Abstract: A food dispenser includes a housing (12) with a receiving chamber (14) and an auxiliary chamber (16) on the interior thereof. A reciprocating platform (28) is disposed in the receiving chamber (14) for reciprocation therein. A cord (30) is wrapped about the platform (28) and having one end thereof attached to a point (32) on the rim (24) of the housing and the other end thereof wound about a pulley (36) for rotation therewith. The pulley (36) is attached to a shaft (38) in the auxiliary chamber (16) which is rotatable with a knob (40). A lid (18) is mounted on the housing (12) with a hinge (20) to provide an airtight seal thereto. Food disposed in the receiving chamber (14) can be dispensed by raising the platform (28) and then stored by closing the lid on the remaining food products therein.

Abstract: A weighing scale (10) includes a base (12) with a connecting channel (14) disclosed therein. A layer (16) of elastically deformable material is disposed over this channel with longitudinal corrugations (18) disposed therein. Each of these corrugations (18) is formed integral to the layer (16) and has a wall thickness essentially equal thereto. The interior portion of each of the corrugations (18) and the surface of the base (12) form a plurality of deformable volumes (20). The deformable volumes (20) and the connecting channel (14) comprise a common reservoir that is connected to an expanding bellows-type gauge (30). The expanding bellows gauge (30) allows for volumetric displacement of fluid within the deformable volumes (20). A load bearing layer (28) is disposed adjacent the apexes of the corrugations (18) exterior to the deformable volumes (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a thermoelectric device includes forming a matrix board (12) with an array of orifices (100) formed therein. A plurality of P-type thermoelements (96) are formed and then a vacuum chuck (92) is utilized to dispose alternating ones of the elements (96) into the alternating ones of the orifices (100). A plurality of N-type elements (108) is formed and a vacuum chuck (104) is utilized to dispose alternating ones of the elements (108) into the remaining orifices (100) of the matrix (12). This forms an assembled array (52). A plurality of conductive tabs (114) is placed onto the P-type elements (98) and N-type elements (108) by a vacuum chuck (116). A second set of conductive tabs (120) is disposed on the opposite side of the assembled array by a vacuum chuck (124). A solder flow oven (54) and a solder flow oven (76) are utilized to reflow the solder on the tabs between the two operations.

Abstract: A weighing scale (10) includes a base (12) with longitudinal channels (14) milled therein. A layer (20) of elastic deformable material is disposed over these channels with longitudinal rods (22) disposed over the layer (20) and oriented along the longitudinal axis of an associated one of the longitudinal channels (14). A connecting channel (18) connects the longitudinal channels (14) together to form a common reservoir. A load bearing deformable layer (30) is disposed over the rods (22) to distribute weight thereto. The weight is transferred through the rods (22) to the portion of the layer (20) covering each of the channels (14). The channels (14) are filled with a fluid that expands outward from the channels when weight is applied to any of the rods (22), thereby reducing the volume in the channel (14). A gauge (34) having a diaphragm disposed therein measures the volumetric change within the channels (14).

Abstract: A weighing scale (10) includes a base (12) with an array of cylindrical bores (16) disposed therein. A network of interconnecting channels (18) is formed on the lower surface of the base (12) with a cover (20) disposed thereover. A layer of elastically deformable material (22) is disposed on the other side of the base (12) to cover the bores (16). The base (20) and the elastically deformable layer (22) define deformable chambers (24) within the bores (16). A load bearing layer (34) is disposed over the elastically deformable layer (22) and spaced therefrom by spherical members (32) disposed proximate the longitudinal axis of the bores (16). A locating layer (28) positions the spherical members (32) in their proper place. The deformable chambers (24) and the interconnecting channels (18) comprise a common reservoir that is connected to an expanding bellows type gauge (36). The gauge (36) allows for volumetric displacement of fluid within the deformable chambers (24).

Abstract: An auxiliary transmission is provided for a light and medium duty truck having manual transmissions. The auxiliary transmission is an electrically actuated two speed gear system to be installed between the clutch and manual transmission for providing a direct pass through of engine rpm or for providing overdrive or underdrive depending on the gear set design.

Abstract: A telephone communication system (10) utilizes a computer controlled PABX (12) which connects telephone trunk lines (13) to a voice response computer (50). The PABX (12) includes an automatic call distribution unit (12a) which provides selected call control and monitoring features. The ACD unit (12a), however, works only into digital control telephone lines while the voice response computer (50) works only with conventional two-wire telephone lines. Incoming telephone calls are transmitted through the trunk lines (13) to the automatic call distribution unit (12a). These calls are routed through a digital control telephone line (18) to a telephone set (24). A register (34) together with a make busy circuit (38) operate the telephone set (24) when one of the telephone lines (40) is available.

Abstract: A meat grinder includes a pump (12) that feeds meat particles into a mixing chamber (32) at a constant flow rate. The meat exits into a frusto-conical shaped collection chamber (36) for passage to a grinder plate (38). A rotating knife (40) with radially extending blades (50) is rotated by a hydraulic motor (42) at a variable rate. The variable flow rate of the particles to chamber (36) and the variable speed of the knife (40) results in a variable particle size output by the grinder plate (38).

Abstract: A well coring apparatus (10) includes an outer barrel (12) and an inner barrel (18). The inner barrel (18) is sealed with a rupturable diaphragm (24) and a check valve (49). A sponge (50) is disposed around the inner walls of the inner barrel (18) for contacting the core (58). A fluid (54) is disposed in the sealed inner barrel (18) to prewet the sponge (50). A piercer (32) is reciprocally disposed within the outer barrel (12) and has a conical shaped surface (38), the apex of which is operable to pierce the diaphragm (24). In response to forming of the core (58), the fluid (54) displaced by the core (58) prevents drilling mud from being disposed between the core (58) and the sponge (50).

Abstract: A density sensor includes a stationary housing (12) and a reciprocating body (22) with a float (26) attached thereto to provide a buoyant force. The reciprocating body (22) is connected to a piston (32) by a reciprocating rod (34). The piston (32) is operable to move within a bore (30). A second piston (52) is also disposed in the bore (30) and is coupled to the piston (32) by a spring (54). A transducer (44) is disposed at the other end of the bore and is connected to the piston (52) through hydraulic fluid disposed in a hydraulic chamber (56). The spring (54) is functional to remove low frequency components of acceleration from the buoyant force and the hydraulic fluid disposed in the hydraulic chamber (56) is operable to remove high frequency acceleration components from the buoyant force. In this manner, the transducer (44) can be isolated from both high and low frequency acceleration components.

Abstract: An orthotic shoe-foot interface includes a shock absorbing layer that is selectively disposed over the bony prominences of the foot and the tendon attachment areas of selected ones of tendons of the foot. An area of shock absorbing material (12) covers the calcaneal prominence, an area of shock absorbing material (14) covers the heads of the matatarsal bones and an area of shock absorbing material (16) covers the base of the fifth metatarsal bone. Areas of shock absorbing material (22) and (30) cover the posterior and anterior tibial tendon attachment points to cause compression thereof. The Achilles tendon is covered by an area of shock absorbing material (20) that also covers the attachment point of the Achilles tendon into the calcaneal bone. The tendons attached to the great toe on the medial side thereof are covered by an area of shock absorbing material (24) and the tendons attaching to the small toe on the lateral side thereof are covered by an area of shock absorbing material (26).

Abstract: A monitor for an electrically-controlled system is provided. A threshold detector senses the voltage variations in the system by means of an optocoupler. The system is disabled by a relay if a voltage level does not meet a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A cornea endotheliam protection device (10) and method for maintaining the curvature of a cornea, for protecting the corneal endothelium and for maintaining anterior chamber pressure is provided. Cornea endothelial protection device (10) includes a plurality of cannulated needles (12) which are fixedly arrayed with respect to one another so that each of cannulated needle members (12) may be inserted through nonoptical portions of the cornea. A manifold (18) is connected to second ends (16) of cannulated needle members (12). A fluid source connected to manifold (18) allows the injection of fluid through cannulated needle members (12) and into the anterior chamber of an eye when cornea endothelial protection device (10) is inserted in position in a human eye.

Abstract: An induction heating system (40) is provided and includes a plurality of induction heating coils (118). Touch control pads (50, 52, 70, 72) are provided together with circuitry (80) for generating energization control signals. Circuitry (112, 116) is provided for electrically energizing the induction heating coils (118). An electronic digital processor (82) is responsive to the energization control signals for generating energization signals for actuating and controlling the energization circuitry (112, 116) to thereby vary the energization of the plurality of induction heating coils (118).

Abstract: A method and apparatus of pumping a fluid by means of a piezoelectric pump is provided. All moving parts, including the valves and impeller, are piezoelectrically motivated. The preferred embodiment includes a piezoelectric ceramic tube having conductive bands adhered to the outer surface. The conductive bands and an inner surface electrode define tube regions which serve as valve and reservoir pump regions.

Abstract: A synchronized switching delay circuit including an oscillator and multivibrator for generating a synchronized delay pulse. The oscillator is divided into three waveforms shifted in phase by 120.degree.. A 4-16 decoder receives the three waveforms and the delay pulse outputs a series of blanking pulses that blank a portion of the leading edge of each of the pulses in each of the three waveforms and their complements to provide a leading edge delay. The resulting delayed waveforms are input to a three phase bridge circuit comprised of three pairs of complementary switches. The delay enables one of the switches in each pair to completely turn off before the other switch turns on.

Abstract: Shorts adapted for use by patients in hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices. A pair of shorts are provided having a front portion (12) and rear portion (14) joined together at a crotch (20) and including a waistband (16) and identical leg portions (18) extending from the crotch substantially above the patient's knees. The rear portion contains an elongated opening (22) extending from below the waistband to above the crotch. A flap (24) secured at its lower end to the rear portion just below the opening contains a fastener (30) at the opposite end of the flap adapted to be removably fastened to a fastener (32) disposed on the rear portion above the opening whereby the flap covers the opening and can be unfastened to provide access to the patient's anal area.

Abstract: A quick disconnect heat sink includes a first longitudinal bracket having a longitudinal groove along one surface thereof and a second longitudinal bracket having a longitudinal notch along one edge thereof. A heat sink having a first tongue on one end and a second tongue on the other end is disposed between the longitudinal brackets such that the first tongue is inserted in the longitudinal groove and the second tongue rests in the notch. A movable rectangular bracket is attached to the second clamping bracket such that it retains the second tongue between the rectangular clamping bracket and the notch. A first insert is disposed on the first tongue that inserts into a first slot on the first longitudinal bracket and a second insert is disposed on the second tongue that inserts into a second slot on the rectangular bracket, the inserts and slots preventing lateral movement of the heat sink. The rectangular bracket is removable so that the heat sink can be detached.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the optical power of the cornea is provided. The device comprises a light source to illuminate the cornea, apparatus for forming a profile image of the cornea, apparatus for measuring the actual image distance from the anterior corneal surface, processing apparatus for calculating the radius of curvature and dioptric power of the cornea and display apparatus for displaying the calculated data. The method of the present invention comprises illuminating the cornea with a light source, forming a profile image of the cornea, measuring the actual image distance from the anterior corneal surface and calculating the anterior radius of curvature and dioptric power of the cornea.

Abstract: A missing pulse detector circuit is disclosed which includes a variable frequency VCO and a digital phase comparator. The phase comparator compares the phase of the VCO reference and the phase of a driving signal that drives a synchronous motor drive package. The output of the phase comparator is input to a loop filter to provide an error signal that controls the VCO frequency and phase. A second output on the phase comparator translates a phase difference into a pulse width. The pulse width is then input to an integrator circuit to delay the leading edge thereof. This delayed pulse is then input to a Schmidt trigger which provides a switching threshold. The output of the Schmidt trigger is utilized to inhibit the operation of a synchronous motor in the motor drive package. The missing pulse detector is operable to detect rapid increases in acceleration of the driving frequency and added or deleted pulses therein.