Abstract: A sensor connection apparatus for connecting a plurality of sensors to a process controller having a bus for transferring information, wherein each sensor produces an output corresponding to a sensed condition, includes a respective sensor cable that can be connected at one end to each sensor; a concentrator having each of the sensor cables connected thereto; the concentrator being connected to the bus; the concentrator comprising a circuit for producing for each sensor and associated sensor cable connected thereto a first signal in response to the sensor output and a second signal that corresponds to a sensor cable condition; the circuit further operating to couple the first and second signals for each sensor connected to the concentrator onto the bus for access by the process controller. In one embodiment, the concentrator transmits data to the process controller using a standardized communications protocol, such as CAN, using a microcontroller and transceiver.

Abstract: A disposable two-stage air cleaner includes a housing forming an air inlet, a separation chamber, a dirt collection chamber, and an air outlet. A filter element is located between the separation chamber and the air outlet. The air inlet moves the air in a circular pattern in the separation chamber, whereby dirt is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force. An air scavenging system is employed in which air laden with dirt from the first-stage separation chamber is scooped into the dirt collection chamber and air from the dirt collection chamber is allowed to recirculate into the separation chamber after the air flow has been slowed so that the dirt falls from the air stream. The air cleaner thus provides performance which is equal to or better than reusable air cleaners of the prior art.

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: A device for extruding high viscosity fluids is described which has multiple modes of operation and provides a mechanism for relieving pressure being applied to fluid being extruded. The pressure release mechanism includes a first and second dog and a release arm that engages the second dog to result in the second dog disengaging the teeth of a drive rod attached to a piston for applying pressure to the fluid material to be extruded resulting in relief of the applied pressure by the drive rod and piston combination to stop the flow of the fluid from the nozzle of the device. The preferred device is a caulking gun.

Abstract: A mass flow control apparatus and method for use in combination with a heat transfer system having a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and working fluid in a fluid circuit. The mass flow is controlled using a quality sensor for the working fluid exiting the evaporator, and a high side pressure sensor. A control circuit is provided that monitors the quality sensor and the high side pressure sensor, and controls operation of the compressor, condenser fan and valve in response thereto. A flow reduction mode is used to reduce high side pressure at the valve inlet without excessive compressor cycling by changing the quality sensor set point when the high side pressure exceeds the condenser fan turn-on pressure but is less than the compressor disengage pressure.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for tire press that includes upper and lower sidewall molds and a segmented tread mold assembly for forming the tread portion of a tire. The sidewall molds and tread mold assembly define a molding cavity with a central vertical axis. The press may be operated to move the upper sidewall mold together with the tread mold assembly upwardly and laterally away from the vertical axis to permit loading of an uncured tire carcass in the lower sidewall mold section and for removing a cured tire from the upper sidewall mold section. The operating mechanism or center mechanism includes a bearing sleeve, coaxial with the central axis and mounted on the mold carrier beam for the press. An outer tubular sleeve is slidably received in the bearing sleeve and extends there-through so that the lower end may be operatively connected to the tread mold assembly for operating the same.

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: An apparatus and method for utilizing and controlling finer particles in a powder coating system returns the finer particles to the spraying apparatus to be sprayed on parts by the system. Finer particles are continuously removed from the system by application onto parts, and the accumulation of fines is thereby prevented. The finer particles may be sprayed through specially adapted spray guns, which also permits the utilization of the special advantages of spraying fine powder materials. By removing fine powder particles from the system before they build up, the present invention improves the powder coating operation in various respects.

Abstract: A circuit which gives a continuous voltage output indication of whether a contact is open or closed. The circuit senses the voltage across the contact to detect whether the contact is open or closed. When there is a significant voltage, the circuit indicates that the contact is open. When the voltage is negligible, the circuit indicates that the contact is closed. Alternatively, the current through the contact can be sensed to provide an indication of whether the contact is conducting or not. The circuit can be used to indicate the welding close of a relay contact in which case power to the load can be turned off or the contact can be opened by other than normal corrective actions. One application is to discontinue closing movement of a garage door when the motor relay switch does not open as desired, but there are innumerable other applications.

Abstract: A control unit remotely operates several different functions of a gas fireplace. The functions include ignition of a fire, control of flame height, blower control, and damper control. An RF or IR transmitter has several different switches corresponding to desired operations to be performed. Each switch or combination of switches sends different coded signals to a receiver in the control unit. The control unit operates a gas valve and an ignitor to start the fire in response to a start signal. The gas valve is further controlled to vary the height of the flame or extinguish the flame in response to corresponding signals. The blower, damper and other functions can be controlled in response to other signals.

Abstract: A tire curing press has a cross beam that carries the upper mold section and is moved to open and close the press. When the press is closed, a cross beam locking mechanism located in the middle of the cross beam holds the cross beam to the tire press base that carries the bottom mold section. The locking mechanism prevents bending or bowing of the cross beam which would otherwise adversely affect the quality of the tires produced in the press.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lead-free glaze or enamel for use on ceramic bodies such as bone china. In one embodiment the glaze or enamel includes a hard glass frit which comprises by weight percent from about 45% to about 70% SiO.sub.2, from about 4% to about 15% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, from about 4% to about 17% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, from about 1% to about 9% Na.sub.2 O, from about 1% to about 9% K.sub.2 O, from about 0.2% to about 5% Li.sub.2 O, from about 0.4% to about 12% CaO, from about 0.1% to about 7% ZrO.sub.2, up to about 3% ZnO, up to about 2% WO.sub.3, up to about 2% Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, and up to about 2% MoO.sub.3.

Abstract: An electro-optical micrometer for measuring the thickness of a workpiece includes a fixture for holding the workpiece in a fixed position and a plunger that can be moved from a reference position to a second position indicative of the thickness of the workpiece. The plunger carries a spherical convex lens. A laser directs a beam of light against the lens and thereafter onto a sensor that can determine the linear displacement of the beam of light. The movement of the plunger can be correlated to linear displacements of the beam of light which, in turn, can be calculated and displayed by a computer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making a bismuth-vanadium-molybdenum-containing composition comprising: (A) preparing three separate aqueous compositions comprising: a first aqueous composition having a pH in the range of about 0.5 to about 4; a second aqueous composition comprising bismuth and having a pH in the range of about 0.2 to about 3; and a third aqueous composition comprising at least one salt of vanadium and at least one salt of molybdenum and having a pH in the range of about 9 to about 14; (B) adding said second aqueous composition and said third aqueous composition simultaneously to said first aqueous composition to form a fourth aqueous composition, and maintaining said fourth aqueous composition at a temperature in the range of about 30.degree.C. to about 90.degree.C.

Abstract: A leaf for a photographic album has a backing layer upon which a photograph may be mounted. On the backing layer is a frame layer has a central opening within which the photograph may be mounted on the backing layer. The frame layer is embossed adjacent to the central opening to form an embossed portion. The frame layer is attached to the backing layer along three of its four sides leaving a fourth side which is not attached to the backing layer, forming an access passageway. The embossed portion is spaced from the backing layer to form a slot therebetween. A mat layer is adapted to be inserted through the access passageway. The mat layer has an aperture through which a photograph mounted on the backing layer may be viewed. The outer edges of the mat layer are held within the slots formed by the embossed portions. The mat layer is locked in position by engagement with the embossed portions on all four sides of the frame layer.

Abstract: A process for making a length of rubber tubing with axially spaced circumferentially corrugated flexible segments from a sleeve of uncured rubber and the product resulting therefrom. An end length of a sleeve of uncured rubber is placed over an end portion of a forming mandrel and an external form is placed around the sleeve end length. Rudimentary corrugations are then formed in the end length after which the sleeve is moved axially along the forming mandrel so that a new length portion of the sleeve is placed in a forming position. Then using the external form, rudimentary corrugations are formed in the second length portion of the sleeve. These steps are repeated until the desired number of axial length portions in the sleeve are provided with rudimentary corrugations. The resulting product is then cured to form a length of rubber tubing with a plurality of axially spaced circumferentially corrugated flexible segments.

Abstract: A packaging machine (1) is adapted to form a web (8) of packaging material into a tube to surround items (3) to be packed, the tube then being sealed and severed between successive items to produce individual packages (5). The tube is formed by sealing one surface of an edge zone of the web to the same surface of the opposite edge zone of the web so that, in the finished package, the sealed zones form a flap extending longitudinally of the package.

Abstract: Two-part reactive polymeric paints are prepared and applied from an integral dispensing system. The reactive components are held in two separate containers and are maintained separate from one another by a fusible plug. To use the dispenser, heat is applied to the fusible plug to melt the plug and permit the container contents to mix together. Differential pressure between the containers causes the components to mix and begin to react; a net positive pressure with respect to the ambient atmosphere permits the mixed components to be applied as a spray. In an alternative embodiment, a flexible, external spray feed tube permits easier paint application than by conventional paint spray cans.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and useful via fill paste for use in the construction of electronic circuit devices. The unique via fill paste is capable of electrically connecting conductive layers made of dissimilar metals such as gold and silver. The via fill paste includes gold, silver, palladium and a refractory oxide. The refractory oxide comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, niobium, tantalum, lanthanum, thorium, hafnium, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium.

Abstract: Clear and pigmented powder paint coatings are based on a thermosetting polymeric binder comprising low molecular weight, carboxylic acid functional, crystalline polyester and a coreactive glycidyl functional addition copolymer, preferably and glycidyl functional acrylic copolymer.