Abstract: An item discriminating method and apparatus are provided for discriminating between an acceptable and unacceptable item. An apparatus for item discriminating preferably includes characteristics for determining selected characteristics of an item under test and a deviation value determiner responsive to the characteristic determiner for determining a deviation value between the item under test and predetermined statistical variables for the selected characteristics of a plurality of acceptable items. An accepting or rejecting device responsive to the deviation value determiner accepts or rejects the item under test based upon whether the deviation value falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A cleaner for swimming pools includes a housing having a pressure differential chamber with an opening defined by opposing walls and an oscillator pivotally mounted within the opening on a pivot axis extending between the walls. A seal is loosely fitted within a recess along a side of the oscillator for movement outwardly across a gap between the oscillator and the wall of the opening to close the gap when necessary for purposes of starting the oscillator and for opening the gap when required to allow grit, leaves and the like to pass through.

Abstract: A self-purging vehicle braking system and method of purging gas from same are provided by the present invention. The braking system preferably includes a disk brake and a master cylinder in fluid communication with the disk brake. The master cylinder preferably has a piston chamber, a piston disposed within the piston chamber and moveable between an extended and a retracted position which defines a working volume of fluid moved by the piston, and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the piston chamber and adapted to supply fluid thereto. A manifold connects in fluid communication with the piston chamber and the disk brake. An inlet brake line interconnects the manifold to the disk brake for supplying brake fluid to the disk brake, and an outlet brake line interconnects the disk brake to the manifold for returning fluid from the disk brake. A flow controller connects in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet brake lines to control fluid flow during operation of the braking system.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the proximity of a moving target is provided which includes a sensor for sensing a range of distances between a reference point and a moving target. The sensor preferably has a detector for detecting a distance signal representative of a range of distances between a reference point and a moving target and a maximum and minimum generator responsive to the detector for generating a maximum distance range DC voltage signal representative of a maximum distance range value between a reference point and a moving target and for generating a minimum distance range DC voltage signal representative of a minimum distance range value between a reference point and a moving target.

Abstract: A three-dimensional article making apparatus includes a processor operatively connected to a dispenser and positioner for constructing the article based upon the article defining data. The processor operates the dispenser to construct an enlarged surface of a first article portion to thereby define an enhanced target landing point area for dispensed droplets of build material for constructing a second article portion adjacent the first article portion. The enhanced target landing point area permits a slight misalignment or error that may occur between adjacent article portions. The processor also avoids shadowing during construction of the article by operating the dispenser to construct third and fourth adjacent article portions so that a dispensing path for constructing the third article portion is unobstructed by a previously constructed part of the fourth article portion. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided for delaying the flow of brake fluid to the rear brakes to reduce the risk of locking the rear brakes. The braking system preferably has a master cylinder, a pair of disk brakes respectively positioned on a pair of rear wheels of a vehicle, and inlet and outlet brake lines each respectively connected to the master cylinder and the pair of rear disk brakes. A fluid circulator valve preferably is positioned between and in fluid communication with the master cylinder and the pair of rear disk brakes and is connected to the inlet and outlet brake lines. A rear brake delay valve preferably is positioned between and in fluid communication with the circulator valve and the pair of rear disk brakes and is connected to the inlet brake line.

Abstract: A sensor can detect the difference in potential between itself and the fluid into which it is immersed, a signal generated by the probe representing this difference in potential. This signal is used to activate an oscillator circuit. By varying the conditions at which current in the oscillator circuit begins to oscillate, various liquids can be detected and identified.

Abstract: A cable drive for elevator doors has first and second drive pulleys eccentrically mounted 180.degree. out-of-phase on the same drive motor shaft so that the cable feed rate is greater at the middle, than at the start and end of each drive cycle. Feeder pulleys arranged below the drive pulleys ensure that cable angle of feed to tension pulleys positioned at opposite ends of the door travel remains constant, regardless of rotational position of the drive pulleys. The doors travel along guide tracks provided with downwardly directed flanges, behind which upwardly directed flanges of door sheave assemblies are captured. The sheave assemblies also include downwardly directed flanges that are captured behind upwardly directed rails of the tracks. In a single-slide door or center-opening two door arrangement, each door panel has two sheave assemblies and two facing tracks are provided, the sheave of each assembly riding on a different track.

Abstract: A brake assembly and method are provided wherein a shaft having a bore rotates about a rod such that a flexible ring member positioned within a groove of the rod expands into frictional contact with the shaft bore wall for restricting rotation of the shaft when pressure is increased in a chamber formed between the flexible ring member and a bottom portion of the groove. The brake assembly for use with a model vehicle incorporates an onboard air pressure tank which suppplies pressure to the chamber forcing the O-ring into frictional contact with a rotating hub for bringing the rotating hub to a stop. A pressure regulator valve having both high and low pressure sources provides multiple pressure levels to the chamber for imparting varying frictional forces to the rotating hub for taking the vehicle through a controlled slowing and stopping action.

Abstract: A safety cap for preventing unauthorized access to a refrigerant valve is described. The safety cap has a locking piece that attaches to the valve's threaded portion and covers the valve's access port. A collar surrounds the locking piece and is mechanically decoupled therefrom, so that motion is not communicated therebetween. The locking piece has a topographic feature such as a number of asymmetrically placed holes. A special releasing tool that has complementary protrusions for interfacing with the holes is required in order to decouple the locking piece from the valve.

Abstract: A pump station flowmeter is disclosed including a pump status comparator for creating level status without being connected to any level sensors by comparing pump status to a list of association between expected pump status and levels. The wet well dimension, pump status signals, clock signals, level status are recorded in memory before being used as input to a flow calculator which calculates inflow and outflow. A flow rectifier readjusts the inflow and outflow according to a variable proportion of the difference between an average of many outflows and one outflow, and using this difference to readjust a variable tolerance and the variable proportion. This optimizes accuracy according to each specific installation. Abnormal pump operations are confirmed when a predetermined number of possible abnormal pump operations occur in a row are detected by comparing the outflow to the average of many outflows plus or minus the variable tolerance.

Abstract: A conical floway culture system for cleansing water of pollutants is presented that has a downward slope between the central region and the outer edge and a wall for retaining water within the floway. The water-impervious bottom surface has a texture conducive for growing an algal turf. In use, water is admitted into the floway from the waterway and is permitted to flow over the algal turf. The algal turf bioassimilates the pollutants and thereby cleanses the water, and the water is discharged in a cleansed condition. Mature algal turf is harvested periodically by an angled plowing system having a notched, fixed, or rotating scraper that travels in a downward spiral path, pushing harvested algal turf downslope toward the outer edge.

Abstract: A sensor can detect the difference in potential between itself and the fluid into which it is immersed, a signal generated by the probe representing this difference in potential. This signal is used to activate an oscillator circuit. By varying the conditions at which current in the oscillator circuit begins to oscillate, various liquids can be detected and identified.

Abstract: A valve mounting device holds a valve in a fixed position and prevents rotation of the valve during operation of the valve handle. The device includes a tubular sleeve dimensioned to receive a valve body and in one embodiment has a notch for receiving a valve supply tube exit typical in angle stop valves. The sleeve is affixed to a guide tube which bends the flexible pipe through a predetermined arc for engaging the valve and holding the sleeve end valve in position. The guide tube is affixed to a rigid structure such as a wall or partition member thereby holding the valve and pipe in a rigid position. Escutcheon plates are adapted to provide support to the guide tube and sleeve.