Abstract: An I/O device in the form of an internal dongle includes a body having connective structure being arranged to removably attach the body to a housing of an electronic device. The dongle also includes a circuit assembly that has an exterior connector on the body for electrically connecting to a second electronic device, a dongle circuit being electrically coupled to the external connector through the body, an electronic cable having a first end electrically coupled to the dongle circuit, and a second end being structured and arranged to connect to an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device within the housing.

Abstract: A barrel lock padlock is provided which can be used to engage the hasp-and-staple fitted to an enclosure such as a gas or electricity meter box. The housing of the barrel lock has a slot into which the staple can be passed to align with the bore in the housing in which the plunger of the barrel lock is movable, so that when the plunger is moved to the locking position by its spring it passes through the staple to lock the box. A key is passed through a key hole in a cap of the lock to engage the plunger and retract it, allowing the padlock to be removed from the staple.

Abstract: A field controller for use in a distributed control system including an area controller and at least one field controller. The field controller manages at least one controlled device in an industrial process operation. The field controller comprises a processor module segment through which it can control a selected number of devices, and it may also include one or more expansion module segments to enable it to control a larger number of controlled devices. The processor module segment includes a processor module and at least one local interface module for interfacing to a controlled device, and the expansion module segment includes interface modules for interfacing to other controlled devices. In the processor module segment, the processor module and said local interface module are interconnected by a bus segment, which is also connected to an upstream off-module connector.

Abstract: An oven temperature controller for regulating temperature to a temperature setpoint over a temperature range in an oven compartment comprising a microprocessor and memory storage means. The memory storage means stores temperature setpoint related information for temperature setpoints over the temperature range and this information is used by the microprocessor for establishing an upper control limit curve and a lower control limit curve. The upper control limit curve and lower control limit curve have no discontinuities over a majority of the temperature range and at least one of these curves is non-parallel to a temperature setpoint line, the temperature setpoint line formed in a stepwise linear manner between temperature setpoints as the temperature setpoint is varied over the temperature range.

Abstract: A photoelectric smoke detector includes a photoelectric chamber having a housing fabricated from an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A pressure switch having a pressure responsive diaphragm with a backing plate for operating a snap-acting switch. The switch has a cantilevered contact blade spring with an adjustment screw providing a reaction support at the free end. The middle portion of the contact blade spring provides a preload bias against the diaphragm backing plate. The blade spring includes a moveable electrical contact on a tang formed in the middle region and includes an over-center spring for effecting a snap action of the moveable contact against stationary contacts. The actuation-deactuation differential is determined, independently of the pressure setting for switch actuation, by setting the position of the stationary contacts.

Abstract: A field controller for use in a distributed control system including an area controller and at least one field controller. The field controller manages at least one controlled device in an industrial process operation. The field controller comprises a processor module segment through which it can control a selected number of devices, and it may also include one or more expansion module segments to enable it to control a larger number of controlled devices. The processor module segment includes a processor module and at least one local interface module for interfacing to a controlled device, and the expansion module segment includes interface modules for interfacing to other controlled devices. In the processor module segment, the processor module and said local interface module are interconnected by a bus segment, which is also connected to an upstream off-module connector.

Abstract: A water temperature control circuit for a washing machine includes window detector and dual water valve drivers to modulate the hot and cold water valves to maintain the water temperature at a desired level. A temperature selector switch provides hot, regulated hot, warm, regulated warm, and cold temperature settings for the washing machine. During regulated temperature operation the window detector modulates one of the water valves to maintain the water temperature within a narrow temperature band. The window comparator includes two comparators that receive a common temperature input from a temperature sensing element. As such, no shunt resistor is required for one or the other comparators, thus improving accuracy. The control circuit operates open loop with respect to the hot and cold water valves that it controls, utilizing instead only the temperature input for controlling the proper water valve when enabled.

Abstract: A pressure regulating device for high pressure fuel systems includes a pressure sensing element attached directly to a pressure chamber. The pressure sensing element includes a semiconductor element that deflects in response to a deflection of a portion of the pressure caused by fuel pressure within the pressure chamber. A coil is electrically connected with the pressure sensing element and is configured to generate a magnetic field that moves a magnetic armature to control fuel pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a controller (30) along with its program selector switch (36) and other electrical components (34) on appliance front panels is disclosed. A twist mount (40) removably mounts a selector switch (36) and printed circuit board (32) to a control panel (20) of an appliance. The switch (36) may be positioned off-center on the printed circuit board (32) in a manner creating a gravity-based rotational torque force on the twist mount (40), such that the printed circuit board (32) acts as a cantilever arm during mounting, and the selector switch (36) is held in the mounted position via the gravity force after mounting.

Abstract: A driver circuit for a latching type valve is provided which utilizes an electronic switch assembly to provide the dual polarity necessary to actuate the latching type valve to both its open and closed states. The driver circuitry includes a microprocessor and a slope detector circuit for monitoring the coil current used to energize the valve solenoid to determine when the valve armature has moved to its fully actuated position. The driver circuit preferably utilizes power MOSFET devices in the switch assembly configured into an H-bridge to drive the solenoid coil. Advantageously, the user of power MOSFET devices eliminates the necessity for a current sense resistor in the control circuitry, thereby decreasing power dissipation and increasing efficiency of the drive circuit, thereby prolonging the battery life used to drive the valve.

Abstract: An actuator is provided for controlling temperatures in a multiple compartment device wherein the actuator includes a housing and a linear oscillator disposed within the housing. The linear oscillator is coupled with an integral push rod, wherein the linear oscillator is adapted to reciprocably move the push rod along its longitudinal axis. In addition, the actuator includes a holder including a rigid member and a pin aperture. The sliding member has a knob on one end and first clip connector at an other end, the sliding member having a range of motion limited by the rigid member. The push rod has a second clip connector coupled to the first clip connector. A lever arm has a first end and a second end, the first end including a protruding member and the second end including a lever arm aperture and a lever arm pin. The knob is pivotably engaged with the lever arm aperture and the lever arm pin is pivotably engaged with the pin aperture. The protruding member is adapted to pivotably couple with the damper.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay drive system which prolongs relay life by ensuring operation of the relay in a manner to make and break contact between the contact electrodes at a zero crossing point of the switched waveform. Relay aging and environmental variations are dynamically compensated upon each actuation of the electromechanical relay to ensure proper timing of the energization and de-energization of the relay to ensure switching at the zero crossing point. Additionally, the drive system described compensates for variations in the actual contact operation during actuation for the positive and negative half cycle of the switched waveform. Furthermore, the system of the instant invention alternately energizes and de-energizes the electromechanical relay during the positive and negative half cycles of the switched waveform to prevent metal deposition from one contact electrode to the other.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation (“PWM”) generation circuit is described. The circuit includes a main PWM generator, a trimming signal generator, and a summer. The main PWM signal generator generates a main PWM output which is modified by the summer in accordance with a trimming signal produced by the trimming signal generator. In particular, the main PWM signal may be lengthened, shortened, or preserved by the summer circuit. Accordingly, the main PWM signal is trimmable, without direct modification thereof by using the trimming signal generator.

Abstract: An angular position sensor is couplable to an actuator for angular positional sensing of a shaft thereof. The sensor includes a base for mounting to the actuator. A diametrically magnetized permanent magnet ring is coupled to, and axially aligned with, the shaft. Further, a magnetic material cylindrical sleeve is coupled to the said base and disposed circumferentially around the magnet ring such that the sleeve is separated from said magnet ring by an air gap. A pair of diametrically opposing cylindrical segments are coupled to the sleeve by a circular support member and extend through the magnet ring. The cylindrical segments having a slot between them in which a hall effect transducer is disposed. The transducer senses the magnetic field flux of the magnet ring in the slot and thereby produces a signal indicative of the shaft's angular position.

Abstract: An article adapted to pass a cable through a housing includes a substantially solid body, including front and rear ends. A side surface of the body provides a groove extending into the body from the front to the rear end. The groove is sized to carry a selected size electric cable. The body also includes connective structure adapted to removably connect the body to the housing. The article also includes a sheet of nonconductive material extending across the groove at the front end of the body. The sheet provides a circular opening sized to allow the cable to pass therethrough. The sheet also has a slit extending from the side surface to the circular opening. The sheet is fabricated of a resilient material and is structured to allow the cable to be inserted through the slit and into the circular opening such that the cable extends along the groove and extends into the housing from the rear end of the body when the body is connected to the housing.

Abstract: An electronic variable orifice tube suitable for use as an expansion valve in a refrigeration system providing two flow rates in response to electronic control signals comprises a bodytube, a restrictor mounted within the bodytube and defining a first flowpath. A plunger is translatably positioned within the bodytube in proximity to the restrictor and defines a second and a third flowpath. A valve actuator is functionally coupled to the plunger to translate the plunger within the bodytube to transition between the two flow rates. A high flowpath is formed through the bodytube by the first, second, and third flowpaths, and a low flowpath is formed through the bodytube by the first and the second flowpaths to the exclusion of the third flowpath. A solenoid may be used as the valve actuator and a spring may be employed to return the plunger to its quiescent state when the solenoid is not energized.

Abstract: A pipe coupling (10) for coupling and sealing adjacent ends of two pipe sections (12, 14) of the same or different outer diameters. The pipe coupling (10) includes an annular sleeve (24), a pair of annular gaskets (22) and a pair of follower flanges (20) that surround the adjacent ends of the pipe sections (12, 14). The gaskets (22) have inclined front walls (42) that are angled generally complementary to clamping surfaces (28) formed at opposite ends of the sleeve (24). The gaskets further include inclined back walls (52). As the follower flanges (20) are urged toward the opposite ends of the sleeve (24), the inclined back walls (52) of the gaskets (22) cooperate with skirts (32) formed on the follower flanges (22) to cause the gaskets (22) to readily toe-in toward the outer walls of the pipe sections (12, 14) at relatively low torque and cause sealing engagement with pipe ends sections (12, 14).

Abstract: A motor start circuit for A-C electric motors. A microprocessor-based circuit is used to detect the phase shift that occurs in the motor current as the motor goes from the initial locked-rotor state to the running state. This circuit applies current to a motor `start` winding when the motor is first switched on, but turns off the start winding when the motor achieves sufficient running speed, as indicated by the shift in phase of the current in the motor's `run` winding. For bi-directional motors with two start windings, the microprocessor can apply current to either start winding.

Abstract: A ribbon port burner for a gas range comprises a base defining a gas inlet portion and a gas plenum portion. The gas plenum is defined by a bottom wall portion which terminates at its outer periphery in generally vertical outer side walls. The burner also includes a cap which is positioned in fixed spaced relation to the bottom wall such that the cap forms an upper wall of gas plenum portion. In this position the cap's relation to the side walls defines a ribbon port of essentially constant cross-sectional area continuously around the periphery of the burner. The burner also includes an ignition port in the bottom wall for accommodating insertion of an ignition system within the plenum. Preferably, a gas ignition portion is defined within the gas plenum portion defining a segregated volume. The burner side walls terminate in an acutely angled surface, as does the outer portion of the lower surface of the cap, such that an essentially constant cross sectional area is maintained to form the ribbon port.