Abstract: A new method and electronic circuit are provided to prevent image creep in automated centrifuges. The method and circuitry automatically substract a fixed time delay, which is associated with the strobe detection and firing circuitry, from a longer variable time period, which is inversely proportional to the rotational speed of the centrifuge, to thereby delay the flash of the strobe by a time inversely proportional to centrifuge rotation speed.

Abstract: An adaptable, accurate, high resolution centrifuge core measuring method using a single strobe flash per measurement uses a microprocessor controller to control the measuring method, not a computer. The controller, not the camera clock, decides when the camera data should be read. The camera data is read into and stored in the controller, not a computer. The controller reads the camera array, controls centrifuge speed, determines alignment of the proper catch tube, flashes the strobe, determines lapse time, rereads the pixels, stores and analyzes the pixel information and the other steps of the method. The controller is capable of operating in many modes. But at any point, for operator intervention the controller is adapted to let the computer intervene.

Abstract: Printed webs leaving a printing press at speeds above 500 feet per minute are inspected with precision across the full width of the web by a stroboscope method and apparatus. Each repetitive image or design imprinted on the high speed web is rendered stationary relative to the eyes of a viewer at a web inspection station by bright short flashes of light emitted by an elongated xenon flash tube or tubes spanning the web transversely of its path of movement. Filtered light flashes are triggered by an improved strobe circuit which is synchronized with the press at all times and permits an inspector to produce from one to six equally spaced images per press cylinder revolution. Additionally, the system can be used in either an image lock mode for side-by-side comparison with a standard or in a controlled pan or scroll mode to allow optimal inspection of entire impression sequences. Also, when desirable, both sides of the web can be inspected by utilizing a second flash tube configuration located behind the web.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stroboscopic method of determining the quality of meshing between respective teeth of two or more gears. By way of example, a method is disclosed by which a standard is established by directing an adjustable pulse rate light beam (L) from a stroboscopic light source (18) towards a region (R) generally encompassing the location of meshed engagement between respective teeth (6; 8) of a pair of gears (2, 4) rotating at a predetermined rpm that are selected on the basis that they possess degree of mesh engagement quality desired for such gear pairs.

Abstract: A light emission switching circuit for use in a larynx stroboscope in which switching between a mode in which a stroboscopic lamp is flashed in synchronism with vibration of vocal cords and a mode in which the lamp is flashed at a fixed frequency is effected quickly in such a manner that there is no gap in light output at the time of switching. A detection output signal is produced when the frequency of a vocal cords vibration signal falls below a predetermined frequency, typically, about 50 Hz. When this signal is present, a switch circuit is controlled so as to connect the output of a fixed-frequency oscillator to drive the stroboscope. When the signal is absent, a pulse signal synchronous with the vocal cords vibration signal is employed to drive the stroboscopic lamp.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the frequency of movement of an object or inspection of a moving object where a liquid crystal viewer is pulsed at a rate equal to the rate of movement of the object. Method and means are provided for obtaining a variable viewing window for each period of the pulsing means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of blades mounted to a rotary shaft in a turbomachine by selectively illuminating a particular blade in a turbomachine. A control system for determining when to initiate a strobe light in response to a shaft position for illuminating a particular blade is described. Additionally, indexing means for automatically sequencing through the blades is further disclosed. A camera for remote monitoring of the blades using an automatic control system is further provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for showing motion in a single color photograph in which motion of an object is shown by displaced images of the object in different colors. The scene to be photographed is illuminated by a light source including a plurality of light units emitting light of differing spectral composition. The light units are individually and sequentially activated, the light emitted from all of the units appearing to be emitted from substantially the same location. The flashing of the light units is controlled by a timer. The resulting photograph shows the non-moving objects in a color which is the composite of the spectral composition of all of the light units, typically the natural color. The movement of an object is shown by a spaced series of sharp images of that object in a variety of colors. The color sequence corresponds to the sequence of the flashes of the light units.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for visualizing liquid flow. Pulses of gas bubbles are introduced into a liquid flow stream and a strobe light is operated at a frequency related to the frequency of the gas pulses to shine on the bubbles as they pass through the liquid stream. The gas pulses pass through a probe body having a valve element, and a reciprocating valve stem passes through the probe body to operate the valve element. A stem actuating device comprises a slidable reciprocating member, operated by a crank arm. The actuated member is adjustable to adjust the amount of the valve opening during each pulse.

Abstract: Systems that judge the good or bad of moving objects to be inspected by processing image signals from a video camera which picks up the objects at an inspection circuit, are disclosed whereas each time the moving objects to be inspected arrive at the position to be inspected, a position detection signal is generated from a position detection system. This position detection signal drives the light source to irradiate light for a short time period onto the object to be inspected when it arrives at the inspection position and then such irradiated inspected object is picked up by the video camera as a static image.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for measuring and regulating the relative vertical displacement of helicopter blades from a rotational plane, comprising a stroboscopic illuminating means, intended to be directed across a reflective tape placed at the extremity of each blade, and a means for controlling the timing of the stroboscopic emissions, whereby the passage of a reflective tape, located at the extremity of each blade, through the line of sight of the lamp, permits a visualization of the relative positions of the different reflecting tapes, the apparatus may be used while on the ground or during flight.

Abstract: A device for obtaining a topographic picture of the surface of a rotating object comprising turret assembly mounting a pulsed laser, a photorecorder, an optical system for forming a set of light planes, and a system designed to synchronize a laser emission instant as the rotating object passes a preset point on its path, as well as a reflector arranged on the axis of rotation of the object. The pulse laser, the optical system for forming a set of light planes, and the turret assembly are installed coaxially with the axis of rotation of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for testing the faces of a polygon mirror for angular inclination and flatness while the polygon mirror is rotating at its intended operating speed. The apparatus includes an autocollimator for making the test readings, a strobe light for supplying light in the form of pulses to the autocollimator and a control mechanism including a laser, a light detector, a counter and a momentary contact switch for controlling the timing of the light pulses emitted by the strobe light so that the faces of the polygon mirror can be tested, one face at a time. The apparatus further includes a fiber optic probe which illuminates a unique number imprinted on the face illuminated through the autocollimator with light pulses directly from the strobe light so that the face that is being illuminated can be identified.

Abstract: An object is picked-up by a television camera and a video signal thereof is produced. A stroboscope flash radiates the object with the light therefrom, detecting the object arriving at a predetermined detecting position and producing a position detecting signal. A synchronizing signal is separated from the video signal, and a signal for flashing the stroboscope is generated when both of the position detecting signal and the synchronizing signal exist, so that the video signal of the object is delivered from the television camera at the beginning of the scanning thereof.

Abstract: The position of a reciprocating or rotating part of a machine is identified at a required point in the machine cycle by dividing the machine cycle into numbered notional segments and viewing the part by a stroboscope flash at a preselected numbered segment. The preselected numbered segment is identified by counting the segments through the machine cycle and comparing the count with a present count number on another counter.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting whether an object is good or bad includes a video camera picking up an object to be inspected a stroboscope radiating the object, a detector for detecting a predetermined inspection position of the object and producing a position signal when the object arrives at the predetermined inspection position, a circuit for receiving the position signal from the position detector and producing a signal to flash the stroboscope, a circuit for receiving an output from the video camera and for inspecting whether the object is good or bad, a separator for separating a synchronizing signal from a composite video signal from the video camera, and a circuit for making the electron beam of the video camera OFF at latest before receiving the position signal from the position detector and making the electron beam ON and starting the inspecting operation of the inspecting circuit when receiving the synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A fluidic assembly for an ultra-high-speed chromosome flow sorter using a fluid drive system, a nozzle with an orifice having a small ratio of length to diameter, and mechanism for vibrating the nozzle along its axis at high frequencies. The orifice is provided with a sharp edge at its inlet, and a conical section at its outlet for a transition from a short cylindrical aperture of small length to diameter ratio to free space. Sample and sheath fluids in separate low pressure reservoirs are transferred into separate high pressure buffer reservoirs through a valve arrangement which first permit the fluids to be loaded into the buffer reservoirs under low pressure. Once loaded, the buffer reservoirs are subjected to high pressure and valves are operated to permit the buffer reservoirs to be emptied through the nozzle under high pressure.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for analyzing particles and particularly blood cells by conveying the particles along a broad shallow path where the path is magnified and converted into a series of still frame images with multiple particles in individual images. The still frame images are manipulated and combined as digital images to generate measures of the blood cells in the overall fluid sample giving different selected measures, such as, particle count, particle count of different kinds of cells, cell area, and cell count of different predetermined categories of cell type.

Abstract: Clearance determination is made between an edge of a translating member, e.g., a rotating blade member, and a relatively stationary second member, e.g., a shroud. In one form, an optical probe is provided for directing light from a light source to the edge and for collecting light scattered back from the edge. The probe includes first and second adjacent channels, optically separated by an opaque baffle. Probe output means and signal processing means are provided for developing a stored or displayed representation of the instantaneous clearance between each of a plurality of rotating blades and a stationary member, such as the turbine blade shroud. The probe may employ a continuous or intermittent light source. Synchronization techniques are provided for use with the intermittent light source wherein the light source is turned on only when needed to make the appropriate clearance determination. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A moving object inspection system is disclosed in which a stroboscope radiation is made on an object to be inspected, the object is picked up by a television camera, a position detection device provides a position detection signal when the object arrives at a specified position, and an object inspection apparatus is provided. In this apparatus the period including before and after the horizontal synchronizing signal from the television camera is set as an inspection intermission period during which no inspection for the object is conducted, and the stroboscope radiation is carried out at the same timing as the position detection signal when the position detection signal arrives at the same time as the vertical synchronizing signal from the television camera, or at the beginning of the inspection intermission period immediately after the position detection signal when the position detection signal arrives at any other time than with the vertical synchronizing signal.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed to count and control crimps in a moving tow of yarn. The apparatus comprises a target (the tow of yarn), a stroboscopic light, condenser lens, mirror, transparent support for the target, focusing lens, diode array to sense variations in light intensity from the striations in the target, electronic board circuit with terminal board, programmable calculator, and read-out means, such as a light emitting diode display. When used to control the crimping apparatus it also comprises a controller, exit control gate of the crimper and means to exert pressure on the exit control gate. The method for use of this apparatus is to cause an intense light pulse to issue from the stroboscopic light, passing the pulse of light through the condenser lens against the mirror through the transparent support to reflect from the striations in the yarn tow back through the focusing lens into the diode array which counts the variations in light intensity caused by the striations.

Abstract: A stroboscope device for a record player for monitoring at least two speeds such as 331/3 and 45 r.p.m. A turntable rim may be provided with a single stroboscope pattern for the relevant speeds. As they pass a light pulse generator, the marks of the stroboscope pattern are optically comparable with light pulse trains produced by a light pulse generator at one of a plurality of frequencies obtained from a given or a-c mains frequency.

Abstract: The specification describes an interference optical measuring or sensing device, comprising a light source, a beam splitter, two component light paths and a radiation sensor for a multiple hole centrifuge rotor. When the rotor is in motion sample cells and the counter-weight move successively through the component light paths and at a particular position have both light paths extending through them. There is furthermore an arrangement for producing a position signal indicating that a selected hole is in a certain position in which it has both component light paths extending through it. A control arrangement ensures that the measuring device is activated briefly in the predetermined position of the selected hole. The light source continuously supplies light between the periods of activation of the measuring device.

Abstract: A single blade proximity probe uses fiber optics to direct a laser output at turbine engine blades and to return the reflected light to an image intensifier probe which provides an output indicative of blade clearance. To enable the system to measure the clearance of a single blade tip on an operating turbine, a second light beam having a different wavelength from the laser output is directed over the laser light path to count the blades and to strobe the laser on the desired blade.

Abstract: Optical radiation generation and detection using metal-to-metal diode junctions. Coherent optical radiation is generated by using an antenna connected to a metal-to-metal diode junction with non-linear current-voltage characteristics and by coupling to the junction electromagnetic radiation energy to interact with the junction, causing emission from the antenna at optical frequency absent from the input. Optical diodes are shown in the forms of a mechanically contacted cat whisker system and as single and multiple microscopic solid portions in an integrated solid mass, defining both the antenna and the junction, preferably as a deposit of solid layers upon a substrate, preferably as overlapping printed circuit line structures. Arrays of such junctions provide enhanced effects; useful arrays include Franklin-Marconi geometries, fish-bone antennas and row and column arrays.