Abstract: A cordless blind contains one or more springs in the bottomrail of the blind. Preferably the spring is a constant force spring motor and is connected to at least one cord collector in a manner to maintain tension on the cord collector. The tension causes the lift cords to be collected on the cord collector when the cord collector and the lift cords are free to move, thereby moving the bottomrail toward the headrail. Preferably, a lock mechanism is attached to the cord collector or the lift cords. The lock mechanism has a locked position wherein the lift cords are restrained from being collected on the cord collector and has an unlocked position that allows the lift cords and cord collector to move.

Abstract: A decorative magnet has a plastic body with at least one magnet heat staked to the back of the body. The body has at least one opening extending through the body from the front face to the back and a stake extending from the back of the body. An insert has a first portion within the at least one opening and a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion rests against the back of the body and prevents the insert from completely passing through the opening. A portion of the magnet covers at least a portion of the insert thereby retaining the insert within the opening or openings in the body.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation and performance of water-only cyclones used in coal preparation plants for separating a fine raw coal slurry into fine coal and fine refuse slurries includes a variable speed pump for feeding the slurry from an underpan of a deslime screen to a water-only cyclone. A nuclear density gauge measures the specific gravity of the slurry feeding the cyclones and generates a signal used to control the addition of water. A level sensor measures the level of the fine raw coal slurry in the underpan. A pressure sensor measures the pressure of the fine raw coal slurry pumped to the water-only cyclone. A speed control device uses signals from the level and pressure sensors to control the speed of the pump in order to maintain an appropriate level of slurry in the underpan, and an appropriate feed pressure to the water-only cyclone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling braking on a train having ECP railcars using a conventional automatic brake valve. The locomotive and railcars are connected to brake pipe and a wireline, or use RF communications. A brake handle or other brake control valve interface is operated to cause a pressure change in an equalizing reservoir. The relay valve is isolated from the pressure change and connected to a reference pressure whereby brake pipe pressure is maintained. The pressure change is sensed and a signal generated representative thereof which is used to determine the level of braking commanded on the railcars. The apparatus includes an interface unit interposed between pertinent ports connecting the automatic brake valve, equalizing reservoir and brake pipe, and an equalizing reservoir pressure sensor to provide an output signal to an ECP controller for controlling braking on the railcars.

Abstract: A tape drum for venetian type blinds has a pair of spaced apart generally elliptical ends with each end having a hole sized and positioned to receive a tilt axle. A front wall and a rear wall extend between the spaced apart ends. A rib is attached to the front wall and to the inside surfaces of the spaced apart ends. A second rib is attached to the rear wall and the inside surfaces of the spaced apart ends, the second rib being spaced apart from the first rib and defining a gap between the first rib and the second rib. A mounting is attached to each rib that is sized and configured so that a rail of a cord ladder can be attached to it. Two pairs of collinear spaced apart rods are attached to the inside surfaces of the spaced apart ends to provide a mounting for the rails of a tape type ladder. The generally elliptical shape of the tape drum causes the rails of the ladder to move together when the tilt axle is turned from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: An axle driven cord collection system that uses cones to spool the lift cords. An idle/drive wheel on each cone prevents the cords from tangling. A collet connects each cone in an adjustable way so that the total travel of each cord can be precisely controlled by adjusting the position of the starting wrap on at least one of the cones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding, cooling and cutting an extrusion using temperature feedback can include an extruder for producing an extrudate which can be fed through appropriate sizing, support and cooling devices, which can include one or more of a vacuum chamber, cooling chamber, and calibrators having internal cooling passages. The apparatus can also include a cutting blade, a programmable temperature controller for controlling the cooling of the extrudate based upon feedback on the temperature of the extrudate sensed near the cutting blade and/or prior to a device which feeds the extrusion through the system. The method can include sensing the temperature of the extrudate, at a point near the cutting blade and/or prior to the feed device, subsequent to extrusion being passed through the sizing, support and/or cooling devices.

Abstract: The method is suitable for the micromachining of accurately aligned holes in the aerofoil surface of a component such as a jet engine turbine blade or vane which comprises a ground anchorage portion and a cast aerofoil portion. The method uses a micromachining apparatus which is pre-programmed to machine holes in the aerofoil surface when that surface is in a predefined reference position and orientation in the apparatus. Initially the component is mounted in the micromachining apparatus by means of its anchorage portion. At least one probe is then moved into contact with the surface of the cast aerofoil portion to derive the positions of selected points on that aerofoil portion. From the derived position data, angular and linear offset data may be calculated to define the deviation of that cast aerofoil portion from the reference position and orientation defined in the computer memory of the micromachining apparatus.

Abstract: A bicycle seat has a pair of guide rails each having a seat pad pivotably attached to the front end of the guide rail. An elongated support has a wing at each end. The guide rails travel on the wings in two substantially parallel paths. A pulley is mounted on the center of the elongated support. One or more straps are connected to the front ends of the guide rails or the back ends of the guide rails so that motion of one guide rail in a first direction causes movement of the second guide rail in an opposite direction. One or more springs can be connected between the guide rails and the elongated support.

Abstract: High molybdenum, corrosion-resistant alloys are provided with greatly increased thermal stability by controlling the atom concentrations to be NiaMobXcYdZe, where: a is between about 73 and 77 atom percent b is between about 18 and 23 atom percent X is one or more required substitutional alloying elements selected from Groups VI, VII and VIII of the Periodic Table and c does not exceed about 5 atom percent for any one element, Y is one or more optional substitutional alloying elements which may be present and d does not exceed about one atom percent for any one element, Z is one or more interstitial elements and e is as tow as possible, not exceeding about 0.2 atom percent in total; and the sum of c and d is between about 2.5 and 7.5 atom percent.

Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.

Abstract: An apparatus for celibrating rotary power assembly impulse tools comprises a variable rate simulated test joint in which a rotary shaft is braked by brake shoes in direct contact with the shaft under the control of a computer. The braking torque applied to the shaft by the brake shoes is gradually increased while the shaft is driven at free-running speed by the tool being calibrated, and the pulsed output of the impulse tool is monitored. The monitored pulsed output is initially erratic, but settles down to a regular stream of output pulses. The first pulse of that regular stream can be identified. The magnitude of the braking torque is then increased as a linear function of time with a predefined gradient representative of the torque rate of the joint being simulated, commencing with the identified first pulse. The apparatus is the first such apparatus to be able to provide thoroughly reliable and consistent torque calibration for impulse tools.

Abstract: A method of forming an aluminum silicon diffusion coating on a surface of an alloy product utilizes a diffusion mixture containing by weight 1% to 5% aluminum, 0.5% to 5% silicon, 0.5% to 3% ammonium halide activator and the balance an inert filler. The product to be coated is placed in a retort with the diffusion mixture covering the product surfaces to be coated. Upon heating aluminum and silicon will diffuse onto the product surfaces forming the aluminum and silicon diffusion coating.

Abstract: With a scanning electron microscope having an electron gun and a specimen chamber between which one or more pressure stage apertures are arranged, through whose orifices a primary electron beam can be deflected to a specimen in the specimen chamber, where the lowest pressure stage aperture (18) nearest the specimen, through which the primary electron beam strikes the specimen, is set up to shield an elevated pressure in the specimen chamber with respect to the remaining microscope column of the scanning electron microscope and to allow secondary electrons emanating from the specimen to pass through their orifice to reach at least one detector, the detector is a high-sensitivity detector (74) biased at a positive potential with respect to the specimen.