Abstract: Information on the shape of an object is extracted by generating an image of the object, encoding and ordering the boundary points of the image, selecting points on the outermost portions of the boundary, partitioning the boundary at the selected points into segments of either a first or second kind wherein the segments are distinguished according to a selected smoothness test, and segments of the first kind are smoother than segments of the second kind, partitioning each segment of the second kind into segments of the first or second kind according to the above test, and continuing the partitioning of each of the segments of the second kind into segments of the first or second kind until no further segments of the second kind are identified. An apparatus for performing the above steps is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mass flow meter based on the Coriolis principle. The meter has two rectilinear measuring tubes juxtaposed in parallel and mechanically connected at adjacent ends thereof. An oscillation generator is connected to the tubes between the ends thereof for driving the tubes in opposite directions. A sensor connected to the tubes on opposite sides of the oscillation generator sense and signal relative oscillations of the tubes which is indicative of the flow through the tubes. The measuring tubes have different bending strengths in two perpendicular axial planes thereof to reduce the amplitudes of vibration in the plane normal to the plane of interest. Individual masses applied to the measuring tubes cause the natural frequency of at least the first mechanical harmonic of the measuring tubes to differ from the natural frequency of the mechanical fundamental counter-oscillation by a factor x which differs from a whole number by at least 0.1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal servomotor which includes two operating elements which act oppositely on an actuating bridge. The operating elements are thermally insulated from each other and each has a temperature-dependent filling and a separate heating element for differently thermally influencing the two fillings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating system of the type in which a radiator in a room has the flow of a heated fluid thereto from a central source such as a boiler controlled by a thermostatic valve. The valve normally has a sensor associated therewith to which the valve reacts which senses room temperature. An electrical heating resistor is positioned in close proximity to the sensor. A solar cell positioned as in a window so as to be impinged upon by rays of the sun is electrically connected to the heating resistor and the resulting current developed by the solar cell is utilized to effect a heating of the resistor which is related to the intensity and angle of the sun's rays. The heat generated by the resistor supplements the sensed room temperature so that the valve is operated in a way which takes into account the radiant energy to which a room is subjected by the sun.

Abstract: A suction sound damper for a slide piston refrigerant compressor that includes a suction nipple that is pushable into a groove of a cylinder cover of the compressor when the nipple is in a predetermined position, and is seatable in sockets formed in two shells of a damper housing. The shells are sealed together after the nipple is seated in the sockets. The suction nipple is of a material having a higher thermal resistance than the shell material. The damper includes intermediate walls that together with the shells form four somewhat triangular chambers with a throttle opening from the first chamber to the second chamber, an elongated throttle passage from the second chamber to third chamber and a throttle opening from the third chamber to the fourth chamber. The suction nipple opens to the first chamber and each shell includes a part of an inlet that opens to the fourth chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary compressor assembly of the type in which an electric motor and a rotary compressor are mounted in a seal capsule and share a common drive shaft. An intermediate pressure chamber is formed in the housing adjacent the outboard bearing of the compressor and a nonmechanical pressure difference principle is utilized to convey lubricating oil from the pump to the intermediate pressure chamber. A groove and paddle construction associated with the shaft conveys oil from the intermediate pressure chamber against the capsule pressure back into the capsule through the shaft bearings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump assembly having a pump with reversible and adjustable controls, the pump controls having a neutral nonflow position and varying positions in opposite directions for effecting corresponding varying rates of flow in the opposite directions. The pump controls include a control valve for the adjusting function which is cooperable with resetting apparatus.

Abstract: A circuit for an electromagnetic flowmeter comprises means to apply across a fluid the flow of which is to be monitored a magnetic field in the form of pulses in forward and reverse directions, the pulses being spaced apart in time, means to sample induced voltages taken from electrodes in contact with the fluid in synchronism with the magnetic pulses, and means to process the sampled voltages to produce a flow-representing output signal, wherein means are provided to vary the spacing of the sampling instants to render their spacing non-uniform.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrically conductive silicon carbide heating unit that includes an axially elongated, silicon carbide tubular heating element which is electrically conductive. The heating element is provided with an annular flange that has an axial bore into which the electrode is extended. Silicon solder fills the gap in the bore, extends somewhat outwardly of the flange to provide a protective layer and provide a good electrical connection between the heater element and the electrode. A stainless steel sleeve is provided on the electrode to extend outwardly from the silicon solder.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle for oil burners that includes a housing having a front wall with an orifice in the front end thereof, a distributor insert abutting against the front wall and a retainer member that abuts against the distributor insert and is retained in place by a housing annular shoulder deformed into a retainer member groove. The retainer member is of a sintered material and includes a retainer element integrally joined to a filter element which extends rearwardly of the housing, the retainer member having a fluid passage opening to the distributor insert and extending rearwardly of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for a hydrostatic steering motor of the type having a slide valve arrangement in which inner and outer sleeves are rotatable relative to each other to both sides of a neutral position through a limited small angle. A bypass throttle between the pump and tank connections of the control device has a dual throttle feature which permits the throttle to be closed after only a small amount of turning away from the neutral position and operates with a reduced amount of noise generated during the turning operations for the same total resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oil pump unit for a nozzle burner that includes a diaphragm type valve assembly located between a pump housing and a cover removably mounted by the pump housing. The valve assembly includes two or more diaphragm regulating valves or valve sections having an individual diaphragm therefor. The cover and housing together with the valve assembly defining a fluid circuit for controlling the flow oil to the burner nozzle conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of a capsule for a hermetically encapsulated small refrigerator. The damping of noise is an important requirement and to this end it is conventional that the motor-compressor unit mounted in the capsule is resiliently mounted relative thereto. The radiation of noise generated in the capsule is thwarted by arranging opposite wall sections in nonparallel relationships so that a sound wave striking a wall section is prevented from being reflected to a parallel wall section which would be conducive to amplification by continuing reflection.

Abstract: A position indicator for an actuating drive device which has a range of positions and includes a potentiometer having a resistance strip with end connectors at opposite ends thereof. A tapping feature includes two independently moveable arms each connected at one end thereof to a moveable part of the drive device and at the other end thereof to the resistance strip in sliding engagement therewith and bridging a section of the resistance strip therebetween. The arms are initially adjustable to the end limiting positions of the drive device.

Abstract: A flow regulator is disclosed having a body with a central bore and a dished shaped surface with a tapered groove from the bore to the periphery, a diaphragm is fastened to the periphery of the body with a passage extending around the periphery providing fluid communication between the upstream side of the diaphragm and the tapered groove, a spring is provided to bias the diaphragm towards the upstream side, the diaphragm is inelastically deformable against the dish shaped surface solely in accordance with the resistance to deformation of the spring and the fluid pressure on the upstream side of diaphragm to regulate the volume flow of fluid through the central bore.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flow meter of the type in which a magnetic field is applied across a fluid the flow of which is to be monitored, the field being applied in the form of pulses in forward and reverse directions, in which induced voltage pulses are taken from electrodes in contact with the fluid, and in which the induced voltage pulses are processed to provide a flow-representing output in the form of a frequency, the flowmeter comprising means to derive first and second signal levels from the amplitudes of the induced voltage pulses corresponding respectively to the forward and reverse directions of magnetic field, and integrator means arranged to receive the first and second signal levels alternately as an input, and to integrate in one direction in response to the first signal level until the output of the integrator means reaches a first reference level and to integrate in the opposite direction in response to the second signal level until the output of the integrator means reaches a second reference leve

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary compressor assembly of the type in which an electric motor and a rotary compressor are mounted in a seal capsule and share a common drive shaft. A lubricant storage chamber is formed in the housing adjacent the outboard bearing of the compressor and auxiliary pumping apparatus which includes a conduit equipped with a venturi passage provided for conveying lubricating oil from the pump to the storage chamber. Mechanical apparatus associated with the shaft conveys oil from the storage chamber to the shaft bearings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel burner pump assembly of the type having a main regulating valve for controlling a supply of fuel to a burner nozzle and a flow responsive bypass valve for bypassing fluid from the main valve until a predetermined flow rate is achieved. A check valve downstream from the bypass valve and in series therewith has a small predetermined opening pressure which facilitates the operation of the bypass valve. The check valve utilizes a rubber sleeve as the closure member thereof which enhances the operation of the bypass valve by operating to close tightly despite the presence of small dirt particles in the fluid flow.

Abstract: A pressure valve for a compressor of the hermetically encapsulated type. The valve includes a valve plate with a valve seat and upstanding pins on which at least one catch plate is placed to limit the stroke of a closing member formed by a valve leaf spring. The valve seat is disposed in an elongated depression of the valve plate and the pins are formed on an insert spring into the recess.