Abstract: A low dissipation shunt or series regulator apparatus is described comprising dump switching means coupled in parallel to each power source, which dump switching means is arranged for being responsive to a control signal produced by comparator means arranged for comparing the level of the error signal with a respective reference level. Each power source has its output connected to the reference level input of the corresponding comparator through feedback circuit means in order to set two operation thresholds for the comparator, thereby allowing each dump switching means to switch cyclically between two states, a first state serving to short the corresponding power source and a second state serving to allow the power source to provide current to the load.

Abstract: A metal string for a fingerboard type stringed musical instrument has a core wire, or wires, and a first part of the length of the string is loaded in known manner while a second part of the length of the string remains non-loaded, the respective lengths of the loaded and non-loaded portions being such that, when the string is fitted to a musical instrument having two string supports such as the conventional "nut" and "bridge", the string may be arranged with the loaded portion supported by the nut and with the non-loaded portion supported by the bridge, but with the vibrating portion between the nut and bridge (the "speaking length" of the string) constituted substantially wholly by loaded string.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a remote battery connector at a location from which its battery terminals are not accessible. The connector includes a single terminal for connection to a jumper cable, the companion jumper cable being connected to the grounded body structure of the vehicle. The remote terminal is enclosed within a mounting box that includes a base and a hinged cover, the cover top being supported in its closed position by a pair of guide walls disposed on opposite sides of the terminal. Securement of the mounting box to the vehicle is by the terminal itself so that installation is quickly and easily accomplished.When the mounting box cover is opened, an illuminated indicia shows the location of the terminal and its proper polarity.

Abstract: A neck for a stringed instrument formed of a plywood comprising a lamination of a plurality of sheets of bamboo. A length of bamboo greater than the length of the neck to be produced and having a proper diameter is radially stiffed into equal sectors each having an arcuate section. Both the external and internal surfaces of the sectors are sliced tangentially and the opposite lateral edges of the sectors cut in a direction perpendicular to the tangential direction, thus providing a plurality of sheets of the required length which are rectangular in cross section. Using any known wood lamination technique, the sheets are laminated into a plywood. In a practical embodiment, the plywood is in the form of a straight square timber, the opposite ends of which are cut off, leaving the intermediate portion for use as a neck body.

Abstract: A remote load controlling apparatus receives a disconnect signal on a line that is filtered and voltage limited. This disconnect signal sets a flip-flop which enables an oscillator and a solid-state switch. The enabled switch energizes a relay to disconnect the load from electric service. A counter counts the output of the enabled oscillator and provides a flip-flop reset signal after a local time delay that is determined by a particular incremented count state of the counter. The reset flip-flop disables the oscillator and solid-state switch to de-energize the relay and reconnect the load to electric service. The flip-flop may also be reset by a remote signal to disable the oscillator and solid-state switch and reconnect the load before the counter is incremented to its particular incremented count state. A second counter and a second solid-state switch may be added to ensure that the load is connected to electric service if a component of the apparatus should fail.

Abstract: The theatre lighting control system comprises a patchboard having a plurality of receptacles mounted thereon and a switchboard associated with the patchboard and having a plurality of switches mounted thereon. The receptacles and switches on the respective boards are mounted in a generally rectangular matrix such that a row of switches on the switchboard is aligned with and electrically coupled to a row of receptacles on the patchboard. Also, a control switch is provided for each group of aligned rows of switches and receptacles and is adapted to be connected to a dimmer switch. The receptacles are adapted to receive male plugs from theatre lamp circuits. Pilot lamps are associated with the receptacles and/or switches to indicate which receptacles are energized.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the distribution of electrical signals, comprising a signal input and a multiplicity of signal outputs and at least one decoupling circuit preventing a reactive effect between the signal outputs. For each signal output there is provided a controllable current source containing a resistor of predetermined size which is arranged in the output circuit of such current source as well as a null voltage indicator having two inputs and a control output connected with the associated controllable current source. The voltage drop at each of the resistors is connected by means of one of the inputs of the associated null voltage indicator in opposition with the signal input.

Abstract: Electrical line voltage energy from an AC power network is combined with the energy derived from an auxiliary DC voltage source through the primary winding of a transformer to operate an AC load under rated conditions normally associated with its operation by the AC power network alone. The DC voltage is converted to a form compatible with said rated operation of the load under control of AC signals sampled from the AC power network. Line voltage from the AC power network to the transformer primary is blocked when sufficient energy is available from the DC voltage source alone to operate the load.

Abstract: An energy management system for limiting continuously instantaneous permissible power level of a plurality of controllable loads including a transducer device for generating an output signal when the measured instantaneous power level exceeds a pre-set instantaneous permissible power level. A programmable matrix device is provided to select a plurality of controllable loads and periods of time in a day for which each of the selected loads are connected to a power source. The selected controllable loads are disconnected from the power source in response to the output signal in a predetermined order. The order in which the selected loads are to be disconnected is sequentially switched over a certain time interval.

Abstract: A computerized unit organ relay which utilizes computer hardware and software to interconnect the pipes of the organ with the organ console in such a fashion that the proper pipes are activated in response to the key-stop combinations designated at the console. All of the keys of the various keyboards, and their associated stops, are connected through appropriate input ports to the data processing device which, in a preferred form, comprises a programmed microcomputer. The computer software acts on the input data from the keys and stops to calculate which of the pipes should be activated in response to actuated keys and stops. This information is stored in a continuously updated array and is read out of the computer memory, via appropriate output interface devices, to activate the corresponding pipes of the organ.

Abstract: A power supply of the switching type having alternately conductive switching transistors coupled to the primary of a transformer, in which a control circuit insures that the switching transistors are never simultaneously conductive. The control circuit utilizes two multivibrators having a common timing circuit for generating pulses which have their leading edges synchronized and are such that the width of the pulses from one multivibrator is never less than the width of the pulses from the other multivibrator, thus insuring a minimum dead time interval between the on times of the alternately switched transistors. Circuit protection is provided by sensing and feedback of the current through the transformer secondary or primary windings, and by sensing the saturation voltage across the switching transistors, to regulate the duty cycle of the pulses generated by the control circuit. Power for the control circuit and the switching transistor drive circuitry is provided from the secondary of the transformer.

Abstract: In a system for varying the intensity of a plurality of lights in accordance with plural channel audio amplitude signals, a display comprising a housing having multi-sided openings in the form of prismatic panels through which light passes from the interior of the housing. The housing mounts a plurality of banks of lights, certain of the lights being carried by a motorized member such that the lights rotate about a vertical axis. The banks of lights include a plurality of sets connected in a parallel fashion with each set having a selected number of lights connected in a series with a flashing unit. The lights are responsive to separate channels of audio amplitude signals, with each bank of lights being responsive to the amplitude of the associated channel of audio amplitude signals. A variety of window panels are disclosed.

Abstract: A power supply system is disclosed having two regulated power supply devices with outputs connected in parallel for redundant half-load operation. Each power supply device has a voltage regulator and a current regulator with outputs connected in parallel to a switching transistor which provides regulation. A discriminator and transfer switch in each power supply device compares sensed load currents in both the power supply devices and switches the power supply device from current regulation to voltage regulation or vice-versa. By use of the transfer switch and discriminator, an active, reaction-free load take over in the case of a failure of one of the power supply devices operating in a voltage regulation mode may be accomplished. The other power supply device is then switched from a current regulation mode to a voltage regulation mode so as to take over from the power supply device which has failed.

Abstract: A technique for generating high-voltage, wide dynamic range, shaped electrical pulses in the nanosecond range. Two transmission lines are coupled together by resistive elements distributed along the length of the lines. The conductance of each coupling resistive element as a function of its position along the line is selected to produce the desired pulse shape in the output line when an easily produced pulse, such as a step function pulse, is applied to the input line.

Abstract: An organ stop switching system includes a plurality of stop switches and a random access memory within which combinations of stop switch settings are stored. The stop switch settings are multiplexed into a memory loop having a capacity fractionally smaller than the random access memory. This loop is used for an input and an output circuit for the random access memory during time slots corresponding to numbered pistons selected for storing and recalling stop setting combinations. A serial-to-parallel converter receives information from the memory loop and provides outputs for operating stop control circuitry of the organ.

Abstract: A method and device according to which it becomes possible to operate a window shade automatically. Thus, by way of this method and device a window shade can be automatically closed during the night and automatically opened during the day. In this way it is possible to give to an unoccupied home an outside appearance tending to indicate that the occupants are at home.

Abstract: Apparatus to be used in conjunction with the practicing of a musical instrument is described. The circuit contains and interconnects an electronic metronome, a timer, a tape recorder, a tone generator, earphones, and the electronics for integrating these elements, as well as an internal power supply. This apparatus is particularly well suited to the needs of the advanced student who plays well and desires to progress to the professional level since the interaction of the elements forces the student to play the instrument with speed and accuracy while under time pressure. The combination of elements also leads to a flexibility of functions. Finally, all elements are implemented from electronic components, resulting in a small, low cost, reliable system.

Abstract: A condition responsive time proportional control means which has a relatively fast time constant when operating in its proportional band has the time constant expanded by means of a digital counter. The counter is a resettable unidirectional type counter. The output of the counter drives a switch means and a load along with a means for altering the time constant of the condition responsive time proportional control means. The time constant is altered by a switching means that changes the charge and discharge path of a capacitor used in creating the time constant.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, with a neck and a body, is constructed to provide a stiffened neck adjustable to compensate for bending due to string forces and also to provide a sound, easily made connection, between the neck and the body. The neck is an assembly including a metallic stiffener embeded in a main neck part and carrying a tension rod. A nut on one end of the rod tensions the rod to control bending of the stiffener and of the remainder of the neck which is fixed to it. At its lower end the stiffener includes a rearwardly extending heel through which the neck is firmly connected to the body.

Abstract: Strings attached at one end to the body of a musical instrument are each attached by adjustable means at the other end to a rockshaft so that the other end is secured to a point of attachment on a line through the axis of the rockshaft. The rockshaft has at least one cavity and the point of attachment may be varied through the axis of the rockshaft along the line so that a turning of the rockshaft simultaneously increases or decreases or leaves unchanged the tension in each of the strings and, thus, increases, decreases or leaves unchanged the pitch of each of the strings. The adjustable means may take the form of an adjusting screw that is in threaded engagement with the rockshaft and that is provided with means for securing the end of the string thereto; and the rockshaft may have a cavity for each string, including a slot portion for access of the string and a bore for the associated screw.