Abstract: A system provides for the testing of components which connect to one or more of programmable logic devices (PLDs), each of which is organized in a predetermined manner. Each PLD includes a plurality of programmable logic sections, each of which connect to I/O pins through driver and receiver circuits. An available section includes programmed means for causing its driver circuit to force the I/O pin to a first logic level when made operational. The other sections each include programmed means for connecting their associated driver circuits to be controlled by signals applied to the receiver circuit of the available section. During testing, means are externally applied to the I/O pin of the available section which drive the pin from the first logic level to a second logic level.

Abstract: A three sided envelope opening and extraction apparatus and method are disclosed. The envelopes pass from a supply hopper to three envelope slicing devices which open three sides of the envelope and thereafter, the envelopes are disposed into a transport system for conveyance to the opening apparatus with the unopened edge positioned generally downwardly. The opening apparatus includes opposed elongate folder blades which close upon the side panels of the envelope approximately one third of the distance above the unopened edge thereof to clamp the envelope therebetween. An opposed pair of elongate grasping members including suction cups engage the opposed panels of the envelope above the folder blades and pull the opposed panels downwardly and tautly against the folder blades to provide a deformed and permanent crease in the envelope panels along the folder blade edges whereupon the folder blades and grasping members release the envelope panels and are withdrawn away from the envelope panels.

Abstract: An electronic assembly is made up of a number of electronic components. Each of the electronic components having a means for putting the component in a quiescent state while the remaining components are in a functional state, thereby enabling the testing of individual components without disassembly.

Abstract: A method for achieving printed circuit (PC) board-level testability through electronic component-level design using available technological methods to effect a state of transparency during test, allowing precise verification and diagnosis on a component-by-component basis. Applicable to a greater variety of electronic products than other test methods, and not appreciably constraining functional design, this approach inherently avoids obstacles which prevent other techniques from fulfilling their objectives.

Abstract: Several important features and characteristics, particularly and pronouncedly environmental stress crack resistance (i.e., "ESCR") as well as other desirable physical properties of blends or intimate admixtures, known as "polyblends" and usually made by melt-blending, of various styrene polymers (i.e., "SP's"), notably homopolystyrene (i.e., "PS"), and thermoplastic elastomers (i.e., "TE's") are significantly and in emphasized measure enhanced by thorough incorporation in (and simultaneous or subsequent heat action-initiating and cross-link-effecting of) the styrene polymer-thermoplastic elastomer polyblend in low level concentration(s) of a thermally-activatable, organic peroxide in combination with any one (or even a mixture) of an optimizing cross-linking supplement provided in effectively reactive amounts of, for illustration, either a styrene (or the like alkenyl aromatic) monomer or a reagent that is reactive towards alkenes (such as certain dithiols, amino-derivatives, etc.

Abstract: A frequency and time measurement circuit is provided with a delay means for effectively delaying the leading edge of a pulse. A register is clocked by the trailing edge of the pulse to take a snapshot of how far the leading edge of the pulse has progressed through the delay means. During a calibration phase, a reference pulse of constant length is used to take a reference reading. During a measurement phase, the measurement reading is taken on the unknown pulse whose clock frequency or time period is to be determined. By comparing the reference reading with the measurement reading, the relative clock frequency or time of the unknown pulse can be determined.

Abstract: A method for achieving printed circuit (PC) board-level testability through electronic component-level design using available technological methods to effect a state of transparency during test, allowing precise verification and diagnosis on a component-by-component basis. Applicable to a greater variety of electronic products than other test methods, and not appreciably constraining functional design, this approach inherently avoids obstacles which prevent other techniques from fulfilling their objectives.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a semi-automatic mail insertion machine which assists an operator in placing materials into envelopes by presenting automatically unfolded and opened envelopes in rapid succession to the operator for manual placement of the materials therein. The machine includes a horizontal conveyor which, under operator control, incrementally advances the envelopes to be processed from one processing station to another in succession. An envelope stacker is positioned above the conveyor and a feed means feeds the envelopes to the conveyor prior to each advancement of the conveyor. The envelopes are conveyed to a first process station which automatically unfolds the pre-folded unsealed envelope flaps. The envelopes are then advanced to a second processing station which opens the envelopes and presents the envelopes to the operator in a manner which permits ready placement of materials into the envelopes.

Abstract: The mechanism disclosed comprises a semi-automatic insertion machine for facilitating the insertion of contents into envelopes of the type utilizing exposed self-sealing adhesive.The envelopes, with the seal flaps in open position and the adhesive exposed, are arranged in superposed relation within a supply hopper. Means is provided for removing the envelopes one by one from the supply hopper and transmitting them to the inserting station. The removal means for removing the envelopes from the supply hopper includes mechanisms for insuring that the envelopes shall not stick together due to the self-sealing adhesive, and for insuring that the envelopes shall be translated in one by one relationship to the inserting station.At the inserting station the sidewalls of the envelope are drawn apart by suction gripping means, while the seal flap remains open and extended beneath a guide plate to facilitate the insertion of materials into the envelope by an operator.

Abstract: A rectangular air inlet control plate is pivotably mounted in the air intake passage of a forced air furnace to control the air intake volume and, thereby, insure optimal combustion of the fuel in the furnace. The plate is adjustably counter-balanced to a closed position and is further adjusted to allow the optimum volume of air intake during operation of the forced air furnace. The rectangular shape of the plate provides for fast opening and closing of the air intake during startup and shutdown transients, since the actuation angle of the plate is reduced in proportion to its length. The plate is mounted in a funnel-shaped air intake structure to reduce the noise and allow a maximum volume of air to enter the intake. A windscreen is mounted on the funnel-shaped air intake in order to act as a turbulence breaker for the incoming air, and also to prevent ingestion of large debris into the air intake.

Abstract: A method for testing memory arrays embedded within electronic assemblies having other combinatorial logic elements connected to the inputs thereof. By following stated design rules, the embedded memory can be isolated from the combinatorial logic element and tested by use of a memory test subsystem either before or after the combinatorial logic elements are tested by a logic test subsystem. Both logic and memory tests are performed by a process that requires but a single handling of the electronic assemblies.

Abstract: Solder wire attached along its length to a base metal by a small quantity of solder melted at the solder-base metal juncture.

Abstract: A draft control system for furnaces comprises an auxiliary channel in communication both with ambient air and the flue of the furnace, a main draft control means for regulating the entrance of ambient, auxiliary draft air into the flue, and auxiliary draft control means mounted in the auxiliary channel for dampening the effect of extreme changes in external conditions on the main draft control means. Thus, uniform draft and efficient combustion is maintained in the furnace under a wide variety of conditions. The main draft control means comprises counter-balanced draft control plates which are initially set in an open position so that they can either open or close in order to efficiently regulate the draft in the flue. The auxiliary draft control means comprises, in one embodiment, an isolation damper plate rotationally mounted in the auxiliary channel, or, in a second embodiment, a set of louvred panels.

Abstract: A draft control plate, which automatically opens or closes to provide efficient draft conditions in a furnace, is provided with both horizontal and vertical counterbalance devices which respectively permit adjustment of the initial position of the plate and the sensitivity of its movements. Initially, the plate is partially open where it remains while the furnace is operating under normal conditions. It is then capable of opening or closing in response to changes in the pressure differential across it. Preferably, the plate is horizontally mounted in an auxiliary flue channel which is adjacent to and in connection with the main flue of the furnace.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved envelope processing machine. The machine includes a processing station arranged to present each envelope in an opened condition to an operator in one-by-one relation to facilitate the removal of contents from or the insertion of materials into the envelopes by the operator. A detecting means downstream from the processing station acts upon the envelopes one at a time for sensing a predetermined event corresponding to the suspected absence of complete removal of the contents from or complete insertion of materials into the envelopes. An illumination means actuable in response to the detecting means sensing the predetermined event is arranged to direct light through the envelopes to afford visual verification of the predetermined event by the operator.

Abstract: Several important features and characteristics, particularly and pronouncedly environmental stress crack resistance (i.e., "ESCR") as well as other desirable physical properties of blends or intimate admixtures, known as "polyblends" and usually made by melt-blending, of various styrene polymers (i.e., "SP's"), notably homopolystyrene (i.e., "PS"), and thermoplastic elastomers (i.e., "TE's") are significantly and in emphasized measure enhanced by thorough incorporation in (and simultaneous or subsequent heat action-initiating and crosslink-effecting of) the SP/TE polyblend in low level concentration(s) of a thermally-activatable, organic peroxide in combination with any one (or even a mixture) of an optimizing cross-linking supplement provided in effectively reactive amounts of, for illustration, either a styrene (or the like alkenyl aromatic) monomer or a reagent that is reactive towards alkenes (such as certain dithiols, amino-derivatives, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining whether test probes of a test fixture on an automatic test equipment (ATE) device are in contact with the intended test points on an electronic assembly under test. The undetected failure of the test probes to contact the test points on the electronic assembly test, such as a printed circuit board can result in meaningless test results or lead to unnecessary further testing or replacement of nonfaulty components that tested as failed. The apparatus and method are directed to detecting which test probes are not in contact with their corresponding test points on the electronic assembly undergoing test by ATE.

Abstract: A method for determining whether test probes of a test fixture on an automatic test equipment (ATE) device are in contact with the intended test points on an electronic assembly under test. The undetected failure of the test probes to contact the test points on the electronic assembly test, such as a printed circuit board can result in meaningless test results or lead to unnecessary further testing or replacement of nonfaulty components that tested as failed. The method is directed to detecting which test probes are not in contact with their corresponding test points on the electronic assembly undergoing test by ATE.

Abstract: A draft control plate, which automatically opens or closes to provide efficient draft conditions in a furnace, is provided with both horizontal and vertical counterbalance devices which respectively permit adjustment of the initial position of the plate and the sensitivity of its movements. Initially, the plate is partially open where it remains while the furnace is operating under normal conditions. It is then capable of opening or closing in response to changes in the pressure differential across it. Preferably, the plate is horizontally mounted in an auxiliary flue channel which is adjacent to and in connection with the main flue of the furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for extracting and sorting mail from envelopes which had one edge thereof already severed. The plurality of envelopes with their edges already severed are placed into a hopper and fed from the hopper to a pair of conveyor belts operating along a vacuum manifold through which a vacuum is drawn. The conveyor is indexed to move the envelope to a work station at which two opposed vacuum cups pull the sides of the envelope into an open position to facilitate quick removal of the contents. While the operator is sorting the contents of the envelope into sorting compartments, the conveyor is again indexed to bring the next envelope into place whereupon it is drawn into an open position. An inspection device, such as a photocell arrangement, is positioned at an inspection station to check that the contents have been completely removed.