Abstract: A tactile area sensor for robots has an array of pneumatic flow passages. The air flow in each passage is dependent on a localized force exerted by an object pressing against an elastic pad on the face of the sensor. The air flow impinges on a metallic tab and its angular displacement is sensed by directing a light beam from an optical fiber onto the tab and monitoring the quantity of light reflected to a paired optical fiber. The array of optical outputs can be presented to a charge injection device and are dependent on the shape of the object.

Abstract: A paint application method with manual or automatic guidance of the spray gun at a constant distance from the working surface in the zone of picture reproduction, with the amount of sprayed paint controlled by the intensity of a light beam guided by a picture pattern. The light beam strikes a photocell cooperating with a control element of the spray opening of the spray gun, the photocell or/and the picture pattern being moved synchronously with the guide movement of the spray gun. With manual guidance of the spray gun, the light beam may be a projection beam which projects the picture pattern on the working surface. The spray opening may be guided automatically row for row over the working surface.

Abstract: Corrections to be applied to the motion of a tunnelling shield to maintain or restore motion of the shield along a predetermined path are determined by directing a beam of collimated light in a direction parallel to or at a fixed angle with the axis of said predetermined path; focussing the beam on to the input end of an optical cable carried by the shield and comprising a plurality of optical fibres, the input ends of the fibres being arranged in an array in which the position of the input end of each guide relative to that of another is fixed; and displaying light transmitted through the optical cable or guides on to a screen at which the output ends of the guides are so arranged as to facilitate ready determination of any correction required to be applied to the motion of the shield. The method may be employed to indicate which propulsion rams of a tunnelling shield should be operated to apply the necessary correction to the motion of the shield.

Abstract: A light activated control system, particularly for operating warning lights on a vehicle parked at night. The system includes a light sensor mounted on the vehicle and a comparator which triggers a time delay threshold device which switches on the warning lights for a predetermined period of about ten seconds only when the sensed light intensity increases through a threshold level due for example to the approach of a lighted vehicle. The system may alternatively be responsive to the rate of increase of sensed light level to switch on the warning lights.

Abstract: A steering system is disclosed for steering the wheels or tracks of a vehicle, the system having an optical control apparatus for controlling the steering of the wheels or tracks, the optical control apparatus being profiled optically so that, in the turn, the steerable wheels or tracks are steered around a common center.

Abstract: A highly sensitive non-refrigerated sensor configured in a microwave bridge to receive incident radiation from a remote target or source. A test arm of the microwave bridge has an aperture for receiving the incident radiation and for allowing that radiation to enter the test arm. A photoconductive film is mounted within the test arm to receive a defocused image of the target. The effect of the incident radiation illuminating the photoconductive film is to change its conductivity characteristics and simultaneously change the reflectance/transmittance characteristics within the test arm of the microwave bridge. An RF detector senses the imbalance of the bridge and produces an output which is used to either indicate the strength of the received incident radiation or to feedback information to a reference arm of the bridge. The feedback information is used to adjust the phase and amplitude of the microwave energy in the reference arm and rebalance the bridge.

Abstract: A solar battery panel is installed on an electronic calculator through an arrangement formed on a rear casing of the electronic calculator or on a glass substrate supporting a display unit, a semiconductor chip, and wiring leads. The solar battery panel is exposed to light through a window formed on the rear casing or a rear casing over the glass substrate. A wallet is provided for protecting and supporting the electronic calculator. The solar battery panel is exposed to the outside through a window in the wallet even when the wallet is surrounding the electronic calculator.

Abstract: An electronic calorie counter is disclosed which provides a digital readout of the rate of caloric consumption with exercise by the user by sensing the vertical component of the motion of the user, and translating that motion into electronic impulses. The vertical component of the user's motion is constantly detected using a magneto-electric transducer in combination with means for defining an opto-electric axis in the transducer. The output of the opto-electric means is combined with a clock-controlled gate to provide a burst of impulses over a unit of time which is proportional to the vertical acceleration sensed. The gate output is supplied to a program-controlled processor utilizing a mathematical equation derived to analyze caloric consumption in humans with exercise. The processor is also responsive to several input switches indicating the physical parameters of the individual user in calculating caloric consumption.

Abstract: A bow draw indicator and sighting device mounted on a bow provides signals which enable the archer to adjust the bow vertically and horizontally to assure proper aim. Also an arrow draw indicator signal is provided which signal operates only when the bow is in proper vertical position. The device is battery powered. The bow draw and the vertical signal is either an audible signal or a light emitting diode. The horizontal (elevation) signal is in the sight and comprises light emitting diodes at the upper and lower portions of the sight. The device is small and light enough to be easily mounted on the bow and to have utility for both hunting and target purposes and can be used with aluminum or other electrically conductive arrows.

Abstract: An anti-dazzle rear view mirror incorporates a liquid crystal cell the conductive layers of which are energized by a control voltage in response to light above a threshold intensity impinging on a photoresistor in the control circuit of the cell. A low voltage source, for example a vehicle 12 volt battery, supplies a potential divider which includes the photoresistor, the voltage across which is connected through a logic invertor which controls two logic NAND gates for gating antiphase square wave outputs derived from an oscillator driven from the source to the respective conductive layers of the cell, thereby producing a square-wave voltage across the cell which is double the amplitude of the oscillator output, and decreasing the time taken for the liquid crystal cell to respond to the light intensity change.

Abstract: A bi-axial scanning device for guiding a template copier for machine tools comprises a shaft carrying a scanner with a pointer at one end and adapted to assume a zero position and follow the shape of a plane profile from the zero position. A flat disc spring supports the shaft at an intermediate point for resilient pivoting. An optical device comprises a source of a calibrated light beam and a photo-detector arranged to receive the beam. Either the calibrated light beam or the photo-detector is in a fixed position and the other is displaceable with the pivoting of the shaft in response to the pointer in contact with the template, the displacement being detected by the photo-detector and producing control signals emitted from the photo-detector. An amplifier is connected to the photo-detector to receive the control signals and an outlet transmits the amplified control signals to the machine tools.

Abstract: A light activated acoustic pinger that is useful for underwater three dimional homing. The pinger includes a spherical lens system, a tone burst generator electronics system and a high pressure water tight encasement. When a light source used by an underwater diver, submersible, underwater television system or navigator is panned on the pinger lens system in either the X or Y planes the ping rate will vary depending upon the incident angle of the light received by the spherical lens. In addition, moving the light toward the pinger in the Z direction will increase the ping rate. From the ping rate and the movement of the light source in the X, Y and Z directions an underwater navigator can determine the direction of the pinger and target. There is no battery drain until the pinger is activated by light and therefore targets that have been lost for several years may still be found based on battery shelf life.

Abstract: To boresight the laser of a laser designator system to the null point of an automatic television tracker, by selectively causing the laser beam to be retroreflected to the video sensor of the system, which interfaces with a television tracker. The tracker locks onto the retroreflected laser spot, with the tracker error signals, in a feedback control loop, being used to control the video sensor raster bias to center the sensor sweeps about the laser spot, thereby nulling the tracker error signals and achieving boresight with the laser automatically.

Abstract: An electrical circuit assembly is provided for monitoring the flow of particulate fuel material in a chute having window areas on opposite sides thereof. The circuit assembly emits a light at one window end of the chute which is received at the opposite window end of the chute by a circuit assembly. The condition of the received light is dependent upon fuel material flow in the chute. If the flow is normal the emitted light will be intermittently interrupted by the particulate material resulting in chopped light being received by the circuit. If the chute is blocked downstream the chute will be filled with material and there will be no light received by the circuit. Similarly, if the blockage is upstream the chute will be empty and an uninterrupted light will be received. The circuit analyzes these received light conditions and produces output signals indicative of the mentioned fuel flow conditions.

Abstract: A means for monitoring the material portion in the flame of a plasma spray gun during spraying operations is provided. A collimated detector, sensitive to certain wavelengths of light emission, is used to locate the centroid of the material with each pass of the gun. The response from the detector is then relayed to the gun controller to be used to automatically realign the gun.

Abstract: A device is provided for a meter having an indicator, e.g. a pointer, and which detects the presence or absence of the meter pointer at one or more set points or between two set points. The device does not alter the operation of the meter and may be coupled to an alarm or other signal, or it may be used to actuate a mechanism under control of the meter. The device comprises at least one light-emitting diode which produces radiation which falls on a specific area of the meter face and on the meter pointer (if it is within that area) and is reflected from the meter face (and the pointer) to a phototransistor or other suitable receiver which "reads" the signal produced by the radiation reflected from the meter face and the pointer, if present in the area read. The device is mounted so that it can be moved to any desired area of the meter face. Preferably the device is mounted externally to the meter. However, it may be enclosed within the usual meter housing, without altering the operation of the meter.

Abstract: An automated bidirectional sequenced flashing light system is disclosed for the purpose of controlling traffic direction on airport runways and the like. It includes a mastercontrol containing integrated logic circuit and solid state switching circuits, an opto-electronic wind direction sensor and a set of ten or more light assemblies placed midrunways and along runways for a short distance and a pair of same assemblies placed on each runway end or threshold. Integrated circuit components decode signals from sensor and establish direction of flashes and integrated gating provide signals for flashing of the corresponding pair of endlights. A balanced resistor capacitor network is used for crosswind delay.

Abstract: A device for the electrostatic recording of x-ray images comprises two spaced electrodes with a gas-filled gap therebetween. One of the electrodes comprises a layer of an ultraviolet emitting fluorescent material and a layer of an air-exposable ultraviolet-sensitive photoemitting material. A plastic sheet is adjacent to the other electrode. An electric field is applied across the gap to accelerate photoelectrons emitted by the photoemitting material. The electrostatic image formed on the plastic sheet is developed xerographically after the exposure.

Abstract: An electric switch and signal output device for use in fluid systems. A light source and photosensitive pickup are disposed in aligned positions in a cross bore of the switch body at opposite sides of a main bore that reciprocally receives a piston element. If fluid subjected to differential pressures is introduced to the main bore at one side of the piston or if fluid is introduced to opposite sides thereof, pressure pulses or changes in differential pressure in the fluid system cause movement of the piston away from or toward an interfering position with respect to the light path between said light source and pickup. Incident light at the pickup, which may be a photocell resistor, provides an output electrical signal change that is usable for control, position indicating, counting or logic purposes. The actuation sensitivity is changed by use of different weight pistons and/or by use of adjustable resilient means.

Abstract: A plant light sensor adaptor for converting a plant soil moisture monitoring device into a plant light sensing device is provided. The plant soil moisture monitoring device includes first and second metal electrodes and an indicator coupled to the electrodes for sensing and indicating current flow due to the electro-galvanic response produced by the difference in the redox potential in the first and second metal electrodes, which current flow is controlled by the moisture content of the plant soil under test.

Abstract: A portable calculator utilizing a solar panel array which can be either slidably moved within the calculator's housing or pivotly connected to it and which when exposed to incident light provide power for the calculator.

Abstract: This solar radiation measuring system records the integral of total solar radiation over a given period of time, and also records the periods during that time when the sun was obscured by clouds or other objects. The measurement of the integral of solar radiation includes all spectral components of the solar spectrum from the ultra-violet through the infrared. The design of the device is such that readout is simple and complex data reduction is unnecessary.

Abstract: A portable self-contained testing apparatus is provided for accurately determining the stopping time of a press after the initiating of a STOP signal. The apparatus includes a detector head, a stationary grid, a synchronizing touch switch, and a control box with a digital readout. The detector head is mounted on the press ram to be movable therewith while the stationary grid member is mounted proximate to the detector to allow the detector to scan the grid lines on the grid as the ram moves. The touch switch is used to initiate the press STOP control signal and provides a signal to the control box to initiate grid count by the detector head whenever the press STOP signal is initiated through the touch switch. The control box has circuitry to convert the grid count signals from the detector head and the press STOP signals from the touch switch to a digital readout of the time required for the press to actually stop after the initiation of the press STOP signal.

Abstract: An eye-motion operable keyboard-accessory includes light source means for directing a light ray at an eye of an operator, for obtaining a light reflection therefrom, and a plurality of light-responsive sensors selectively actuable by the operator-reflected light ray. The sensors are connected to electrically operable key means disposed on a keyboard for actuation of the former upon the operator-reflected light ray striking one of the light-responsive sensors.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus having a lens movable along an axis for automatically focusing an object to be photographed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable sleeve controlled by electrical signals produced by photoreceptor means adapted to receive light emitted by the apparatus and reflected from the object. The sleeve effectuates the movement of the lens along an axis to bring the object into focus. The apparatus further includes assembly means, carrying the photoreceptor means, pivotably secured to the sleeve for adjusting the light received by the photoreceptor means by an amount corresponding to the rotation of the sleeve, thereby changing the electrical signals to maintain the object in focus.

Abstract: Circuitry is disclosed that monitors the frequency at which a heater controller applies pulses to a heater to determine if the heater controller is operating properly. If the heater controller fails to generate a pulse in a selected interval, the circuitry generates a signal that activates an alarm and interrupts the operation of a machine that is processing material heated by the heater.

Abstract: An eye shade is provided for vehicle drivers which separately but simultaneously shields the two eyes of the driver against the blinding glare of direct sunlight in the daytime or of approaching vehicle headlights at night, while leaving the space between and outside the shielded zones clear. The eye shade desirably consists primarily of a laterally extending series of contiguous substantially vertically disposed, electrically darkenable cells or zones such as liquid crystals, each of which cells or zones has the characteristic that it is transparent when no voltage is applied to it, but that it becomes progressively opaque with increase of applied voltage. The applied voltage is controlled by a laterally extending array of contiguous photosensitive sensor cells, each characterized by the fact that its electrical resistance increases as intensity of light exposure diminishes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conveyor for transporting sheets of material through an ultraviolet exposing chamber for curing and setting of a coat. Up to this time, the drying of solvent ink has involved considerable pollution problems, a fair consumption of natural gas and large and costly ovens with high temperature incineration systems. These problems have generally been brought about by long ovens wherein the metal sheet has been passed through once or twice in order to accomplish curing or drying.