval elapsed between selected temperature sensor output levels, and computing means, such as a microprocessor, which computes an output representative of ice deposition as a function of a predetermined relationship between ice deposition and the timing output.
Abstract: A repeater for receiving data transmitted thereto via a first transmission medium, transmitting that data over AC power lines to a remote location and re-transmitting that data from the remote location via a second transmission medium. The data is applied to the AC power lines by frequency modulating an FM carrier and supplying that modulated carrier to the power lines by way of a bandwidth limiting circuit. At the remote location, a resonant circuit in combination with a reject circuit receives the modulated FM carrier from the AC power lines and passes only an extremely limited band of FM signals to a tuned amplifier which, in turn, supplies the band-limited FM signals to a demodulator.
Abstract: A liquid crystal display for a portable computer adapted for utilization as an integral part of the computer chassis is separable therefrom to be free-standing in a position remote from the chassis thereby enhancing desk-top operation of the computer. The display possesses locking members that serve to secure the display to the chassis. Manually operated levers effect movement of the locking members between a display-locking condition and a display-releasing condition. Following release of the display the locking members and the levers serve as supports enabling the display to be free-standing remote from the chassis.
Abstract: A rupturable fluid flow indicator and a rupture disk assembly including the indicator are provided. The indicator is comprised of a rupturable member adapted to be clamped across a fluid flow passageway having at least one opening formed therein for weakening a portion of the member. An electric current conductor adapted to be electrically connected in an alarm circuit is attached across the weakened portion of the rupturable member whereby when the member ruptures as a result of fluid pressure exerted thereon, the conductor also ruptures.
Abstract: Vehicle security apparatus includes a tubular housing, a lock barrel having a rotary lock cylinder that controls a retractable latch, the barrel being slidably received in the housing bore and movable between an unlocked extended position and a locked retracted position within the bore. There is also a spring positioned in the housing bore which biases the barrel toward its extended position and detents for establishing the extended and retracted positions of the barrel by engagement with the barrel latch. The barrell is rotatable within the housing to a release position when the barrel is not in its locked position so that the latch no longer engages the detents, enabling the barrel to be pulled entirely out of the housing.
Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a system in which when the altitude of a subject aircraft becomes lower than a predetermined altitude, a warning limit value is reduced or made equal to zero on the minimum altitude side whereby a useless alarm based on response signals delivered from other aircraft staying in or taxiing in the airport are suppressed.
Abstract: The span of an optical dispersion-limited fiber for propagating optical pulses is improved by simultaneously chirping and amplifying the stream by means of a saturated semiconductor laser amplifier. The chirp causes a compression of the pulses as they propagate through an initial portion of the fiber, whereby the span of the fiber is increased.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the state or condition of charge of a battery which supplies a plurality of electrical consumption devices in an electronic circuit. A consumption device is operatively connected to a series of counters so that the count condition charges in response to a pulsing rhythmic cycle by one of a plurality of numerical values toward a final count condition, in which the numerical values are specific in relation to the power consumptions of a plurality of electrical consumption devices, and that a signal is generated upon the reaching of a final count condition.
Abstract: A head-up display for indicating the attitude and flight-path angle vertically, the attitude in roll and preferably the heading attitude and heading track angle of a vehicle, preferably an air vehicle, which in addition to the inertial navigation (5) for determining said attitudes and angles comprises a transparent but partly reflecting plate (10), a so-called "combiner glass" glass for projecting a corresponding display together with at least one symbol (14) of the x-axis of the vehicle. Particularly characteristic is that the head-up-display is arranged to show the display (12) as at least a portion of the inside of a space-stable sphere with its center in said vehicle, the display being provided with latitude circles (15, 16, 19, 20) and preferably meridian markings (18).
Abstract: A two way communication system is described wherein a base unit can transfer information with remotely-located unit such as a portable infrared commuicator. The base unit produces carrier frequency signals to a plurality of distributed transmitter modules which expose different areas to infrared transmissions. A plurality of down-link or base unit associated infrared detection modules are distributed to receive infrared carrier frequency communications from one or more remote or portable units and convert these to electrical signals at the same carrier frequencies. The latter electrical signals are delivered to the base unit through a common cable. This cable also serves to deliver electrical power to the base unit to the latter modules. The electrical carrier frequency signals are combined at the base unit which uses this to provide the base unit with the information detected from the remote unit and produce a signal representative of the detected infrared energy.
Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for wireless communications of information between two locations. A transmitter means modulates the information into infrared radiation at a first location. The infrared radiation is transmitted by the transmitter to a reflecting surface along a straight line path which is transparent to the infrared radiation. The infrared radiation is reflected at the reflecting surface forming reflected infrared radiation. A receiver means for receiving the reflected infrared radiation from the reflecting surface is positioned at a second location. The second location and the reflecting surface have a straight line path therebetween which is transparent to the infrared radiation.