Abstract: Improvements in the attenuation of sounds emitted by an internal combustion engine exhaust system are achieved by shaping a muffler housing to substantially eliminate flat sound radiating surfaces, providing a circuitous exhaust gas flow path within the muffler housing and around an imperforate barrier and providing an exhaust gas outlet from the muffler housing which extends generally perpendicular to the direction of sound propagation within the housing near that outlet. The housing may be generally ellipsoidal in shape having a non-zero curvature which varys in a continuous manner at substantially all points on the surface and, subject to that requirement, designed to have a generally maximal volume subject to the dimensional constraints of its environment.

Abstract: An oven control box cooling system is provided in a double-stack oven preparation oven arrangement having two vertically aligned food preparation ovens with respective cooking chambers and oven control circuitry. At least the oven control box of the uppermost food preparation oven is provided with a double wall assembly including a mounting wall having the oven control circuitry mounted thereon and an exterior wall spaced apart from and on the opposite side of the mounting wall from the oven control circuitry; the mounting wall and the exterior wall forming therebetween a ventilating compartment having an inlet and an outlet. A ventilating device provides a flow of air through the inlet and ventilating compartment and out the outlet to provide an insulating effect between the oven control circuitry of the uppermost oven and the heat radiating upwardly from the lowermost food preparation oven.

Abstract: A pulse stretching circuit for a raster display for causing certain vertical control pulses to either have the same widths or at least terminate at the same time in both the odd and even fields. The vertical blanking pulses or vertical sync pulses in the odd fields are stretched so that they terminate coincident with the trailing edges of the 2H rate horizontal blanking or sync pulses respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the geometry of a cathode ray tube raster scan under beam duty cycle variation. Alternate polarities of white on black and black on white images of a test pattern are displayed on the CRT screen, and the displacement of a reference point from one polarity to the other is measured to determine quantitatively the amount of displacement. Preferably, the pattern comprises a plurality of regularly arranged and spaced graphic elements, such as a bar, dot or dot grating pattern, wherein the pattern occupies a low percentage of the screen area. By alternately switching the polarity, the electron beam of the CRT undergoes wide swings in the amount of current it draws from the high voltage supply, and the amount of image displacement and size deviation can be readily measured.

Abstract: The method for testing the linearity and other raster scan geometry of a television display apparatus or a television camera. The method is used when the display apparatus or camera being tested has a scan rate which cannot match the currently used EIA linearity chart due to fundamental differences in the raster structure and can also be used on the 525/60 scan rate as used in broadcast mode without requiring the unusual alternate count required for the EIA chart. In testing a display apparatus, a bar or dot pattern is formed on the screen by a test pattern generator wherein the spacing of the horizontal rows of dots or bars is selected to correspond to a particular scan rate. A linearity chart having a geometry corresponding to that scan rate is selected from a plurality of test charts and the image thereof is projected on the screen to match, as closely as possible, the dots or bar intersections on the screen.

Abstract: An arrangement for rapidly halting an internal combustion engine powered implement upon release of a deadman control by the implement operator where a spring actuated braking member engages an annular friction surface on the engine flywheel and the engine ignition system is also disabled is disclosed employing a spring biased toggle moveable between folded and extended positions as the deadman lever moves respectively between actuated and released positions so as to provide a relatively constant force opposing operator actuation of the deadman lever. An additional operator actuated control lever may move the toggle beyond the extent possible due to deadman lever operation for engaging a starter mechanism when the deadman lever is actuated by the operator.

Abstract: A cam actuated ejector is provided with a shell press having a crankshaft for reciprocating a slide to which die tooling is mounted and having a forming station in which the die tooling forms a part to be ejected. The ejector includes a kicker bar slidably received within a recess in the press and which is in close proximity to and substantially coplanar with a part to be ejected. The kicker bar is positively reciprocated by a cam assembly that is synchronously engaged with the crankshaft, which operates the press slide, such that an end of the kicker bar cyclically moves at a first rate of movement from a first position outside the forming station to an intermediate position wherein the end contacts a part to be ejected.

Abstract: An improved engine construction is disclosed having a valve train including valves and corresponding valve stems for controlling the intake and exhaust ports, cams for imparting reciprocating motion to the valves by way of the valve train, and a valve spring for biasing each valve toward its closed position and the valve train into tracking relation with the cam. The only element of the valve train coupling a cam to a stem is a cam follower with a depression for receiving the corresponding stem end and a cam engaging surface opposite the depression with the cam follower being held captive intermediate the stem and cam solely by the spring biasing of the stem toward the cam and the engagement of the stem end and the depression. Another feature of the engine resides in the engine block casting which includes an exhaust gas passageway extending from an engine cylinder and including near the end thereof remote from the cylinder an enlarged cavity which defines at least a part of a muffler shell.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor discharge line thermal block is hermetically coupled in the discharge line between a condenser and compressor adjacent to the discharge outlet of the compressor. The device is formed to define a well for removably receiving a heating element, and has a hermetically sealed chamber substantially surrounding the heater well and electric heating element. Upon compressor shutdown, liquid refrigerant migrating from the condenser partially fills the chamber, thereby decreasing the temperature of the heating element below a predetermined temperature, thereby causing the heating element to become electrically conductive to supply heat to the chamber to evaporate the liquid refrigerant therein and to prevent further accumulation of liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the home freezing of water in relatively large blocks for subsequent use in insulated portable ice chests for maintaining the contents cool over a period of days is disclosed and includes a plurality of support racks of truncated pyramidal configuration having open rectangular tops and bottoms and trapezoidal side walls of an open mesh configuration along with a like plurality of relatively flat floor panels each having a groove for receiving an upper edge of a subadjacent rack and a groove for receiving an edge of a superior rack so that a plurality of flexible open-topped containers may be stacked in a column in a freezer on successive floor panels with each floor panel supported by a corresponding rack to allow free air circulation around the containers to facilitate cooling as well as supporting and storing the water and the subsequent blocks of ice.

Abstract: A steam heating unit for heating and freshening food products having a food compartment enclosed by a pivoted cover or lid and a heat exchanger assembly for generating and superheating a charge of steam. The heat exchanger assembly comprises a heater plate having an electric resistance heating element therein and a heater plate cover disposed over the heater plate. The heater plate cover includes a plurality of ribs or barriers which form with the heater plate a steam generating chamber and a pair of steam superheating chambers. A charge of water is directed onto the heater plate upper surface, which converts the water to steam that then passes through a pair of throttling passages into the superheating chambers. In the superheating chambers, the steam is dried and superheated and then flows through a plurality of passages into the food compartment where it heats the food contained therein and imparts a limited amount of moisture to freshen it.

Abstract: Techniques for forming one piece connecting rods for coupling a piston and crankshaft to convert between reciprocating and rotary motion as might be used in an internal combustion engine or piston-type compressor are disclosed wherein the connecting rod is formed of a lightweight material such as aluminum, which material is of an inadequate hardness to form a roller bearing race. The rod includes an elongated arm portion having enlarged annular portions at opposite ends thereof and with one of those annular portions having an inner surface for receiving, in a press fit manner, a hardened steel liner to provide an outer bearing race. Rollers are then interposed between this outer race and an eccentric portion of a crankshaft while the other enlarged annular portion receives a roller bearing assembly for connection to a piston wrist pin.

Abstract: An arrangement for harnessing wind energy has a platform pivotably supported on a base for movement in a horizontal plane with a pair of elongated arms diverging from the base and each supporting cogwheels at opposite ends with an endless support arrangement extending along opposite sides of the arms and about the opposed cogwheels. The endless support has a plurality of vanes or sails distributed therealong so that the vanes on the outside sides of the arms are influenced by incident wind to cause the endless support to move along the arms, imparting a rotary motion to the cogwheels, which motion is coupled to an electrical generating arrangement to provide an electrical output.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic percussion-type musical instrument, such as an electronic piano, capable of producing electronically sounds simulating a piano, harpsichord or other keyboard percussion instrument. The keyboard is multiplexed to produce a serial time division multiplexed data stream having tri-level encoded signals in time slots corresponding to the keys, wherein the encoded signals indicate whether the key is undepressed, partially depressed or fully depressed. The amount of time for the key to travel in its undepressed to its fully depressed state is detected and a binary representation of the key velocity correlated to this timing is stored in a memory for readout synchronized with the scanning of the keyboard. In each time slot, a portion of the percussion envelope for the pertaining key is calculated and generated together with the discrete amplitude levels for the percussion envelope in a digital to analog conversion circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical press, and in particular to such a press having a crown portion with an open top thereby permitting the crankshaft and connection arm assembly to be lowered therein in a preassembled state. Next, a cover plate is connected to the crown and the press motor assembly is mounted thereon. Belt connections to the drive assembly can be made through openings in the cover plate and access to the drive assembly can be had through removable doors on the ends of the crown. Preferably, the press frame comprising the bed, uprights and crown are formed as a single casting thereby avoiding the necessity for tie rods.

Abstract: An internal crankcase support for a radial compressor of the scotch yoke type, especially adapted for use in automotive air-conditioners and having a cast crankcase which is split along a plane axially passing through the center lines of the radially oriented cylinders. Each half of the crankcase has a plurality of radially extending semi-cylindrical recesses which, when assembled, form the cylinders. A steel outer housing encloses the crankcase and serves to form the intake and outlet chambers. The housing is formed of two halves which are joined together along a fluid-tight interface and additionally strengthened by means of a plurality of tie rods which pass through openings in the crankcase and clamp the housing halves tightly together. Internal radial support for the crankcase within the housing is provided by a radial support ring secured to the rear housing section and which, upon assembling the housing halves, tightly fits over a circular crankcase shoulder on the rear crankcase half.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a loop follower control system for use in a mechanical press or other machine installation for the purpose of controlling the amount of stock loop between the straightener and the press. An idler arm engages the loop of stock between the straightener and the press, and is connected to an potentiometer to develop a current or voltage proportional to the deviation of the idler arm from the desired position. The control current or voltage developed controls an eddy current drive to increase or decrease the speed of the rollers and straightener depending on the amount of error indicated by the control signal.

Abstract: An oven for preparing food comprising an enclosure having a conveyor received therethrough for conveying food to be prepared through the enclosure. Positioned within the enclosure and about the conveyor portion therein are duct devices for impinging heated air against the food product, a plenum adapted to the duct devices for supplying heated air to the duct devices, and an impeller assembly for recirculating the air within the enclosure for reheating and subsequent passage to the plenum and duct devices. A heating source is provided within a heating chamber on the opposite side of the plenum from the duct devices, and control components are provided for regulating the temperature of the heat source. The impeller assembly and the plenum are unique in that air drawn from the heating chamber by the impeller assembly is axially and radially urged into the plenum for substantially uniform distribution to the duct devices communicating with the plenum.

Abstract: A pump such as a vehicle air conditioner compressor has a compressor shaft, a continuously engine-driven flywheel and means such as an electromagnetic clutch for selectively coupling the flywheel to the shaft to operate the pump. The flywheel also provides a permanent magnet field which field rotates with the flywheel and induces in the windings of a relatively stationary annular stator assembly an electric voltage in response to the rotating magnetic field. The pump shaft, annular clutch actuating coil, annular stator assembly, and permanent magnet flywheel are all generally concentrically disposed and in the order stated. The flywheel is driven any time that the engine is running thereby inducing a voltage in the stator windings and that flywheel also drives the exemplary compressor when the clutch is actuated.