Abstract: A system for continuously supplying solid silicon particles to an apparatus for growing hollow, tubular crystalline bodies. The system includes a container for storing solid silicon particles, a vibratory, pneumatic, or other device for causing the particles to exit the container through an aperture in the bottom thereof, a receiving chamber coupled with the container for receiving the particles which are dispensed from the container, and means for providing a jet of pressurized fluid in the receiving chamber. The latter is coupled with the crucible of the crystal growth apparatus via a conduit extending up through the center of the crucible.In operation, silicon particles are dispensed from the container, travel into the receiving chamber where they are entrained by the jet of pressurized fluid which drives the particles out of the receiving chamber, through the conduit, and into the crystal growth furnace where they fall back into the molten silicon supported in the crucible.

Abstract: A method for electrically interconnecting a plurality of solar cells in series using a multi-faced drum, a first bus spool having an associated first bus strip, and a second bus spool having an associated second bus strip, wherein the method involves placing a solar cell on the then-current top face of the drum so that its top electrode underlies the first bus strip and its bottom electrode overlies the second bus strip, indexing the drum forward one face as the first bus spool is lowered and the second bus spool is raised, placing a new solar cell on the then-current top face of the drum so that its top electrode underlies the second bus strip and its bottom electrode overlies the first bus strip, indexing the drum forward another face as the first bus spool is raised and the second bus spool is lowered, and continuing the foregoing process as desired to interweave the first and second bus strips between additional solar cells.

Abstract: There is described an electro-pneumatic assembly device including a rack for receiving mounting boards, a removable mounting board for supporting components and having a set of electric edge connectors along an edge thereof. An elongated pneumatic manifold is split lengthwise into a stationary and a removable fragment, the stationary fragment being affixed to the rack and the removable being affixed to the board.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coupling for effecting pneumatic connection between a rack and a circuit board carrying both electrical and pneumatic control elements where concurrent connection is made of electric and pneumatic circuits as the circuit board is inserted in the rack. The coupling comprises a male unit with a wedge shaped insertion probe penetrated by a flow channel terminating in an interconnection port and a female unit with an opening for receiving the insertion probe of the male unit and an interconnection port mating across an interface surface with the male interconnection port. The female coupling unit further includes a shuttle with axial symmetry having an actuator shaft of a diameter to slide within the uniform bore portion of the tunnel at one end, a stop that cannot enter the uniform bore portion of the tunnel at the other end, two spaced apart seals of a diameter to make a sealing fit to the uniform bore portion of the tunnel positioned intermediately.

Abstract: A solenoid controlled proportional flow valve comprises an operating solenoid having an axially extending coil, and a valve body having an axially extending cavity with a fluid inlet passage, a fluid outlet passage and a valve seat surrounding one of the passages on one end wall of the cavity. A valve plunger is axially movable within the cavity for movement of one end wall thereof toward and away from the valve seat. Biasing means is interposed between the opposite ends of the cavity and plunger, the biasing means including a generally conical abutment having a rounded free end preloaded in contact with a resilient deformable elastomeric spring having a diameter at all times greater than the portion of said conical abutment member in contact therewith. The biasing means normally maintains the valve plunger in contact with the valve seat, and the solenoid moves the plunger away from the valve seat in proportion to the flow of current therethrough.

Abstract: A self-contained alarm signal apparatus is disclosed which comprises an electrical signal generator, and encoder connected to receive the output of the generator and to encode a message to be delivered to a transmitter, a source of stored mechanical energy, and connector means for intermittently applying energy from the energy source to the generator for production of an electrical signal. Also provided are first and second input devices for delivering mechanical inputs to the connector means, each of the mechanical inputs operative to cause the connector means to apply energy to the generator. The first input device comprises manually actuable means and the second input device is automatically operable and comprises a timer and means to deliver a mechanical input to the connector means at predetermined time intervals.