Abstract: In an ac plasma panel, row and column conductors are embedded at lower and upper levels, respectively, in a single dielectric layer on one side of the display gas. Conductive pads, arranged in rows and columns, are embedded in the dielectric layer at the upper level to provide a row and column array of display sites. Electrical signals on each lower level, row conductor are coupled capacitively to the row of pads above it.

Abstract: Electrical noise is suppressed on an input signal by squaring the input signal and any noise thereon, removing the sinusoidal terms in the squared output (as by averaging), subtracting the d.c. noise component, and taking the square root of the remainder, so as to produce an r.m.s. dependent, substantially noise free output. If desired, the noise suppression circuitry may be combined in a low signal measuring instrument in which the input signal is repetitively sampled and freed of noise in the manner described, the output then being measured on a d.c. meter.

Abstract: A calibrating device is disclosed for insertion between a control station and its indicators, preferably of the bar graph type, with provisions for establishing accurate reference voltages available at marked jacks for use and specifically for checking the calibration of the indicating elements, and to provide for utilization of one or both indicators as a precision voltmeter for checking the potential of various points in the circuitry. Provisions are also made for bypass plugging in so that the indicators operate in a normal manner as if the calibrator were not present. The normal jacks also provide convenient access to the set-point and variable voltage of the station and facilitate the measuring of these voltages by an external digital voltmeter if desired.

Abstract: A low-pressure gas discharge lamp in which thin-structured bodies are present in the discharge space for increasing the radiation output per unit volume.

Abstract: A peak detector circuit to be used in conjunction with an RF tunable volt meter is disclosed which charges a capacitor to a voltage level proportional to the amplitude of an incoming signal and then provides an accurate output signal, for driving a meter, the value of this signal being proportional to the voltage on the capacitor. The accuracy of the meter indicator reading is virtually identical for a particular amplitude regardless of whether the incoming signal is modulated or unmodulated (CW).

Abstract: A digital speedometer is provided for use in an automotive vehicle and includes a transducer for connection to a conventional speedometer cable driver. The transducer is equipped with an optical encoder that produces electrical pulses in response to rotational motion of the speedometer cable driver. The electrical pulses are transmitted to a counting circuit which is reset by a variable reference oscillator. The frequency of the oscillator is much lower than the frequency of pulses from the transducer. Accordingly, a number of pulses from the transducer indicative of the speed of the vehicle are tabulated by the counting device during intervals between reset pulses from the reference oscillator. The period between reset pulses is determined by an adjustment to the oscillator to vary the output frequency thereof. The number of counts tabulated during each period is passed to a visual display.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively measuring voltage, resistance, and time duration f an event, each of which is associated with an electrical network, includes a device for providing a first train of digital pulses, the frequency of the pulse train being related to an analog voltage coupled thereto. The measuring apparatus also includes a clock for generating a second train of digital pulses of fixed frequency, and a constant current source to be coupled to a resistive element being measured by the apparatus. The apparatus further includes counters selectively receiving one of the digital pulse trains for counting the number of pulses received during a selected time period, and for providing a digital output in which the value of a quantity measured by the apparatus is encoded.

Abstract: A probe device for testing integrated circuit wafers is disclosed. The probe device comprises a support means, which has metallized portions, and an aperture. A plurality of "L" shaped holding means, each having a thin metallized surface, are coupled to metallized portions of the support means so that a portion of the holding means extends into the aperture. Coupled to the metallized surface of each of the holding means is a corresponding needle-like probe member which has a curved portion. These probe members are coupled to the holding means in such a manner that their curved portions extend into the support means aperture so as to electrically contact a circuit wafer placed therein, and thereby electrically couple the circuit wafer to the support means, and ultimately to circuit testing apparatus.

Abstract: A current measuring apparatus for polyphase current wherein reverse poled parallel diodes in each of the polyphase lines provide separate direct current paths for the alternate half cycles of the polyphase current. Alternate half cycles having like polarity of each phase are summed using the magnetic field created by the current components and a Hall-effect device.

Abstract: This distance measurement system employs the principle of electromagnetic induction to sense distances between an inductive transducer and an object. The inductive transducer forms a part of a signal phase network, and a means for comparing the signal of the inductive transducer to a reference signal provides linear output of the dimension between the transducer and an object. A circuit element such as a capacitor is connected in parallel with the inductive transducer to enhance the sensitivity and resolution of the measurement, to significantly reduce or eliminate error due to temperature, and to provide a high degree of output linearity relative to the distance measured.

Abstract: A printed circuit board circuit tester comprising a testing head, electrical connectors carried by said head, wires and joined electrical contacts extending into said head from said connectors, the electrical contacts being fitted in a non-conducting environment supported in the head, supporting structure within the head adapted to support a circuit board to be tested, the electrical contacts extending through the non-conducting environment to a position adjacent the circuit board, apparatus operated by pressure differentials within the head for moving the circuit board into testing contact with the electrical contacts, a base on which said head is removably supported, base electrical connectors carried in said base and being adapted to mate with the electrical connectors carried in the head when said head is supported on said base, and wires and joined base electrical contacts extending from said base connectors into said base, said base electrical contacts being exposed through the base for connection to an

Abstract: Lamps having a gas filling containing bromine and hydrogen can be given a very long life without the addition of iodine to the gas filling by constructing and proportioning the internal tungsten current supply conductors according to the invention.The internal current supply conductors consist of a tungsten wire around the end of which a tungsten wire is wound helically having turns axially interspersed with the end turns of the filament.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the magnitude of a varying analog signal and for displaying a close approximation of a final stabilized value before the signal reaches stabilization. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to corresponding digital pulse signals and the digital pulse signals are displayed to an operator. Automatic display-hold circuitry determines the pulse count difference between successive pulse count signals separated by a predetermined time interval, compares the difference to predetermined value, and, when the predetermined value is reached, generates a control signal which locks the displayed value and prevents the display from updating as the analog signal continues to vary. The difference between pulse signals is taken by storing the first signal in an up/down counter and decrementing the counter in response to the second signal.

Abstract: One or more sensors coating a conductor of a high-voltage overhead line provide the signals for measuring variables associated with the operation of a high-voltage overhead line such as voltage, current or phase, wire temperature, ambient ionization etc. These signals are converted by analog-to-digital conversion in data which are acquired to form messages about operating status of a high-voltage overhead line, which are sent out as digital telegrams wirelessly to a remote point. The entire acquisition process and data transmission are accomplished by the post positioned on a conductor of the high-voltage overhead line, operating on the potential of that conductor and receiving the operating energy from same line.

Abstract: A high intensity arc discharge lamp comprises an arc tube having tungsten electrodes at each end and containing a fill including mercury, a starting gas and a metal in the form of metal halide. The tungsten electrode also contains a small quantity of said metal in solid solution with the tungsten.

Abstract: A noncontact gauge for edge detecting of semiconductor wafers in a test rig which indexes between circuits in the semiconductor wafer to provide functional tests upon them. The noncontact gauge includes a capacitive probe having an elongated finger that is bent into position a few thousands of an inch above the wafer when positioned for circuit tests in order to detect whether the circuit test system, in indexing from circuit to circuit in the row and column matrix of integrated circuit chips in the wafer, has moved to one edge or the other of the water. The edge detection system operates with conventional wafer test systems which raise and lower the wafer between tests to index from one integrated circuit to the next in the wafer matrix.

Abstract: A digital speedometer for indicating angular or linear velocity has an index counter to control update of the displayed velocity. The purpose of the index counter is to prevent undesirable fluctuation of the displayed velocity where minor variations in velocity being measured have occurred. The digital speedometer uses a pulsating input signal having a frequency proportional to the velocity to be indicated. An oscillator circuit provides a clock frequency that is utilized in generating a counting period electrical signal. During the counting period, the input pulses proportional to velocity are gated into a counter. After each counting period, a comparison is made between the count currently being displayed and the count stored in the counter. If a difference occurs, the index counter is incremented. Only after the index counter has been incremented a plurality of consecutive times is the display permitted to be updated.

Abstract: Parametric coupling device for traveling-waves, comprising a first signal wave, a second idler wave and a third pump wave, wherein a transmission line for said traveling-waves is formed on a substrate of dielectric material, which comprises a virtually continuous network of non-linear interaction elements, modulated by the pump wave, and so modulating the conduction properties of the transmission line and enabling intermodulation to be set up between the various traveling-waves. The virtually continuous network of non-linear interaction elements is a substantially plane network, each non-linear interaction element being at a distance a, or pitch of the network, from a neighbouring non-linear element, the distance a being less than the smallest of the wavelength of the signal, idler and pump waves and the plane network being disposed in the neighborhood of the upper surface of the transmission line.

Abstract: An arrangement for the determination of the effective value and/or the performance or power and, for example, also the cross-power of electrical signals, in particular those Doppler signals which are received in ultrasonic-Doppler blood flow measurement. The arrangement includes an amplifier for the present electrical signal regulatable in amplification which, on the one hand, is connected into a control loop or circuit for regulating the degree of amplification for the purpose of producing constant amplifier power outputs and, on the other hand, connected into a measuring circuit for determination of the degree of amplification which adjust itself at the current power constant-regulation of the amplifier.

Abstract: The meter is primarily adapted to replace a standard analog panel meter and is designed to selectively receive different ranges of input signals such as DC input signals in ranges extending from 50 mVDC to 500 VDC. In the disclosed embodiment there are four ranges also adapted to receive AC input signals in ranges extending from 100 mVAC to 480 VAC. Preferably, a jumper is used to select the different ranges. The jumper is readily accessible at the rear of the meter. The meter circuitry comprises an analog to digital converter having three digit, seven segment display and input circuitry including a range circuit, an operational amplifier and filter circuitry coupling serially to the converter.