Abstract: A clutch arrangement for a spool mechanism. The arrangement comprises two clutches, namely an over-running clutch and a constant torque clutch whose respective driven members are connected to the spool bearing and whose driving members are capable of being connected to a drive means. The over-running clutch transmits to the bearing a torque which is substantially greater than the torque applied by the constant torque clutch.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with a novel digital multi-point recorder that is microprocessor-controlled and enables impact printing from in back of the recorder paper to provide a front visible flat print-out of pages of on-line running summary data suited for operator viewing in industrial and similar locations, and providing a record for direct use in reports and logs.

Abstract: A thermal printer employs a soft platen to enhance the quality of the printed results. The increased friction between the paper and the soft platen is overcome by interposing between the platen and the paper a flexible platen cover of Teflon.sup.R impregnated fiber glass fabric. The cover serves as a low friction barrier and also aids automatic loading of paper by funneling the advancing edge of the paper past obstructions in the paper path.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a recording unit comprises a support mount for the blank paper, rollers for the guidance and conveying of the paper, and a stylus which writes essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the paper. The paper is conducted over a deflection roller. The deflection roller is swingably mounted so as to be angularly shiftable essentially in the longitudinal direction of the paper.

Abstract: The subject information recording methods and apparatus are capable of handling either a recording medium strip wound on a supply roll with the information recording surface layer facing inwardly, or a recording medium strip wound on a supply roll with the information recording surface layer facing outwardly. In particular, a drive roller is mounted at a recording station and the recording medium strip is run from the particular supply roll about part of the drive roller with the information recording surface layer facing away from the drive roller at the recording station irrespective of the direction in which the recording surface layer faces on the supply roll. The drive roller is rotated at the recording station and the recording medium strip is driven from the supply roll through the recording station.

Abstract: A chart recorder has a writing platen over which a moving strip of recording medium passes. The recording medium is Z folded along slotted lines. The tip of the tubular pen of a pressurized ink supply system is forced into contact with the strip as it passes over the platen. A pressure plate is positioned adjacent the pen for pressing the strip onto the platen. A capstan drive is located downstream of the writing platen to draw the strip off a Z folded supply stack past the pressure plate and over the writing platen. The pressure plate exerts a drag on the recording medium strip which tensions the strip to further cause it to lie flat across the writing platen. The pressure of the plate and the tension of the strip as well as the size relationship between the pen tip and the slots facilitate passage of the pen over the lines of slots.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for releasably retaining any one of several tubular objects of different lengths between a pair of mutually adjustable retention members employ a supporting rod. One of the retention members is mounted on the supporting rod which is inserted into any one of said tubular objects. The other of the retention members is moved along the supporting rod to place the retention members against opposite ends of said one tubular object. The placed retention members are then locked against movement away from each other.

Abstract: A recording sheet is successively fed in the abscissa direction by means of a sprocket. The recording sheet is previously printed with ruled lines with a predetermined inter-line space in the ordinate direction thereof. The sprocket is driven by a pulse motor. Displacement of the recording sheet from one to the next ruled line corresponds to the number of pulses supplied to the pulse motor. Before the beginning of the recording, a ruled line on the recording sheet is brought into positional coincidence with the recording pen. During the movement of the recording sheet after the recording operation having been started, a counter counts the pulses supplied to the pulse motor and is reset every time when the number of the pulses corresponding to the inter-line space has been attained. Upon termination of the recording, the contents in the counter represents the position of a recording pen relative to a certain ruled line.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus disclosed herein, heat processing pulsing current is passed, on command, through the conductive backing of an exposed record sheet of heat-processable photosensitive material. The sheet resistance is included as one arm of a bridge which contains a settable comparison resistance in another arm. The cold sheet resistance is sensed and is used by a sample and hold arrangement to set the comparison resistance to a corresponding comparison value which represents the cold sheet resistance multiplied by a preselected percentage. That percentage is one which is known to correspond to the desired processing temperature to which the sheet temperature is to be raised in order to effect the processing of the sheet.

Abstract: A speed governor for a disposable spring motor driven data recorder of the type which is used, for example, in a railroad car to graphically record, on a traveling tape, the temperature in the car at all times during a transit period of several days; the speed governor comprising a mechanical-hydraulic mechanism associated with the spring motor and operative to control--to a constant but extremely slow rate--the speed of travel of the tape.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrostatic recording devices wherein a latent electrostatic image is recorded on a dielectric coated sheet by a stylus array spaced apart from the sheet to form an ionization gap. There is now taught a means to accurately establish the distance between the recording stylus and the dielectric surface upon which the latent image is created. A dielectric sheet containing a conductive layer is passed over a fixed recording head containing an array of styli. The fixed recording head is provided with a source of fliuid which maintains positive pressure in a cavity with the recording head, which cavity has outlets facing the dielectric sheet passing over the head. The length of the gap between the dielectric sheet and the recording head is maintained by the fluid pressure emanating from the head.

Abstract: A thermograph adapted to be pre-loaded with chart paper upon which shipping information can be written, and comprising an instrument unit enclosed in an expendable container for automatic operation and security assured by a seal, the instrument being electro-mechanical wherein solid state circuitry horoligically controls a prime mover to advance the chart on a time basis and including a chassis over which the chart is guided onto a spool journaled therein, and a spool drive carrier depending from the chassis and keyed into alignment with and having a motor and gear drive to the spool.

Abstract: A strip chart recorder having cantilevered spring arms integrally molded with its rigid chassis. One set of spring arms maintains pressure on a paper drive nip, another set permits resilient deflection of a rod to latch a paper supporting door, and a third set resiliently retains the paper supply roll. Improved drive is obtained by movable mounting of the drive roll in a special relationship that causes it to react to resistance of the paper by tightening the drive nip pressure.

Abstract: A strip-chart recorder, including a stepper motor for advancing a recording medium from a roll by a predetermined distance upon each step of the motor; and a recording duration controller coupled to the motor for controlling the frequency at which the motor is stepped. The recording duration controller includes a selector system for selectively varying the frequency at which the motor is stepped.

Abstract: A graphic recorder including a viewable well for holding a recording web in a moist condition. The recorder includes a demountable, transparent well cover and a transparent top. Walls are arranged on the sides of the top and they carry a linear electrode and a roller and simultaneously urge the well cover towards the well to seal the compartment and prevent the escape of moisture.

Abstract: An improved thermal printing device in which pressure is applied to hold the heat-sensitive paper 5 in contact with a print head 1 by a spring metal comb 8. The comb has a large number of tines (typically 2.5 per millimeter of the comb's width) and can be produced by an etching (or "chemical milling") process. The narrow width of the tines allows very good thermal contact with the print head to be achieved without resort being made to a rubber roller with a high contact pressure. This feature improves uniformity of print and reduces greatly the undesirable effect of the chart paper adhering to the print head through high contact pressure and local heating. The design of the path that the chart paper follows also reduces this undesirable adhering effect. The improved device is very suitable for chart recorders where the paper moves slowly.

Abstract: An audio-frequency generator applies signals to a unit under test. The output of the tested unit is applied selectively through either an amplifier having a linear or a logarithmic characteristic to a push-pull output stage driving a rotary coil measuring instrument. The latter drives a recording stylus. An electronically controlled paper drive is coupled to the wiper arm of a potentiometer. The voltage picked up by the wiper arm is applied to the audio-frequency generator to control the frequency thereof.

Abstract: A recording device for recording electrical signals on a moving strip or ribbon-shaped recording medium characterized by the device having a housing, which supports a drive means for rotating a feed roller, a writing needle and means for actuating the writing needle, and a carriage which is received in the housing and supports a supply of the recording medium, and at least one pressure roller. The carriage has a preformed part adjacent to the writing edge which conforms to the desired path for the medium as the carriage is inserted into the housing so that the insertion of the carriage into the housing places the recording medium automatically in the desired path around the writing edge and between the pressure and feed rollers.

Abstract: A portable strip chart recorder includes a generally box-like housing having a lid pivotally connected to one end thereof and a latch and locking mechanism at the other end thereof, the lid providing access to the interior thereof for mounting and removing a strip chart and a hatch opening and cover formed in the lid which provides access only to activating controls and a writing table over which the chart passes with the hatch cover having a non-externally accessible latch for preventing access to the interior of the housing once latched after the lid is closed and locked.

Abstract: A chart box for accommodating a recording strip chart either in a roll or a folded zig-zag form. The chart box includes two compartments for holding either type of recording chart with a chart driving roller arranged between. A first compartment includes a flap for closing an access to the compartment while guiding the strip chart. The first compartment includes recesses for restraining an axle of a rolled strip chart. The second compartment stores the strip chart by gravity and includes a resiliently mounted pressure roller for guiding the strip chart to the drive roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and displaying ECG waveforms and the like is comprised of a playback circuit to demodulate FM and digital signals for transcription on an endless paper loop in a series of straight lines or traces. A paper loop drive unit is capable of handling and advancing the endless loop continuously past one or more scribing pens which are offset in succession to produce a predetermined number of traces in parallel rows across the length of the loop with time segment markings closely correlated with the information recorded.

Abstract: In a potentiometric chart recorder, the speed of the chart motor 22 is, in one mode of operation (AUTO) selected by a switch 32, varied between two values in dependence upon the rate of change or slope of the input signal at 10 as detected in a detector 30. The slow speed is obtained by intermittent operation at the fast speed, and during the non-operative periods power-consuming circuitry e.g. 16, 18, 26 is switched off by a switch 40.

Abstract: A thermal strip chart recorder is provided in which the strip chart is transported at a precise predetermined speed with consistent print darkness. A thermal printing assembly compresses the chart against a cushioned roller with sufficient force to provide dark printing. The printing assembly includes a plurality of printing heads mounted for independent movement in a side-by-side relationship. The roller includes circumferentially spaced sprockets near either end and a central, coaxial, cushioned sleeve which rotates freely with respect to the sprockets. In operation, the roller is driven at a precise rotational speed and moves the strip chart at a precise linear speed by means of the sprockets, which engage sprocket holes in the strip chart. In operation, the strip chart is moved at a precise speed regardless of the printing head pressure, because the freely rotatable sleeve exerts no drag on the strip chart regardless of how much the sleeve is compressed.

Abstract: A process for improving the readability of a data-recording line on a chart recording paper whereby the improvement is achieved by moving the recording line across a field largely composed of a matrix of dots. The procedure is particularly advantageous in improving the readability of thin lines achievable with pressure-responsive or thermographic paper, but it is also advantageous when common inking procedures are used. A novel chart paper consisting of a dot matrix format is also disclosed.

Abstract: An industrial process recording instrument includes a roll chart cassette assembly that is readily removable from the instrument to accommodate replacement of the chart record. The replacement chart record is furnished on a supply roll insertable in one place of the cassette, while the lead end of the chart record is fixedly presecured to a take-up roll insertable in another place of the cassette, in such disposition that the longitudinal axis of the chart record is exactly perpendicular to the axis of the take-up roll. Thus the roll chart can be easily installed while the cassette is being hand-held in near-perfect alignment, thereby effectively minimizing the possibility of paper jams as the chart record is fed along the cassette.

Abstract: An electrocardiograph for recording electrocardiograms on fan-folded paper, comprising a manually operable derivation selection switch and a motor control member for the paper transport motor. The paper transport is automatically stopped when the recording stylus has passed an adjustable number of folds in the fan-folded paper.

Abstract: An instrument attached to a workpiece at two separated locations or between two members to record movement. It is a mechanical strain or motion recorder. It is driven by the strains or movements being recorded. The record of the movements is made on a cassette type tape. The movements on the tape are modified. Likewise, the motion that advances the tape may also be modified. When these movements are magnified it permits using shorter gage lengths for a given magnitude of movement or unit strain. Enlarging the recorded data simplifies digitizing the record. The unit may be advanced either by one stroke or by both strokes of the strain cycle. The invention includes an arrangement of tape spools and a recording back-up disc or plate which gives a low profile. The tape is guided against a fixed reference side but an added scribe or marker is provided for use with equipment which employs an additional base line for digitizing the recorded data.

Abstract: The device records images in the form of dots on electrical discharge-sensitive paper. A plurality of styli are mounted on a rotor. The paper is in strip form and is fed continuously through a curved guide in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the rotor, so that the paper is wrapped part-way around the rotor as it moves past. Characters are formed from a 5 dot by 7 dot matrix. This divisional patent is directed to the feature whereby the paper is pushed towards the rotor by means of a drive roller located closely adjacent the platen, at a location in which the paper is curved to form an arc. The drive roller is much narrower than the width of the paper, and the stiffness of the paper column which the roller pushes is relatively great. The curved exterior of the housing is used both as a housing and as a curved paper guide. A hinged guide co-acts with the housing in guiding the paper and forming it into an arc.

Abstract: A recorder using a carbon backed "self-developing" dry silver recording medium which is guided over a recording and developing path includes a pair of rollers one of which is connected to a ground potential and the other to a positive potential with the electrically conducting carbon coated side of the recording medium arranged to contact both of the rollers to enable electrical current to pass through the carbon backing to generate the heat required to develop the recording thereon. A third roller is arranged to contact the recording medium on the recording side and to press the carbon coated side against a second location on the ground roller to provide a second current conducting path between the positive potential roller and the ground roller. The electrical current is controlled in accordance with the speed of the recording medium to insure a proper developing time relationship at different recording medium speeds.

Abstract: The beam of a line scan fiber optics cathode ray tube is intensity modulated and is repeatedly swept along the fiber optics strip of the tube by a horizontal deflection coil to place on a transversely moving record sheet recorded gray scale images which are representative of received data signals. A sheet velocity sensor, a frequency to voltage converter, and a differentiator produce a voltage signal proportional to short term sheet velocity errors, and an integrator converts that signal into a signal which represents the time integral of each of such errors. The integral signal controls a vertical deflection coil for the tube so that each of the sheet velocity errors is accompanied by a movement of the cathode ray tube beam in the vertical direction, and hence along the path of sheet travel. This vertical beam movement maintains the instantaneous relative velocity between the sheet and the beam substantially constant notwithstanding the short term sheet velocity errors.

Abstract: There is disclosed a record media guide for optical scanners to position accurately the record media such as film during both the recording as well as the reading mode. The film guide provides a gaseous bearing to reduce film wear, prevents the deformation of film edge curl and allows for optical scanning without reflections.

Abstract: An advancing mechanism for a recording web, such as paper, for an ink jet printer. The apparatus, including a platen having coaxially mounted discs on a shaft with the center disc of much higher coefficient of friction than the remaining discs, a tensioning roller, a pinch roller, and a recording web holding means, is self-aligning and self-threading, having low power requirements. Means for indicating the exhaustion of the recording web is also provided.

Abstract: A graphic recorder convertible for use with multiple width strip chart paper. A rotatable main drum carries sets of sprocket teeth for transporting strip charts along an information transfer head. At least one set of sprocket teeth is formed by separable sprocket sections which are detachably mounted about a recess in the drum for use with a strip chart of one width. Filler inserts are mounted in the recess in place of the separable sprockets for use with a chart of another width. Means is provided for positioning the separable sprocket teeth in precise angular agreement with the other sets of sprocket teeth. Compensator means is provided for ensuring angular agreement of the teeth on one sprocket section with the teeth on the other section.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has accommodations for receiving and retaining a spindle for a roll or spool of recording media. The spindle is characterized in that it has a shoulder at one end constituting a stop guide for a roll of recording medium of a first width. The spindle is also provided with a retractable stop member which, when extended, comprises a stop guide for a roll of recording medium of a predetermined narrower width. The spindle is contoured to firmly engage the core of a roll of recording medium at about the mid point of the width dimension. The selected stop guides provide means for effectively centering either of the two widths of recording medium with respect to the spindle and, hence, the recording apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for achieving true and accurate feed of linear sheet material such as a recording or plotting medium in a strip chart type utilization device, particularly in applications where a high degree of feed accuracy is required.

Abstract: A portable strip chart recorder is provided with a constant speed strip chart advancing drive powered from a clockworks and gear drive unit. The gear drive unit is sealed from the strip chart so that it cannot be tampered with when the strip chart is changed. The constant speed drive comprises a constant speed sprocket spool which engages sprocket holes in a strip chart running between a feed spool and a take-up spool. The feed spool is provided with a drag to allow variations in the rotational speed of the strip chart on the spool and provide tension on the chart whereas the take-up spool is provided with a slip clutch that allows the chart to be wrapped at a constant tangential speed even though the diameter of the chart on the take-up spool varies.

Abstract: A recorder for recording measured data on paper rolls or folded paper, comprising a means adapted to be pulled out for inserting the paper and a paper drive means arranged in said means to be pulled out, and further comprising a stylus or needle arrangement, and an electrical control circuit for stylus displacement. The stylus arrangement and the control circuit are disposed above the means to be pulled out. The recorder preferably comprises a plurality of recording channels and is adapted to be introduced into a 19 inch housing (module 3).

Abstract: A navigational plotter in which a geographical map or chart has marked thereon lines of position corresponding to the Omega or Loran navigation system aids, for example. The intersections of the lines of position with a base line on the chart are recorded in coded form on a separate strip of the chart. The coded signals on the chart strip are read out by the plotter, so that the position of the marker or indicator of the plotter may be read out directly in terms of lines of position corresponding to Omega or Loran systems. The marker or indicator of the plotter may also be positioned directly from information obtained in terms of Omega or Loran lines of position.

Abstract: An apparatus having a table defining a work surface, and a carriage mounted for movement over the work surface in one direction includes a device for precisely indexing a strip of sheet material in the same direction so that various sections of the strip can be operated upon by an instrument mounted on the carriage. The indexing device comprises a bar that is parked at one edge of the work surface while the instrument and carriage are working on one section of the sheet material. The bar is subsequently attached to the carriage above the sheet material for an indexing operation. A plurality of magnets are mounted in the bar and cooperate with a clamping plate placed under the bar and the sheet material to clamp the sheet material between the plate and the bar during an indexing operation. After the indexing operation, the clamping plate and bar are returned to the parking position at one edge of the work surface and the bar is detached from the instrument carriage.

Abstract: A device for supplying an imprinting apparatus with a recording tape means, the device having a container means for storage of said recording tape means and movable between an operating position and a refilling position, the device including a driving roll and a non-driven pressure exerting roll, whereby the two rolls define a clamping gap therebetween and form a passage for said recording tape means. The device is characterized in that one of said two rolls is arranged at the front end of said container means, such that said clamping gap is formed only if said container means is located in its operating position.

Abstract: Fanfold paper is progressively withdrawn from the bottom of a container, fed past a printing mechanism, transported upwardly and deposited in fanfold configuration at the top of the container.

Abstract: A precision drive system for a chart recorder adapted to record time histories of one or more sensed parameters on a single chart including one power source, one or more sensing means adapted for electrical connection to said power source, a drive motor having a rotatable output shaft and adapted for electrical connection to the power source, a pulse generator operative in response to the power source to provide a pulse at selectable regular time intervals, a motor and sensor starting means operative in response to a pulse from the pulse generator for starting the motor and the sensing means at the regular time intervals, and a self interrupting means for the motor and the sensing means to turn the motor and the sensing means off after a reading has been recorded on said chart recorder, to provide a chart recorder which can operate in a remote location for long periods of time and give a precise time record independent of the power source voltage, with a low power consumption.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has a rotating drum supporting a medium to receive ink drops from ink jet nozzles arranged in first and second sets of multiple linear arrays about the circumference of the drum. Both the first set of arrays, which are equally angularly spaced from each other in the arc in which they are mounted, and the second set of arrays, which are equally angularly spaced from each other about the entire circumference of the drum, are moved axially simultaneously along the drum. By altering at least two of the velocity of the rotating drum, the transport velocity of the moving arrays, and the drop rate, facsimile resolutions can be printed by the second set of arrays. The printer also is capable of printing at a higher resolution than any of the facsimile resolutions through use of the first set of arrays. In either the higher resolution or any facsimile resolution, there is interlacing of the tracks produced by the drops from the selected nozzles.

Abstract: Overlapping, and consequent illegibility, of recorded line scan or transverse records are precluded by delaying or inhibiting the recording process until the record sheet is being driven at or near full speed with respect to a normally blanked cathode ray tube record marking means. A voltage is established by a record speed select switch which must be substantially equaled by a voltage produced by a record sheet speed transducer before a comparator will turn on. The comparator output signal then allows the cathode ray tube to be unblanked and recording to start.

Abstract: A display apparatus is provided whereby a constant intensity of record is obtained notwithstanding substantial changes in the linear speed of the record member. The cathode ray sweep frequency is maintained at a constant rate commensurate with the highest speed of the record member. As the speed of the record member is reduced by a given factor, the number of scans of the cathode ray beam which are unblanked are reduced by the same factor.

Abstract: A plotting apparatus has an automatically controlled carriage assembly for precisely controlling movement of a plotting instrument relative to an associated section of an elongated strip of plotting paper supported on a table which has a stationary low-friction work surface. A coupling mechanism mounted on the carriage assembly includes a friction shoe movable into frictional gripping engagement with the plotting paper to releasably couple the paper to the carriage to move with it and in sliding engagement with the stationary work surface whereby another section of the plotting paper may be moved into plotting position on the work surface when the plotting instrument is not operating.

Abstract: A jet drop printer prints graphic information upon an oscillating printing medium. The printer has a row of jet forming nozzles which produce a row of spaced drop streams. The drops in the streams are selectively charged, deflected and caught, so that uncharged drops produce intelligible graphic information on the printing medium. The spacing between the jets is such that they cannot print contiguous traces upon an ordinary transported printing medium. Contiguous printing is accomplished by lateral oscillation of the printing medium. The oscillation of the printing medium causes each jet to be directed at a plurality of lateral printing positions on a sequential basis, and data representing printing information for the different printing positions is multiplexed into the drop switching system in synchronism with the oscillation of the printing medium.

Abstract: A variable chart format system for a recorder with a chart print out, the system having a manually selectable switch for simultaneously controlling the abscissa and ordinate formatting independent of scale expansion circuitry normally associated with the abscissa and ordinate. The abscissa formatting is digital and operable in response to a programmable or variable clock, the output of which is selectively passed through a first set of abscissa formatting frequency dividers and then serially through one of a second set of abscissa scale expansion frequency dividers to drive a chart drive stepper motor.

Abstract: A portable strip chart recorder includes a programmable electronic drive circuit to drive an electric motor and a means for identifying the strip chart as having been recorded on a specific recorder, said strip chart incorporating graphic means of identifying the time interval programmed by the electronic drive circuit with points for identifying which specific time interval has been selected. The case of the recorder consisting of a base and a top having a self-locking hatch. The hatch in the top provides access for the operator to actuate electric switches which program the drive circuit to move the strip chart at a selected rate versus time. The surface over which the strip chart moves has an identifying number, or symbol, which can be reproduced on the chart by applying friction or heat. The hatch in the top of the case in self-locking and when closed operates an electric switch to close the battery-operated circuit.

Abstract: 4.