Abstract: A torque/position transducer is positioned between the valve stem of a valve and a valve operator adapted to open and close the valve and includes a body section including an input lug adapted for mating the engagement with the output lug of the valve operator and an output lug adapted for mating the engagement with the valve stem of the valve. A pair of strain gauges are mounted on the body of the torque/position transducer and function to generate an output signal indicative of the amount of torque necessary to open or close the valve. The body further includes a cam secured to the body section. A magnet is positioned in movable contact with the cam. A magneto-resistive sensor senses the movement of the magnet as the cam varies the distance from said magnet to said sensor and generates a signal indicative of the position of the valve stem with respect to the valve under the action of the valve operator.

Abstract: A self-leveling dispenser provides a rack supporting a stack of trays within a frame. A reversible motor drivably connected to spiral shafts mounted at the corners of the frame rotates the shafts to provide upward or downward movement of the rack, which is supported on the spiral shafts by threaded sleeves. An upper sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to move the rack downward upon detecting a tray at an upper horizontal level above a desired height. A lower sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to raise the rack upon sensing the absence of a tray at a lower horizontal level below the desired height. The sensors cooperate to automatically and continuously reposition an uppermost portion of a top tray in the stack at the desired height with respect to the frame, thereby to facilitate dispensing of dishes or food products.

Abstract: A self-leveling dispenser provides a rack supporting a stack of trays within a frame. A reversible motor drivably connected to spiral shafts mounted at the corners of the frame rotates the shafts to provide upward or downward movement of the rack, which is supported on the spiral shafts by threaded sleeves. An upper sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to move the rack downward upon detecting a tray at an upper horizontal level above a desired height. A lower sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to raise the rack upon sensing the absence of a tray at a lower horizontal level below the desired height. The sensors cooperate to automatically and continuously reposition an uppermost portion of a top tray in the stack at the desired height with respect to the frame, thereby to facilitate dispensing of dishes or food products.

Abstract: A self-leveling dispenser provides a rack supporting a stack of trays within a frame. A reversible motor drivably connected to spiral shafts mounted at the corners of the frame rotates the shafts to provide upward or downward movement of the rack, which is supported on the spiral shafts by threaded sleeves. An upper sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to move the rack downward upon detecting a tray at an upper horizontal level above a desired height. A lower sensor mounted to the frame is operably connected to the motor to raise the rack upon sensing the absence of a tray at a lower horizontal level below the desired height. The sensors cooperate to automatically and continuously reposition an uppermost portion of a top tray in the stack at the desired height with respect to the frame, thereby to facilitate dispensing of dishes or food products.

Abstract: Apparatus for sampling fluids, i.e. liquids or gases, or both, from a supply source. The apparatus comprises an adapter unit inclusive of a pair of tubular sections, or members, detachably engaged one with the other, each contains communicating inlet and outlet channels, respectively, and each has valve elements for opening and closing the channels. One tubular section of the adapter unit can thus be located at the fluid supply source, and the other adapted for connection to a portable supply container such that, when the valve elements are opened, fluid from the supply source will fill the container and, after the container is filled, the valve elements of the two sections of the adapter unit can be closed to shut off the fluid supply as well as close off fluid communication between the two tubular sections.