Abstract: Quick-action clamping, for holding workpieces in machine tools, and the like, is developed via orbital movements of a clamp member as induced by relative rotation of the mated eccentric head portion of a cooperating special machine screw threadedly engaged with a suitable mount. In a simple and economical expression of the clamp in a highly-advantageous low-profile form, the bolt is adapted from a steel hex-socket button-head scap screw, by machining a cylindrical exterior to its head in a laterally-offset relation to the central longitudinal axis of the cap screw, and the eccentric head of that modified screw member is fitted within an accommodating cylindrical recess in a shallow brass nut-like clamp member having "flats" about its periphery.

Abstract: A proportional-control solenoid-actuated fluid valve, capable of governing relatively large volumes and rates of flow swiftly and accurately with expenditure of relatively little electrical power, includes a movable valving member positioned by an armature having a substantially frictionless spring suspension, the armature being under influence of a special force-counterbalancer in the form of a bellows proportioned and disposed to exert upon it, automatically, neutralizing forces which are substantially equal and opposite to unavoidable pressure-induced imbalances afflicting the valving member. The same pressures which tend to unbalance the valve member are impressed upon opposite sides of the bellows, one through an enabling bleed port, and resulting forces developed by the bellows over a defined area are exerted upon the armature mechanically in a counterbalancing sense.

Abstract: In the rack mounting and display of chilled beverage containers, for ready access and withdrawals by retial customers, the gravity-feed forwardly-inclined shelving having multiple parallel lanes for upright presentation of the containers is formed by combinations of laterally-interlocked identical molded-plastic modules. Each elongated narrow module is of a high-strength ribbed construction and exhibits an upstanding narrow guide wall fully along one edge; when several such modules are joined side-by-side, via separable fastening provisions such as those composed of integral pegs depending from along one edge and accommodating recesses disposed in a narrow ledge along the other, the single guide walls cooperate to define the individual lanes or paths along which the containers must slide from back to front.

Abstract: A single fluid-pressure transducer unit, of the type in which sensed electrical capacitance is varied in accordance with electrode deflections induced by pressure changes, is rendered capable of characterizing a wide range of pressures extending from near-vacuum to atmospheric levels, with the aid of a distinctive composite-electrode capsule which interacts uniquely with a conventional type of sheet-metal diaphragm. While sensing relatively low pressures, the exhibited capacitance of the transducer is essentially that appearing between the diaphragm and a nearby electrode carried by the capsule, but, at or near atmospheric pressure, the diaphragm physically engages and deflects that electrode, which is elastically deformable, causing it to vary a further capacitance appearing between that deformable electrode and a companion stationary electrode which is also part of the capsule.

Abstract: In a compact beverage dispenser of the type in which the conditioned beverage is chilled and displayed in a plastic bowl atop a stand which houses a compression system of refrigeration, ambient air intake is fan-driven through and along the heat-exchange fins of a condenser grid which extends horizontally fully across spaces between lateral sidewalls of the stand. A single vertical-axis motor both pumps the beverage and rotates the refrigeration-system axial-flow fan in an upper region of the stand, above the horizontal condenser; a separately-motorized compressor package is disposed in the lower region of the stand, below the horizontal condenser, where it is bathed by heat-removing air flow forced downwardly by the fan in the upper region.

Abstract: In a current-to-pressure (I/P) transducer which controls output pressures by rapidly and precisely venting pressures of fluid derived from a supply, the movable valve member employed in the venting comprises a mechanically-balanced low-mass armature suspended for restrained pivotal movements by a taut band and incorporating readily-saturated magnetic material disposed in gap-bridging relation to core elements of a stationary electromagnet; the counterbalancing and taut-band suspension of but a small mass renders the armature highly resistant to adverse effects of vibration, and selectable positioning of the venting-valve seat or port to cooperate with one or the other end of the pivoted armature allows for direct or inverse responses to currents fed to the electromagnet.

Abstract: Sudden increases in fluid pressure which could be injurious to the diaphragm and seals of a sensitive capacitive pressure transducer, or the like, are instantly protectively blocked or "checked" automatically by a miniature naturally-powered valve having a low-mass one-piece valve member or plug molded of elastomeric material which is shaped and disposed to be immediately propelled into guided tight line-contact seating and sealing as an abrupt pressure surge commences and then to hold such sealing only until the plug is unseated by gravity when either the pressure is rapidly lowered suitably in operation of the transducer or the diaphragm is slowly exposed to increased pressure after enough minute normal valve leakage takes place.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated fluid-flow control valve employed to establish and maintain prescribed flow conditions with the aid of a fast-response flowmeter is caused to operate swiftly, accurately and reliably by way of unique electrical circuitry which selectively enhances responses to low-level signals and cooperatively induces electromechanical oscillations offsetting hysteresis of the valve armature suspension. In a preferred context of a system wherein a thermal flowmeter is used to actuate a solenoid valve and thereby cause actual flow conditions to agree with those prescribed by operator-controlled settings, normal sluggishness of responses to low-level electrical signals is overcome by circuitry which under appropriate circumstances automatically exercises logic to command that the valve be disproportionately energized to effect immediate strong action which will reliably and quickly bring about intended and accurate change in flow.

Abstract: Dissipation of heat from a socketed leadless electronic chip-carrier package is promoted by a heat-conducting metal socket cap distinctively overlying and guiding heat away from the socketed package fully along a broad planar surface area, the socket cap being of a unitary construction which both mechanically holds the package securely mated with a multi-pin socket and also cools the package by way of an integrated array of heat-radiating elements; edge clasping of the cap with a chip-carrying socket avoids interference with needed conduction of heat away from central areas of the package and cap.