Abstract: An electric water heater is provided with simplified phase conversion apparatus including a terminal structure having replaceable line lug portions which are wired to a single phase row of multi-pin connector sockets by single phase routing circuitry, and to a three phase row of multi-pin connector sockets by three phase routing circuitry. Electrical supply wires from sets of fuse holders connected to multiple thermostat/heating element sets are grouped and connected to associated multi-pin connector plugs. To ready the water heater for single phase operation, the plugs are connected to the single phase row of sockets, and to convert the water heater to three phase operation the plugs are simply disconnected from the single phase sockets and connected to the three phase sockets. In this manner the necessity of individually repositioning all of the fuse holder wires on the terminal structure to change from single to three phase operation, or vice versa, is eliminated.

Abstract: A novel passive peel system for a printer is provided for peeling labels off of a backing. Labels secured to a backing is defined as media. The printer has a printhead for printing indicia on the labels and a platen roller. A first embodiment of the passive peel system includes a peel tear bar proximate to the platen roller for bending the backing therearound and a separator bar proximate to the peel tear bar for separating the backing from the labels after the labels have been printed on by the printhead. The media passes over the peel tear bar, the backing passes between the peel tear bar and the separator bar, and the labels pass over the separator bar. The labels can be peeled with low tension or with zero tension on the backing. A second embodiment of the passive peel system includes a peel tear bar and an anti-buckle bar mounted proximate to the peel tear bar for preventing buckling of the media as the media passes over the peel tear bar.

Abstract: Pumps of this invention comprise a pump housing having at least one pressurizing chamber disposed therein, and a pressurizing member is disposed within the pressurizing chamber. The pressurizing member has a body with a solid imperforate head at one end, a thin-walled skirt extending away from the body head, and a flange extends circumferentially around a terminal edge of the skirt. A piston is disposed within the pump housing and is connected at one end to the pressurizing member. A piston gland is attached to the chamber and includes a diametrically positioned piston guide through which the piston is disposed. The flange is interposed between the chamber and the piston gland and includes sealing means to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween. A pressurizing member plug is attached to the pressurizing member and has an outside wall surface that contacts and carries a variable portion of the skirt inside surface during reciprocating pressurizing member axial displacement.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater has a series of control and operating components which, with electrical power being supplied to the water heater circuitry via a power switch, are electrically actuatable in a predetermined sequence to supply combustion heat to water contained in a tank portion of the water heater to return the temperature of the water to a heated setpoint temperature in response to the water temperature falling below such setpoint temperature. LED diagnostic indicating lights are wired into the water heater circuitry in a manner such that each indicating light is associated with a different one of the electrically coupled components. As the components are sequentially actuated during a water heating cycle, the LED lights are successively illuminated.

Abstract: A multiplying digital to analog converter using ladder networks and binary weighted load compensation to allow integration and video frequency operation. In one form, the circuit is configured from field effect transistors which incorporate by virtue of their structural and operational characteristics both the switching and resistive functions of R-2R ladder networks. The circuit is used to convert digital format words representing intensity and color (red, green and blue) into analog red, green and blue display drive signals. According to that configuration, the output of the digital to analog intensity word converter serves as the reference for the three digital to analog color word converters. Loading effects attributable to differences in the bit content of the color words are offset by a binary weighted switched load which is responsive to a digital compensation word. The switched load is also connected to the output of the intensity word converter.

Abstract: An interface controller, situated between a graphics controller and a memory array in a color video display system operable in a read-modify-write mode, configured to detect a select transparency color in whole or in part and to respond by selectively changing the color binary data for the corresponding pixel in a frame buffer. In another aspect, the invention includes drawing modes impelmented by logically combining pixel color binary data in accordance with a defined truth table so as to allow the pixel color data representing a new image to interact in a defined manner based upon color with the data in a previously defined image. As implemented, the binary data in the frame buffer is acted upon in a read-modify-write sequence whereby the various logic operations analyze the source (foreground) pixel data, the destination (background) pixel data, in the context of control signals, to define the pixel color data written into the frame buffer as the color representation for that pixel position.

Abstract: A multiplying digital to analog converter using ladder networks and binary weighted load compensation to allow integration and video frequency operation. In one form, the circuit is configured from field effect transistors which incorporate by virtue of their structural and operational characteristics both the switching and resistive functions of R-2R ladder networks. The circuit is used to convert digital format words representing intensity and color (red, green and blue) into analog red, green and blue display drive signals. According to that configuration, the output of the digital to analog intensity word converter serves as the reference for the three digital to analog color word converters. Loading effects attributable to differences in the bit content of the color words are offset by a binary weighted switched load which is responsive to a digital compensation word. The switched load is also connected to the output of the intensity word converter.

Abstract: An electrically programmable memory array of the floating gate type with a high coupling ratio is made by a DMOS process which allows the edges of the floating gates to be self-aligned with the edges of the control gates and produces improved characteristics in the form of higher gain and lower body effect. The source and drain regions are formed prior to applying the first level polysilicon by a process which leaves these regions covered with thick oxide, rather than using the polysilicon as a mask to define the gate areas. Double-diffused regions are formed on one or both sides of the channel, also beneath thick oxide, instead of using a P+ tank. The ratio of the capacitance between the floating gate and control gate to the total capacitance at the floating gate is increased and the degradation in the cell performance usually caused by the P+ tank is avoided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a corrosion resistant rotor assembly including heating the core of the rotor assembly which is made of a stack of thin steel laminations to a temperature sufficient so as to cause at least some oxidation of the core and the quenching the core in a temperature controlled bath of suitable oil so as to form a tough, corrosion resistant surface on the exposed surfaces of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a rotor includes mounting a laminated rotor core on a plain steel shaft, treating the assembled rotor in its entirety with surface oil retention solution, including wicking the solution between laminations of the laminated rotor core, and thereafter coating the exposed surfaces of the treated assembled rotor with oil. The resulting rotor is unitarily treated and coated with oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying liquid adhesive to the outer surface of a stack of laminations are provided which results in more precise adhesive application. The laminations are placed on a mandrel which is mounted for reciprocal movement along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The adhesive is applied by roller pads which abut the laminations during mandrel movement. The direction and speed of roller pad rotation is coordinated with the mandrel speed and the direction of mandrel movement. This coordinated movement prevents lamination fanning and adhesive smear during application of the adhesive to the lamination stack. Means are provided for adjusting the rate at which adhesive is supplied to the roller pads from an associated adhesive reservoir and for adjusting the pressure with which the roller pads abut the lamination stack.