Abstract: The device (10) comprises a cylindrical resonator (R) vibrating in extension-compression along its longitudinal axis (?) and having a vibration node (N) in its mid-plane (?), the vibration naturally generating radial extension/compression deformations, and a mechanical decoupling module comprising a hollow cylinder (2) surrounding the resonator and a membrane (1) positioned in the aforementioned mid-plane and rigidly connected to the cylindrical surface of the resonator and to the internal cylindrical surface of the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder vibrates in extension/compression in antiphase with the vibration of the resonator, enabling the effects of the radial deformations of the hollow cylinder and of the resonator to compensate each other in an area (ZF) located on the external surface of the hollow cylinder close to the mid-plane.

Abstract: A drive (1) for driving an object to be driven (14) in a predetermined direction comprises a plurality of guide means (18) which are fixed to a substrate (11) and extend in a predetermined direction, respectively, output means (2) for outputting the driving force in the direction along the direction in which the plurality of guide means extend from an output terminal section (20) to at least one of the plurality of guide means and advancing with the object to be driven in parallel by being coupled to the object to be driven, and a control means (100) for controlling each of a plurality of output means so that the plurality of output means output the drive force at a desired time.

Abstract: An arrangement, a method and a system to read information stored in a layer of ferroelectric media.

Abstract: A film electret and an electret filter that contain a polar high-molecular weight compound and that provides a TSDC curve having a homocharge peak temperature of at least 95.degree. C. and a heterocharge peak temperature of at least 80.degree. C.

Abstract: A device for storing and retrieving disc-shaped articles, such as compact recording discs, and including a support frame adapted to rest on a horizontal surface and including a tiltable housing that is pivotally mounted within the support frame for limited rotation about a horizontal axis from a rest position to a dispensing position, the housing including first and second spaced apart side walls. Mounted to the tiltable housing is slotted means for storing a multiplicity of upright, side-by-side discs, and there is a multiplicity of release elements adapted to releasably hold discs mounted in storage against forward movement out of their storage locations. A disc carrier, with a through-slot for releasably holding a disc, is slidably mounted on horizontal guide means for movement from one end of the disc storing means to its other end. The carrier is alignable with any selected one of the slotted disc storage locations.

Abstract: An electret fiber sheet has polarized charges on its surface and preferably has charges in ordered orientation across it. The polarized charges are present in an amount of at least 7.times.10.sup.-11 C/cm.sup.2. Such sheets are formed to have a dust collecting efficiency. Sheets having an amount of polarized charge even as high as this are nevertheless stable when they have a maximum orientation energy of depolarization of at least 0.2 eV.Such an electret sheet can be obtained by a process comprising placing a fiber sheet between a non-contact type voltage-application electrode and an earth electrode confronting each other and supplying electricity (voltage>3 kV; current density>1.times.10.sup.-6 mA/cm.sup.2) between the electrodes, provided that the fiber sheet has a weight less than 80 g/m.sup.2 and a covering factor at least 60%.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer (10) with a pointed piezoelectric element (11) mounted on an electrically conductive damping mass (12), having a conductive tip (33), the damping mass (12) and conductive tip (33) being electrically connected to opposite terminals in a coaxial line (14). The conductive tip (33) has a convex wear member (35) for contact with a surface to be measured. In one version, the tip (33) is in contact with a flexible conductive sheet (17') for environmental protection.

Abstract: A cutting stylus adapted for mechanically cutting a deep groove, which may be used in lapping the keel on a playback stylus, is provided. The stylus includes a tapering body, a constricted terminal region and shoulders joining the tapering body and the constricted terminal region. The shape of the constricted terminal region is complementary to the shape of the keel tip on the playback stylus. The terminating portion of the stylus tip has a substantially flat cutting face, a pair of side surfaces extending from the side cutting edges of the cutting face which taper at a slight angle to provide clearance to the side cutting edges, and a bottom surface extending from the bottom cutting edge of the cutting face at an angle which provides relief to the bottom cutting edge.

Abstract: A cutterhead assembly suitable for forming a topographic signal representative pattern in a recording media, such as a disc substrate, is constructed having a base member, a piezoelectric element and a cutting stylus. The piezoelectric element in this structure is asymmetrically assembled to the base member to reduce phase modulation of the recorded signal which would otherwise occur from the transverse motion of the stylus during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A stylus assembly for use with a high density information record such as a grooved video disc. The stylus arm includes a first transducer for detecting lateral forces applied by the record groove to the pickup stylus, and a second transducer responsive to signal generated by the first transducer to translocate the stylus and thereby reduce said forces. The adaptive elimination of lateral forces to the stylus reduces stylus and disc wear and reduces the probability of record imperfections causing the stylus to radially skip over grooves.

Abstract: An input device for a computer controlled visual display enables an operator to instruct the shift of a display element in a chosen direction by hand movement of the input device sensor in an analogous direction over a plane surface. The sensor includes a conventional piezoelectric audio pick-up which produces a succession of unidirectional pulses when the stylus is drawn across a microscopically textured surface such as a sheet of paper, the polarity of the pulses being indicative of the direction of motion along a selected axis. A second pick-up is arranged to give a maximum response to motion along an orthogonal axis and for the component of motion on each axis a bi-directional pulse counter enables the direction of motion to be determined by a comparison of the counts held in successive time intervals.