Abstract: A device (19) for generating a rotating force vector and an oscillatory couple includes a plurality of non-concentric eccentric masses (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F) co-rotating at the same angular speed; and means (24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E, 24F) for individually controlling the angular position of each of the masses; whereby, by selectively controlling the angular position of each eccentric mass, the device may generate a desired rotating force vector and a desired oscillatory couple. In use, the device performs an improved method for opposing the propagation of vibration from a dynamically unbalanced rotating rotor through a supporting structure (12).

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an outfeed lift ramp (24) for use with a male (19) and female (18) combination of blanking dies for separating a diecut paper box blank (21) from an attendant web portion (20). Outfeed lift ramp (24) is appended to the leading edge (33) of female die member (18) adjacent to blanking through holes (32) at preselected points corresponding to a series of naturally occurring or benign box blank slots (31). During the blanking operation, the diecut and partially stripped sheet (17) is interposed over the die through holes and the upper arcuate portion of the lift ramp (38) extends through the through slots (31) of the sheet to be blanked thereby permitting the sheet to lie flush against the female die surface. After blanking, box blanks 21 are forced through female die through holes (32) and all that remains on the female die surface is a flexible and flimsy web (20).

Abstract: A valve insert (40) is adapted to be removably mounted as a unit on a cylinder valve (41) to selectively enable a flow of fluid therethrough when a male coupling section (52) is inserted into the outlet of the cylinder valve. The improved insert includes a tubular body (55), a valve member (58) mounted for sealed sliding movement relative to the body, biasing means (97) and a docking member (59) mounted on the valve element and adapted to engage the nose of the male section. When the male section engages the insert and displaces a sealing cushion (80) off its seat (72), the pressure of fluid will urge the valve element (58) into tighter sealed engagement with the male section.

Abstract: A ladder-climbing exercise device (10) includes an inclined flight (13) along which a plurality of rungs (29) are presented in an endless manner. The marginal ends of the rungs are mounted on endless chains which are supported by a frame. The chains are coupled to a fan (43) having a squirrel cage-like rotor. The position of an operator (P) relative to the flight changes the size of a fan aperture (45) to vary the resistance afforded by the device to the climbing motion.

Abstract: A compressed gas engine (20) has a piston (25) mounted for reciprocating movement within a cylinder (22). A valve (29) is slideably mounted on the cylinder head (31) to control the flow of compressed gas from a source (24) through an inlet (23) to a plenum chamber (28). The valve is arranged to be selectively engaged and opened by the piston to permit flow of compressed gas into the plenum chamber. When the valve is closed, compressed gas within the plenum chamber is permitted to flow into the variable-volume chamber (26). Spent gases are exhausted through ports (69) as the piston approaches its bottom dead center position. Residual gases in the variable-volume chamber are recompressed into the plenum chamber (28) as the piston moves upwardly toward its top dead center position.

Abstract: An improved handle (14) for a walking stick or ski pole additionally serves as a vehicle for advertising. The improved handle has an inner part (26) and an outer part (28). The two parts are formed of different materials. Portions (18,20,22,24) of the inner part project outwardly through openings in the outer part, and are visible from the outside of the handle. The inner and outer parts are made of different materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for encoding and detecting data from magnetically encoded access cards. The invention includes a control unit (1) having an access card slot (4) communicating with a microprocessor (11) and sensor (3). A barium ferrite access card (5) magnetically encoded in a particular grid pattern is interposed within the card slot, and the encoded grid pattern is then detected and "read" by the sensor. The encoded data in grid form is then transmitted to the microprocessor which, in turn, assigns to the magnetically encoded grid representation a numeric value. This numeric value is then compared with a list of values stored in the microprocessor and if the detected and translated numeric value corresponds to a stored value, the microprocessor, directly or indirectly, emits a signal to activate or deactivate a device to be controlled (10).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for determining actual temperature, reflectivity and fluorescence of a surface and comprises in the preferred embodiment a two-dimensional focal plane array of rapidly tunable infrared detectors, 11, adapted to detect the emitted infrared flux from a surface of interest, 10, across pre-selected spectral segments in the 4-15 .mu.m range. The invention further comprises a computer having deconvolution algorithms, 13, for isolating the effects of reflectivity, fluorescence and environmental factors affecting infrared emission for each pixel of the generated image at various spectral segments in the 4-15 .mu.m range. The device further includes means for generating images of temperature, emissivity and fluorescence for diagnostic use.

Abstract: An improved intravascular device (20) is adapted for use in treating hypothermia in a patient. The improved device includes an elongated flexible catheter (21) having a distal end piece (26) arranged in spaced relation to a catheter main body portion (32). The distal end piece and catheter main body portions are joined by a wire stylet (33) and by a flexible wall portion (43). The stylet is adapted to be rotated relative to the catheter main body portion to selectively furl and unfurl the flexible wall portion. Once inserted into a patient blood vessel, a pump (25) is arranged to circulate heated fluid (e.g., heated saline solution) through communicating chambers (45,44) in heat exchange relation to blood flowing past the catheter. The pressure of fluid supplied by pump 25 may be caused to pulsate to prevent blood from clotting on the catheter.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a jewelry piece such as a ball earring pin which includes a predetermined length of the solder-filled wire that serves as both an earring wire post and domed cup for seating and attachment of an ornament, namely, the ball of a ball earring. At one end of the wire, the wire casing is flared back and separated from the core thereby exposing a nib of solder. The wire casing which is separated from the core is formed into the shape of a domed cup complimenting with the curvature of the ball. The nib which extends into a hole in the ball is then heated to melt the solder such that the ball is secure within the cup after the solder cools.

Abstract: A cathode-luminescent panel lamp (20) includes an evacuated tube (21) having a phosphor coating (25) on the inside surface of a face plate (24). An electron gun (28) is arranged to discharge at least one conical beam of electrons toward the coating to form an electron cloud within the tube. Shaping electrodes (29,30) positioned within the tube distribute and normalize the electron density of the cloud as a function of the angle (.theta.). The electrons pass through a field-separating mesh (39) to impinge upon a secondary emission mesh (40), which amplifies the electron density. The amplified electrons excite the phosphor coating to produce light of substantially-constant intensities across the face plate. The improved lamp may be used to back-light an LCD or in a stadium display.

Abstract: A storm monitoring apparatus and method is described wherein two H-field antennas are oriented with respect to the heading axis of an aircraft or the like at an angle of 45.degree.. The signals developed by these two antennas are picked-up by small R-F transformers which serve the inherent function of integrating the signals and extracting the H-field current component. A printed circuit board structuring of the two antennas provides for consistency of fabrication and reliability as well as compactness. The monitoring apparatus exhibits broad band frequency response to evaluate lightning strike rate to determine storm range and intensity. A computer control test utilizing diagnostic coils at the antenna carries out periodic testing of the performance of the device and a component such as a gravity switch provides an indication to the control system as to the orientation of mounting of the antenna on an aircraft.

Abstract: An improved two-stage servovalve (70) has a pilot-stage and an output-stage. A torque motor (16) produces pivotal movement of a flapper (18) in response to a supplied electrical current. The pilot-stage produces a flow which is used to selectively displace a second-stage spool (61) relative to a body bore. The servovalve has a hydromechanical pressure feedback loop closed about the load and second-stage spool. The pressure feedback loop is intertwined with an electrical spool position feedback loop closed about the spool and driver. The command to the pressure loop is a function of the error of the spool position loop. The gain of the spool position loop dominates that of the pressure loop. The valve has pressure-flow characteristics approximating those of a "flow-control" servovalve but affords access to an electrical signal substantially proportional to the load pressure differential.

Abstract: An improved spring balancer (10) includes a shaft (13) rotatably mounted on a support (11). A first torsional spring (14) acts between the support and the shaft. A second torsional spring (19) acts between the support and a cable drum assembly (63) journalled on the shaft. A third spring (23) acts between the support and another cable drum assembly (26). A fourth cable drum (28) is fixed to the shaft. Four cables (141,142,143,144) are associated with the various cable drums (140,63,26,28) and are connected to a roll-up door (12). When the door is lowered, the various springs will absorb energy. When the door is raised, the various springs will give up energy.

Abstract: An end cutter includes a pair of rollers (64,73) operatively arranged to frictionally engage cloth passing through the nip thereof. One of the rollers is mounted for unidirectional rotation such that the cloth may be pulled forwardly from a roll, but cannot retract when such pulling force is released. The logic includes a pressure comparator and pneumatically-operated safety dump valve (92,94) for sensing whether the cutter (31) has encountered a motion-impeding obstruction on its forward cutting stroke, and automatically releases the force urging the cutter to move forwardly in such event. The cutter is mounted on a rodless cylinder (48).

Abstract: A ladder assembly is adapted to be mounted on a suitable support, such as a truck or trailer. The ladder assembly includes a ladder mounted on the distal end of a shaft. The shaft is slidably received in a cylinder. A pair of spaced abutment stops are provided on the support, and provide a recess to receive a portion of the ladder when the ladder is in its upright position. A spring urges the shaft and ladder to move toward the support along the axis (x--x) of the cylinder. The ladder is adapted to be moved between an upright position, at which a portion of the ladder is received in the recess between the abutment stops, and an out-of-the-way horizontal position.

Abstract: Apparatus for killing marine life, such as zebra mussels, in the cooling system (14) of a boat having a water-cooled internal combustion engine (11) includes a flexible bag-like enclosure (20) which is adapted to be mounted on the boat so as to provide a closed volume of water communicating with the cooling system inlet (18) and cooling system outlet (19). When the engine is allowed to idle in neutral, cooling water is drawn from the enclosure and is circulated through the cooling system in heat exchange relation to the engine, and is discharged back into the enclosure. The temperature of water in the enclosure and cooling system will therefor increase. After the engine has been operated for a period of time, the temperature of water in the enclosure and the cooling system will increase to a level necessary to kill marine life in the cooling system.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator has a ferrous alloy armature movably mounted within a body chamber. Two axially-spaced permanent magnets are arranged radially inwardly of the chamber and partially define the chamber at the ends thereof. A coil surrounds the chamber. The body is formed of a magnetically-permeable material. Because of the high reluctance of the magnets, each magnet forms a short magnetic loop which passes through the adjacent air gap, and forms a long magnetic loop which encircles the coil and passes through the distant air gap. The armature has a bistable toggle-like movement, and may be latched proximate either end wall. If springs are added between the armature and the body, the improved actuator may be used as a proportional position of force transducer within an operating range of armature movement.