Abstract: A system and method for replacing a direct surface manipulation (DSM) surface with an independent NURBS surface patch of a geometric model. The method includes the steps of sampling data points of the DSM surface and parameterizing the sampled data points. The method also includes determining knot vectors for a fitted NURBS surface patch and setting-up an equation system. The method further includes the steps of solving the equation system for the geometric model.

Abstract: A rasp tool for smoothing the rough edges of cut drywall and the like including an elongated housing which is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and which defines a pair of legs disposed spaced relative to one another with each leg defining a distal end. A pair of slots extend along the inside surface of each of the legs longitudinally relative to the housing and parallel relative to each other. The housing further supports a rasp blade with the edges of the blade removably received in the pair of slots such that the blade is spaced from the distal ends of the legs so as to define slide guides on the inside surface of each of the legs.

Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigeration case of a refrigeration system including the steps of locating an expansion valve of a refrigeration case, moving the expansion valve of the refrigeration case out of a predetermined position, sampling temperature readings from an evaporator coil of a refrigeration case, calculating an adaptive proportional-integral-differential (PID) of the temperature of the evaporator coil for the refrigeration case, and moving the expansion valve to a second position closer to the predetermined position based on the calculated proportional-integral-differential until the temperature of the evaporator coil for the refrigeration case is within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A joint which comprises a first joint component having an axial aperture and a second joint component having an axial aperture arranged coaxially with the aperture in the first joint component. The joint components have a gasket ring interposed therebetween to act as a fluid seal. The components are joined by bolts and within the gasket ring are a number of stress or strain responsive elements equispaced around the entire periphery of the gasket ring, each comprising a pair of electrodes sandwiching a stress or strain responsive material. The responsive elements have opposed faces which are spaced from the opposed faces of the gasket ring and the electrodes and are connected to an output via leads to give an indication of the stress or strain within each individual element corresponding to the torque force applied to a proximate bolt.

Abstract: A pilot signal control assembly (10) controls the pilot signal of a valve (18) which is connected to regulator, typically a booster regulator (12). The valve (18) receives air from an air supply (14) and, pursuant to an error signal (E(t)) , defined as the command signal (C(t)) less a modified feedback signal (F(t)) , modifies its output, the pilot pressure signal. The booster regulator (12) receives the pilot pressure signal and modifies its output (P.sub.o (t)) accordingly. A feedback loop (24) transforms the output pressure (P.sub.o (t)) into a voltage signal. The voltage signal is multiplied by a proportional factor (A) based on the size of the booster regulator (12). In a signal subloop (30) of the feedback loop (24), the first derivative is taken of the voltage signal. The multiplied signal and the first derivative are added to create the feedback signal (F(t)) which is eventually subtracted from the command signal (C(t)) to create the error signal (E(t)).

Abstract: A container for disposing of hazardous wastes including an inner receptacle adapted to receive and contain the hazardous wastes or etiological agents and an impact resistent outer container with the inner receptacle disposed within the outer container. The container further includes a fluid barrier located between the inner receptacle and the outer container. The fluid barrier acts as an intermediate containment to minimize fluid from passing from the inner receptacle to the outer container in the event the inner receptacle is ruptured.

Abstract: A valve assembly controls a pressure sent from a valve to create a pilot signal used to control a mechanical booster regulator. An independent feedback line extends from both the output of the valve and the output of the mechanical booster regulator wherein the outputs are scaled after a transducer in each feedback line converts the information received from the pressures into voltages. The difference in the voltage is integrated and added to the input command signal which dictates the parameters of the mechanical booster regulator operation. The voltage feedback from the pilot pressure is then subtracted from the modified command signal. The feedback signals approach a negligible correction as the mechanical booster regulator approaches the designed output pressure because the integration is eliminated and the pressures cancel each other as the system approaches a static condition.

Abstract: A catch basin for automotive fluids, such as oil, adapted for use beneath a mechanic's catwalk which is itself extended beneath an automobile undergoing maintenance or repair operations, is disclosed wherein the catch basin comprises a generally rectangular, planar body portion formed of two dihedrally angled planar body halves and supports for supporting the body portion beneath the catwalk. The basin may be tilted toward a downstream end, at which is located a drain hole and a selectively removable plug. The catch basin supports may be supported from the catwalk or may themselves support the catwalk. The basin may also be provided with a bay adapted to receive and support a plurality of oil filters which are to be drained.

Abstract: A diffuser air outlet includes a plurality of directional vanes journaled generally parallel to each other, and a vane linkage arm assembly for connecting the directional vanes into at least two distinct groups and for moving the distinct groups between a focused position and a diffused position.

Abstract: A collapsible material handling container (10) including a base (12) having a plurality of sides (30, 32), a pair of opposed sidewalls (14) and a pair of opposed end walls (16) and hinges defining axes (68, 70) associated with each wall (14, 16) and interconnecting each wall (14, 16) to the base (12). The walls (14, 16) are rotatably moveable about their respective hinge axes (68, 70) between a collapsed position wherein the walls (14, 16) are folded one on top of the other and an upright position wherein the walls (14, 16) extend vertically upward from the base (12) to define an interior (18) of the container (10). The hinge axes (68) for the opposed sidewalls (14) are disposed on a common plane bisecting these axes (68). Similarly, the hinge axes (70) for the opposed end walls (16) are disposed on a common plane bisecting these axes (70).

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of moveable strings includes a case having a longitudinal channel, at least one magnet disposed in the channel along an interior surface of the case, at least one coil disposed in the longitudinal channel, and a structure for locking the coil within the longitudinal channel.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of commonly piped compressors for a refrigeration system having a plurality of refrigeration cases including the steps of sensing a suction pressure of the refrigeration system, determining whether the sensed suction pressure is within a predetermined pressure range, and turning compressors ON or OFF in stages until the suction pressure is within the predetermined pressure range. The method also includes the steps of sensing a case temperature for each of the refrigeration cases if the sensed suction pressure is within the predetermined pressure range and determining whether the sensed case temperature is within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: The tape dispenser has a cutting device with a blade, a blade protecting shield mounted above the blade, and a pair of pivot shafts. The blade protecting shield has a frontward edge, a rearward edge opposite to the frontward edge, a projection with two opposed end portions which extend integrally and rearwardly from the rearward edge, and a pair of spaced pivot blocks which extend rearwardly from the rearward edge and which are respectively on two sides of the projection such that a clearance is formed between each of the pivot blocks and a respective one of the opposed end portions of the projection. Each of the pivot blocks has a recess to receive a respective one of the pivot shafts and is pivotable relative to the connecting plates between a first position, wherein the front edge of the blade protecting shield uncovers the blade, and a second position, wherein the blade protecting shield covers the blade.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine having a cutter frame with two rotary boring heads mounted on this frame for rotation about axes extending longitudinally of the machine. Each boring head has a plurality of radially extending rotor arms which carry and support cutter bits on the front thereof. A pair of reciprocating pole devices are mounted in each of the rotor arms for movement in the radial direction of the arm. A number of link members are each pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to respective pair of the pole devices and additional cutter bits are mounted on the link members. There is also a cam mechanism for reciprocating each pair of pole devices as the boring heads are rotated. The cam mechanism causes each pair of pole devices to be pushed radially outwardly at each of the four corners distributed about a circular hole cut by the respective boring head in such a manner that the resulting hole bored by the machine is generally rectangular.

Abstract: An acoustic pick-up assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of moveable strings includes a structure forming a longitudinal channel. The pick-up assembly also includes magnet structures disposed in the channel and a coil structure disposed in the channel for receiving an induced voltage due to movement of the moveable strings across the magnetic field.

Abstract: A game apparatus for a simulated hockey game including a game board having a playing surface and at least two pairs of opposing sides with each side having an opening for receiving a small object such as a disk. There are four sets of game playing menders which are able to manipulate the object over the playing surface. Because there are four sets, four persons are able to play this game. A vertical shaft extends from each playing member and down through the playing surface. A number of generally horizontal rods are used to move the playing members along respective slots formed in the playing surface. Each rod is operatively connected to a respective one of the vertical shafts so that rotation of the rod causes rotation off the shaft and the attached playing member. At least some of the rods for moving the playing members of each of the sets project from a respective one of the four opposing sides.