Abstract: A manufacturing system is provided for automatic assembly, testing and/or packaging of a variety of products. The system is based on utilization of one or more robotic modules, each having a programmable servo-driven linear actuator of a rod type, combined with slides, and standardized extrusions that form guide rails and a frame to support the actuators. The standardized extrusions include a plurality of faces, with a groove formed in at least one of the faces. Each slide fits in one of the grooves and is attached to the actuator rod, which moves the slide along the guide rails. The guide rails provide structural support to the slides in every direction that a load is attached to the slides, and include grooves to direct the motion of the slides. Two or more such robotic modules, each being positioned in a Cartesian coordinate relationship to one another, complete a system. Each module houses a dedicated controller that operates its respective actuator.

Abstract: One or more small self-contained reentry breakup recorders are disposed within a spacecraft and each includes a sensor suite for collecting and recording collected and recorded sensory data during reentry breakup of the spacecraft, and includes a communications system for broadcasting the collected and recorded sensory data after breakup and before impact with the surface of the earth to a remote communication system for preserving the sensory data of the breakup as well as data relating to critical events occurring prior to breakup. An internal GPS receiver provides sensory positional data of the reentry and breakup positions.

Abstract: An adjustable multipoint docking system includes a plurality of adjustable grasping jaws that are aligned on a mounting surface and adapted to grab onto a wide variety of extending rings, such as conventional spacecraft adapter rings, of an on-orbit target spacecraft for various missions including spacecraft rescue, spacecraft transorbiting to a desired orbit, spacecraft transorbiting to a waste orbit, or spacecraft deorbiting.

Abstract: One or more small self-contained reentry breakup recorders are disposed within a spacecraft and each includes a sensor suite for collecting and recording collected and recorded sensory data during reentry breakup of the spacecraft, and includes a communications system for broadcasting the collected and recorded sensory data after breakup and before impact with the surface of the earth to a remote communication system for preserving the sensory data of the breakup as well as data relating to critical events occurring prior to breakup. An internal GPS receiver provides sensory positional data of the reentry and breakup positions.

Abstract: A unitary shell for a heating appliance is formed having first and second side panels and first and second end panels. The first end panel has first and second sub panels, each sub panel having a vertical edge and the vertical edges of the first and second sub panels being spaced apart to form an opening between the vertical edges. The first end panel allows the insertion of components through the opening during assembly of the heating appliance. An assembly for a heating appliance may also be formed including the unitary shell and a first heating element attached on the inside of the first side panel. A second heating element is attached on the inside of the second side panel. Each heating element includes at least one terminal adapted to receive a power signal and operates responsive to power being applied to the terminal to generate heat. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing an assembly for a toaster includes providing a shell having first and second side panels and first and second end panels.

Abstract: A manufacturing system is provided for automatic assembly, testing and/or packaging of a variety of products. The system is based on utilization of one or more robotic modules, each having a programmable servo-driven linear actuator of a rod type, combined with slides, and standardized extrusions that form guide rails and a frame to support the actuators. The standardized extrusions include a plurality of faces, with a groove formed in at least one of the faces. Each slide fits in one of the grooves and is attached to the actuator rod, which moves the slide along the guide rails. The guide rails provide structural support to the slides in every direction that a load is attached to the slides, and include grooves to direct the motion of the slides. Two or more such robotic modules, each being positioned in a Cartesian coordinate relationship to one another, complete a system. Each module houses a dedicated controller that operates its respective actuator.

Abstract: A foam dispensing gun is provided which dispenses a urethane foam. The foam gun, in one aspect, has a dual valve member in which valve seats are moved relative to valve members to open and close flow paths through the foam gun. The valve member opens the flow paths substantially simultaneously and to substantially the same degree so that the A and B resins will be mixed in a 1:1 ratio. The gun is provided with a locking or stop mechanism to prevent accidental activation of the foam gun. In a second aspect of the invention, a disposable urethane foam gun is provided which has only one moving part and no O-rings.

Abstract: A subminiature circuit protector includes a substrate carrying a metal fuse element hermetically sealed in a glass sleeve cartridge. The fuse element may comprise a film deposited on the substrate, or, alternatively a metal strip or wire. Leads extend from opposing ends of the sleeve for connection in a circuit, and a gas is sealed in the sleeve to provide a suitable environment to improve operating lifetime and interrupting capability. A method for making a circuit protector includes placing a substrate carrying a fuse element in a glass sleeve and placing leads in contact with the fuse element. The assembly is heated in the presence of a gas below atmospheric pressure to a temperature sufficient to soften the glass. The pressure is then increased to cause the ends of the glass sleeve to form a hermetic seal about the leads.

Abstract: A subminiature circuit protector includes a substrate carrying a metal fuse element hermetically sealed in a glass sleeve cartridge. The fuse element may comprise a film deposited on the substrate, or, alternatively a metal strip or wire. Leads extend from opposing ends of the sleeve for connection in a circuit, and a gas is sealed in the sleeve to provide a suitable environment to improve operating lifetime and interrupting capability. A method for making a circuit protector includes placing a substrate carrying a fuse element in a glass sleeve and placing leads in contact with the fuse element. The assembly is heated in the presence of a gas below atmospheric pressure to a temperature sufficient to soften the glass. The pressure is then increased to cause the ends of the glass sleeve to form a hermetic seal about the leads.

Abstract: A subminiature circuit protector includes an electrically insulating substrate, a layer of electrically conducting material on the top surface of the substrate, the electrically conducting layer having a narrow central part forming a fuse element, opposing end parts of the electrically conducting layer extending to end and lateral edges of the substrate, an electrically insulation cover over the fuse element and end parts, and end terminations formed over the end and a portion of the lateral surfaces of the substrate electrically connecting with the end parts.

Abstract: A subminiature circuit protector includes an electrically insulating substrate, a fuse element connecting end termination pads, the termination pads extending to end and lateral edges of the substrate, an electrically insulation cover over the fuse element and termination pads, and end terminations formed over the end and a portion of the lateral surfaces of the substrate electrically connecting with the termination pads.

Abstract: A flip chip Surface Mount Fuse is disclosed. This fuse is comprised of a generally rectangular insulating member having a groove across its full length. A fuse element is placed inside the elongated groove and thick film metallizations are provided, through printing techniques, on opposite sides of the insulating member inside the groove to secure the fuse element and to provide termination to the insulating member. The opening of the groove is filled with an electrically insulating coating. The coating can be applied to form a time delay fuse or a fast acting fuse. Fuses can be manufactured in any desired size.

Abstract: We provide an overload fuse link that is generally used in cartridge type fuses along with a short-circuit fuse link. The overload fuse link is prepared from a solder alloy and is directly attached to the interior of one of the cartridge fuse terminals. The overload fuse link has an open bore opening at one end and a connector extending from the other end. The cartridge fuse which uses the fuse link also has an insulator through which the connector passes and the insulator separates the short circuit fuse link from the body section of the overload fuse link wherein when there is an overload, the fuse link connector electrically separates from the fuse link body section.

Abstract: There is provided a fast acting subminiature cylindrical fuse having a cylindrical cover substantially locked onto a cylindrical base. The locking mechanism for the cover comprises a plurality of grooves and a plurality of corresponding projections on the internal surface of the cover and the external surface of the fuse base. The lock projections have a relatively straight diverging upper surface and a rounded bottom locking surface. The fuse base has a spacing ridge on the bottom thereof that spaces the fuse bottom surface above a circuit board surface. The fuse also has a plurality of pressure relieving passageways extending from inside the fuse to the outside of the fuse.

Abstract: A ceramic coating for a subminiature fuse includes sodium silicate and silicon dioxide applied over a subminiature fuse wire in slurry form. The coating gives the fuse arc quenching properties.

Abstract: A hollow electrical circuit protector preferably coated with an insulative coating which will maintain its structure and not be conductive when said circuit protector blows. The electrical circuit protector has at least one weak spot cross-sectional area and is generally adapted to be part of a dual element fuse link with ribbon-like fuse links on opposite sides thereof. Also provided are the ribbon like fuse links, one with a guide and the other with an integral washer.

Abstract: A time-delay fuse having a fuse element with a series of weak spots surrounded by a loose sand filler. The fuse element is connected to a trigger mechanism by solder or other meltable alloy. The trigger section provides overload protection and the fuse element provides short circuit protection resulting in a time-delay fuse which can be used in places where there are size restrictions.

Abstract: A time-delay fuse having a fuse element with a series of weak spots surrounded by a loose sand filler. The fuse element is connected to a trigger mechanism by solder or other meltable alloy. The trigger section provides overload protection and the fuse element provides short circuit protection resulting in a time-delay fuse which can be used in places where there are size restrictions.

Abstract: A ceramic coating for a subminiature fuse includes sodium silicate and silicon dioxide applied over a subminiature fuse wire in slurry form. The coating gives the fuse arc quenching properties.

Abstract: A subminiature fuse is disclosed comprising two terminals (20, 30), two substrates (80, 90), a fusible conductor (140), an insulating coating (180), and a unitary housing (170). The unitary housing is protected from the interrupt arc by the substrates (80, 90) and the housing (170) is sealed to provide increased mechanical strength, thus reducing the risk of a catastrophic failure of the fuse. The upper portion of the fuse terminals are shaped into finger like projections (70) adaptable to mechanically holding the fusible conductor (140) and a substrate (80), thus facilitating the manufacturing process. In one embodiment the fusible conductor and adjacent portions of the terminals and substrates are coated with a insulating coating or adhesive (180). The insulating coating (180) conducts heat away from the fusible conductor (140) during normal operation. To further protect the housing in the event of a short circuit interruption, a substrate (90) is placed between the housing and the fusible conductor.