Abstract: A cylindrical waveguide (1) used for analyzing a flowing stream of corn masa (18) using a guided microwave spectroscopy (GMS) process. The waveguide (1) includes opposed spaced apart plates (2, 5) that each define a plane within the waveguide housing (3) that is parallel to the direction (47) of corn masa flow through the waveguide. The housing (1) includes two opposed frames (7, 19) that each surround an aperture (6) that permits access to the region between the waveguide plates (2, 5). A microwave probe assembly (81) is mounted at each frame (7, 19) to permit the radiation and reception of electromagnetic waves within the housing (1) as required to perform the GMS process. A temperature probe (51) is inserted into the interior of the housing (1) at a fitting (13). In an actual installation a y-shaped assembly (89) can be used to divide the corn masa flow into two separate paths with one path containing the waveguide (1).

Abstract: A metal detector used for identifying contaminants in packages on a conveyor. The detector includes coils a search head and an analog to digital converter generating a reactive signal and a resistive signal in response to the presence of a contaminant. During a learning mode a sample product passes through the metal detector providing a representative product effect signal which is stored by the reactive learn memory and the resistive learn memory. The learn memory values provide a reference value subtracted from each product signal during a normal production cycle, canceling the product effect caused by contaminants in individual packages. The product effect is monitored during successive cycles composed of a series of packages undergoing normal inspection by the metal detector. A tracking processor averages the product effect signal produced by the individual packages and continuously updates a product effect trend signal that is subtracted from each product signal.

Abstract: A lens deblocking system (1) used for removing a lens (51) from an edging block (22). The system (1) includes opposed movable arms (4, 5) that are constrained to travel longitudinally within an aperture (3) so as to grip a lens (51) that is adhesively secured to an edging block by a pad (52). The edging block (22) is held within a clamp (11) that resides on a collet closer (63) which may be rotated by activating an air cylinder (82). A cam push block (91) is linked to file cylinder (82) as well as a cam arm (98) that is attached to a spindle (96) extending from the collet closer (63). In response to the movement of the push block (91) a rotational motion is imparted to the clamp (11) via the cam arm (98). The rotation of the clamp (11) occurs while the lens (51) is still constrained against rotational movement between the movable arms (4, 5) thereby physically breaking the bond between the pad (52) and the clamp (11) and permitting subsequent manual removal of the pad (52) from the lens (51).

Abstract: A metal detector (40) used for identifying contaminants in products (23) introduced into the metal detector by a conveyor. The detector (40) includes coils (1), a search head (2) and an analog to digital converter (3) that generates a reactive signal (13) in response to the presence of a contaminant in the region of the coils. A calculation processor (32) receives the reactive signal (13) along with the value of the conveyor speed (9) to determine a calibration ratio R that is unique to each individual metal detector (40). The optimum frequency F for metal detector operation is equal to the conveyor speed (9) divided by the ratio R. The ratio R simplifies the selection of filter parameters (4, 8) for a speed filter (30) which correlates the conveyor speed (9) with the frequency F so as to deliver an optimized signal to the detection algorithm (10) used to determine the presence of a contaminant based on the signal (13) derived from the coils (1).

Abstract: A water bottle adapter (6) fits securely onto a water bottle (1) which is used to isolate the water within the bottle from a common water supply. The adapter (6) is fastened to a mating device by means of a threaded neck (7). The neck (7) includes two longitudinal tensioning ribs (37) that promote a retaining function between the neck (7) and any device that has been affixed to the neck (7). A pressure relief valve (13) having a valve stem (14) is formed within the lid (8) of the adapter (6) to permit the escape of air from the bottle (1) when in use. A series of ribs (19) is formed within a bore containing the valve stem (14) to dampen noise produced by the operation of the valve (13).

Abstract: A contaminant detection machine (1) including a conveyor (3) which causes an object under inspection (79) to pass through a plane (48) of emitted x-ray radiation. The plane is generated by an x-ray tube (55) that emits a lateral beam, thereby permitting the distance (88) between the x-ray tube and the object under inspection to be reduced. A photo diode arch mounting assembly (104) is placed above the object under inspection and is mated to a collimator assembly (125) that also serves as the mounting bracket for the x-ray generation assembly (38), thereby preserving optical alignment between the photo diode detector array (28) and the emitted x-ray plane (48). The detector array (28) scans the object under inspection (79) so as to produce a continuous series of discrete lines, each line being analyzed by an image processing unit (116) to determine the presence or absence of a contaminant.

Abstract: An endodontic file (6) including a discontinuity (18) formed within the file shank (7). The discontinuity (18) creates a safe breakage point at which the file (6) will fail prior to a failure occurring at any other point along the length (11) of the file. The safe breakage point prevents the tip (21) of the file (6) from becoming irremovably embedded in a human tooth (12) after file failure. Substantially the entire length (11) of the file (6) remains connected to the tip (21) after file failure, thereby providing a considerable portion of the file which may be gripped and manipulated in order to accomplish file removal. Empirical data is presented to permit proper characterization of the region surrounding the discontinuity (18).

Abstract: A flush mountable ceiling speaker (10) with individual coaxial waveguides (20, 22) for both the lower and high-frequency transducers (11, 12). The lower frequency radiation is combined with the sonic energy radiated by the high-frequency transducer (12) and shaped by the high-frequency waveguide (20) to create a coherent, uniformly controlled coverage pattern. The loudspeaker (10) creates a well defined sound dispersion pattern over a relatively large bandwidth, resulting in increased vocal intelligibility and more accurate reproduction of music at relatively great distances from the loudspeaker, as is particularly useful in association with high ceiling installations.

Abstract: A rubber dam (1) used for protecting a patient (2) during dental procedures. The dam (1) includes a symmetrical round frame (3) which supports a flexible membrane (11). A prepunched hole (19) located approximately 0.5 inch from the membrane center (18) permits rotation of the frame (3) in order to position the hole (19) over the desired tooth (13) without causing the relative position of the frame (3) with respect to the patient's face to be substantially altered.

Abstract: Air flow from the airbox (57) to the carburetor of an internal combustion engine is regulated by a plurality of valve bodies (66) fitted with rotatable lids (77) which permit infinite adjustment of air flow between a fully closed and fully open position. In an alternate embodiment, a rectangular valve is used that has a relatively lower profile and uses a sliding door (94) to permit manual adjustment of airflow to the airbox (57).

Abstract: A device to permit manual adjustment of the track or path of a conveyor belt (1) while providing constant, predetermined belt tension. A removable conveyor roller (23) is supported by a pivotable yoke (11), which is pivoted about a shaft (12) from a nonoperational position of no belt tension, at which point cleaning and regular maintenance take place, to the operating position of full belt tension. Conveyor belt tension is provided by at least one spring (10), the spring force increasing with deflection during the pivoting motion of the roller yoke (11) into the normal operating position. The spring force resists the motion of a pivoting plate (8) to slide in a plane relative to the fixed conveyor bed (18) along an adjustable axis. Force is transmitted through the pivoting shaft (12) to the yoke (11) which creates tension in the conveyor belt (1) without exceeding the load limitations of the conveyor belt (1) or the roller shaft (9) bearings.

Abstract: A variable speed belt drive bearing assembly including an enclosed helical ramp assembly or torque sensing helix (4) which is mounted on the driven or secondary clutch (20). The helix (4) includes a plurality of ramps (10) that include both an upper bearing surface (13) and a lower bearing surface (9). This arrangement ensures that the torque transferring roller or button (18) is always in contact with either one or both of the surfaces. The cover (68) of the driving or primary clutch assembly (65) includes an enlarged opening (61) to permit the mounting of a sleeve (60) which slides over the engine clutch shaft (66).

Abstract: An aerodynamic piece (48) for use with a carburetor having a barrel or round slide throttle valve (10). The piece (48) is formed as an Insert which abuts the undersurface (15) of the slide (10). The piece (48) has an inclined bottom surface (28, 31, 32), the amount of inclination (43, 44, 45) being selected to increase the flow rate through the carburetor throat for a given throttle setting. Air flow passing through the carburetor throat hits the surface (28, 31, 32) and imparts a component of upward motion to the fuel (56) passing by the needle valve (11), thereby Increasing the available cross sectional area of the carburetor throat to which the fuel is exposed for atomization. An indented region (38) at the top of the piece (48) permits the use of the piece with a wide range of original equipment slides (10). A size of the pressure drop relief orifice (40) formed within the aerodynamic piece (48) permits the magnitude of the pressure drop across the needle valve (9) to be varied in a linear manner.

Abstract: A metal detector (10) which uses a metallic test sphere (5) to pass with the product through the detector head (2) at periodic intervals. The frequency generator (21) which generates the signal sent to the oscillator coil (11) is capable of operating on numerous frequencies in the 50 kHz to 2 MHz range. The product is passed through the detector head (2), with and without the sphere (5) present, for each of the operating frequencies. The detected signal from the product and the product with metal is characterized for each of the operating frequencies. In this manner the frequency which produces the highest ratio of product with metal present signal to product signal without metal present can be identified. A second version of the metal detector (40) uses a frequency synthesizer (43) which may be rapidly scanned through a range of frequencies while the product is passing through the detector head (41).

Abstract: An aerodynamic piece (48) for use with a carburetor having a barrel or round slide throttle valve (10). The piece (48) is formed as an insert which abuts the undersurface (15) of the slide (10). The piece (48) has an inclined bottom surface (28, 31, 32), the amount of inclination (43, 44, 45) being selected to increase the flow rate through the carburetor throat for a given throttle setting. Air flow passing through the carburetor throat hits the surface (28, 31, 32) and imparts a component of upward motion to the fuel (56) passing by the needle valve (11), thereby increasing the available cross sectional area of the carburetor throat to which the fuel is exposed for atomization. An indented region (38) at the top of the piece (48) permits the use of the piece with a wide range of original equipment slides (10).

Abstract: A windrower (1) useful for collecting stalk material from a field (43) and depositing the material In a windrow (61). The collection of dust and debris in the windrow is minimized by the use of a screen (24) located above the auger (29) which transports the cut stalk material to a discharge chute (14). The screen (24) permits lighter airborne particles to escape from the region surrounding the auger (29) before they are entrained and deposited into the windrow. A screen (47) is also placed beneath the auger (29) to permit small, dense particles to fall from the region surrounding the auger and be deposited on the ground (43). A flexible barrier (48) is placed between the auger and the cutting assembly (32) so that material falling through the screen is not reintroduced to the cutting blades (39, 42). A second barrier (64) is positioned behind the auger so as to form a volume (66) within which material is confined so that it will not become airborne.

Abstract: A metal detector (1) having an oscillator coil (10) which radiates an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of an article to be tested. The field is detected by a primary set of receiver coils (15) which are in close proximity to the oscillator coil (10), as well as by a secondary set of receiver coils (18) located relatively more distant from the oscillator coil. Moving or vibrating metal external to the detector cavity (7) surrounded by the coils (15, 18) will produce a modulated waveform (48) in the primary coils (15) which is similar in period to the modulated waveform (56) produced by the secondary coils (18), while metal passing through the detector cavity (7) will produce a waveform (24) from the primary coils (15) which has a period which differs from the period of the waveform (31) produced by the secondary coils (18).

Abstract: A refuse collection device (1) including a collector roller (11) and an inclined conveyor (27) which deposits collected debris into a hopper (127) along arcuate paths (128, 129), thereby filling the hopper (127) initially in the region adjacent to its rear wall (130). Mounted on the collector roller (11) is a plurality of rubber fingers (13, 14, 15, 16) arranged in rows (17, 18, 19) which are laterally offset from substantially identical rubber fingers (39, 40, 41), also arranged in rows (32, 33, 34) so as to occasionally form a substantially continuous, upwardly moving entrainment platform (150) and to also occasionally form an arrangement of spaced apart fingers which each transport debris onto the conveyor (27). The collector roller (11) is attached to a hydraulic ram (118) so as to permit the collector roller (11) to travel over excessively large debris without interference.

Abstract: A mine shaft closure plug which is created by a self-expanding plastic foam on a platform positioned within the mine shaft. Multiple expansion foam containers are used to provide the foam. Each expansion foam container has two closed waterproof pouches, an inner pouch and an outer pouch, each containing a separate component of the foam. The inner pouch is contained within the outer pouch. Upon breaking the inner pouch, the separate foam components combine within the outer pouch to form a complete expansion foam. The foam expands slowly enough to provide sufficient time for the container to be placed on the platform. Once in position, the expansion foam bursts the outer pouch to form the expansion foam plug above the platform. Either the platform or the expansion foam containers may be lowered into place by attached tethers.