Abstract: A differential brake control system is provided for a vehicle having first and second wheels on respective sides of a vertical axis of the vehicle. The system includes processing logic for computing a wheel brake command based on an input brake command indicative of a desired amount of braking. In addition, the system includes differential logic for adjusting the wheel brake command by first and second amounts to produce first wheel and second wheel brake commands, respectively, the first amount being different from the second amount.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a significant departure from known shielded enclosure designs by providing an enclosure for electronic modules, comprising walls made of composite material including conductive fibers for shielding the enclosure interior from electromagnetic radiation, and means for securely mounting at least one module inside the enclosure with a fastener means, the mounting means comprising composite material. The present invention further contemplates methods for making shielded enclosures and card guides for such enclosures that represent a significant improvement over known enclosure designs. This invention contemplates composite cold walls and composite fins. These composite fins and cold walls may be used alone or together in structures and enclosures which are useful in conducting heat.

Abstract: A polarizerless optic sensor is provided that uses a random domain magneto-optic film and a modulated normal magnetic field to vary or modulate the energy distribution in a diffraction pattern. Light is transmitted through the film and is diffracted according to a domain duty cycle so that the center beam intensity is a function of the Faraday rotation angle of the material and the intensity of the applied normal magnetic field. The polarizerless sensor can be used to realize a speed and torque sensor, an optical switch, a magnetic field sensor and many other types of devices. The invention can be used with polarized and unpolarized input light. The sensor can be implemented using a random domain film or a stripe domain film to create a phase grating diffraction pattern.

Abstract: A sensor testing apparatus which is capable of testing any sensor regardless of the type of polarization the sensor is sensitive to. The testing apparatus comprises a source conditioning apparatus to produce a beam of optical energy of a known polarization state. A polarization conditioning apparatus changes the polarization state of the optical energy beam to any desired polarization state. A transmit quadrant detector detects the polarization of the optical energy and the optical energy is directed to a sensor to be tested. The optical energy transmitted by the sensor is detected by a receive quadrant detector. The polarization state is displayed on the monitor of a computer by virtue of a computer interface with both quadrant detectors.

Abstract: A displacement detector provides a light beam which impinges on an article with different combinations of light altering materials such as reflecting and non-reflecting surfaces, wave retarding plates, and linear polarizers attached to the article to determine angular position, relative angular displacement, and speed of rotatably mounted articles. These beam altering materials change either the polarization state or the magnitude of the light in a predictable manner. When used on different ends of a rotating shaft, the shaft speed and torsional displacement of the front shaft end with respect to the rear shaft end can be determined. When used with an article such as a rotatably mounted throttle, the angular displacement of the throttle can be determined.

Abstract: A rotating shaft torsional displacement and speed detector provides a light beam which impinges on one or both ends of the rotating shaft. Different combinations of beam altering materials such as reflecting and non-reflecting surfaces, wave retarding plates, and linear polarizers are attached to the front shaft end and rear shaft end. These beam altering materials change either the polarization or magnitude of the light beam in a predictable manner that allows for the detection of shaft speed and torsional displacement of the front shaft end with respect to the rear shaft end.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic ink jet printing system which provides improved frequency response of the mass flow of ink deposited on a recording medium. In accordance with the invention, an ink jet nozzle is conductively connected to an ink reservoir. A conductive platen maintained at a reference voltage level is positioned in front of the nozzle. A sheet of paper is positioned on the surface of the platen. Positioned between the paper and nozzle is a conductive plate having an aperture through which ink emanating from the nozzle is directed.A video data signal input to the system is amplified and biased before being applied to the nozzle. At the same time, the video data signal is also inverted, then fed through a differentiator and finally amplified before being applied to the conductive plate. As a result of the voltage signals applied to the nozzle and plate, a unique electric field is generated between the tip of the nozzle and the plate.

Abstract: An improved electrostatic ink jet system is disclosed which provides ink upon demand to print upon plain paper. The demand signal is the application of an increased voltage level over an existing or bias level. The termination of this increased voltage level, of course, stops the ink flow to end the printing operation. The ink jet assembly includes an ink jet of reduced length by the inclusion of a conductive surface at a predetermined point along the ink jet length. The assembly therefore has a unique physical shape which provides improved electrical and mechanical characteristics.

Abstract: An improved ink jet nozzle for an electrostatic printer comprising a fine pipe for feeding ink therethrough onto a separately positioned piece of paper under the control of an electric field, the end of the pipe nearest the paper having a conical configuration which provides shortened tube length for increased ink flow and reduced nozzle diameter for improved frequency response.