Abstract:
An autopilot automatically adjusts the sensitivity of a ship's steering system to accommodate changes in speed as well as sea and wind conditions. The autopilot utilizes heading error, speed and speed squared signals to produce a rudder order signal for controlling rudder position. The rudder order signal is developed in a heading keeping circuit unless a heading change greater than a predetermined threshold is commanded, in which event a programmer substitutes a heading change circuit for the heading keeping circuit. The sensitivity of the heading change circuit is automatically adjusted as an inverse function of vessel speed squared, and automatic rudder order limits are established in the same circuit as an inverse function of speed. The sensitivity of the heading keeping circuit is adjusted in accordance with a signal from an automatic gain control circuit which derives a performance index J from ship's speed, heading error and rudder order signals occurring during a given measurement interval. The performance index derived during a given measurement interval is compared with the index derived in the previous interval and a counter register is set according to the results of this comparison. The heading keeping circuit receives heading error signals which are processed in a first proportional channel and also differentiated and processed in a second or rate channel. The attenuation in each channel is adjusted in accordance with the value stored in the counter register. The attenuation in the rate channel is made equal to the square root of the attenuation in the proportional channel. The modified rate and proportional signals are added to obtain the final rudder order signal.
Abstract:
There is disclosed herein a fault-tolerant memory organization which permits through the incorporation of redundancy the utilization of circuit chips having defective sections. The apparatus involves the use of redundant sections fabricated on the chip in conjunction with a data relocation technique. The relocation scheme utilizes a code-decode arrangement which inserts zeros into the data stream to avoid the defective sections and provides a zero delete arrangement when the previously coded information is retrieved.
Abstract:
In a rotary sliding vane pump having a non-circular cam ring which expands and contracts radially, a cheek plate is clamped against the end face of the cam ring and lies in rubbing contact with the rotor and vanes. The cheek plate has a wearing face of low friction material such as bronze. Unwanted wear between the cheek plate and the cam ring due to its expansion/contraction movements is reduced by the provision of one or more areas of hard metal adjacent the cam ring.
Abstract:
A video processor for a track-while-scan radar system, wherein each radar return, within a tracking window, is given a range weight corresponding to the range bin within the range sweep and an angle weight corresponding to a sweep count, which is initiated at the commencement of the tracking window. The weights for each return are summed to obtain a range weighted sum and an angle weighted sum, each sum then being coupled to a computer along with the total number of radar returns recorded within the tracking window. The video processor, on information supplied by the computer, establishes an annular ring about the radar system within which radar returns are sought. To prevent the recording of a target detection upon the reception of a noise spike, a defruiting circuit is included in the search detection circuits which records a bit in a given range bin when the range bin under consideration in a given range sweep and at least one of the corresponding range bins in the preceding and succeeding range sweeps report a target return.
Abstract:
The display generator comprises a map memory having a plurality of addressable locations corresponding respectively to a plurality of incremental display cell areas of the display screen. The apparatus further includes a symbol memory having a plurality of storage matrices for storing the respective plurality of patterns and symbols to be selectively written into the incremental display area cells to thereby form a display picture. The display raster is generated by digital circuits which sequentially address the map memory locations. The map memory words stored in the respective locations each includes a symbol memory address. The digital raster generation circuits are also coupled to the symbol memory for addressing the line of the symbol selected by the map memory for the line by line writing of the selected symbols in the cells of the display.
Abstract:
A heater assembly for an electrical appliance such as a portable hair dryer. The heater assembly includes an elongated flexible foil resistance element having opposite longitudinal edge portions mounted on spaced disc support members. T-shaped tabs extend from the foil edges and are seated in recessed portions or notches located in the periphery of the discs with the T-end portions thereof locked to the discs by detent means provided on the discs.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an apparatus for shock mounting in a frame a cathode ray tube of the type having a rear neck portion containing an electron gun integrally formed with a frustum which terminates in a planar or spherical surface on which information is displayed. Compared to the frustum portion, a relatively narrow first annular member constructed of a substantially rigid material is positioned along the cathode ray tube near the convergence of the frustum portion with the neck. This first ring is affixed solidly to the cathode ray tube and has an outer surface which is formed by two surfaces which form an angle with the cathode ray tube's major axis. As such, a surface is provided for opposing a force directed substantially parallel to major axis. A second annular member, also constructed of a substantially rigid material, is positioned circumjacent to the first member, has an inner surface substantially complementary to the outer surface of the first member, and has its outer surface connected to the frame. A third annular member consisting of a resilient material is interposed between the first and second annular members.
Abstract:
A magnetic head switching matrix selectively couples a plurality of balanced read-write heads to the output of a write amplifier and to the input of a read amplifier. Constant current supplies apply equal constant currents to a pair of write data lines connected to the write amplifier output and two further constant current supplies apply equal constant currents to two read data lines connected to the read amplifier input. The two coils of each head are coupled to the write data lines through two matched diodes respectively and are similarly coupled to the read data lines through another pair of matched diodes respectively. The center tap of each head is coupled to write and read reference voltage sources through respective diodes as well as being coupled to a read-write control voltage source. A head write selection current supply applies a selection current to the center tap of a selected head for writing purposes and a head read selection current supply applies a current to the center tap of a selected head for reading purposes.
Abstract:
There is disclosed herein an electrical connector device which is designed to provide strain relief for the connecting pins under a variety of loading conditions, such as misaligned and tolerance mismatch.
Abstract:
A universal remotely controlled test interface test unit is adapted to be connected through plug connections to an on-site computing system having one or more central processing units and associated peripheral equipment. The test interface unit is provided with a limited function keyboard control for initiating tests and a transceiver for communicating with a data processing unit at a remote location which supplies format and control signals for use by the test interface unit and data signals to be communicated to the on-site computing system. The data signals received by the test interface unit are first entered into a buffer register to provide parallel outputs. The format control signals activate logic gating signals to cause the data signals in the buffer register to be arranged in a control register in a format which is compatible with the equipment to be tested. The control register is arranged to operate any part of the central processing system under test and any of its intended modes of operation and to initiate readout of information from any part of the computing system through the transceiver for processing and examination by the remotely located data processing unit.