A hinge for the articulated connection of first and second releasably held members comprises first and second hinge elements pivotally inter-connected by means of a first block of each element mutually hinged. A second block of each element is connected to the first block by a screw operable to adjust the spacing between opposed pairs of slots and projections to clamp the connecting edge of each member between the first and second blocks. The first and second blocks are resiliently biased away f...

In a magnetic disc store system, transducers are positioned over tracks on the discs by a stepping motor controlled by a central unit which sends signals over three channels commanding first and second pulse frequencies to be emitted from a pulse generator, which frequencies are applied to a bidirectional counter. The counter controls the motor and the pulses are fed back to the central unit and are there counted to indicate actual transducer position. When the transducers reach the selected pos...

A multiplex circuit for driving a multicharacter liquid crystal display, each character having a segmented and a common electrode, which selectively applies an actuating voltage to selected segmented electrodes of all the characters in parallel while applying an AC erasing voltage to the common electrodes of all the nonselected characters. The common electrode of the selected character is set to a reference potential.

A method and apparatus for verifying the proper airing of television program having a digital identification code recorded on a preselected scan line which is not normally visible to the television viewer. A plurality of television channels are automatically simultaneously monitored by a primary monitoring system at a site 30 within the reception area and broadcast encoded programs are identified and timed and appraised as to their audio and video signal quality. The information generated is sto...

Modified Stirling cycle refrigerators having a cam drive unit which is illustrated as being implemented either as a rotatable cylinder having a pair of circumferential camming grooves or as wobble plates having camming tracks on the periphery thereof. The cam drive unit drives the compressor and expander piston of the refrigerator through cam followers. Refrigerator embodiments having a plurality of compressor-expander piston pairs driven from a single cam drive are also disclosed.

The converter described comprises a generator (2) having a rotor (3) driven by a spring (1) via a gear-train (4), and means (11) for electrically braking the rotor (3). In one form of embodiment of the converter, the mean rotational speed of the rotor (3) is adjusted to a predetermined set speed by a control circuit (12) which periodically cuts out the braking means (11) in response to a reference signal having a period equal to the ratio between a predetermined rotational angle of the rotor (3)...

A method and apparatus for verifying the proper airing of television programs having a digital identification code recorded on a preselected scan line which is not normally visible to the television viewer. A plurality of television channels are automatically simultaneously monitored by a primary monitoring system at a site 30 within the reception area and broadcast encoded programs are identified and timed and appraised as to their audio and video signal quality. The information generated is st...

Measuring apparatus is disclosed, in which a probe pin forms part of the measuring apparatus to allow the measurement of parts placed on a platform. The probe pin of the measuring apparatus may be retracted by a lever pivoting in a bracket fitted detachably to the housing of the apparatus. The retracting means fitted with this lever is easy to control and allows parts to be measured quickly.

A connector has a plug and a socket. The plug is provided with at least one male contact member composed of two resilient foils in the shape of spoons. Each of these foils is mounted in a floating manner in the insulating block of the plug. The socket has a female contact member which is rigidly mounted in the insulating block. Thus, when the connector is plugged in, the contact element of the plug can align with the contact element of the socket by which it is then positioned. The connector can...

A vehicle air conditioning system in which air or a working liquid is circulated through a heat exchanger mounted in intimate thermal contact with the cold head of a modified Stirling cycle refrigerator. The working liquid is circulated through a heat conductive tube to the location of the vehicle to be cooled. Second heat exchangers are connected to the tube at each of the locations and the air to be cooled is blown through the second heat exchangers. If air is circulated through the cold head ...