Abstract: In a differential pressure transducer having isolation diaphragms on opposite sides of a sensing diaphragm, the isolation diaphragms are made highly compliant, are radially prestressed and are bowed outwardly relative to closely spaced backup surfaces by oil pressure. Using very small interior cavities and a substantially stiffer sensing diaphragm differential process pressures induce linear deflection of the sensing diaphragm.

Abstract: A truck coupling arrangement which couples the front of a trailer to the rear of a tractor for movement about a pivot axis locates the pivot axis back toward the rear of the tractor while at the same time maintaining the weight of the trailer and the resulting downward force on the tractor well forward and essentially centered between the dual axle rear wheels of the tractor. This has the effect of delaying the inward movement of the front of the trailer during turning of the truck, thereby improving the tracking of the trailer. The increased turning radius of the trailer reduces the need to steer the truck widely through turns in order to avoid objects at the inside of the turn. In a specific embodiment of a truck coupling arrangement, a bearing plate at the front end of a bracket pivotally mounted on the rear end of the tractor is non-rotatably coupled to the front of the trailer by a plurality of pins so that pivoting of the trailer relative to the tractor occurs at the rear end of the tractor.

Abstract: A method and device effective for inhibiting the contracture of scar tissue following breast implantation, comprising a pair of pivotally coupled arms for contacting the breast on opposite sides and applying static pressure thereto. Each arm includes a curved bottom portion that extends around the lower surface of the breast means and includes means for adjusting the pivot point of the arms in relation to the size of the breast. The upper ends of the arms extend above the breast and means connect the arms to adjust the pressure of the side portions against the breast.

Abstract: A holder for a law enforcement baton, of the type having a side handle, includes a belt mounted base to which a cylindrical sleeve, having a central axial aperture, is mounted so as to be pivotable in a vertical plane when the holder is mounted on the belt of a law enforcement officer. A side-handled baton is inserted with its principal length in the axial aperture, and the side handle snaps between a pair of resilient tangs that are forced to part by the side handle under manual force to receive the side handle in a mating socket. The sleeve member is frictionally restrained but can be pivoted by manual force to any desired attitude. The baton then remains in stable position while the user is walking, running, crouching or seated in a patrol car. Nonetheless, the baton is accessible and may be removed from the holder under reasonable manual force, instantaneously, if needed.

Abstract: Tape-to-head compliance in a bidirectional magnetic tape drive is substantially improved in both directions by pivotally mounting the pressure pads. Friction between the moving tape and the pressure pads causes the pads to rotate slightly, the leading portions of the pressure pads thereby exerting greater pressure on the tape than the trailing portions.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for controlling a beam (12) of coherent light includes a reference scale (38, 138) provided with indicia forming a plurality of spokes having two sets of properties. The first of the two sets of properties is an evenly spaced first set of edges (41) arranged for generating a data clock exactly referenced to a position of a first of the two separate, perpendicular directions. A second set of edges (44) are each spaced variably from an associated one of the first set of edges (41) as a function of the other of the two separate, perpendicular directions, making the second of the two sets of properties a variable width of each of the spokes.

Abstract: A system for rapidly measuring, during production, various properties of cylindrical products, such as aluminum cans, uses both optical and non-contact air gauge measurements. The system is configured with three dimensional control to receive cans for optical and air gauge analysis on a movable platform having spaced apart receiving positions. A video camera inspects and identifies cans in one position, using X, Y and Z axis control. Wall thickness is measured using a reference mandrel and a movable air gauge having an end nozzle directed toward a linear reference surface on the mandrel. The air gauge uses hydrodynamic balance to maintain a specified gap relative to the opposing surface, with a high degree of accuracy. Before a measurement is taken, the air nozzle is traversed along the length of the mandrel, and its position sensed and converted to digital form, with the recorded points being entered into storage.

Abstract: A blood extraction and reinfusion flow control system includes a blood pump coupled to pump intravenous fluid to or from a subject, a pressure sensor coupled to sense extra veinous pressure at the subject, and a microprocessor based flow control subsystem. The flow control subsystem optimizes the flow rate by sensing pressure at at least two different fluid flow test points and extrapolating and translating the test point data to generate a flow control curve. The blood pump is then operated at a maximum speed that is limited by a desired maximum flow command and the flow control curve to maximize flow without vein collapse or damage during both blood extraction and reinfusion.

Abstract: A faucet for mixing hot and cold water includes a valve casing, cold and hot water inlet pipes coupled to the valve casing, first and second outlet pipes coupled to the valve casing, a valve housed in the valve casing and having a fixed plate and a movable plate, and an actuator for angularly moving the movable plate. The fixed plate has at least one cold water passage hole communicating with the cold water inlet pipe, at least one hot water passage hole communicating with the hot water inlet pipe, a first outlet hole communicating with the first outlet pipe, and a second outlet hole communicating with the second outlet pipe. The movable plate is held rotatably slidably against the fixed plate in watertight relation and has a recess defined in the surface thereof slidably contacting the fixed plate. When the movable plate is angularly moved by the actuator, at least one of the cold and hot water passage holes is brought into selective communication with the first and second outlet holes through the recess.

Abstract: An aligner or positioning system for moving a member in any direction in a horizontal plane includes a planar member having an upper horizontal surface and a platform movable above the horizontal surface. Driving coils extending along either of two orthogonal directions are disposed in one of the members while a pattern of oppositely magnetized permanent magnet elements is disposed in the other in flux coupling relationship. Energization of windings in appropriate senses, in accordance with the position of the platform, generates relative movement in one or both of two orthogonal directions, which may include angular movement as well.

Abstract: A carriage supporting at least one read/write head is displaceable by a rack and pinion drive toward and away from the axis of rotation of a magnetic disk. The carriage has a pair of rollers--one at the inner end of the carriage, the other at the outer end--in contact with a fixed precision guide. The rack is cantilevered from a flexure element projecting from the carriage and formed as an integral part of the carriage. The free end of the rack is resiliently biased so as to urge (i) the rack into firm, meshing engagement with the pinion and (ii) the carriage rollers into positive, preloaded engagement with the guide. The limits of carriage motion and spacing between rollers are such that the line of force between the rack and pinion is always intermediate the axes of the rollers so that the carriage is stable along the entire extent of its travel.The rack is secured to the flexure element with a single screw fastener whose axis is oriented perpendicular to the pinion axis.

Abstract: A retracting tensioning mechanism for dispensing an elongated member such as a length of yarn wound on a carrier tube in a creel utilizes a rotatably mounted disk coupled to the carrier tube and having a plurality of outwardly extending, spaced-apart elements in the form of pegs disposed in a circular array about the outer periphery thereof. An elongated lever which is at least partly disposed within the circular array of pegs is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis offset from and generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the disk and the carrier tube and has an elongated tongue extending outwardly from the pivot axis and into contact with the pegs.

Abstract: A floppy disk drive incorporates a cantilevered arm carrying at its free end a floppy disk positioning and clamping cone, the arm being pivotally mounted along the rear edge of the disk drive base frame. A longitudinal control shaft, rotatable by a control lever on the front panel of the drive, includes a cam riding in contact with a cam surface in a central region of the arm. The rear extremity of the control shaft is journaled in a variable height bearing block mounted on the base frame. A single screw controls the height of the bearing block and thus the clamping pressure exerted by the positioning and clamping cone on the floppy disk, which pressure may thereby be precisely and quickly adjusted. The invention is especially advantageous in half-height, direct drive floppy memory apparatus in which height and spindle torque limitations impose substantial design, fabrication and servicing constraints.

Abstract: A bidirectional DC motor having a rotatable permanent magnet rotor structure within a ring core bearing helical windings is arranged to provide smoothly continuous torque over very wide excursion angles, which may be continuous if desired. Signals as to actual angular position of the rotor are utilized to generate timing signals for switching a driving current in proper polarity between different windings such that the extent and force of interaction fields remain substantially constant. The windings occupy different arc segments on the ring core and are energized such that all rotor tip regions are uniformly acted upon as the rotor moves from one arc segment to another.

Abstract: A dual magnetic head assembly is provided with asymmetrical crosstalk shielding. One of the heads includes a pair of mu-metal washers sandwiching a copper washer, the stacked washers surrounding the portion of the head including the read-write gap. The washers are enclosed within a copper plated mu-metal cap having a central opening through which the gap-containing portion of the head projects for cooperation with a magnetic medium. The other head is unshielded.

Abstract: A reusable document holder for use in a computer printer or electronic memory typewriter, including a strong, flexible plastic support material or sheet, preferably formed of the polyester Mylar, having a plurality of spaced document attachment areas for attachment thereon of documents, e.g. checks, to be printed in a computer printer, each of such areas having bands or straps at the corners, for insertion of such document beneath the bands, and a flap along the top edge for insertion of the top edge of such document beneath the flap. These elements support such documents and protect the top edges thereof when the document holder is fed through a printing device for printing on the documents or checks. Such bands and flap are formed by slitting or cutting the support material.

Abstract: A stand for supporting a non-stick cooking liquid spray dispenser at a predetermined height above a heated cooking surface, such as a griddle, is disclosed. The stand, fabricated of an insulating material such as a high temperature plastic, is a generally tubular structure including a base section, an upper section for receiving and retaining the dispenser and a smaller diameter intermediate section joining the base and upper sections. The intermediate section defines a chamber in communication with the upper section for retaining sufficient air heated by the high temperature griddle to maintain the desired temperature level of the cooking liquid. Baffling disposed between the chamber and the base section deflects hot air rising from the griddle and provides radiative surfaces so that the temperature of the cooking liquid does not exceed a temperature range that is optimum for applying the liquid to the cooking surface by spraying.

Abstract: A flat package containing fertilizer and/or other soil conditioners is formed from confronting relatively broad panels of Kraft paper, or the like, bonded together about their peripheries to define a sealed compartment for the soil conditioners. A plurality of the packages are placed in the soil about and adjacent a plant to encircle the plant stem. The packages are then pierced through their entire thicknesses, the number and size of the apertures so formed predetermining the rate at which the package contents are released to the soil surrounding the root system of the plant. The package configuration helps prevent overwatering and inhibits weed growth.

Abstract: A sheet of glass includes a baked ceramic paste disposed on a surface thereof and a baked silver paste disposed on the surface over the ceramic paste, the baked silver paste containing silver at a proportion of at least 60 wt %.