Abstract: A method and system for acquiring and managing data from multiple remote devices. A server is programmed to automatically dial and connect to remote devices that are connected to standard phone lines. The invention allows multiple remote user computers to concurrently control and access data supplied by the remote devices over combined computer network and telephone systems.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring and managing data from multiple remote devices. A server is programmed to automatically dial and connect to remote devices that are connected to standard phone lines. The invention allows multiple remote user computers to concurrently control and access data supplied by the remote devices over combined computer network and telephone systems.

Abstract: A building having a plurality of floors, a plurality of detectors, such as smoke detectors, located on the floors, and an elevator system usable for moving building occupants between floors during an emergency condition, such as a building fire. The elevator system includes a control unit that controls movement of an elevator car between selected floors within an emergency evacuation zone for evacuation of building occupants to a designated evacuation assistance floor. The vertical movement of the elevator car is controlled relative to the detection of smoke within the building to increase the efficiency of emergency evacuation. The elevator and smoke detection systems are equipped with an emergency power source for operation in the event of a power outage. A signal control system receives status information from the building systems, including the elevator system, an air handling system, and a fire suppression system.

Abstract: A building having a plurality of floors, a plurality of detectors, such as smoke detectors, located on the floors, and an elevator system usable for moving building occupants between floors during an emergency condition, such as a building fire. The elevator system includes a control unit that controls movement of an elevator car between selected floors within an emergency evacuation zone for evacuation of building occupants to a designated evacuation assistance floor. The vertical movement of the elevator car is controlled relative to the detection of smoke within the building to increase the efficiency of emergency evacuation. The elevator and smoke detection systems are equipped with an emergency power source for operation in the event of a power outage.

Abstract: A hoistway door seal structure for limiting the flow of air through a hoistway opening when the door is closed. The hoistway door seal structure includes a hoistway door that covers a hoistway entrance defined by an opening in a hoistway wall structure. An elongated door support member is connected to the wall structure and is positioned in a generally horizontal orientation above the hoistway entrance. A seal structure is supported between the hoistway door and the wall structure. A door support is connected to the hoistway door and is movably connected to the elongated support member to support the door while permitting movement of the door in a lateral direction between an open position permitting access to the hoistway and a closed position wherein the door substantially covers the hoistway entrance with a space between the hoistway door and the wall structure.

Abstract: A thin film coating system incorporates separate, separately-controlled deposition and reaction zones for depositing materials such as refractory metals and forming oxides and other compounds and alloys of such materials. The associated process involves rotating or translating workpieces past the differentially pumped, atmospherically separated, sequentially or simultaneously operated deposition and reaction zones and is characterized by the ability to form a wide range of materials, by high throughput, and by controlled coating thickness, including both constant and selectively varied thickness profiles.

Abstract: A multiple level building comprising an elevator system in which an elevator car moves between floors within an elevator hoistway which contains a door providing access to the hoistway from a corridor at each floor. Seal structures are provided between the hoistway door and a hoistway wall structure to substantially prevent smoke and gas from passing into or out of the hoistway, and to block water from entering the hoistway. A transverse seal structure has a wall-mounted portion with an angled seal engagement surface relative to the hoistway wall, and a door portion with an angled seal mating surface facing toward the hoistway wall and spaced apart from the seal engaging surface of the wall-mounted portion. A seal is provided between the seal engagement surface and the seal mating surface to seal the transverse space therebetween to prevent smoke and gas to pass therethrough in the event of a fire when the hoistway doors are in the closed position.

Abstract: A thin film coating system incorporates separate, separately-controlled deposition and reaction zones for depositing materials such as refractory metals and forming oxides and other compounds and alloys of such materials. The associated process involves rotating or translating workpieces past the differentially pumped, atmospherically separated, sequentially or simultaneously operated deposition and reaction zones and is characterized by the ability to form a wide range of materials, by high throughput, and by controlled coating thickness, including both constant and selectively varied thickness profiles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected opening from an adjacent path of smoke, noxious fumes or contaminated air which comprises a reel of reinforced transparent, temperature, chemical or radiation resistant material having flexible magnetic edge strips on each side thereof mounted and centered above said opening, and causing the reel to drop in vertical fall adjacent to the opening and simultaneously causing the flexible magnetized strips to become rapidly and magnetically attached to ferromagnetic side rails or ferromagnetic door frame used for fire doors and to expand under pressure while maintaining an air tight seal of the opening. This apparatus is elegantly simple and reliable in both its construction and operation and has an extremely high price/performance figure of merit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected exit way or entrance way from an adjacent path of smoke which comprises providing a reel of fire resistant material and having magnetic edge strips on each side thereof above said exit way or entrance way, and causing the reel to drop in vertical fall adjacent to the exit way or entrance way and simultaneously cause magnetized strips on a fire retardant curtain wound on the reel to become rapidly and magnetically attached to the exit way or entrance way upon the nearby condition of either smoke or fire. This apparatus is elegantly simple and reliable in both its construction and operation and has an extremely high price/performance figure of merit.

Abstract: A roofing membrane puller for tautly pulling a water-proof membrane over a flat roof, even to the edges thereof, includes a frame, at least one anchor which maintains the frame in a selected position on the flat roof, a locking gripper having releasably lockable jaws for gripping the membrane, a leveraged hand drive which is mounted to the frame and includes a lever which is pivotally mounted to the frame and can be grasped by an operator's hand to move the lever and apply a force to the lever in driving direction, and a pulley-cable system for transmitting a pulling force from the leveraged hand drive to the locking gripper to pull the membrane. A cable extends from the leveraged hand drive through at least one pulley where the cable's direction can be changed so that the cable and locking gripper can pull the membrane in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the puller frame.

Abstract: A flexible polymer substrate coated with an aluminum oxide thin film of an optimum adherent thickness of at least about 170 nanometers, with a final optical coating of preselected design formed on the aluminum oxide film.