Abstract: Vibration data indicative of the health of a machine is collected using a vibration sensor connected to a portable vibration data collector. After the vibration sensor has been attached to a measurement point on the machine, vibration data is collected over a measurement time period having a begin time and an end time, and the vibration data is stored in memory of the portable vibration data collector. First and second average amplitudes of the vibration data collected during first and second time windows in the measurement time period are determined. The slope of the vibration data is calculated based on the ratio of the amplitude difference between the first and second average amplitudes and the time difference between the first and second time windows. The vibration data is either retained in the memory or discarded based on the comparison of the slope to a threshold level.

Abstract: Vibration data indicative of the health of a machine is collected using a vibration sensor connected to a portable vibration data collector. After the vibration sensor has been attached to a measurement point on the machine, vibration data is collected over a measurement time period having a begin time and an end time, and the vibration data is stored in memory of the portable vibration data collector. First and second average amplitudes of the vibration data collected during first and second time windows in the measurement time period are determined. The slope of the vibration data is calculated based on the ratio of the amplitude difference between the first and second average amplitudes and the time difference between the first and second time windows. The vibration data is either retained in the memory or discarded based on the comparison of the slope to a threshold level.

Abstract: Vibration data indicative of the health of a machine is collected using a vibration sensor connected to a vibration data collector. After the vibration sensor has been attached to a measurement point on the machine, vibration data is collected that includes a bin of data having a begin time and an end time, and the vibration data is stored in memory of the vibration data collector. First and second average amplitudes of the bin of vibration data collected during first and second time windows in the measurement time period are determined. The slope of the vibration data is calculated based on the ratio of the amplitude difference between the first and second average amplitudes and the time difference between the first and second time windows. The vibration data is either retained in the memory or discarded based on the comparison of the slope to a threshold level.

Abstract: Vibration data indicative of the health of a machine is collected using a vibration sensor connected to a vibration data collector. After the vibration sensor has been attached to a measurement point on the machine, vibration data is collected that includes a bin of data having a begin time and an end time, and the vibration data is stored in memory of the vibration data collector. First and second average amplitudes of the bin of vibration data collected during first and second time windows in the measurement time period are determined. The slope of the vibration data is calculated based on the ratio of the amplitude difference between the first and second average amplitudes and the time difference between the first and second time windows. The vibration data is either retained in the memory or discarded based on the comparison of the slope to a threshold level.

Abstract: A gunstock incorporating one or more storage magazines for temporarily storing and retaining ammunition for easy access, the ammunition having a generally flat or recessed nose such as found for example in shotgun shells. The magazine has a port allowing insertion and removal of the shell and a biasing means whereby a single or multiple shells is pushed forward such that the recessed nose abuts against a projection member. The junction between the magazine bore and the magazine port is configured as a cornered edge on the interior side, and the distance from the cornered edge to the projection member is determined as a function of the ammunition to be stored, such that with a shell disposed against the projection member, the cornered edge will be located at least halfway up the annular brass base of the shell. In addition, the gunstock is provided with a pistol grip, which provides an improved means for grasping and holding the weapon while ammunition is being removed and loaded.

Abstract: A foursquare dual polarized moderately wide bandwidth antenna radiating element is provided which, due to its small size and low frequency response, is well suited to array applications. The foursquare element comprises a printed metalization on a low-loss substrate suspended over a ground plane reflector. Dual linear (i.e., horizontal and vertical), as well as circular and elliptical polarizations of any orientation may be produced with the inventive foursquare element. Further, an array of such elements can be modulated to produce a highly directive beam which can be scanned by adjusting the relative phase of the elements. Operation of the array is enhanced because the individual foursquare elements are small as compared to conventional array element having comparable frequency response. The small size allows for closer spacing of the individual elements which facilitates scanning. Additionally, a family of trimmed foursquare antennas is provided which offer improved performance and size considerations.

Abstract: Apparatus which automates the collection of motor temperature, flux and shaft current data for proactive motor maintenance. Motor speed is determined by an analysis of the flux frequency spectrum, and motor load is determined based on speed, from which a normalized thermal parameter is then determined. From a spectrum analysis of magnetic flux signals a set of peaks each characterized by a frequency and an amplitude is found, and a subset of peaks is identified in accordance with predetermined identity criteria for purposes of comparison. Temperature, magnetic flux and shaft current data are trended to provide early indications of degradation, as well as for recognizing faults.

Abstract: A method of controlling the population of sea lamprey wherein a suitable treatment site is chosen and rocks of a sufficient size and concentration are then introduced to the floor of the watercourse to create an inhospitable environment for spawning lamprey. Various means of locating appropriate treatment sites and carrying out the treatment of the site chosen are described.

Abstract: A gun stock which incorporates a magazine for ammunition storage having a buttstock portion which includes at least one magazine having at least one magazine and port are configured to releasably retain at least one round of ammunition. Included within the magazine is a means for temporarily maintaining the round of ammunition in retained position. An inclined ramped surface is provided, in a preferred embodiment, to facilitate manual insertion and removal of ammunition from the magazine port.

Abstract: There is described an improved vacuum sheet for use in contact vacuum frames, the sheet including at least two planar sheets of material joined together to form a seam therebetween, and a third planar sheet of material applied to one side of said at least two sheets to be substantially centered over the seam formed therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided an improved automatic recirculating duplicator adapted for duplicating from a master or plate selectively onto one or both sides of paper sheets. It is characterized by a single printing couple. Sheets are fed from a paper table to a printing nip between a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder for printing on the first side and, through operation of a controlled gripping and stripping apparatus, the sheets are turned about the impression cylinder for collection with the printed sides down on a paper tray. The paper tray is then shifted to the feeding location normally occupied by the paper table, and the gripping and stripping apparatus is reset for feeding the sheets, now printed on both sides, directly to an exterior receiver.

Abstract: A sheet handling means is provided for use with a duplicating machine. A duplicator is provided having first and second printing couples for printing first on one face of a copy sheet and then on the other and whose paper feed paths are arranged substantially normal to each other. The duplicator also includes special sheet handling means for passing the copy sheet from the first to the second printing couple and also inverting the sheet. The copy sheet is advanced in a first path and direction away from the first printing couple and is advanced in a second path substantially normal to the first path in a second direction towards the second printing couple. The sheet handling means comprises a sheet turn-over device positioned to intersect the copy sheet paths for receiving and progressively inverting the copy sheet as it is advanced in the first path and simultaneously directing the sheet from the first to the second path.

Abstract: A duplicator is provided having a printing couple for printing on one face of a copy sheet and a collator for collating the copy sheets as they issue from the printing couple, the paper feed paths of the printing couple and the collator being arranged substantially normal to each other. The duplicator also includes special sheet handling means for passing the copy sheet from the printing couple to the collator and also inverting the sheet. The copy sheet is advanced in a first path and direction away from the printing couple and is advanced in a second path substantially normal to the first path in a second direction towards the collator. The sheet handling means comprises a sheet turn-over device positioned to intersect the copy sheet paths for receiving and progressively inverting the copy sheet as it is advanced in the first path and simultaneously directing the sheet from the first to the second path.

Abstract: A blanket cleaning apparatus is provided for cleaning ink from a blanket cylinder of a rotary offset duplicating machine. The apparatus comprises a cleaning roller for contact with the blanket cylinder, a wiper roller and a metering roller in contact with each other and with the cleaning roller, and a wringer roller in interfering relation with the wiper roller at the zone of contact to effect deformation of the peripheral surface of the wiper roller. A cleaning fluid is supplied to the wringer roller which transfers the fluid to the wiper roller and meters the amount of fluid carried by the wiper roller to the cleaning roller for cleaning the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: An improved paper handling system includes a pair of work units which sequentially work on opposite sides of a sheet with the same edge of the sheet leading. An inverter between the two work units is effective to invert the sheet in such a manner that the edge of the sheet which leads during passage of the sheet through the first work unit will also lead as the sheet passes through the second work unit. A sheet which has been worked on, first side up, by the first work unit will also lead as the sheet passes through the second work unit. A sheet which has been worked on, first side up, by the first work unit with a head edge of the sheet leading is moved by a first conveyor along a first path into engagement with a stop member which engages the head edge of the sheet to arrest it at a first readiness position. A pusher then engages a side edge of the sheet and pushes it sidewardly.

Abstract: A missile guidance system utilizing an integrated active missile infrared eker including an injection laser transmitter, a semiconductor detector and a conical scanning acquisition and guidance system.