Abstract: A connector device is provided for a curtain wall system of the type having structural members secured to the building framing to define frames to support glazing panels. The glazing panels each have a sash by which they are secured to the frames of structural members to form an outer wall portion of a building. The curtain wall system has connector devices securing one of the glazing panels to the frames of structural members. The connector device comprises a keeper secured to a frame, and a latch mechanism secured opposite the keeper on the sash. The latch mechanism has a latch bolt automatically displaceable to a locking position upon contact with the keeper. The keeper and the latch mechanism cooperate in the locking position to lock the glazing panel to the frame in a secured position. A method for installing the connector device is also provided.

Abstract: An “all-natural” topical insect repellent formulation having a long shelf life. The formulation includes a carrier base of fractionated coconut oil, and an effective amount of at least one essential oil with insect repellent capabilities. As active ingredients the essential oils cedarwood oil, citronella oil and lemongrass oil may be employed, with a total concentration of these active ingredients of 15.3% by weight.

Abstract: An artificial log set including a fire grate having a base and an upper section pivotally connected to the base, pivotable between a lowered burning position and a raised access position. A fuel reservoir is supported by the base. A burner head is attached to the upper section so as to be positioned directly over the fuel reservoir when the upper section is in its lowered burning position, and so as to allow access to the fuel reservoir when the upper section is in its raised access position.

Abstract: A telecommunications connectivity system including a patch panel comprising a plurality of ports, each port including first and second electrical terminals, the first electrical terminal enabling at least one data communications standard not enabled by the second electrical terminal. The telecommunications connectivity system also includes a terminal selection system including a terminal selector that houses an electrical connector. The terminal selector may be installed in one of the ports such that the electrical connector connects to either the first or second electrical terminal, as preselected. The telecommunications connectivity system also includes a wall receptacle system electrically connected to each of the ports, the wall receptacle system including first and second jacks, the first jack enabling at least one data communications standard not enabled by the second jack.

Abstract: Multiple-batch train loading systems and methods, for example for loading coal, which are capable of accommodating railcars of a wide range of capacities and designs. Each railcar is loaded with at least a relatively large initial weighed batch having a weight at least approximately equal to the maximum available capacity of a weigh bin, and a relatively small final weighed batch. The initial weighed batch and the final weighed batch are both made up with precision. If required, one or more intermediate weighed batches are loaded into the railcar. The intermediate batches, if required, are made up rapidly, but not necessarily with precision.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed optical waveguide polarimetric chemical analysis. Real-time monitoring of a separation process of a fluid in a capillary column is provided using a distributed sensor comprising a birefringent optical waveguide placed between two polarizers. The optical waveguide has a longitudinal channel defined by a channel surface in its cladding and adapted to receive the fluid such that it travels in said longitudinal channel. The longitudinal channel is positioned with respect to the core such that channel surface absorption of the fluid traveling in the longitudinal channel causes a local variation of the orientation of the polarization axes of the optical waveguide. The proposed embodiment can be used for monitoring the velocity of the separated components along the channel.

Abstract: A luminaire socket is used in spaced-apart pair to receive a light tube therebetween in a luminaire assembly. The light tube has socket caps with contact pins at opposed ends. The luminaire socket comprises: a base connected to a support surface; electrical plugs within the base, the electrical plugs connected to a power source to provide power to a light tube; a socket connector operatively connected to the base, the socket connector having a slot for receiving the contact pins of a light tube in a locking position in which the contact pins of the light tube are in electrical contact with the electrical plugs for actuation of the light tube; and at least one support wall on the rotor connector, the support wall being displaceable to a support position by engagement of the light tube in the luminaire socket to support the light tube when the light tube is accidentally disengaged from the socket connector in the locking position.

Abstract: An image-based method and corresponding apparatus for measuring, in scientifically basic terms, the complete fiber length distribution from a tapered beard. The method may be referred to as length by image analysis (Li).

Abstract: A featherboard for use with a cutting machine, such as a table saw, having a table which supports a workpiece, and a fence extending upwardly from the table. A row of flexible fingers lie in respective parallel finger planes and have distal ends for engaging the workpiece. The distal ends generally lie in an engagement plane which is parallel to a featherboard engagement surface of the workpiece, and each of the flexible fingers is capable of flexing in a flex direction perpendicular to its respective finger plane. In a compound angle configuration, the finger planes intersect the engagement plane at a pair of angles so that, during use, a single featherboard provides forces which urge the workpiece both against the fence and against the table as the workpiece is pushed along the fence in a workpiece travel direction. A parallel setting gauge may be included.

Abstract: A balanced building ventilation system that employs a fireplace as an element of the ventilation system. The fireplace includes a firebox, and an exhaust gas flue is connected to the firebox for exhausting gas from the firebox to the outdoor ambient. A ventilation channel conveys outdoor ambient air into the building interior. A motor-driven draft inducer is connected to the exhaust gas flue for forcing exhaust gas flow out to the outdoor ambient. A motor-driven blower is provided for forcing ventilation airflow through the channel to replace building interior air lost to exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling the driving traction of a wheel on a surface to reduce slippage of the wheel on the surface without the need to monitor the rotational speed of the wheel where the wheel is driven by a power unit. A threshold value of maximum acceptable acceleration for the power unit is established. The rotational speed of the power unit is measured for a first selected time interval. The rotational speed of the power unit is measured for a second selected time interval. The difference between the rotational speed of the power unit in the second time interval and the rotational speed of the power unit in the first time interval is determined. The difference between the rotational speed of the power unit in the second and first time intervals are compared with the established threshold value. If the difference in rotational speed of the power unit is greater than the established threshold value, a corrective action is initiated to reduce the rotational speed of the power unit.

Abstract: Instruments for measuring the gas flow permeability of a fiber sample, particularly a cotton fiber sample; and apparatus and methods employing multiple volumetric compressions to acquire data products for determining “micronaire,” “maturity” and “fineness” of the fiber sample. A gas flow permeability testing instrument includes sensors in a gas flow stream enabling the determination of fiber mass delivered to a testing chamber, and a computer outputting a control signal to terminate delivery of fibers to the testing chamber when a predetermined mass set point is reached. A multiple-compression fiber gas flow permeability testing device includes a testing chamber into which a fiber sample of known mass is delivered. A movable chamber wall is driven in a substantially continuous manner so as to compress the fiber sample, while a gas flow system determines permeability.

Abstract: Methods are provided for smoothing input signals having rapidly changing amplitudes, such as EMG signals from the tongue, which are detected by an intraoral device. One method calls for amplifying the EMG signals, converting the EMG signals to digital format, providing a moving average of the amplitudes of the EMG signals utilizing a moving the average processor, and windowing the averaged signals to discrete and stable amplitude levels. An adaptive moving average technique may be utilized, which includes a plurality of parallel moving average processes and a differentiator which determines which process is used, depending on the rate of change of the signal amplitude. Another method calls for the use of a plurality of moving average processes in series which calculate the moving average of the same number of signals as a single moving average process, but has a faster response time. An intraoral device is used to detect the EMG signals. The intraoral device includes acrylic maxillary and mandibular splints.