Abstract: A capacitive vacuum measuring cell includes first and second ceramic housing bodies (1, 4) joined by an edge seal (3). A thin ceramic membrane (2) is supported between first and second housing bodies (1, 4) by the edge seal (3) at a small distance from the first housing body (1) creating a reference vacuum chamber (25) therebetween. An electrically conductive material (7) coats opposing surfaces of the first housing body (1) and the membrane (2) to form a capacitor. A measurement vacuum chamber (26) is provided between the membrane (2) and the second housing body (4). A port (5) communicates with the second housing body (4) to connect the measurement vacuum chamber (26) of the measuring cell to the medium to be measured. The membrane (2) is made from an Al2O3 slurry that is sintered in a first heating step, cooled, and then reheated to smooth the membrane.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler, including one or more media modules, distributes water from a source of water to each module through a constant flow valve. A distribution unit at each media module includes a spray bar for spraying water through a plurality of uniformly spaced holes having an aggregate area equivalent to or less than twenty five percent (25%) of the internal cross sectional area of the spray bar. A distribution cap distributes the streams of water to the underlying media module(s) and the water dripping from the media module(s) is drained. A fan or other air moving device draws air through the media module(s) to obtain cooled air resulting from evaporation of water flowing downwardly along the media module(s).

Abstract: A remotely controlled model airplane includes a receiver responsive to signals from a transmitter to control the direction of flight of the model airplane. The receiver, powered by a battery, demodulates the signal transmitted by the transmitter to selectively energize an electrical coil to generate a magnetic field of a first or second polarity. A rudder pivotally attached to the vertical stabilizer includes a magnet responsive to the magnetic fields generated and is urged in one direction or the other resulting in commensurate pivotal movement of the rudder. A hinge interconnecting the rudder and vertical stabilizer urges return to center of the rudder after it has been deflected left or right by the magnet responding to the magnetic field created as a result of a signal transmitted by the transmitter. An electric motor also under control of the transmitter and receiver may be incorporated to rotate a propeller to provide thrust and forward motion of the model airplane.

Abstract: A ceramic membrane for a capacitive vacuum measuring cell includes a thin ceramic membrane with a thickness of <250 ?m, in particular less than 120 ?m. The membrane is produced from a ribbon-shaped green body of Al2O3, and is given high planarity by smoothing the membrane after sintering. The green body is sintered at a sintering temperature that is higher than the smoothing temperature applied following sintering.

Abstract: A deck mounted fitting provides for extraction and retraction of a mooring line for a vessel. A container below deck may be used to store the mooring line. Extraction of the mooring line may be manually carried out and retraction of the mooring line may be carried out manually or by a selectively actuatable electric motor or wound spring rotating a wheel in engagement with the mooring line. A collar is disposed within the fitting to maintain the mooring line available for manual extraction during mooring of the vessel.

Abstract: A valve device formed of MEMS devices includes a generally-planar semiconductor substrate having one or more apertures to provide passages for fluids, gases, or light. Movable gate elements alternately cover or expose such apertures to either block or open such passages. Actuators in the form of miniature electromagnets repel or attract the gate elements to open or close the passages. The valve device may be used to control fluid delivery systems dispensing pressurized fluid, or in aspiration systems used to suction fluids. Alternatively, the gate elements may serve as light valves for selectively passing light from a light source through the substrate to a light-responsive surface.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus includes a side track extending along a washing bay. A gantry is supported for reciprocal motion along the side track by a gantry motor. Sensors detect the front and rear ends of the vehicle to control movement of the gantry. A retractable carriage extends from the gantry across the washing bay under the control of a carriage motor and a vehicle width sensor. The carriage rotatably supports a spray bar for discharging cleaning fluid. A motor rotates the spray bar to sweep around corners of the vehicle. A cam plate and engagement roller index the spray bar orientation, while limiting spray bar rotation to a single direction. A wheel guide receives the front left vehicle wheel. Treadle switches in the wheel guide, in conjunction with an illuminated display, indicate to the user when the vehicle is properly indexed in the washing bay.

Abstract: A hydraulic suction fuse is mounted in a conventional debris collection trap of a swimming pool, spa or the like, to significantly reduce or eliminate any suction force on the bottom or side wall mounted drain of the swimming pool, spa or the like, as a result of the drain becoming essentially wholly covered by a body part of a person or other drain clogging article. Alternatively, the hydraulic suction fuse may be mounted in a compartment in line between the drain and a suction pump of a swimming pool, spa or the like. Thereby, a person captured by the suction force at the drain will be released and the person is free to move away from the drain essentially instantaneously upon contact with the drain. In one embodiment of the hydraulic suction fuse, the hydraulic suction fuse may be easily manually reset.

Abstract: The swimming pool floor or spa floor drain assembly of the present invention includes a drain body having a mouth positionable in proximity to the pool wall to serve as a fluid flow inlet, a spaced apart fluid flow outlet positionable below the mouth and a sidewall interconnecting the mouth with the outlet to define a fluid flow chamber. The cross sectional area of the fluid flow chamber decreases from the mouth to the base. A fluid deflecting plug includes a comparatively large area top and a comparatively small area base. A sidewall interconnects the top and base to form the plug with a cross sectional area decreasing from the top to the base.

Abstract: A clip on welder includes two pairs of opposed grippers defined by pivotally attached upper and lower frames for latching the welder to heat weldable material, such as a length of tubing, upon actuation of a start button by an operator; thereafter, the welder operates unattended. At least a jaw of a pair of jaws disposed intermediate the two pairs of grippers heats the material compressed and lodged therebetween to form a weld in or across the material. A source of gas, such as air, under pressure selectively connected to a bellows provides the power to pivot the upper and lower frames into gripping engagement with the material. A source of electrical signals provides the power to heat the material intermediate the pair of jaws. One or more thermocouples senses the heat of the jaws and generates signals used to control the application of power and to control cooling. After completion of the weld, cooling air is directed to the jaws until the thermocouple(s) signal(s) indicates a sufficiently low temperature.

Abstract: A refuse disposal system is formed integrally with a wheelchair. A foam pad is positioned on a rigid seat of a wheelchair; the foam pad and rigid seat are each provided with openings in registration with each other. An annular cartridge of compressed disposable tubing is positioned within an annular well formed in the bottom surface of the foam pad. The disposable tubing extends from the annular cartridge upward over the flange of the pad and downward through the opening in the rigid seat.

Abstract: An operational amplifier (op-amp) (200, 800, 900) having at least a first stage and a second stage has a feedback path (825) from the output to the input of a second stage, the feedback path includes a first capacitor (801) and a second capacitor (803) in series connected at a node (815) between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and a clamping circuit (206) connected between the node and a ground (230) for clamping a voltage at the node in response to a voltage at the output. The impedance of the clamping circuit is high during small amplitude input signals, and is low during large amplitude input signals. During large amplitude input signals, the compensation capacitance of the op-amp does not provide feedback from the output to the input, thereby increasing slew rate. A liquid crystal display panel system (1100) includes the op-amp (900) as a column driver.

Abstract: A hydraulic suction fuse is mounted in a conventional debris collection trap of a swimming pool, spa or the like, to significantly reduce or eliminate any suction force on the bottom or side wall mounted drain of the swimming pool, spa or the like, as a result of the drain becoming essentially wholly covered by a body part of a person or other drain clogging article. Alternatively, the hydraulic suction fuse may be mounted in a compartment in line between the drain and a suction pump of a swimming pool, spa or the like. Thereby, a person captured by the suction force at the drain will be released and the person is free to move away from the drain essentially instantaneously upon contact with the drain. In one embodiment, the hydraulic suction fuse is self resetting once inflow through the drain is no longer restricted. In another embodiment of the hydraulic suction fuse, the hydraulic suction fuse may be easily manually reset.

Abstract: A salon chair includes a pedicure basin positioned between the foot of the chair and a front step opposite the foot of the chair. The pedicure basin includes a bottom floor, a perforated stepping surface above the bottom floor of the basin, and a nozzle assembly disposed between the bottom floor and the stepping surface for agitating water in the pedicure basin. Pressurized air is directed out of the nozzle assembly to induce a whirlpool action in the water held by the basin. The stepping surface may remain in the pedicure basin for days at a time, but may be removed when desired for cleaning purposes. The front step includes a cut-out, or groove, allowing allows a technician's chair to pull up closer to a person seated in the salon chair.