Abstract: A light-weight, low-aerodynamic-drag disk bicycle wheel is disclosed wherein, bonded to the wheel's tire-carrying rim is a thin, light-weight, aerodynamic drag-reducing structure in the form of a heat-strunk plastic film protected against tearing by an inner, adhered, rip-stop backing fabric.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting conveyor-transported articles, such as newspapers. The apparatus employes a laser which projects a beam to create reflections from such articles, which reflections are imaged onto a linear photodetector array. The array is scanned recurrently to detect the presence and location of such an image, and related, successive output signals from the array are fed to a data-processing circuit which confirms the occurrence of each passing article. Such confirmation is based on the pre-known manner in which the successive leading-edge profiles of passing articles cause multiple output signals of a certain character to be produced by the array.

Abstract: An electro-optical position-monitoring system including a tracking detector whose position is interpretable to indicate the spatial location of a monitored object. In one embodiment, the detector includes a beam-splitting prism, and in the other includes two arrays of fiber-optic elements--both arrangements being designed to divide reflected, received light into two optical paths. Interposed in these paths are photodetectors which each produce an output signal directly indicative of the intensity of light received along the associated path. Circuitry which responds to such signals effects tracking movement of the prism (or the arrays) so as to equalize signals produced by the photodetectors. When equalization occurs, tracking stops, and the repositioned location of tracked parts is directly readable as an indication of the spatial location of the monitored object.

Abstract: Electro-optical apparatus for locating the surface of an object. A laser projects a beam along one axis. Light from the beam which is reflected by an impinged object is viewed along another axis, and is transmitted to a linear (straight-line) photodetector array. The array is specially oriented angularly relative to the viewing axis and to the laser beam axis, whereby, within the selected dynamic range of the apparatus, reflected light transmitted to the array is, under all circumstances, in sharp focus along the plane of the array.

Abstract: Circuitry for locating the mid-point of a spot of illumination on a time-base-scanned linear photodetector (photodiode) array. With each scan, the array produces, from the illuminated photodiodes, a pulse made up of individual "pixils" having different discreet DC voltage levels. This pulse is filtered to smooth it, and is then compared with a DC reference to produce a related square-wave pulse whose length depends on the time that the level of the filtered pulse exceeds that of the reference. Clock pulses at two different frequencies are provided, and are counted (at different times) from the beginning of each scan until the end of such a square-wave pulse. The desired mid-point is determined from the total count obtained during a scan.

Abstract: An electro-optical ranging system for taking rapid measurements of the distance to a moving target object, such as a rotating log whose cross-sectional configuration is to be determined prior to the performance of a processing operation thereon. An electro-optical transceiver illuminates a small portion of the target object with a narrow beam of light modulated by a reference R-F signal. Light reflected from the target object is received by a telescope in the transceiver and focused upon a photodetector for demodulation to generate a detected R-F signal. The distance to the object is then determined by measuring the relative phase of the reference and detected signals.