Abstract: A stepping motor turns 45.degree. for each step in response to a digital control signal different than the signals for other step adjacent thereto. An angle sensor produces a digital position indicating signal for sectors centered about the step positions and of the same magnitude as the angle between motor steps. The position indicating signal for a sector corresponds to the digital signal of the motor step that falls within that sector. An evaluation circuit comprising a microprocessor produces an error signal when, after a predetermined elapsed time after receipt of a control signal, a corresponding position indicating signal is not received. The evaluation circuit also checks for correspondence of signal within a minimum time after receipt of a control signal, and failing to find such correspondence assumes that the motor has not performed the directed step.

Abstract: Foam forming liquid components and inert gas are directed by a gun in separate and discrete streams toward a common focal point just forward of the gun nozzle to effect mixing of the liquid components in space as the foaming plastic mass is directed into a container provided to receive and contain the foam product. Mixing of the liquid components within the gun which controls the flow is entirely avoided whereby the difficult problem of cleaning out reacted plastic material is entirely avoided even after long periods of non-use. In one technique, air is continuously mixed with each liquid component stream within the gun to provide frothy mixtures of liquid and air at the point of mixing of the reacting streams. A flexible extension of the nozzle may be used, if desired, to conduct the component liquids and air to a location some distance forwardly of the gun. Provision is made for air-purging the liquid component channels within the gun nozzle.

Abstract: The rotating combustible mixture in the crankcase of a two-cycle gasoline engine is scooped into the transfer duct leading to the cylinder by a plurality of vanes extending over the crankcase flywheel and in close juxtaposition thereto.

Abstract: The cover of a housing has one or more projections which extend into a slot or respective slots in the main body of the housing. Each projection is spaced from the walls defining the slot so as to form a passageway from the interior of the housing to the outside. This passageway is sufficiently long and narrow as to cool burning gases initiated within the housing by an arc, the cooling being sufficient to extinguish the flame before it reaches the exterior of the housing. The passageways completely encircle the interior compartment of the housing so as to provide sufficient passageway area to relieve the internal pressure caused by an explosion within that compartment sufficiently that plastic can be used for the material of the housing.

Abstract: A dynamically balanced vibratory conveyor system for conveying or feeding particulate material. The system comprises a horizontal trough, a counterweighting frame positioned adjacent to and generally coextensive with the trough, and a plurality of spaced, resilient elements interconnecting the trough and the frame. A driving device is connected between the trough and the frame to drive both the trough and the frame in reciprocating movement in opposed relative directions. The entire system is supported by a pair of trunnions or similar means which is connected to the resilient elements at a vibrationally neutral position so that practically no vibration is transmitted to the structure which supports the system.

Abstract: A plate welded to what is the leading edge of the slide gate door, as the slide gate door would move in the opening direction, engages a portion of the peripheral face of a cam. The plate is above the supports on which the gate rides. In the event that a force is applied to the door urging the door in the opening direction, that portion of the cam cams the distal side of the plate toward those supports, whereby the plate acts as a spring resisting that force and in preventing the door significantly moving in the opening direction. The cam can be rotated to another position at which the plate and door are free to move below it to the opened position.

Abstract: Various embodiments of photoreactors are disclosed which have at least two irradiation chambers with a window therebetween. Ultraviolet radiation is introduced into one of the chambers at a side opposite the window so that it passes through that chamber, through the window and into the other chamber. The fluid medium to be purified is passed through the chambers and subjected to the radiation while in the chambers. The flow of the medium is through the chambers in series in some embodiments and in parallel in others. An embodiment is disclosed wherein a recirculation line is established around the reactor with the recirculation being continuous or intermittent. When intermittent the purified fluid medium also is drawn off intermittently, between the periods of recirculation. In some embodiments the amount of radiation traversing all the chambers is monitored. If the monitored amount drops below a given amount, the apparatus is shut down.

Abstract: When the slide gate of a hopper car is across the discharge opening and against the part of the frame that defines that opening, each of one pair of abutments below the gate and secured thereto is resting on a respective lever arm which lever arm is generally vertical and secured to the rototable shaft employed as a part of the mechanism for opening and closing of the gate. At the opposite side of the discharge opening from the shaft, the gate has another pair of downwardly facing abutments each of which then is resting on a respective generally vertically lever pivotally secured to the frame. As the gate is initially moved horizontally away from that position the lever arms pivot to permit the gate to descend. In addition to forming the downwardly facing abutments, the parts that form those abutments also form abutments which engage the lever and pivot it to an upright position as the gate is being closed.

Abstract: A horizontal platform having four or more sides and an exterior vertical sliding pole provides a safe and stimulating challenge to children in a complex recreational structure. The vertical pole is adjacent and spaced from the platform and extends above the platform to offer a means of sliding from the platform. The vertical pole is attached to an arch which extends between and rises above two corner posts which support the platform. A user is allowed access to the platform by one or more ladders integrally built into the structure. An additional slide or arch climber may form part of the structure extending outwardly from the platform at a side opposite the arch. The interrelated complexity and diversity of the structure offer challenge and stimulation to children.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers with articles.A feed conveyor of slats having article receiving apertures is supplied with articles from a chute or a vibratory hopper. A tray below the slats prevents articles falling through until a discharge point is reached where the tray terminates, allowing articles to fall into a transverse line of hoppers below the conveyor.A gate prevents the articles from leaving the hoppers until a line of empty cans on a second transverse conveyor are in position therebelow.A stop across the end of the hopper prevents excess articles entering the feed conveyor.A rotary brush or roller clears any surplus articles from the feed conveyor.

Abstract: An automated system for electronically testing the response and the quality of the output produced by radio receivers and the like is provided, wherein various tests including frequency response, harmonic distortion, sensitivity, selectivity, signal-to-noise ratio, fidelity, stereophonic separation and the like may be effectively and efficiently performed for testing a plurality of broadcast bands and signals without the aid of skilled technicians or trained personnel.

Abstract: A stop for holding a normally vertically oriented vehicle license plate mounting bracket in a substantially horizontal position against spring pressure to provide access to the gasoline tank inlet of the vehicle. The stop includes a flat "U"-shaped frame having at least one wing which normally lies between the frame legs in the plane of the frame hingedly secured to one of the frame legs. When the frame is secured to a license plate mounting bracket on the side thereof which abuts the vehicle body, and when the license plate mounting bracket is withdrawn from the vertical to the horizontal, the wing may be pivoted about its hinge to abut the vehicle and maintain the license plate mounting bracket in the horizontal position against spring pressure of the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus for curling a sheet of metal into a curved configuration having a plurality of sheet contours which apparatus automatically and sequentially varies the degree of curvature of a sheet of metal being treated by the apparatus as the sheet progresses through the apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of pinch rolls and a bending roll for curving the sheet into predetermined arcs dependent upon the relative positions of the bending and pinch rolls, and a control mechanism to alter the relative positions of the bending and pinch rolls for each of a successive plurality of segments of the sheet as it travels through the apparatus. The control mechanism includes means to sense the actual distance the sheet has progressed through the roll forming apparatus and to compare the actual distance with one or more pre-established distances of sheet travel at which the radius of curvature of the sheet is to be changed.

Abstract: A sump motor is mounted in a section of pipe. The motor is a standard motor having special caps at each end of the motor shell and with the shell forming a waterproof enclosure. The caps have radially extending spacers extending out to the pipe. At each end of the pipe are reducers, the internal diameter of the small ends of which correspond to the external diameter of another, smaller standard pipe size. At the bottom a piece of pipe of the smaller size extends inwardly of the reducer to a location in juxtaposition to the pump impeller. Various connections and mounting arrangements may be made using standard sizes of pipe. In one embodiment the pump is mounted on a vertical track and positioned above a sump. When the water rises to a level in the sump at which pumping should commence, the motor is energized and the pump is lowered along the track into the sump.

Abstract: Audible or visual warning signals are employed in a pump system having a primary and an auxiliary pump to indicate loss of power or a malfunctioning pump. Float switches react to a rising liquid level, thereby opening fail-safe circuits, and closing warning circuits which give sensory perceptible signals.

Abstract: The cover of a ceiling mounted smoke detector is hung at one side by a chain from the detector frame. At the other side the cover has a clip which engages the smoke detector battery. Thus if the battery is not in place the cover hangs down from the chain providing a signal indicative of the absence of the battery. A flag is provided which is pivotally mounted inside the cover and movable on the pivot through an opening in the bottom of the cover. A magnet attached to the flag magnetically engages the diaphragm of the horn alarm in the smoke detector and maintains the flag at a raised position within the cover. When the horn alarm is sounded, the vibration of the diaphragm causes disengagement of the magnet whereupon the flag pivots downwardly to a position at which it extends below the cover. This provides a visual indication that the horn alarm has been sounded.

Abstract: A partitioning insert is removably received in the base member of the container. The partitioning walls are larger at the top than at the bottom and terminate in posts which support the remainder of the partitions above the bottom of the container. The top of the container has a stepped flange which rests on and fits about the walls of the bottom of the container. At one end is a releasable latch and at the other is an interengagement between the two members. A part of the top of the container is at a lesser elevation than the remainder and has a vent opening, an air filter and a removable cover assembly.

Abstract: To provide a low cost electrical readout for differential fluid pressure, a strain gauge, preferably a piezo-resistive semiconductor, is bonded to a flexible strip of metal sandwiched diametrically between a matched pair of diaphragms circumferentially sealed in a fluid-tight cavity, preferably formed by a pair of modified orifice plates. Opposite sides of the diaphragm assembly are in fluid communication via suitable tubing with a fluid restrictive device, formed in one embodiment by a vane-type flowmeter. An inlet and outlet formed in each orifice plate allows shunted fluid to flow across opposite faces of the diaphragm assembly so that the semiconductor strain gauge can be used to sense the temperature of the fluid in the conduit. Replaceable inserts in the face of each orifice plate permit simple alteration of the device to meet desired operational parameters.

Abstract: A snap-action toggle valve reverses the direction of an oscillating sprinkler powered by a paddle-piston motor. Adjustable stops on the sprinkler tube trip the valve at the end of each sweep, alternately opening left and right motor chamber channels interconnected to a sprinkler supply channel feeding the sprinkler tube without interruption. A special vane on the sprinkler tube where it intercepts the sprinkler supply channel prevents vortex action. The edges of the paddle-piston are sealed to the motor chamber by a flanged slip-on wiper.