Abstract: An electrostatic discharge system for neutralizing the charge accumulated an aircraft utilizes a pair of unequal length probes to sense the intensity of the external electric field. A transformer arrangement energizes these probes with out-of-phase voltages such that the corona currents flow in opposite directions through these probes. The dual probe configuration eliminates any errors due to environmental changes, while the out-of-phase excitation mode allows the AC component of the output signal to be canceled at a load resistor in the sensor circuit by a subtractive process, a feature which greatly simplifies the filtering operation.

Abstract: An electric incandescent lamp dimming combination fixture device having a subcombination which has at least one thyristor type of semiconductor component, with or without a voltage transient protecting "G.E. MOV." type VP varistor, as desired, and with or without a separate selective electric switch or switching means. The combination fixture device having, in at least one of its other embodiments, a subcombination of at least one-half-wave diode rectifier or rectifying means which is an semiconductor member, of the silicon type, with or without a varistor of the zink oxide doped with gallium oxide diode type, or even a diode of the germanium type, as desired, and at least one electrical selectively switching means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of lighting a cold cathode electric gas discharge lamp in which the lamp is connected across the secondary winding of a voltage step-up transformer, and the primary winding of the transformer is energized with a chopped D.C. voltage having a frequency of at least 12 kHz and a voltage which provides an output voltage from the secondary winding having an R.M.S. value no greater than 700 volts.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the spark gap between the electrodes of the spark plug for automobile internal-combustion engines, comprising a probe adapted to detect a secondary voltage and having a potential divider circuit therein for supplying a low-voltage signal, and a plurality of electrical circuits for processing the signal and indicating the spark gap as detected for each cylinder on display means.

Abstract: An input signal current is superimposed on a direct current. The resultant unidirectional composite signal is symmetrically peak-limited or clipped. Thereafter, the direct current component is extracted to leave a bidirectional signal current which has symmetrically limited peaks and substantially no direct component.

Abstract: A first transistor of a first conductivity type connected as a common-base amplifier in the collector-to-base feedback connection of a second transistor of a second conductivity type, complementary to the first conductivity type, exchanges base current with a third transistor of the second conductivity type. The collector current of the third transistor is proportional to that of the second transistor by a factor substantially equal to 1/h.sub.fe, where h.sub.fe is the common-emitter forward current gain of the first transistor.

Abstract: An electrical test device and method for use in checking current carrying circuitry by an AC current measuring hook-on meter having a magnetic core for magnetic coupling to the circuit being measured. The test device includes the electrical current carrying conductor means to be tested and support means upon which the conductor means is wound and through which the magnetic core of the hook-on meter may be placed. The test device and method is utilized for more easily and accurately performing a checkout of the circuitry and is particularly useful in connection with appliances.

Abstract: This invention accelerates the leakage current from certain nodes of memory cells in static semiconductor memory to an extent whereby defective memory cells, which would not be detected without a considerable waiting period elapsing, are readily quickly detected.

Abstract: A voltage-current converter having a balanced-voltage input and a balanced-current output. Each of the emitter circuits of the two input transistors includes a three-transistor current-mirror circuit, whose input circuit carries a constant current, whose output circuit carries the balanced-output current and of which the base-emitter junction of the transistor which is included in the input circuit is bridged by a semiconductor junction in the output circuit. The two current mirror circuits are coupled in that a resistor is included between the bases of the transistors which are included in the input circuits of the two current mirror circuits.

Abstract: Functional and parametric checks of a circuit to be tested are in effect conducted concurrently. Equivalent loads are connected to the circuit and the loads are programmable under control of a test system. In that way, various different fan-in and fan-out capabilities as well as other parameters of the circuit may be sequentially checked without disconnecting the system from the circuit and while functional testing is taking place.

Abstract: Electric lamps according to the invention have inner current conductors with a molybdenum part which is welded to the molybdenum foil in the pinch of the quartz glass lamp vessel and a tungsten part which supports the electrode or the filament and is connected to the molybdenum part by a butt weld.As a result of this construction reject and production disturbances upon making the welded joint between the molybdenum foil and the inner current conductor which occur when tungsten current conductors are used are avoided.

Abstract: An analyzer for an electrical vehicle control system which includes a self-contained power source to allow excitation and evaluation of individual components in the control system. The analyzer plugs into the control system and includes a plurality of switches for selectively connecting various output terminals of the analyzer to internal logic circuits for monitoring the operation of selected components of the control system on an individual basis.

Abstract: A tone control circuit comprising an operational amplifier having an input and an output and a negative feedback circuit connected between the output and the input, the feedback circuit including a plurality of resistors and capacitors for controlling the magnitude of the high and low frequency components fed back to the input of the operational amplifier to selectably provide low frequency boost and high frequency boost or cut, the circuit having a high input impedance, a low output impedance, gain, and a relatively constant phase shift.

Abstract: A device is provided for automatically selecting from a plurality of ranges of a scale of values to which a meter may be made responsive, that range which encompasses the value of an unknown parameter. A meter relay indicates whether the unknown is of greater or lesser value than the range to which the meter is then responsive. The rotatable part of a stepping relay is rotated in one direction or the other in response to the indication from the meter relay. Various positions of the rotatable part are associated with particular scales. Switching means are sensitive to the position of the rotatable part to couple the associated range to the meter.

Abstract: A discharge lamp has an electrically conducting transparent layer and a temperature control which responds to variations of the lamp current to control lamp temperature. A control member causes an auxiliary current to flow intermittently through the said layer. The temperature control is adjusted so that in the operational condition the lamp will always be operating in a voltage-current range having a positive nature. As a result, the lamp does not require an electric stabilizing ballast.

Abstract: A solid state ignition system particularly adapted for use in igniting fuel oil, the system including plasma generator means, electronic trigger means and electronic brake means and being effective to produce an improved ionization arc between electrodes for the purpose of initiating fuel oil combustion.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit for increasing the utilization factor of a power source comprising an output amplifier circuit, a first power source, and a second power source having a voltage of an absolute value greater than that of the first power source, so that the first and second voltages supplied to the output amplifier circuit are switched therebetween in dependence on an input signal applied to the output amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A failing component connected to a node on a circuit board is located by applying voltage probes to the printed circuit lands connected to the node to determine the direction and magnitude of current flow. By determining the direction and magnitude of current flow to or from each of the components, a reliable determination can be made of the failing circuit component. The direction and magnitude of current flow is determined by use of a polarity indicator which includes a differential chopper amplifier, a high Q, high gain, active filter and digital gating circuitry.

Abstract: Dielectric optical waveguides can be made having a core of vitreous silica doped with nitrogen in the form of silicon nitride, and a cladding of pure vitreous silica. Silicon nitride may be present in the core material in quantities varying between .1% to 10% by weight. The silicon nitride doped silica glass can be formed in a boule by passing a mixture of gaseous compounds containing silicon and nitrogen through a induction coupled plasma discharge. The outside of the doped silica boule may be oxidized to reduce the nitrogen content.

Abstract: A cold cathode ionization gauge controller utilizing a periodically varying potential across the gauge tube at higher pressure and substantially constant potential at low pressure provides a wide-range pressure measurement capability from about 10.sup.-.sup.1 to about 10.sup.-.sup.7 torr.