Abstract: In a machine for sorting food pieces such as potatoes the pieces are dropped one at a time through scanned laser beams that sequentially scan over its surface on all sides. Detectors measure laser light reflected from the food as the beam scans over the surface; variations indicate bad spots. To determine when the beam is not shining directly onto the food piece, a ribbon-like direct light detector is circumferentially deployed about the test zone. The reflected light is changed to electric signals and is analyzed by the microprocessor to decide if the food piece is to be deflected by an air jet. When the direct-light detector registers an un-interrupted laser beam, the microprocessor ignores the reflected light signals; that is, the direct light signal gates the reflected light signal. The reflected-light detector may be a bundle of up to 50 optical fibers having the fiber ends regularly disposed about the ring, so as to detect the light intensity at various evenly-spaced angles around the test zone.

Abstract: A housing for a magnetic disk memory is assembled of a lower part and cup-shaped upper part which is seated on the rim of the lower part. A continuous angular bracket is secured to the inner surface of the lower arm and overlaps vertically the rim of the latter. An elastic sleeve has a mounting groove engaging the inwardly projecting arm of the bracket, and another mounting groove engaging a plate for supporting a rotary drive for the disks and a magnetic head assembly. The elastic sleeve further includes a flexible lip which abuts against a continuous shoulder on the inner surface of the upper housing part to seal the interior of the housing against outer atmosphere.

Abstract: A magnet disc data storage/retrieval system in which the pivot arms which carry the read and write heads are streamlined for low resistance to circumferential air flow caused by disc rotation. Hollow bodies having a wing profile are disclosed.

Abstract: A direct-current motor unit has a direct-current motor with a stationary armature winding and a rotatable ring-shaped multipolar permanent magnet, a plurality of conductors connecting electric supply elements to the electric motor, and a stationary plate member on which the armature winding and the connecting conductors are arranged and together formed as a common printed circuit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for transferring information between an information store and a data channel. During the recording process, the quantity of information to be recorded and, in the reading process, the capacity of an apparatus associated with the data channel to be fed with the information read, is determined and, based upon the quantity of information determined in each case, the control magnitude is produced to drive the information store at a predetermined speed. Circuitry is provided for controlling the amplitude and phase of the information read from the information store to compensate for any variations in the speed of the information store.