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Outdoor thermostat
July, 1956.]
CURRENT TOPICS
marion concerning the planned trajectory is fed into the computer. When the missile is launched, it is tracked by radar and a constant flow of information concerning the missile's actual course, speed and altitude is transmitted to the computer automatically. Operating at speeds measured in thousandths of a second, the computer compares this information with the programmed data previously introduced. Through a radio communications system, the computer can control the speed and direction of the missile by "ordering" the changes necessary to keep it on the predetermined course toward the target. The computer is expected to guide the missile with such accuracy that it will fall close enough to the center of the target area to accomplish its purpose. The first of the prototypes is being constructed so that it can be set up in trailers or vans for easy transportation to launching sites.
Outdoor Thermostat.--An outdoor thermostat control that tips off the indoor thermostat to changing weather conditions is now available from the General Electric Company. Developed by .the company's Appliance Control Department, it is expected to cost consumers about 75 per cent less than existing automatic systems. The control helps prevent indoor temperatures from dipping with sudden outside changes providing greater comfort in the home. Ordinarily, G-E engineers explained, a drop in outside temperature means that the homeowner is required to adjust his indoor thermostat upward to compensate for heat loss through the colder walls. The new system does this automatically, eliminating manual adjustment on the part of the homeowner. Heart of the outdoor thermostat is
91
a small wafer of an unusual carbon compound that senses weather changes and then sends a minute electrical signal via a 25-volt circuit to the indoor thermostat. Thus warned, the indoor thermostat turns on the furnace to cope with lower temperatures. General Electric's Appliance Control Department is now making the device available through furnace manufacturers and distributors.
Novel Forgery Detector.--An English policeman has invented an instrument for the rapid detection of forgeries, which is also suitable for certain industrial and scientific investigations. Although not in general production, it has been officially adopted by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Worcestershire County Constabulary and by some of the forensic laboratories of Britain's Home Office. Called the Evans Infra Red Viewer, the instrument is, in essence, a system of filters and lenses contained in a long box. Facing a four inch diameter condenser lens is a flat specimen holder. This is irradiated by a Phitips 500 watt "Photolita" Photoflood lamp which contains an internal mirror reflector. The instrument is fitted with a frictiondrive focussing device; a ball and socket mounting allows the specimen to be scanned horizontally and vertically. Magnification is 2.1. The principle used is that of colorsubtraction: this means that all light radiation below 7400 Angstrom Units is cut out, making visible any links which do not contain metallic ingredients. Previously, the same results could be achieved only by photographing the subject on an infra-red plate - - a n expensive method with the added disadvantage that infra-red plates have only a limited life and need to be kept in refrigerated store.
CURRENT TOPICS
marion concerning the planned trajectory is fed into the computer. When the missile is launched, it is tracked by radar and a constant flow of information concerning the missile's actual course, speed and altitude is transmitted to the computer automatically. Operating at speeds measured in thousandths of a second, the computer compares this information with the programmed data previously introduced. Through a radio communications system, the computer can control the speed and direction of the missile by "ordering" the changes necessary to keep it on the predetermined course toward the target. The computer is expected to guide the missile with such accuracy that it will fall close enough to the center of the target area to accomplish its purpose. The first of the prototypes is being constructed so that it can be set up in trailers or vans for easy transportation to launching sites.
Outdoor Thermostat.--An outdoor thermostat control that tips off the indoor thermostat to changing weather conditions is now available from the General Electric Company. Developed by .the company's Appliance Control Department, it is expected to cost consumers about 75 per cent less than existing automatic systems. The control helps prevent indoor temperatures from dipping with sudden outside changes providing greater comfort in the home. Ordinarily, G-E engineers explained, a drop in outside temperature means that the homeowner is required to adjust his indoor thermostat upward to compensate for heat loss through the colder walls. The new system does this automatically, eliminating manual adjustment on the part of the homeowner. Heart of the outdoor thermostat is
91
a small wafer of an unusual carbon compound that senses weather changes and then sends a minute electrical signal via a 25-volt circuit to the indoor thermostat. Thus warned, the indoor thermostat turns on the furnace to cope with lower temperatures. General Electric's Appliance Control Department is now making the device available through furnace manufacturers and distributors.
Novel Forgery Detector.--An English policeman has invented an instrument for the rapid detection of forgeries, which is also suitable for certain industrial and scientific investigations. Although not in general production, it has been officially adopted by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Worcestershire County Constabulary and by some of the forensic laboratories of Britain's Home Office. Called the Evans Infra Red Viewer, the instrument is, in essence, a system of filters and lenses contained in a long box. Facing a four inch diameter condenser lens is a flat specimen holder. This is irradiated by a Phitips 500 watt "Photolita" Photoflood lamp which contains an internal mirror reflector. The instrument is fitted with a frictiondrive focussing device; a ball and socket mounting allows the specimen to be scanned horizontally and vertically. Magnification is 2.1. The principle used is that of colorsubtraction: this means that all light radiation below 7400 Angstrom Units is cut out, making visible any links which do not contain metallic ingredients. Previously, the same results could be achieved only by photographing the subject on an infra-red plate - - a n expensive method with the added disadvantage that infra-red plates have only a limited life and need to be kept in refrigerated store.