Abstract: A fluid control assembly that includes fluid valving, fluid regulation, automatic safety shut-off valving and manual shut-off valving in one assembly, a novel fluid control unit that integrates the above functions in one unit, and a novel ignitor and a novel seal and diaphragm for use in the assembly.

Abstract: In a dangerous condition sensing alarm system which includes a plurality of interconnected dangerous condition sensing units, such as smoke detectors, of the general type in which each unit responds to an apparently sensed dangerous condition by issuing an audible alarm and also by transmitting, from an input/output terminal, a signal to the other units (received as an external alarm signal at corresponding input/output terminals of the other units) so that an alarm condition sensed by any one of the units results in alarms being sounded by all the units, a unit initiating an alarm (which may be false) is marked by an alarm origination circuit. The alarm origination circuit includes a visual indicator (such as an LED) and a latch device (such as an SCR) connected in-circuit such that, when the SCR is turned "on", the LED is activated and remains lit until the SCR is turned "off".

Abstract: In a process control system, a user selects a displayed object. The user then asks to be shown documents related to the selected object. A list of related documents is automatically displayed to the user who may then select a document for display. The association of documents with displayed process control objects is facilitated by a document librarian. Within the document librarian, a user drags documents from within a document hierarchy over to hierarchically designated objects within the process control system, and drops them thereon. Links between the documents and the process control objects are thereby established.

Abstract: A cast aluminum burner base has a tubular inlet communicating with a cavity formed in an enlarged diameter flange remote from the inlet. The cavity is closed by a cast aluminum cap registered against the base. The base and cap are each castellated along the parting line such that the castellations are interdigitated. Grooves having semi-circular cross sections and formed radially across the castellations and the spaces between and close on the parting line to form circular cross section primary flame-generating ports. The castellations on the cap are truncated and tapered to provide flame stabilizing passages adjacent alternate flame-generating ports. The grooves forming the primary flame generating ports are configured to preferably form a converging-diverging nozzle; and, the flame stabilizing passages are formed as a diverging nozzle, both for reducing flow velocity to pressurize flame separation.

Abstract: A dangerous condition warning device issues an alarm when a sensed dangerous condition exceeds a predetermined status and has an associated card carrying imprinted protocol and instruction information which is intended to be permanently linked with the device for future reference. The card has first and second generally parallel side edges and a third edge including a tab and is fabricated from a durable and flexible material. A device housing is detachably attachable to a supporting surface for operational mounting. The housing includes a base member having an outside surface including a rear facing portion disposed adjacent the supporting surface when the device is installed for normal operation and a label area in the rear facing portion. The label area includes first and second generally parallel, mutually facing slots suitably spaced apart to retain the card when the first and second side edges of the card are inserted therein.

Abstract: An I/O device powered by its computer interface is interfaced to a computer through a PC Card. A dongle is included with a cable assembly between the PC Card and the I/O device. Power for the I/O device is supplied thereto by an external power supply connected to the dongle. Using a power status input, the PC card can detect whether the external power supply is operational and connected, and accordingly, the PC Card manages operations with the I/O device.

Abstract: A PCMCIA card includes a processor and a dual-ported memory thereon. The PCMCIA card is plugged into a host, such that both the PCMCIA card's processor and the host have access to the dual-ported memory. Upon initialization, the host will load the dual-ported memory will a boot sequence for the processor on the PCMCIA card. The processor on the PCMCIA card is then released from a reset state, and proceeds to boot from the boot sequence loaded by the host. The processor on the PCMCIA card is released from reset by the host accessing a predetermined location within the address space of the PCMCIA card.

Abstract: A dangerous condition warning device for issuing an alarm when a dangerous condition is sensed incorporates a circuit including a replaceable dangerous condition sensor, a processor coupled to the sensor for periodically determining the ambient concentration of a potentially dangerous substance (e.g., CO) and a horn to issue alarm signals if indicated, the processor also periodically checking the integrity of the sensor, and the device incorporates sensor placement apparatus for facilitating removing and correctly replacing a sensor of suspect integrity. The sensor has an outer periphery and a reduced dimension portion employed as first and second electrodes. The sensor placement apparatus includes a sensor receptacle; a first contact member positioned to contact the reduced dimension portion of the sensor when the sensor is correctly emplaced and to electrically connect to the outer periphery of the sensor when the sensor is incorrectly emplaced.

Abstract: A power converter circuit emulates the functioning of the satuarable reactor therein using a solid state switch in connection with a control circuit. The power converter circuit includes a voltage source and an output. A switch having a control input and current carrying terminals couples the voltage source to the output. An integrator is connected across the current carrying terminals of the switch. A current source is coupled to the integrator. A comparator couples an output of the integrator to the control input of the switch. The comparator turns on the switch when said output of said integrator exceeds a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling having a self-contained releasable collet generally comprises a housing having an axial bore extending inwardly from an entrance. The axial bore includes a large diameter portion adjacent the entrance. A tube having a bead of relatively large diameter is insertable into the bore. A generally annular radially expandable collet disposed within the bore of the housing expands upon insertion of the tube into the housing and contracts onto the tube between the bead and the housing, thereby retaining the tube within the housing. The tube is selectably releasable from the housing by an annular pilot disposed within the housing having an inclined surface complementary to an inclined surface on the collet. Release members are provided to facilitate axial inward movement of the collet into the housing. The collet then rides up the inclined surface of the pilot, thereby radially expanding the collet and releasing the tube from the housing.

Abstract: A CO concentration monitoring device operating under the control of a processor periodically checks the CO sensor to insure its ongoing integrity and to issue a distinctive audio signal to a user if sensor integrity has become suspect. The periodic integrity check procedure places a predetermined DC voltage across the sensor. Then, the voltage source is removed leaving the sensor charged as a capacitor such that reading the voltage remaining across the sensor, reading the temperature of the sensor and comparing a temperature adjusted representation of the voltage appearing across the sensor to at least one predetermined representation of a voltage representing a threshold at which sensor integrity becomes suspect. If this condition is determined, a sensor condition alert signal responsive is issued to drive a horn in a distinctive audio sequence (e.g., three 10 millisecond duration pulses spaced at about 500 millisecond intervals).

Abstract: A PC Card includes a printed wiring board with an edge-card connector formed integral therewith. Wiring of the printed wiring board connects the edge-card connector to components on the printed wiring board. Connection is established to the printed wiring board via the edge-card connection for testing and programming of components on the PC Card.

Abstract: A user adjustable switching controller for duty cycle regulating flow of current to an electrical load such as a resistance heater, particularly for cooking appliances. A load current switch, when closed by a user operated cam also energizes a heat motor which includes a resistive strip attached to one active leg of a U-shaped bi-metal member. In one embodiment the integrally formed load current switch snap spring is securely attached to the heated leg of a U-shaped bi-metal and the moveable contact arm pivoted on the base. The other leg of the U-shaped bi-metal is anchored to a base including one of the load-connecting stationary terminals; and, the anchored leg serves to provide ambient temperature compensation. In another embodiment, the integrally formed blade spring of the moveable contact member is pivoted on the active leg of the U-shaped bi-metal and the moveable contact arm welded to the base.

Abstract: A system for detecting certain improperly soldered electrical component connections to a printed circuit board includes methods and apparatus providing an automated means for detecting unsoldered component leads is disclosed. A connection pad divided into two portions, or land areas is bridged by the component lead when soldered. A test pad connected to one of the land areas provides a test point for detecting the presence or absence of an open circuit condition through the lead of an electrical component to a point in the circuit to which it is to be electrically connected.

Abstract: A pair of spaced tubular half-shells are stamped in each of two separate sheets of metal which are then joined at their margins to form two mixer tubes each having an inlet end with a venturi for connection to a fuel gas supply and an outlet end adapted for connection to a burner. The space between the mixer tubes is stamped to form a pair of grooves which lock and seal the sheets together to prevent the fuel/air mixture from leaking from one mixer tube to the other.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor is controlled by determining a speed of the motor and a line voltage supplying drivers of the motor. Based upon these determined values and predetermined motor performance data, a maximum PWM on-time is determined for drive signals supplied to windings of the motor. This maximum PWM on-time thereby limits motor torque output to a predetermined maximum. Stopping the motor is performed in sequential phases including a loaded generator phase, an active braking phase and a holding phase. During holding, the amount of energy supplied to the motor is reduced to the point just before slippage such that holding energy is minimized. Upon power failure, the motor is driven toward a spring return home position overcoming static friction that may prevent the spring return mechanism from functioning properly. These techniques are applied to a motor in an actuator.

Abstract: A fluid sensor (100) senses a level of fluid (20) in a receptacle (10). The fluid sensor comprises a detector assembly (200) for detecting fluid and comprises sensor circuitry. The detector assembly comprises a detector body (201) comprising an electrically insulative material and defining first and second surfaces (210, 220) in a predetermined spaced relation. The detector body defines a space (250) between the first and second surfaces and defines a port (255, 257) for allowing fluid to pass in the space between the first and second surfaces. The detector assembly also comprises first and second conductive layers (212, 222) deposited over at least a portion of the first and second surfaces of the detector body, respectively. The sensor circuitry is conductively coupled to at least one of the first and second conductive layers for generating an electrical signal based on whether fluid is present in the space between the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: An ignition/reignition circuit (10) for a gas burner (12) having separate flame sensing and ignition electrodes. The flame sensing electrode (25,30) trips a switch (Q1) upon transition from sensor output signals indicative of the sensed presence of a flame to a sensed absence. The switch is coupled to a spark generator circuit which includes a spark electrode (16) for reigniting the burner in the event of flame failure.

Abstract: A diverter valve for diverting fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet selected from among several outlets is disclosed. The diverter valve disclosed is useful for distributing fluids in laundry applications, especially automatic clothes washers and the like. It includes a body, a valve member, a motor to operate the valve, an actuable switch, a cam mechanism to de-energize the motor upon movement to a position, and a housing for the device.