Abstract: An integrated circuit that provides multiple communication functions is accomplished by providing an integrated circuit (24) that includes memory (70) which stores an audio code algorithm, echo cancellation information, a modem processing algorithm, and audio data. The memory (70) is coupled via a data bus (50) to a signal converter (56), a central processing unit (58), and a first co-processor (72). The signal converter (56) provides an analog-to-digital input port (78) and a digital-to-analog output port (80) for the integrated circuit (24), wherein the audio data is received via the analog-to-digital input port (78). The central processing unit (58) executes at least a first portion of the audio coding algorithm upon the audio data and executes a first portion of the modem processing algorithm, while the first co-processor (72) executes an echo cancellation algorithm.

Abstract: In a decoding apparatus (100), overflow conditions can be determined within the same clock cycle by determining the type of operation to be performed. For time sensitive operations, a load (102) and a discharge device (105) are temporarily coupled to a dynamic decoding structure (101) of the decoding apparatus (100). The load (102) and the discharge device (105) allow the decoding apparatus (100) to stabilize within a first clock phase (114) of a clock cycle. Thus, the second phase (113) of the clock cycle can be used to determine whether an overflow condition has occurred. For non-time sensitive operations, a precharge device (104) and the discharge device (105) are operably coupled to the dynamic decoding structure (101), while the load (102) is disabled.

Abstract: Particulate material delivery apparatus comprising: a measuring device for separating a predetermined quantity of particulate material from a particulate material supply; a first valve which is responsive to a single input signal and which regulates a control fluid and a delivery fluid; an actuator for shifting the measuring device between measuring and delivery positions in response to a pressure signal from the first valve; and a control apparatus for dispensing a pressurized delivery fluid for a variable, predetermined interval of time in response to a pressure signal from the first valve. Also, a method for delivering measured charges of a particulate material, comprising the steps of discharging one charge of the material to a first location, measuring a second charge of the material, and a delivering the first charge to a remote location while measuring the second charge.

Abstract: A fibre optic sensor 1 comprises a body 2 of a matrix material which includes an embedded length of optical fibre 3. When the body 2 is exposed to an external disturbance, mechanical and strain forces arising internally can be transmitted to the fibre 3 and will modify the passage of light therein. Pulsed light through the fibre 3 can be sensed for example by interferometry to measure the disturbance. This can provide an inexpensive and sensitive sensor construction which is capable of the remote detection of various parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chiropractic belt 10 having two belt segments 16 and 18 joined together by a central elastic section 12. There is an elastic cross-structure 26 which overlies and is connected at the intersection of the cross-structure to the mid-section of the elastic member. The ends of the cross-structure are connected to the belt segments. Right hand and left hand tensioning members 58 and 60 are attached at the midsection at the intersection of the cross structure, with free ends of the tensioning members being adapted to be connected or disconnected, respectively, to the left and right hand belt segments.

Abstract: An optical phase modulator comprises a body 1 of a matrix material which supports a length of optical fiber 2, the said body including a polymer material having piezoelectric properties and being provided with spaced electrode areas 4 such that the application of an electrical potential between said areas will produce a mechanical strain in the body 1, the said strain affecting the said fiber 2 so as to control phase modulation of light when this is present in the fibre. This can give a device of inexpensive construction which is robust and has high sensitivity.

Abstract: Inertially insensitive optical fibre hydrophones are described, utilizing materials and configurations to obtain acceleration balanced designs suitable for underwater applications where acceleration is a problem. Balancing and/or insensitivity is obtained both in longitudinal and axially perpendicular directions. Acoustic sensitivity of a coil formed by the fibre is maintained by the properties of materials used to provide a rigid former, encapsulant material and secondary material which form the hydrophone.

Abstract: A portion control apparatus is provided for receiving a food product and discharging the product in portions of predetermined size. This apparatus has a housing with an inlet, an outlet, a first and second chamber and a passageway connecting the inlet, outlet and chambers. The apparatus also includes a valve disposed in the passageway and movable between a first and second position. In the first position, the valve allows communication between the inlet and the first chamber and between the outlet and the second chamber. In the second position, the valve allows communication between the inlet and the second chamber and between the outlet and the first chamber. Two positions mounted in the housing for reciprocating movement and connected by a rod limit the amount of food product which each chamber receives and move the product out of each chamber and out of the apparatus through the outlet in an orderly sequence.

Abstract: A paint bucket handle accessory includes a generally elongate grip or handle member for grasping in the hand by a user, with the gripper handle member including a groove extending generally the length of the member along the top side thereof. The groove is dimensioned to receive the wire loop handle of a conventional paint bucket. The accessory also includes a hook member extending outwardly and generally perpendicularly from an opposite side of the gripper handle member to terminate in a hook element. The hook element is dimensioned for hooking under the inwardly and downwardly projecting lip formed in the upper edge of a conventional paint bucket. When a wire loop handle of a conventional paint bucket is fitted into the groove of the grip member, and the hook element is placed under the lip of a paint bucket, the grip member may be grasped by hand to lift and hold the paint bucket, while maintaining the wire loop handle to one side of the opening of the bucket.

Abstract: A signaling method and apparatus is described for obtaining a compact but high-resolution and wide-range digital representation of the frequency or period of an input signal. A reference frequency is counted over a number of cycles of the input signal by a counter having a nonlinear response so that the digital representation provided by the counter's value has a relatively high resolution over a wide range. The nonlinear response is provided by selectively dividing the reference frequency in response to the counter's value to obtain a clocking signal for the counter. A minimum resolution is preferably insured by requiring the counter to register a predetermined minimum number of counts before a frequency-indicating value is sampled by a latch. A predetermined function is applied to the sampled value to obtain the approximate number of counts that the counter would have registered but for the selective division of the reference frequency.

Abstract: An elongated cylinder having a piston therein which is operable by water under pressure with means to control the water input and valving means in a header to control the sausage meat entering the stuffing tube.

Abstract: An efficient, low operating cost evaporative air conditioner is disclosed. Low cost cooling is achieved without increasing the relative humidity of the air being cooled. The air conditioner includes a plurality of hollow heat exchange tubes through which is forced the air to be cooled. The exteriors of the heat exchange tubes, and thus the air passing through the tubes, is cooled by evaporative cooling. The evaporative cooling can be effected, for example, by blowing moist air across the exteriors of the tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for refreshing the water in an evaporative cooler. The apparatus includes a sump in which water for the cooler is collected. The sump is divided into two portions by a dividing dam. A pump supplying water to the cooler is positioned in one portion of the sump; a drain is positioned in the other portion. The drain is normally closed by a ball and flapper assembly and the sump is normally filled to a preselected level higher than the dividing dam. Periodically the ball and flapper are raised to flush the water from the sump so that contaminates and minerals are flushed from the sump and the water can be replaced by fresh water. During the flushing cycle enough water is trapped in the first portion of the sump by the dam so that the pump can continue to operate. In one embodiment the periodic flushing is accomplished by a mechanical flushing timer incorporated with the pump motor.

Abstract: There is provided a gain medium capable of radiating spectral lines differing in intensity as a function of position along a selected, gain-medium axis. A first resonator is arranged along a first optical axis that crosses the gain medium in a first region along the selected, gain-medium axis; the first resonator is adapted to establish a first optical mode that selectively lases one group of the spectral lines of the gain medium, namely a group thereof having high intensity within the volume in which the first mode is established. A second resonator is arranged along a second optical axis that crosses the gain medium in a second region along the selected, gain-medium axis; the second resonator is adapted to establish a second optical mode that lases a second group of spectral lines differing at least in part, from the first group. The second group of spectral lines has high intensity within the volume in which the second mode is established.

Abstract: Electrodes for electrochemical processes, especially anodes for impressed current systems for corrosion prevention, have an electrochemically active outer surface comprising a first element, preferably a conductive polymer element, and a plurality of second elements, preferably carbon or graphite fibers, which are partially embedded in the second element and which are electrochemically more active than the first element.

Abstract: A modular looper apparatus for a multiple-needle tufting machine including a modular hook bar made of solid material and including a transversely extending recess opening through the front face of the hook bar. Transverse gauge bars or members having transversely spaced vertical hook slots opening through the front and bottom portions of the gauge bar are inserted within the recess for receiving the shank portions of the corresponding looper hooks, in operative position. The looper hooks are locked in their operative positions by set screws extending upward through the bottom portion of the hook bar, into the recess and in vertical alignment with the corresponding hook slots.

Abstract: A horizontally positioned sausage stuffer having an elongated, cylindrical hopper, a removable outlet opening having an elongated, rigid, plastic tube extending therefrom, including a piston in the hopper actuated by water pressure from a city or town water faucet, and means to control the water.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel method of making a book cover including a pocket element wherein a continuous web of cardboard material and a continuous web of paper material are supplied to a work station where they are adhered to each other along their lateral edges. The composite web which is formed is then longitudinally slit at three spaced-apart locations to separate the composite web into first and second composite sections and to form pocket elements on each of the composite sections. These composite sections are then cut in a transverse direction at spaced intervals to form first and second book covers, wherein each of the book covers include its own pocket element adhered thereto.

Abstract: An accelerometer mechanically attached to a machine senses the machine rotor's unbalance and outputs an electrical signal which is indicative of the magnitude and position of the rotor unbalance. A tachometer generator's rotor is mechanically coupled to the machine rotor and outputs an electrical signal delineating the speed and rotational position (with respect to time) of the rotor. By physically indexing one of the tachometer generator rotor poles (north or south) to an index/mark on the engine rotor, the position of the mark at any instant in time is determined. The physical location of the unbalance is obtained by determining the phase relationship of the unbalance signal to that of the tachometer generator signal. This is accomplished by obtaining simultaneous "snapshots" of the two signals employing multiplexing techniques to alternately sample each signal. The signal is then recorded and later reduced by ground equipment.

Abstract: A multipurpose pig for treating the interior of pipes or for conveying material through a pipeline constructed of a main body portion having a length approximately one and one-half times its diameter with one end of the body portion being cup-shaped and including flanges extending outwardly therefrom. The other end of the main body includes a hub with a central opening therethrough for securing a plurality of cutting blade elements to the hub for cleaning the interior of pipelines with the passage of the multipurpose pig therethrough. The main body portion further includes a plurality of sealing elements extending from the hub to the cup-shaped flange with the diameter of the plurality of sealing elements and said flange being approximately equal.