Abstract: A magnetic separator for separating magnetizable particles from a fluid is described. The separator is of the type comprising a separating chamber having an inlet and an outlet with means for establishing an axial magnetic field within the chamber. Two or matrix elements are positioned side-by-side axially along the chamber. Fluid separation means is provided for dividing a stream of fluid containing magnetizable particles supplied to the inlet of the chamber into two or more portions and directions each portion axially through a respective matrix element and thence to the outlet. For a given slurry feed amount, a greater matrix element area is provided. The matrix elements may be in the form of spaced annuli, the fluid portions being fed radially between adjacent first and second elements, axially through both elements and then radially between each element and an element adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump having a system for preventing unscrewing of the impeller off of the pump shaft is disclosed. The impeller is screwed onto the pump shaft via threads having a first thread pitch, and a lock bolt is inserted through the impeller and screwed into the pump shaft via threads having a second thread pitch. The second thread pitch is greater than the first pitch. Accordingly, if the pump motor is operated in the wrong direction, the impeller is prevented from unscrewing because the impeller attempts to move faster axially than the lock bolt which is holding the impeller on the pump shaft.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a centrifugal pump including a split ring shaft seal located inboard of both the shaft sleeve and a cartridge-loaded bellows seal so as to prevent the fluid being pumped from leaking under the sleeve and carbonizing. Because there is no carbonization under the sleeve, the bellows seal does not become bonded to the pump shaft. Accordingly, seal disassembly is made easier. A plurality of elongated push rods are disposed along the shaft between the split ring seal and a pushing assembly. The pushing assembly forces the push rods toward the split ring seal so as to tighten it down into fluid sealing contact with the outer periphery of the shaft.

Abstract: A multi-colored pixel for a twisted nematic liquid crystal display including red, green, and blue subpixels, wherein each subpixel includes a pair of substrates, a pair of polarizers, opposing electrodes, and a color personalized retardation film which compensates for the different wavelength of each color. The personalized retardation films of the different color subpixels results in elimination of the multi-gap approach and substantially eliminates the problem of different color leakages at different viewing angles, including normal. Also, one polymer based element, preferably a polyimide, functions as both a color filter and a retardation film in certain embodiments of this invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for application of liquid materials onto substrates is provided. The present invention allows high speed selective application of curable liquids to a continuous succession of discrete substrates and subsequent curing of those liquids in order to form a solid or foamed coating on at least a portion of the substrates. The present invention provides increased speed efficiency and adherence of the liquid cured onto the substrates.

Abstract: A device for controlling the tilt angle of window blind blades having a motor with an output shaft and a slip clutch coupling the output shaft to a tilt control mechanism. A receiver and demodulator receives a modulated infra red carrier signal modulated with a code and to demodulate the carrier to produce corresponding electrical pulses. A decoder is coupled to an output of the receiver and demodulator and when powered provides an output on one of several output lines depending upon the coding of pulses from the receiver and demodulator. A motor driver circuit has an input coupled to the decoder and an output coupled to the motor, is operative to drive the motor in either a forward or reverse direction depending upon the output from the decoder, and a decoupler decouples the motor from the wand upon reaching an extreme of tilting of the blade when the motor is still running.

Abstract: A low-E sputter-coated layer system for automotive and architectural purposes of the basic Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 /NiCr/Ag/NiCr/Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 type improved by either an undercoat of TiO.sub.2 or the use of stainless steel in the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 layers, or both. By selection of appropriate thicknesses the layer coatings may be rendered heat treatable. I.G. units are an advantage product in which the coatings may be employed.

Abstract: A digitizer eraser system and method are provided so as to include a writing/erasing digitizer pen, a tablet, and a tablet driver for use in conjunction with a computer and corresponding display screen. The user selects and deletes text or cells with one stylus stroke. In one motion, the user presses select, moves the erasing stylus across the material to be selected, then at the end of the selection lifts the stylus off the tablet to delete or erase the selected material. The system permits erasing of text or objects from the display screen via a keystroke function only when predetermined cursor shapes are being used on the screen. The keystroke function is chosen from a group of possible erasing keystrokes, with the selected keystroke being based upon the cursor shape being used so that undesirable erasing keystrokes are not used in certain situations. Additionally, the cursor shapes displayed on the screen are changed in accordance with whether the stylus is in a writing or an erasing mode or position.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being biaxial and defined by n.sub.x >n.sub.y >n.sub.z in certain embodiments where the "z" direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the "x" and "y" directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. By providing the positive and biaxial negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided. According to other embodiments, a positive and a negative (uniaxial or biaxial) retarder may be provided on only one side of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A support device is disclosed that includes a base attached to two spaced straps with a plurality of adjustable footholds. The support device permits users to maintain a seated position with their legs drawn up on a bed or other support surface without requiring any effort or exertion on the part of the user to retain their legs in this position. The device does not require attachment to the support surface, but rather depends upon the user's own weight to anchor the base and support the user's feet and legs.

Abstract: A trailer for dispensing different types of bulk material such as seed into planting equipment is disclosed, the trailer including a pair of substantially planar platforms with an elongated conveying bin disposed below and between the platforms. Seed from one or more of the bulk bags falls into the bin and is conveyed by way of an auger forward to a hopper located at the ends of the platforms. From the hopper, the seed is dispensed into planting equipment by way of a pivotally mounted elevated auger which swings in about a 180.degree. arc so as to dispense seed on both sides of the trailer. The elevated auger and corresponding tube are mounted to the trailer by way of a hanging pivot member which enables the auger to pivot between a dispensing position in which the intake end of the auger is located in the hopper and a storage position where the auger tube extends rearwardly above the platforms.

Abstract: This invention is related to an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) having a high pixel aperture ratio. The display has an increased pixel aperture ratio because the pixel electrodes are formed over the insulating layer so as to overlap portions of the array address lines. Both the manufacturability and capacitive cross-talk of the TFT-based device are improved due to the use of a photo-imageable insulating layer between the pixel electrodes and the address lines.

Abstract: A viewing device wherein a measuring machine presents a movable element movable along three coordinate axes of the measuring machine; the movable element is fitted with an articulated measuring head supporting a viewing sensor presenting a television camera and a laser beam source; by analyzing the two-dimensional image picked up by the television camera and the position of the laser beam in the two-dimensional image, the coordinates of a point in relation to a reference system of the viewing sensor are determined; and the measurement is subsequently related to the reference system of the measuring machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamically controlling the temperature of a temperature controlled fluid passing through a heat exchanger where it is in thermal contact with a heat exchanging fluid by controlling accurately the volume of flow of the heat exchanging fluid through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuatable array of light shutters is disclosed wherein each pixel aperture in the array is selectively opened and closed by way of an opaque piezoelectric shutter. Upon application of a voltage, each piezoelectric shutter extends laterally so as to close the corresponding pixel aperture and prevent light from passing therethrough. The pizeoelectric shutters contract, opening the corresponding pixel aperture, upon removal of the above-threshold voltage.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a tilted retarder. The tilted retarder has an optical axis which is aligned at an angle of from about 5.degree. to 15.degree. with respect to normal. Thus, because the optical axis of the liquid crystal layer is aligned at an angle to one side of normal and the optical axis of the tilted retarder(s) is at an angle to the other side of normal, the retardation effects substantially cancel one another out. Tilted retarder(s) may be used in combination with negatively birefringent retarders according to certain embodiments of this invention in twisted nematic normally white displays.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump having a sealing flushing system. An annular flush ring insert having a plurality of radially spaced flush holes is provided adjacent the seal to be flushed so as to permit the seal to be flushed at a number of different places around the pump shaft and from a plurality of different radially spaced directions. The flushing fluid flows through a gland, into and through the flush ring insert, flushes (i.e. cleans and/or cools) the seal, and then flows on into the fluid being pumped.

Abstract: A melt-blowing system and corresponding method are provided for making a nonwoven polymer filament blanket. Subsequent to formation and blowing of the polymer filaments toward a receiving conveyor, a pivoting oscillating member is provided through which the filaments are blown. Vertical oscillation of the oscillating member causes the flow direction of the filament stream to vertically oscillate thereby increasing the tensile strength of the nonwoven blanket in the in-line direction as a substantial number of the filaments become oriented in the in-line direction on the conveyor.

Abstract: A sputter-coated layer system on a glass substrate particularly useful in insulating glass (IG) units, enables normal emissivity values (E.sub.n) of 0.06 or less, good durability and neutral color. The layer system includes an undercoat of a transparent dielectric having an index of refraction between 2.5-2.6 at a wavelength of 550 nanometers, two layers of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, and two layers of nichrome sandwiching a layer of silver to achieve its unique low-E, neutral color, non-mirrorlike solar management properties. An optional overcoat of a transparent dielectric material having an index of refraction of 2 at a wavelength of 550 nanometers may be provided.