Abstract: Apparatus and method for connecting a generator to an energized bus includes a circuit for determining voltage differential between the generator voltage and the bus voltage; a circuit for connecting the generator to the bus when the voltage differential reaches a predetermined threshold; a circuit for limiting the generator field current during build-up so that the generator reaches a predetermined speed before the generator is connected to the bus.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a high side pressure sensor in the form of a temperature dependent resistance in heat exchange with the system working fluid to locally heat the fluid in response to a control signal. Control means are provided for applying the control signal to the resistance and detecting a minimum thermal resistance between the thermistor and the working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an insulated electrical heating element such as for domestic appliances to heat water, etc. wherein a resistive track is embedded in a dielectric ceramic insulating material. The method includes the steps of providing a rigid base plate; printing a resistive track on one surface of a segment of flexible tape comprising fusible ceramic particles in an organic binder; adhering the other surface of the tape segment to a surface of a base plate; and placing a second segment of flexible tape of the same type on the surface with the resistive track printed thereon. Then the resulting assembly is fired to fuse the ceramic particles of the tape segments and provide a ceramic layer on the base plate with an electrical resistive track insulated therewithin.

Abstract: A surgical suit includes a hood fitted loosely about the user's head and a gown fitted loosely about the user's body. The hood has a large visor through which the user can see. A housing is spaced above the user's head and underneath the hood. The housing carries a substantial portion of the weight of the hood. The housing is supported above the user's head by means of vertically extending support rods that are connected to a backpack. A fan is disposed in the housing, as well as an optional thermoelectric module. An exhaust fan is included as part of the backpack. The fan in the housing causes air to be drawn through a filter and then flowed past the user's face. The fan in the backpack causes air to be drawn downwardly from around the user's upper body and exhausted from the gown through a filter.

Abstract: A brake block comprises a brake pad (1), a support body (2) and indicator device (4) for indicating when the brake pad (1) is worn down to a predetermined level (7), the indicator being visible on the support body (2) and being triggered from a first to a second state when the pad is worn to the predetermined level (7). The second state is more visible than the first state and provides a brake wear indicator which is not readily overlooked. The visible indicator is normally recessed within the confines of the brake block's backing plate or lining support so as to be substantially concealed but is spring-biassed out of the concealed state by triggering structure to be visible to indicate brake wear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting wire, with preferably metal-bonded cutting beads with diamond abrasives, and a wire connector to form a loop for use on mobile and stationary wire sawing machines. Through the invention, the life of the cutting wire connectors is considerably improved. This improvement of service life is achieved because premature wire breaks in the proximity of the connector are avoided by introducing preferably annular inserts made of an elastic mass between the main wire and the clamping sleeve of the connector before the clamping action is executed so that after clamping an elastic, pre-stressed, vibration-dampening zone is created.

Abstract: A light is dimmed by pulsing it at a selected duty cycle. By pulsing, the light can be dimmed without being turned off completely which reduces wear on the filament. The circuit is designed for flashing a pair of ditch lights on a railroad locomotive. The lights are alternately illuminated at full voltage and dimmed by pulsing. The flashing sequence can be activated when the locomotive is travelling below a selected speed or when the horn is sounded. The duration of the flashing sequence is controlled by a timer. The pulsing circuit can be used to effectively reduce a voltage without voltage dropping resistors.

Abstract: A hand-held and self contained electronic printing device for printing indicia on a medium includes a housing that can be manually positioned adjacent a surface of the medium and remain stationary against the medium during a printing sequence; the housing having an aperture that generally defines a printing area on the medium when the housing is in position for printing; a printer disposed in the housing for printing indicia in a selectable pattern of dots on the medium within the printing area; an actuator for initiating a printing sequence; and electronic control means disposed in the housing for controlling the printer to print indicia on the medium during a printing sequence. In one embodiment, the print head can be moved to sweep across a printing area by a manual force applied to an actuator.

Abstract: An expansion valve (10) for heat transfer systems such as an air conditioning system, includes a control element (20) for controlling the flow rate of working fluid through the valve. The control element has a stem member (28) and movable member (42) movable on the stem member. Openings (38) to an internal passage (30) in the stem member are regulated by positioning the movable member to achieve regulated flow rate of refrigerant material through the valve. The movable member of the control element is moved by a plunger (24) of a proportional solenoid (22). The proportional solenoid has a magnetic flux circuit including a low permeance isolation tube (62) surrounding the plunger, which enables removal of the coil (76) and frame (78) of the solenoid from the valve. The solenoid further includes a variable permeance flux washer (69) the flux through which varies with plunger position, which is disposed from a gap (82) which provides an area of magnetic saturation.

Abstract: A system for actively controlling the charging profile of a battery uses a software-based generator control unit to control the charging voltage. The voltage may be initially reduced following battery discharge to prevent large current inrush transients. The voltage may then be raised above a normal charging level to increase the battery charging rate. The control system provides better control over battery charging prevent overheating of the battery and generator and allows the battery to be recharged more quickly.

Abstract: In a triboelectric powder spray gun in which a charge is imparted to the powder triboelectrically by repeated impacts of the powder with contact surfaces, the charging effectiveness of the gun is enhanced by using an electrode to produce corona treatment of the contact surfaces. The corona treatments discharge the contact surfaces and eliminate the need for adjacent grounds with the powder flow path.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel metallic composition and method of using the same. More particularly, the invention affords a tool steel and a method of heat treating the tool steel. In one of the preferred embodiments the tool steel includes about 0.50 to about 0.65 percent by weight carbon, about 0.095 to about 1.70 percent by weight manganese, up to about 0.030 percent by weight phosphorus, about 0.095 to about 0.200 percent by weight sulfur, about 1.10 to about 1.90 percent by weight chromium, about 0.10 to about 0.50 percent by weight nickel and about 0.20 to about 0.60 percent by weight copper. The tool steel of the present invention is preferably heat treated utilizing a heat treatment schedule that includes the steps of a preheat, austenization and a double temper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for making an improved flame-retardant additive comprising a brominated syndiotactic styrenic polymer. The method includes the steps of providing a source of syndiotactic styrenic polymer; providing a source of inert reaction medium that is not capable of dissolving to any appreciable degree the syndiotactic styrenic polymer at ambient temperature and pressure; providing a source of brominating agent; providing a source of Lewis acid catalyst; mixing the syndiotactic styrenic polymer with the inert reaction medium and the Lewis acid catalyst; and reacting the syndiotactic styrenic polymer with the brominating agent to produce a brominated syndiotactic styrenic polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making an electrical circuit device as well as a resulting device itself. The method includes the steps of forming a base or substrate of conductive metal and then securing an electrically conductive masking element to the substrate. The resulting product is coated with a layer of fusible particles of a dielectric or resistive material that is repelled by the surface of the masking element. The coated product is then heated to fuse the particles and provide a hard dielectric or resistive layer over surface portions of the base. The masking element provides an exposed conductive path to the base metal or substrate. A section of conductive metal foil may be bonded to the masking element to provide a continuous conductive bus on the substrate.

Abstract: An air/oil separator or other filtering assembly includes a filter media pack having first and second ends. A flange member is located at the first end of the media pack. The flange member includes a flange for mounting the filtering assembly. A retainer member is located at the second end of the media pack. A layer of perforated material is attached to the flange member. The perforated material is located adjacent to the first end of the media pack. Hardenable material permeates the first end of the media pack and permeates the perforated material to mechanically interlock the flange member to the media pack. A similar mechanical interlock is provided between the media pack and the retainer member. These mechanical interlocks eliminate the interior straps which had previously been used to secure the flange member to the retainer member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a ceramic article having a cavity therein and at least one shelf portion protruding laterally into the cavity spaced from the cavity floor comprising the steps of constructing a laminated product using strips of tape comprising fusible ceramic particles and a binder, said strips being cut to predetermined dimensions and superposed so as to define a cavity with a floor and side walls, and with at least one horizontal shelf portion extending from a side wall into said cavity, the shelf portion being spaced above the floor; filling said cavity with a fugitive insert of multiple strips of tape to support the shelf portion; and firing the laminated product to fuse the particles and to burn off the fugitive insert to provide a ceramic article with a cavity and a shelf parallel to the cavity floor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dismantling pallets and the like. A pallet to be dismantled is placed on a work table and moved in a direction of travel parallel to the stringers until the first deckboard located on the bottom of the stringers, comes into engagement with a guiding means that accurately positions the interface between the respective deckboard and the stringers. This also places the interface in alignment with a band saw cutting span. As the pallet is moved into the blade in guided fashion, the interface is cut together with the nails so as to free the respective deckboard from the rest of the pallet. This process is repeated sequentially until the entire pallet has been moved through the cutting span. Then the pallet is flipped over to place the deckboards on the opposite side on the table surface and the same operation is repeated to completely dismantle the pallet.

Abstract: A bearing failure detector for an electrical generator includes a disc located within the bearing assembly near the location of the main bearings. The disc includes an electrically conductive ring encased in an insulation layer. The ring is exposed along inside diameter of the detector disc adjacent to the periphery of the shaft, but the dimensions of the inside diameter of the ring are slightly greater than the normal internal clearance of the main bearings, so that the shaft does not contact the ring unless the bearings are significantly worn. The detector ring is connected to a resistor with a large resistance which is monitored by a control circuit at all times. When the internal clearance of the main bearings has been enlarged by a predetermined amount, the ring contacts the shaft, changing the resistance monitored by the control circuit. This causes the control circuit to provide an indication that the bearings need replacement.

Abstract: A valveless four-stroke internal combustion engine employs an intake piston and an exhaust piston that reciprocate within intake and exhaust cylinders disposed adjacent the combustion chamber of the engine. A power piston reciprocates within a cylinder that defines a portion of the combustion chamber. An intake port opens into the intake cylinder, and an exhaust port opens into the exhaust cylinder. Upon reciprocation of the intake and exhaust pistons, the exhaust ports will be covered and uncovered. By coordinating movement of the intake and exhaust pistons with reciprocation of the power piston, a combustible fuel-air mixture will be drawn into the combustion chamber, ignited, and exhausted. The timing and extent of movement of the intake and exhaust pistons can be controlled by a crankshaft or cams.

Abstract: A hand-held and self contained electronic scanning apparatus for scanning information on a document disposed outside the apparatus includes a housing that can be manually positioned adjacent a surface of a document and manually swept across a scanning area on the medium during a scanning sequence; a scanner disposed in the housing and having a scan head with a plurality of scan elements such as light sensitive elements for scanning information as an image of the document within the scanning area; and an electronic control circuit disposed in the housing for controlling the scanner to scan information on the document during a scanning sequence, the control circuit comprising compensation for reducing image distortion based on detecting position of the light sensitive elements during a scanning sequence.