Abstract: A system and controller for providing emergency power to an electrical load when a usual source of power for the load has failed, includes an electrical dynamo, an engine of controllable speed connectable by clutch to drive by a fixed speed ratio the dynamo, a continuously spinning flywheel to provide power while the engine is coming up to speed and during transient loads thereafter, and a control system. The flywheel is also connected with the dynamo, through a variable-speed transmission. When the engine is driving the dynamo, the speed of the engine is controlled by a loop, which involves sensing the torque of the flywheel, comparing the flywheel's speed with a first reference, and adjusting the throttle according to the difference.

Abstract: A musical instrument, for example a flute, whose hole locations are a compromise in order to produce all notes of a scale, has note-identification switches on the keys, whose combination identifies each note selected by the player. A data storage memory responds by outputting a fine-tuning signal specifying a predetermined amount of frequency-tuning bias appropriate for the selected note. A tuning device responds to the tuning signal by automatically and rapidly tuning the instrument differently as each note is played. The tuning device can be a plug in the end of the flute, moved by a motor in response to each tuning signal to bias the frequency slightly as notes are played. The player maintains complete control of pitch, volume, vibrato, etc. When in "calibrate" mode, the notes of a scale are played, the calibrator automatically compares each with the frequencies of an accurate reference scale, and stores the necessary fine-tuning data note-by-note.

Abstract: An appliance temperature sensor for acquisition of usable data in a noisy environment collects a plurality of temperature readings in a buffer. It then screens that batch of data to determine whether or not its noise content is acceptably low before forwarding the data to a memory for use in subsequent appliance operations. Screening consists of computing the arithmetic mean and the variance of the readings of the batch at hand. If the variance is less than a predetermined threshold level, the mean of that batch of temperature data is forwarded to the memory for subsequent use. If the variance exceeds that predetermined threshold level, the data are expunged and not used. When the number of rejected contiguous batches of data exceeds a predetermined number, an alarm is provided to alert an operator that the system is noisy.

Abstract: Disclosed are heat recoverable connectors for use as a protective covering about a plurality of joined articles such as wire splices or tubing junctures. The connectors are open-ended and feature at least one internal wall extending for at least a portion of the distance along the length of the connector to provide a plurality of open-ended channels within the connector for respectively containing one or more of the plurality of joined articles so as to insure their separation during the process of shrinking the connector by heat.

Abstract: A lash adjuster 10 is disclosed for use in engine valve gear. The adjuster includes a body 40 and a plunger 50 is slidably received in a bore 48 formed in body. A piston 63 is slidably received in the plunger and forms a high pressure chamber 86 within the plunger. A one-way valve means 72 is disposed intermediate the piston and plunger for admitting fluid to the chamber for lash adjustment. An annular retaining clip 90 is seated in a locking position in a groove 106 formed in an outer wall 104 of the plunger body. The clip extends radially beyond the end face of the hub bore 48 thereby preventing fall out of the plunger body prior to assembly in the engine valve gear.

Abstract: A flexible shaft (42) driven by a transversely mounted engine (18) of an automobile (10) and extending rearwardly of the axis (48--48) of the crankshaft of the engine a distance transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and then curving and extending longitudinally forwardly to the cooling fan (32) used to draw air through the radiator (28) of the vehicle. The engine (18) is mounted in a front wheel drive vehicle (10) and has a pulley (36) mounted on the forward end of the engine driven via a belt (38) from a pulley (40) on the crankshaft of the engine. The pulley (36) in turn rotates the core (54) of the flexible shaft (42) which in turn rotates a shaft (64) used to drive the cooling fan (32) mounted juxtaposition the radiator (28). Means (58,60) secure the shaft at each end respectively to the rear end of the pulley (36) and the cooling fan (32). A gentle sweeping curve is provided from the transverse extending portion of shaft (42) to the longitudinally extending portion.

Abstract: A vehicular disc brake in which the backing plate of the inboard brake pad assembly includes holes which capture guide rails carried by spaced arm portions of the torque plate and the backing plate of the outboard brake pad assembly is pinned to the outboard web of the caliper. The various clearances are selected such that, upon application of the brake, the inboard backing plate pulls on one of the guide rails to transmit the braking torque exerted on the inboard pad assembly to one arm of the torque plate and the caliper pushes against the other guide rail to transmit the braking torque exerted on the outboard pad assembly to the other arm of the torque plate.