Abstract: A unitized, stable stacking system with a tier sheet stabilizer is provided, along with a method for stacking containers. The tier sheet includes a substantially planar top surface, a bottom surface, peripheral retainers disposed about and extending away from the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, and a plurality of protuberances extending downwardly away form the bottom surface such that said protuberances engage the sidewalls of each container to secure the tier sheet to the containers positioned below the tier sheet. The protuberances are positioned so that the tier sheet can be utilized with several different container layering patterns.

Abstract: Sunglasses are provided wherein each lens opening has a fixed polarized lens and a rotatable polarized lens. A slide is carried by the frame, with each rotatable lens being connected thereto at locations outside of the lens openings. Lateral movement of the slide effects the rotation of the rotatable lenses, thereby varying the transitivity of the sunglasses.

Abstract: A real time remote sensing pressure control system is provided which uses periodically sampled remote sensors to generate a bias signal that modifies the base setpoint of a proportional-integral controller that controls variable speed pumps. This control scheme saves energy by slowing the rotational speed of the variable-speed secondary pumps during periods of light system demand. The system can be provided with more than one zone of system loads (such as chilled or hot water coils) and a remote pressure sensor (gauge or differential) can be provided at each of those zones. In addition, a local pressure sensor (gauge or differential) is provided at the primary and secondary pumps. The process variable signals detected by the remote pressure sensors is communicated by a building automation system or other type of data highway, which inherently delays the real time nature of those sensed signals and only periodically provides an update of those signals.

Abstract: An improved shapemeter is provided to measure the flatness of metal strip under tension as the strip passes over a shapemeter roll, the shapemeter including a stationary shaft with a set of bearings that allow the strip to easily pass over the shapemeter roll. The stationary shaft does not touch the inner ring of each bearing, but the inner ring is urged against a block having horizontal and vertical flexural members that deflect giving only a single degree of freedom. This single degree of freedom allows each block to rotate about a pivot point, which is defined by the locations of the flexural members, in the transverse vertical plane only. The shaft has a slot, which provides an open area in which a single box that contains all the force transducers is mounted. Each force transducer (e.g., a load cell) is attached to a thrust button that contacts the corresponding block, and thereby absorbs some of the vertical load on the block.

Abstract: An improved combination acoustic-mode and electronic-mode piano is provided which includes a hammer shank stop rail that intercepts the hammer shank, when in the electronic mode, so that the hammer cannot complete its normal travel and cannot strike its corresponding string(s) when its piano key is actuated. The hammer shank stop rail is actuated by an intermediate crank that, in turn, is actuated by a pedal dowel attached to one of the pedals of the piano. When operated in the acoustic mode, the stop rail occupies a position that will not interfere with the hammer shank's movements, and when in the electronic mode, the stop rail intercepts the hammer shank so that its associated hammer will not be able to travel all the way into contact with their associated string. A second embodiment operates the stop rail by use of a cable and cam mechanism. A third embodiment uses a hand-actuator to operate the stop rail via a dowel and intermediate crank.

Abstract: The present photoelectric conversion device includes a photo-receiving surface generating electron-hole pairs due to a distortion of an energy band thereof after receiving light, and two contacts contacting the photo-receiving surface for separating the electron-hole pairs. By this disclosure, a cost-effective, easily-makable photoelectric conversion device made by a clean manufacturing process is provided. A preferred MOS photoelectric conversion device of the present invention is made by using a silicon substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, growing an oxide layer on the upper surface of the silicon substrate, forming a first metal contact layer on said oxide layer, forming a second metal contact layer on the lower surface of the silicon substrate, and breaking the MOS structure into several parts each having a broken surface to serve as a photo-receiving surface.

Abstract: Processes for the direct manufacture of nitride powders suitable for low temperature sintering are provided. An elemental vapor is contacted with a nitriding gas at temperatures between 1400 and 1973 K and atmospheric pressure to produce nitride powder.

Abstract: A reusable fabric surgical drape such as a cardiovascular drape, for example, having a fenestration to be positioned at a surgical site and one or more slits formed in the drape. Each slit has overlapping edges which are releasably attachable together. The surgical drape may have one such slit extending from the fenestration to an edge of the drape, which, when opened, enables removal of the drape from the patient about any surgical equipment attached to the patient through the fenestration. One or more additional such slits may be formed in the drape and so positioned and shaped as to provide, when opened, reclosable surgical site fenestrations.

Abstract: A multi-well diode is disclosed which can be used with other electronic components as an electronic neuron circuit. The multi-well diode has an S-shaped current-voltage characteristic curve at forward bias whereby it remains in a low conductance state until its threshold voltage is exceeded, then switches through an unstable region of its characteristic curve into a high conductance state. The multi-well diode remains in the high conductance state until its bias voltage and current drops below its holding condition, at which time it switches into a low conductance state. The multi-well diode can be used in a pulse-mode input circuit, thereby generating a pulse-mode output signal which can have a different amplitude and frequency than the input signal. Such pulse-mode input circuits can be either excitatory or inhibitory in operation.

Abstract: A multi-well diode is disclosed which can be used with other electronic components as an electronic neuron circuit. Structural embodiments of the multi-well diode are disclosed having a p-i-n, n-i-n, or p-i-p configurations. In addition, the wells of the i-region are disclosed as being either n-type or p-type semiconductor material. The multi-well diode has an S-shaped current-voltage characteristic curve at forward bias whereby it remains in a low conductance state until its threshold voltage is exceeded, then switches through an unstable region of its characteristic curve into a high conductance state. The multi-well diode remains in the high conductance state until its bias voltage and current drops below its holding condition, at which time it switches into a low conductance state. The multi-well diode can be used in a pulse-mode input circuit, thereby generating a pulse-mode output signal which can have a different amplitude and frequency than the input signal.

Abstract: An electrostatic nozzle assembly for dispensing flowable material to a predetermined target. The nozzle assembly comprises an insulative cap, an insulative base and an electrically chargeable metallic, plate-like shim therebetween. The cap and base of the nozzle assembly have sharp continuous unbroken forward edges, the cap forward edge and the adjacent portion of the base defining a continuous dispensing slot. The nozzle assembly has at least one inlet for flowable material leading to at least one distribution chamber formed in the shim. The at least one distribution chamber comprises a plurality of distribution channels defining discrete pathways having a depth of about one half the thickness of the shim and configured to distribute the flowable material from the inlet to predetermined points along the dispensing nozzle assembly. The spacing between the forward edges of the base and cap and the spacing of the cap forward edge and the forward edge of the shim are critical.

Abstract: Compositions and a method for performing the room temperature vulcanization of silicone elastomers are disclosed. The compositions and method utilize specifically-defined hydroxy-terminated polyorganosiloxanes, cross-linking agents which contain a hydrolyzable moiety, a catalyst which exhibits catalytic action in the condensation reaction between the hydroxy groups of the polyorganosiloxanes and the hydrolyzable groups of the cross-linking agents, and a formamide-type cure accelerator component. It has been found that these compositions can be stably stored under substantially moisture-free conditions and be readily vulcanized to form solid elastomers when exposed to moisture in the air. The vulcanization process provides a fast cure and a final silicone rubber product which exhibits good depth of hardening and excellent physical properties.

Abstract: A high illumination level lighting system. The system comprises a light source module and a lighthead. The light source module is remote from the lighthead. An elongated light piping member has a first end in said light source module and a second end adjacent said light head. Light energy from the light source module is transported by the light piping member to the lighthead which collects the light energy from the second end of the light piping member, controls it and directs it in a desired pattern onto a site to be illuminated. A support assembly is provided for the light head. The support assembly may hold the light head in fixed position, or it may be adjustable so as to hold the light head in adjusted positions. The light source module may be provided with filter elements to eliminate unwanted wave lengths, heat, and to provide color temperature control.

Abstract: A process utilizing a reactive exothermic liquid-inorganic solid hybrid, for the treatment of in-situ waste materials and in-process hazardous materials, including organic materials having contained therein polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The process makes possible the utilization of heat from exothermic reactions for breaking down PCBs in particular.