Abstract: A hybrid material tension member for an elevator or other people transportation system using organic fiber and steel material as the load carrying components either discretely or in combined form. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A fruit chiller includes a bowl-like fruit container and a removable cover, each of which has a two layer wall defining therebetween annular cooling air flow passages. Cool air is delivered from a lower base and, when the cover is on the container, cool air flows upwardly through the interconnected annular passages and into the container at the top of the cover. The air flows downwardly and exits the container at the bottom, thereby maximizing the distance between the cool air inlet and outlet to maximize the time the cool air remains within the container.

Abstract: An elevator safety brake for stopping an elevator car is provided with a brake shoe having a molybdenum alloy friction surface for contacting an elevator guide rail surface to provide a stopping force. The molybdenum alloy contains 99.4 weight percent molybdenum, 0.5 weight percent titanium and 0.1 weight percent zirconium. The friction surface of the brake formed from the alloy exhibits a consistent high friction and low wear suitably accommodating high speed, high load elevators installed in very tall buildings.

Abstract: A chiller for fresh fruit and other perishable food products is cooled with a thermoelectric device and includes a cool air recirculating system that minimizes air flow path lengths and provides uniform cool air distribution throughout a fruit container removably supported above the thermoelectric module. The cooling air flow duct system is formed in part by the bottom wall of the container, thereby enhancing direct cooling air flow contact in minimizing the lengths of the flow paths.

Abstract: Electrical devices, particularly circuit protection devices, contain conductive polymer elements whose edges are formed by breaking the conductive polymer element, along a desired path, without the introduction of any solid body into the element. The resulting cohesive failure of the conductive polymer produces a distinctive fractured surface. One method of preparing such devices involves etching fracture channels in the electrodes of a plaque containing a PTC conductive polymer element sandwiched between metal foil electrodes, and then snapping the plaque along the fracture channels to form individual devices.

Abstract: An elevator safety brake for stopping an elevator car is provided with a brake shoe having a carbon-carbon composite friction surface for contacting an elevator guide rail surface to provide a stopping force. The friction surface of the brake formed from the carbon-carbon composite exhibits a consistent high friction and low wear suitably accommodating high speed, high load elevators installed in very tall buildings.

Abstract: An elevator safety brake for stopping an elevator car is provided with a brake shoe having a fused sprayed friction coating for contacting an elevator guide rail surface to provide a stopping force. In a preferred embodiment, the coating is obtained by plasma spraying an admixture of 85 weight percent nickel-chromium alloy particles and 15 weight percent tungsten carbide particles on a substrate. The plasma sprayed admixture is fused. The fused sprayed friction surface of the brake exhibits a consistent high friction and low wear suitably accommodating high speed, high load elevators installed in very tall buildings.

Abstract: Electrical devices, particularly circuit protection devices, contain conductive polymer elements whose edges are formed by breaking the conductive polymer element, along a desired path, without the introduction of any solid body into the element. The resulting cohesive failure of the conductive polymer produces a distinctive fractured surface. One method of preparing such devices involves etching fracture channels in the electrodes of a plaque containing a PTC conductive polymer element sandwiched between metal foil electrodes, and then snapping the plaque along the fracture channels to form individual devices.

Abstract: An elevator safety brake is provided comprising two cantilevers, a pivot, a spring, and a hold-off-engagement linkage. In one embodiment, the hold-off-engagement linkage is comprised of two upper struts, and two lower struts. When it is desired to slow or stop the elevator via the safety brake, the lower struts move from a first position in which the lower struts are substantially in alignment with one another and the cantilevers are in an open position, to a second position in which the lower struts are not substantially in alignment with one another and the cantilevers are in a closed position. When the cantilevers are in the closed position, the spring exerts a force via the cantilevers on the guide rail in order to decelerate the elevator.

Abstract: The energy storage flywheel device (6) includes a plurality of annular shaped composite sections (8) and an annular shaped insert (10). The insert (10) has a specific radial strength substantially greater than the composite sections' specific radial strength. The composite sections (8) and the insert (10) are alternately stacked such that they have a common axis of rotation. They are bonded to each other such that shear stress is transferred between the composite sections (8) and insert (10). In some applications, the flywheel (6) may comprise at least one annular shaped metal matrix composite section (8).

Abstract: The energy storage flywheel device (6) includes a plurality of annular shaped composite sections (8) and an annular shaped insert (10). The insert (10) has a specific radial strength substantially greater than the composite sections' specific radial strength. The composite sections (8) and the insert (10) are alternately stacked such that they have a common axis of rotation. They are bonded to each other such that shear stress is transferred between the composite sections (8) and insert (10). In some applications, the flywheel (6) may comprise at least one annular shaped metal matrix composite section (8).

Abstract: The energy storage flywheel device (6) includes a plurality of annular shaped composite sections (8) and an annular shaped insert (10). The insert (10) has a specific radial strength substantially greater than the composite sections' specific radial strength. The composite sections (8) and the insert (10) are alternately stacked such that they have a common axis of rotation. They are bonded to each other such that shear stress is transferred between the composite sections (8) and insert (10). In some applications, the flywheel (6) may comprise at least one annular shaped metal matrix composite section (8).

Abstract: The invention takes the form of a hydrodynamic plane which carries a fishing line up and down along a weighted downrigger trolling line. The position of the plane is controlled by the fisherman through the fishing line which is releasably clipped to a leader attached to the trailing edge of the plane. Whenever there is a mild amount of tension on the fishing line the plane is held in a down-planing position so that the device will dive and be held against the downrigger weight by the hydrodynamic force. The weight of the plane is balanced so that when the tension on the fishing line is relieved or if the fishing line is released from the friction clip, the plane will automatically pivot to an up-planing position and rise to the surface. Thus, the plane will automatically rise to the surface when a fish strikes the hook, or the fisherman can make the device rise to the surface on command without releasing the fishing line so that he or she can check the bait or the lure and send the device back down again.

Abstract: A metal oxide dielectric dense body, comprising (I) grains having a predominant crystalline phase (a) a primary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon and magnesium oxide and (b) optionally a secondary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of aluminum and zinc oxide and (II) between about 1 and about 20 atom % bismuth, vanadium, or boron oxide or combination thereof, discontinuously located at the boundaries of the crystalline grains or as inclusions in the crystalline grains, the atom %'s based on the total atoms of bismuth, vanadium, boron, silicon, magnesium, aluminum, and zinc. The dense body has a density which is at least 95% of theoretical.

Abstract: A metal oxide dielectric dense body, comprising (I) grains having a predominant crystalline phase (a) a primary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon and magnesium oxide and (b) optionally a secondary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of aluminum and zinc oxide and (II) between about 1 and about 20 atom % bismuth, vanadium, or boron oxide or combinations thereof, discontinuously located at the boundaries of the crystalline grains or as inclusions in the crystalline grains, the atom %'s based on the total atoms of bismuth, vanadium, boron, silicon, magnesium, aluminum, and zinc. The dense body has a density which is at least 95% of theoretical.

Abstract: A metal oxide dielectric dense body, comprising (I) grains having a predominant crystalline phase (a) a primary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon and magnesium oxide and (b) optionally a secondary metal oxide selected from the group consisting of aluminum and zinc oxide and (II) between about 1 and about 20 atom % bismuth, vanadium, or boron oxide or combinations thereof, discontinuously located at the boundaries of the crystalline grains or as inclusions in the crystalline grains, the atom %'s based on the total atoms of bismuth, vanadium, boron, silicon, magnesium, aluminum, and zinc. The dense body has a density which is at least 95% of theoretical.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for making metal oxide varistor precursor powder comprising (a) dissolving soluble precursors of the additive metal oxides, e.g. bismuth nitrate as precursor for bismuth oxide, in an aqueous solution, (b) forming a suspension or slurry in the aqueous solution of a powder of the desired primary metal oxide, e.g. zinc oxide, having the desired particle size, (c) adding a precipitating reagent to convert the additive metal from the soluble precursor form to the oxide or hydrous oxide form and precipitate the oxide or hydrous oxide in the presence of the primary metal oxide particles, (d) removing water and by-product salts to form a powder. The resulting varistor precursor powder contains smaller particles of the additive metal oxides evenly distributed throughout larger particles of the primary metal oxide. Varistors prepared from the resulting powder can be sintered at temperatures lower than conventionlly used, for example 900.degree. C.-1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A varistor comprises a primary varistor metal oxide, aluminum in an amount of about 1 to about 30 parts per million (ppm), about 0.1 to about 0.5 mole % bismuth, about 0.1 to about 1.5 mole % antimony, about 0.1 to about 1 mole % chromium, about 0.1 to about 1.0 mole % manganese, about 0.1 to about 2.0 mole % cobalt, and about 0 to about 1.0 mole % boron. Each of these elements is present in the form of its oxide and the varistor has a DC leakage current at 80% of V.sub.1ma/cm.spsb.2 of less than 1.0.times.10.sup.-7 amp/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Device and method for detecting the presence of gas in refrigeration systems and other evacuated systems. The exhaust from a vacuum pump connected to the system is passed through a gas detector having a reservoir of liquid in which bubbling can be observed. The exhaust is normally discharged through a discharge opening in the detector. The opening is blocked with the hand to divert the exhaust from the vacuum pump into the liquid to produce bubbling in the liquid in the event that any gas is present in the exhaust.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composition which exhibits PTC behavior comprises a crystalline organic polymer, carbon black, and a high resistivity particulate filler. The high resistivity filler is semiconductive and has a resistivity at least 100 times that of the carbon black. Compositions of the invention exhibit good resistance stability when exposed to thermal cycling. They are useful in electrical devices requiring compositions with high resistivity.