Showing papers on "Modular design published in 1974"

Modular branch exchange and nodal access units for multiple access systems

Abstract: Modular digital exchanges linked by earth satellite provide coordinated time division switching and time compressed communication services relative to externally attached telephone and data (user) trunks. Branch exchange modules (NCU's) perform call switching, buffer storage, time compression and activity selective channel assignment handling between individual external user trunks and multi-bit channels of external time division highways (digital links). The latter are linked pyramidally to time division multiple access nodes of the satellite through Network (Nodal) Access Unit modules (NAU's) which perform further time compression handling and adaptive assignment of satellite channels based upon nodal distribution of demand. The NCU modules also provide "local" switching between user trunks and "tandem" linkage directly between NCU's (without NAU and satellite handling). The modules have individual common control processors which inter-communicate via reserved signaling channels on the digital links and satellite. The modularity is in increments suitable for adaptive deployment of connection equipment relative to satellite access nodes (e.g. to adapt to shifts in user populations and/or plant facilities).

Computer automated information system

Abstract: A computer automated information system is adapted for use by the public and is installed in public gathering places for readily dispensing information regarding, for example, travel accommodations and the like. The system includes display and print-out components associated with the computer and interfaced for dispensing selected information quickly, accurately and economically, and is modular and compact to minimize maintenance and maximize versatility.

Modular baggage handling system with chain drive

Abstract: A baggage handling system primarily for airports consisting of a continuous train of wheeled modular carriers which follow a predetermined path created by guide rails which bear against guide wheels mounted on the wheel assemblies. The train is driven by a motor operatively connected to a continuous chain drive assembly which engages chain dogs affixed to each modular carrier.

Modular filter and automatic chlorinator for swimming pools

Abstract: A modular pool filter having a plurality of stand pipes, each of which contain one or more annular filter elements which are in sealed relationship to the top and the bottom of the stand pipes, thus forming an inner region extending through the center of the filter elements and an outer annular region extending around the outside of the filter elements. Water is distributed to each of the stand pipes through the outer regions and is withdrawn from each of the stand pipes from the inner regions. An outlet pipe extends up through the inner region of each of the stand pipes so that water is withdrawn from the inner region adjacent the top end of the stand pipes. The upper end of the stand pipes is removable to permit removal or replacement of the filter elements in each of the stand pipes. The top on one or more of the filter stand pipes includes a separate air-tight chamber above the filter element in which chlorine tablets are stored. The center return line for the filter extends up through the filter element into the chlorinating chamber.

Constant module system

Abstract: A modular construction system comprised of a plurality of modular constructional units which are capable of being linked to similar modules in order to form a chain or constructed assembly thereof. The modular units are formed or constructed with similar modular segments each having a pair of opposed frame-like members with a connecting substrate extending therebetween. End and side enclosure panels may be connected to the constructed unit. These units may be used in the construction of structural members such as buildings or bridges, or as containers for transport of cargo or in other applications.

Modular curved surface space structures

Abstract: A plurality of mathematically interrelated modular structures are disclosed which are based on a series of minimal surfaces bounded by skewed polygons. Some six basic modules are described which are capable of being interconnected in various combinations to form finite volume enclosing structures. Appropriately scaled, the modules could be used as structure toys, to create playground equipment or, for the construction of habitible structures. Utilizing these structural modules, it is possible to construct large assemblies having parallel planar structures within the enclosed space which could be considered floors and ceilings of multilevel structures.

Modular representation of multiple-valued logic systems

Abstract: A mode of description for multiple-valued logic systems is presented which is based on the familiar Galois field structures. It is demonstrated that the flexibility of the resulting modular algebras makes them highly suitable for this application. The relationship between the operational behaviour of a circuit and its standard form of algebraic representation is investigated, and a transform method is devised which enables the one to be deduced from the other. Similar techniques are also developed for evolving certain well defined related forms of a given function which serve both as the basis for a synthesis procedure and as a classification system.

Modular panel construction for programmable controller and frame therefore

Abstract: By providing an input/output panel housing which is readily connectible to adjacent housings and which cooperates with up to four removable input/output modules, a completely expandable, modularized input/output panel construction is achieved. Each housing accommodates up to four "plug-in" input/output modules, and is constructed so that the wiring from the equipment being controlled is connected directly to fixed terminals and need not be removed when the input/output modules are removed or replaced. Since each housing is readily connectible to adjacent housings, the input/output panel board construction of this invention is completely flexible and readily expandable to meet any desired operational needs.

Modular wire guard

Abstract: A modular assembly for protectively enclosing guy wires of the type used to brace utility poles or the like. The guard assembly comprises a plurality of substantially identical interlocking modular units. Each modular unit is formed of a pair of interlocking half shell sections that are snapped together about the guy wire.

Application of Computer-Aided Aircraft Design in aMultidisciplinary Environment

Abstract: Applications of a multidisciplinary system of computer programs to selected analytical and optimization problems encountered in an aircraft design are described The depth of the analyses and optimizations permits such detailed output as individual stringer sizes and pressure distributions Data flow from one program to another is performed in a hands-off manner in the modular and open-ended system Numerical examples show how this automation permits multidisciplinary trade-off studies, typical of a preliminary design process to be based on such a level of detail in each discipline that normally would not be available at this stage of the process

Modular servo track writer with linear positioning

Abstract: A modular servo track writer machine with linear positioning for recording information on computer disk packs; the machine including a self-contained modular positioner with a screw-detent type mechanism which positioner is adapted for ready removability and replacement in the machine baseplate assembly and which modular positioner is self-aligning relative to the access mechanism; the access mechanism being a self-supporting unit with a carriage overhanging the head supporting tower on the side away from the spindle.

Modular building system

Abstract: The modular building system of this invention relates generally, but not exclusively, to habitations. The system comprises at least two individual room or space modules which are individually secured to their foundations and at least one additional individual room or space module which structurally spans between and interconnects at least two of the aforementioned foundation secured modules. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the enclosing shells of the modules are comprised of a plurality of prefabricated sections, the shapes of which are derived from the geometry of a spherical square. A great variety of floor plan arrangements can be realized within the scope of the invention by interconnecting individual room or space modules, either laterally or vertically into various groupings, any one of which comprises one particular building.

Modular Ship Design Concepts

Abstract: This paper reviews past and present modular ship concepts with a basic thrust toward detailing the latest advances in the state-of-the-art of modular design techniques which are being considered in future developments A proposed methodology for the evaluation of ship modularity and module category definitions is provided The crucial issues affecting the use of modularity are discussed, and the benefits and negative aspects of modularity in ship design are summarized The impact of the modular concept on the ship design process is analyzed and conclusions are drawn as to the concept's technical and economic feasibility

NEPCOMP: The Navy Engine Performance Program

Abstract: A general purpose computer program is described which permits rapid design point and off-design performance analyses of air breathing engines. The modular approach used in building the over-all program allows analysis of many engine configurations including multi-stream, multi-nozzle, augmented engines, shaft engines and ramjets. The program may be operated with or without component maps. The result is a computational tool that can be used to perform independent analyses of an engine manufacturer’s product as well as provide engine performance data for use in engine-airframe design and integration studies.Copyright © 1974 by ASME

Apparatus for positioning modular components on a vertical or overhead surface

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for holding a plurality of modular components against a surface. A fixture prepositions the components and a vacuum develops a uniform pressure which presses and holds the fixture and objects against a surface. The surface may be curved, vertical, or overhead and since local load concentrations are avoided, fragile ceramic tiles may be installed using the apparatus.

Communication switching system

Abstract: A communication switching system having distributed control and modular design including a loop structure to which processor modules and storage modules are attached. Input to and output from the loop are effected through line registers, one line register being provided for each communication line. The line registers also function as intermediate storage between sequential processing steps. The processor modules, which are physically separated from the storage modules, are allocated for each step of a task, completely independent of the communication line associated with that task, or any past allocation of that task. Accordingly, messages can be sent by a processor module to any one of the storage modules for fetching or delivering of data and then the data will be routed back to the processor modules. After all required processing has been accomplished, a message will be sent back to the associated line register containing new data, either for output to the line or for later reuse by the system.

Finite state testing of structured programs

Abstract: The research reported in this paper is concerned with the testing of software which is being developed in a structured way The advantages which accrue from a well structured or modular organisation of software depend upon an ability to independently test a module well before the full development of all the modules with which it communicates This paper describes a technique (finite state testing) which effectively organises data objects into equivalence classes and exercises a module using a representative of each class As a technique it has an affinity with both the type checking performed by a conventional compiler and the assertion checking performed by a so-called verifying compiler It is however a practical technique which has been used in experimental systems and is being incorporated in a prototype program development system

On modular weight and cyclic nonadjacent forms for arithmetic codes (Corresp.)

Abstract: In this correspondence we give a new definition of modular arithmetic weight (relative to any modulus m > 0 and any radix r \geq 2 ), which has two very useful properties, i) It is defined for all integers and is invariant under congruence modulo m . ii) It yields a metric for all moduli m . In the important cases m = r^n, m = r^n - 1 , and m = r^n + 1 , it coincides with the modular weight of Rao and Garcia, and thus acts as a proper measure of errors for these moduli. Due to these properties, we are able to obtain conceptually simpler proofs of several known (as well as some new) results on the computation of modular distance in cyclic AN-codes. Along these same lines we introduce the notion of modular-cyclic nonadjacent form (NAF) when m = r^n - 1 . For moduli of this type, we show that every integer has a modular-cyclic NAF; the number of nonzero digits is the modular weight. It is a curious fact that a "modular" version of the well-known Chang/Tsao-Wu algorithm (for computing the NAF) turns out to yield the modular-cyclic NAF directly.

Material loader frame construction

Abstract: A modular frame construction for a vehicle-mounted material loader, including separate, releasably joinable base and tower sections. The base section is adapted for mounting directly on the frame of a conventional heavy-duty truck at nearly any desired location therealong, and in different, reversed orientations. The base carries a pair of outrigger-type lateral stabilizers for the loader, and includes a pair of tower support platforms offset vertically and longitudinally of the truck from one another. The tower section is adapted for mounting a conventional load-handling boom, and is mountable on either of the support platforms provided in the base. The disclosed construction provides a highly flexible mounting system adaptable to different types of vehicles and loading operations.

The Logic Machine: A Modular Computer Design System

Abstract: A digital electronic hardware design and construction system is described. Basic to the system is a microprogrammed control processor which is used unmodified in all devices constructed using this technique. This processor has no data manipulation capabilities; all arithmetic, logic, and I/O capabilities are supplied by logically complete hardware modules called functional units. The processor supplies control signals on 256 unique instruction lines. Each of these instruction lines can be wired as a control signal to one or more functional units. A control signal may cause data transfer between functional units, test the status of a functional unit, or cause a functional unit to perform a specific internal function. A single data bus connects each of the functional units and the control processor such that the flow and manipulation of data are controlled by a microprogram. A logic machine refers to the ensemble of control processor, single data bus, several functional units, and a microprogram all arranged so that a specific digital system is constructed.

Compressed information system

Abstract: A multi-function information system utilizing a specialized modular information library is disclosed. In its preferred embodiment, the system is applied to the problem of teaching technicians the theory of specific apparatus and providing a tool to aid in the location and correction of malfunctions of the apparatus. In such an application, the system may comprise a video playback system and a video-cassette library containing a description of how the apparatus operates and malfunction correction procedures. Special procedures are employed in constructing the library to assure that the teaching and malfunction correction times are minimized.

A monotonic passy-like algorithm for the modular design problem

Abstract: This paper presents a new algorithm for the continuous modular design problem. The method is based on and can be combined with preceding work by Passy, and Shaftel and Thompson.

Alphanumeric gas display panel with modular control

Abstract: A modular control system is provided for a gas panel of the type having an array of row wires and column wires that form light emitting cells at their crossover points. A row counter and a column counter provide selection signals for entering characters sequentially on the panel. The counters provide borrow and carry signals to components that control the display. Thus, the control operates without regard to the actual size of the display and provides a modular construction for displays of various sizes.

Modularity and multi-microprocessor structures

Abstract: There are significant advantages to a modular approach to system design. As semiconductor technology has evolved the complexity of what a designer considers as a design primitive has also grown. Systems constructed from the next generation of module sets will bear a strong resemblance to multiprocessor structures. A taxonomy of the multiprocessor space is given and the subspace to be occupied by the next generation module sets is delineated. Summaries are given of recent research results on two key problems in modular, as well as general, multiprocessor structures: the parallel decomposition of algorithms and deadlocks. Some open research questions conclude the discussion.

Modular optical spectrometer system

Abstract: A modular system for performing optical spectroscopy measurements comprising enclosed modules with ports through which optical beams may pass into and out of the modules. The modules may be joined together with the ports aligned and are interchangeable in the sense that the focal point of the optical beam directed out of any output port has the same location relative to the output port.

Electronic modular package having a printed circuit assembly

Abstract: An electronic modular package comprises a printed circuit assembly with terminal blocks attached at each end of the circuit board. The printed circuit assembly is slid into an elongated hollow rugged plastic housing having an opening at each end which receive the terminal blocks. One of the terminal blocks cooperates with the housing to secure the printed circuit assembly in place while the other terminal block cooperates with the housing to prevent over-insertion. This functional division between the terminal blocks substantially isolates the circuit board and its multiplicity of soldered connections from the forces associated with attaching connectors to the terminal blocks.