Abstract: A multi-band air curtain forms a separation barrier at an interface between a first environment having a fluid at a first condition and a second environment having a fluid at a second condition. A first stream (55) of a fluid is directed along a first path (45) generally parallel to the interface between the first environment and the second environment. A second stream (65) of fluid is directed along a second path (75) generally outwardly at an angle of divergence with the first path (45). A third stream (65) of a fluid is directed along a third path (95) between the first path (45) and the second path (75) at a first interior angle with said first path (45) and at a second interior angle with said second path (75).

Abstract: An RF choke for minimizing hum modulation in a coaxial cable system that carries broadband signals along with high amperage 60 Hz AC power signals. The choke contains two conductors wound about a rod core. The first conductor includes two groups of clockwise windings each containing three turns. The second conductor wound counterclockwise also contains two groups of winding one of which contains four turns and the other of which contains three turns. The two connectors are separated by a space of about 0.20? and a 750 ohm resistor is placed in parallel over the second group of winding in the first conductor and a second 510 ohm resistor is placed in parallel over the first group of windings in the second conductor.

Abstract: In a parallel flow heat exchanger, which is susceptible to having a non-uniform distribution of a two-phase refrigerant flow to the individual channels, the resultant differences in the refrigerant flow therethrough are compensated and counter-balanced by a corresponding difference in the external heat transfer rate for the respective channels. In one embodiment, these differences are accomplished by variable characteristics of extended heat transfer surface elements such as fin type, fin density, fin geometry and difference in construction materials, and in another embodiment, by varying the airflow distribution over the cross-section area of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A compression connector body for connecting a hardline cable to an equipment port is formed in two members coupled to each other by a coupling nut. A port-side member houses a conductive pin and associated elements, while a cable-side member is attached to the cable via a compression fit. With this arrangement, when servicing the equipment, the cable-side member and attached cable are removed from the port-side member without affecting the connection between the cable and the cable-side member. The port-side member is then disconnected from the equipment port. After servicing the equipment, the port-side member is reconnected to the equipment port, after which the cable-side member is reconnected to the port-side member, thus alleviating the need to cut and prepare a new length of cable for connection to the equipment port.

Abstract: A surge protection element for a conventional cable connector includes a printed circuit board preferably shaped as two concentric rings connected by two spokes. The outer ring is electrically connected to the grounded portion of the cable connector body. A printed circuit trace on one of the spokes is separated from a printed circuit trace on the inner ring by a spark gap. If a high voltage surge is carried by the coaxial cable transmission line, a spark is formed in the gap. As a consequence, the high voltage surge is transferred to the surge protection element which in turn conducts the electricity to the grounded body of the connector.

Abstract: An optical reader, which is operable in a “host commands” mode and a “host routines” mode. In the “host commands” mode, the reader receives and executes a script routine module from a host. In the “host routines” mode, the reader receives a script routine Module identifier from the host, and the reader, in turn, executes a selected one of a plurality of reader-stored script routine modules based on the identifier.

Abstract: A component which is known to have particular degradation characteristics is instrumented to provide an electrical potential across a section in which a degradation is likely to occur. The potential drop across the component is then monitored to determine when, and the degree to which, the degradation occurs. Predetermined limits are established such that when the degradation level reaches a limit, the component is repaired or replaced.

Abstract: A screw machine (10) has a rotor housing (12) defining overlapping bores (12-1, 12-2). Female rotor (14) is located in bore (12-1) and male rotor (16) is located in bore (12-2). A wear resistant coating is deposited on the tips (14-1, 16-1) of the rotors. A conformable coating is deposited on the valleys (14-2, 16-2) of the rotors. A conformable coating is depsoited on the surface of the bores coacting with the rotors.

Abstract: Existing plate-type heat exchangers typically include plates that are constructed of metal or paper, which are only capable of transferring a limited amount of moisture, if any, from one side of the plate to the other side. The present invention is a plate-type heat exchanger wherein the plates are constructed of ionomer membranes, such as sulfonated or carboxylated polymer membranes, which are capable of transferring a significant amount of moisture from one side of the membrane to the other side. Incorporating such ionomer membranes into a plate-type heat exchanger provides the heat exchanger with the ability to transfer a large percentage of the available latent heat in one air stream to the other air streams. The ionomer membrane plates are, therefore, more efficient at transferring latent heat than plates constructed of metal or paper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magazine-based data cartridge library that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of shelves that are capable of holding a plurality of data cartridge magazines, one or more drives, a magazine transport for moving magazines within the cabinet, and a cartridge transport for moving data cartridges between a magazine and a drive.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for reading a bar code of a target. The apparatus can include a matrix type two-dimensional image sensor and a light generator directing light toward the target. Optics can be included to project an image onto the matrix type two-dimensional image sensor. Further, the matrix type two-dimensional image sensor can develop signals responsive to light incident thereon. A memory and a manual trigger can also be provided. The apparatus can be configured so that when the manual trigger is actuated, the apparatus obtains an electronic representation. The apparatus can be configured so that more than one electronic representation can be obtained in response to the manual trigger being actuated.

Abstract: A machine designed as a centrifugal compressor is applied as an organic rankine cycle turbine by operating the machine in reverse. In order to accommodate the higher pressures when operating as a turbine, a suitable refrigerant is chosen such that the pressures and temperatures are maintained within established limits. Such an adaptation of existing, relatively inexpensive equipment to an application that may be otherwise uneconomical, allows for the convenient and economical use of energy that would be otherwise lost by waste heat to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Foreign material is dislodged from a hard to reach region of an object by passing a rigid elongated tubular guide in close proximity to the hard to reach region. The upper tip of the guide is bent so that it can be directed at the hard to reach region and a wire is passed through the guide into the hard to reach region. The lower portion of the wire that extends outwardly from the bottom of the guide and the wire is rotated at a speed sufficient to dislodge unwanted foreign material from the hard to reach region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data cartridge picking apparatus for use with a data cartridge library generally comprising at least one drive, a plurality of data cartridges capable of being disposed in a magazine and a transport system comprising an elevator capable of moving the picking apparatus within the library. The picking apparatus is capable of grasping and withdrawing, via a pair of grasping members, a data cartridge in a linear motion from, for example, a data cartridge magazine. The grasping members are actuated to open and close via the rotation of a crank and cam system whereby a camming structure associated with the crank engages a cam follower over some portion of rotation of the crank causing the grasping members to open and disengages the cam follower over a different portion of rotation causing the grasping members to close. The crank is rotated by the linear motion of the picker.

Abstract: A method for ballistic target defense including identifying a launched ballistic target having a target launch point, a target launch direction, a target speed, and a target trajectory; launching a target interceptor in a launch direction that is generally the same as the target launch direction and with a speed that is less than the target speed; providing the interceptor with an approximate target intercept trajectory; and accelerating the interceptor at an approximate point of intercept to substantially match the target trajectory. During a relatively long target engagement time, the interceptor has approximately a zero net relative velocity with respect to the target.

Abstract: The present invention features a remote viewing device that is capable of improving its operation by removing slack in its control cables and/or by increasing the range of motion of its viewing head. In one embodiment, the method for improving the operation involves removing at least a portion of the slack in at least one control cable attached to a servo motor. The removal of at least a portion of the slack includes changing the position of a servo motor relative to a flexible tube termination block until a specified tension is encountered in at least one of the control cables. The method further includes determining first and second servo control signal values corresponding to no angular deflection and a specified deflection in a viewing head.

Abstract: A deicing formulation which exhibits improved viscosity and stickiness for application to surfaces which includes at least one of BCS, DCS, CSSL or a low molecular weight carbohydrate fraction with a chloride salt, and an effective amount of a lignosulfonate to provide for improved viscosity and stickiness.

Abstract: In a transport refrigeration system which is susceptible to having its drive motors connected to a power source in reverse phase relationship to thereby operate the drive motors in reverse, provision is made to measure the current flow to the motors during operation in each direction and for comparing those current flows to determine which is greater and therefore representative of operation in the proper direction. A backup method is also provided for sensing the ambient temperature of the air downstream of the condenser coil, both before and during motor operation to determine whether the temperature during motor operation is greater than that prior to operation to thereby indicate a proper connection.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a communication system for broadcasting curtailment messages to comfort system thermostats is enhanced by conducting an initial test broadcast for the purposes of compiling a list of those users that did not receive the test broadcast. This list is then used in combination with a later broadcast of a curtailment message to also send the curtailment message to those individuals on the list by a more robust communication system to ensure that a greater number of users will receive the broadcast message.

Abstract: A compression connector for the end of a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable has a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer being surrounded by a conductive grounding sheath, and the conductive grounding sheath being surrounded by a protective outerjacket. The compression connector includes a body, a post and a compression member. The body and/or the compression member can have various shapes and orientations to enable the compression connector to readily accommodate coaxial cable having various thicknesses, due to, for example, being made by different manufacturers.