Abstract: A water-tight splice connector made from an existing connector, including a first housing and a plurality of pins mounted in means for splicing the pins together located in the housing. A first seal member is located at one end of the housing behind the splicing means and pins. A retainer member engages the housing behind the seal member to protect and secure the seal member in place in the housing. A terminal locking member is insertable in the end of the housing opposite the end receiving seal member to lock and align the pins in place within the housing. A second seal member is located in a second housing containing female terminals for receiving the pins in the first housing. An interfacial seal member is located between the first housing and second housing to seal both housings from outside moisture and water. In the case where the first and second housings are used to connect the wires of two harnesses together, the splicing means is made smaller to permit the wires to bypass the splicing means.

Abstract: A method of sensing tension changes in a sheet of material in a processing line, the material having a mass flow balance in the processing line. The method includes using a dancer roll for engaging the sheet and an actuator for mechanically and momentarily introducing changes in the mass flow balance of the sheet. A sensor is provided for detecting sheet tension at a location near that at which the sheet engages the dancer roll and for producing signals indicative of sheet tension. An algorithm is provided for processing the signals in a manner that determines the dynamic relationship between tension variations near the location of the roll and at other locations in the processing line. The signal processing is effective to identify the presence of the magnification of variations in sheet tension so that the causes of such magnification can be identified.

Abstract: A method of gas fluxing molten aluminum with at least two, relatively small diameter upper and lower rotatable dispersers located in the molten aluminum and mounted on a shaft. Fluxing gas is added to the molten aluminum beneath each of the rotatable dispersers at a substantial rate of gas flow while rotating the dispersers at a substantial rpm in the molten aluminum. The dispersers directly shear gas bubbles that form in the molten aluminum as the fluxing gas is directed into the molten aluminum beneath each of the dispersers. The direct shearing of the gas bubbles maintains a high surface area between the bubbles and molten aluminum to effect efficient removal of impurities in the molten aluminum.

Abstract: A product for heating a load at different rates using microwave radiation provided at a substantially constant power level. The product may include a polymer matrix alone or in combination with a metal substrate, with the polymer matrix located on the surface of the metal substrate that does not contact the load and is thus disposed to the incident microwave radiation. The matrix includes dielectric and magnetic components in amounts that enable at least initial absorption of the incident radiation and thus initial thermalization of the radiation within the matrix. The matrix is designed to change its rate of thermalization and the rate at which it conducts thermalized radiation to the substrate and load after a predetermined time of exposure to the radiation at a predetermined temperature of the matrix.

Abstract: Apparatus for modifying an existing fluorescent light fixture having a base, the apparatus including a panel for attaching to the base. The panel was opposed electrical sockets for receiving terminal pins of a fluorescent tube. An opening is provided in the panel sized to receive an electronic ballast. Over the opening and attached to the panel is a cradle for support the ballast. The panel, with the cradle and ballast, is attachable to a base of an original fluorescent light fixture.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for improving fluxing gas dispersion in treating molten aluminum by increasing the fluxing gas surface area. The process includes the use of a molten body of aluminum and a gas dispersing unit in the body of molten aluminum, the dispersing unit having at least two, upper and lower dispersers (rotors) mounted on a shaft extending into the molten aluminum. The dispersing unit is rotated, and simultaneously with the rotating, a fluxing gas is added to the molten aluminum adjacent the lower disperser. The fluxing gas is dispersed by the lower disperser to provide finely divided bubbles and then re-dispersed with the upper disperser to effectively increase the fluxing gas surface area in the molten body.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a nominal property value of a material in the process of making the material, The method includes the steps of providing a feedback model of the process and eliminating the influence of time delay on determining the nominal property value, A state observer is used to estimate at least one unmeasurable variable of the process as a function of at least one measurable variable of the process. The above steps are combined to control the nominal property value as a function of a process variable that is both measurable and undelayed. An actual feedback measurement containing a time delay can be used to correct for any errors that might exist in the feedback estimate.

Abstract: A tool device for supporting one or more walls of an elongated hollow member located in a recess of a die for bending said member over a surface of the die while said member is in a stretched condition. The tool device comprises a plurality of segments held together in a snake-like arrangement by at least one cable extending through the segments. Opposed ends of the cable are provided with means for connecting the cable to opposed clamp assemblies of stretch bend apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inspecting the surface of a moving web of homogeneous material for anomalies, the apparatus including a light source for illuminating the web surface and a light sensitive detector for receiving data from the web surface. The data is representative of the light reflected from the surface, as the light is affected by surface anomalies and background information. Computational means are provided for receiving output data from the detector in response to the data the detector receives from the web surface, and for processing the output data in a manner that determines the presence of surface anomalies. The computation means includes a plurality of filters for transforming the surface data in a manner that effects substantial elimination of the background information, and means for establishing threshold levels for background information.

Abstract: A compact adaptor for holding two individual fiber optic connectors in flexible side-by-side positions for future alignment within a common connector housing. The adaptor comprises two clamp members for engaging the connectors on opposite sides thereof. The clamp members each comprise two shallow U-shaped sections, with each section having a base portion and leg portions integral therewith. A bridge member extends outwardly from the bases and is outwardly bowed such that it can be manipulated by the user of the connectors and adaptor. Such manipulation of the bridge member permits relative movement of the U-shaped sections and thus relative movement of the side-by-side fiber optic connectors in a direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring chatter marks on a metal workpiece. The method includes first removing gross buckle or curvature in the workpiece by clamping the same in the device having an elongated jaws and in a manner that locates a portion of the workpiece outside of the jaws so that an elongated portion of the workpiece is available for inspection by capacitive sensors. The sensors are located adjacent at least one surface of the elongated portion of the workpiece, the sensor and workpiece forming an electrical capacitor when appropriate potentials are applied to the sensor and workpiece. The sensors are now moved along the surface in the elongated direction of the workpiece to detect chatter marks on the surface.

Abstract: A round, compact, optical fiber cable comprises an outer protective jacket of insulating material having a plurality of individual bundles of optical fibers within the outer jacket. Each bundle includes an anti-buckling rod of electrically non-conductive material and encapsulated by a low modulus material. A plurality of optical fibers encapsulated also in a low modulus material is wound on and about the low modulus material encapsulating the rod in a manner that retards contraction and microbending of the optical fibers. Each of the bundles includes one or more protective jackets of electrically, non-conductive material enclosing the plurality of fibers, anti-buckling rod and encapsulating material. Also, means are provided for identifying individual bundles and fibers.

Abstract: Means and method for heating loads with microwave energy, with the loads being located on a metal substrate or in a metal container. A layer of organic material is located on the outside surface of the container or substrate, the layer having microwave absorbing substances contained in a minimum thickness of the layer. The absorbing substances include both dielectric and magnetic components that provide useful power absorption, the amount of the dielectric component being effective to compress the wavelength of the microwave energy while simultaneously preserving useful impedance to the magnetic component of the energy. Useful power absorption within a range of minimum layer of thicknesses is obtained. The amounts of the dielectric and magnetic components, in addition, transport the heat generated within the layer to the metal container or substrate at rates sufficient to maintain internal temperature of the layer near that of the load.

Abstract: A metal sheet for making rigid container products, and a method of making the sheet. The sheet has a fissureless surface that retains minute amounts of lubricant in generally uniformly spaced apart elongated micron-sized depressions, the depressions providing a quasi-isotropic surface texture which, in turn, provides a substantially uniform distribution of friction at the interface of the surfaces of the sheet and a tool employed to form the container products. The depressions, in addition, provide the product surface with a high degree of specular reflection of light and thus a bright surface having a high level of distinctness of an image reflected from the surface.

Abstract: A method providing a rolling mill with compensation for changes occurring in rolling parameters that result from changes occurring in mill speed. The rolling parameters are under control of actuators that are connected to receive control reference voltages from electrical controllers. The method includes the step of generating a compensation function that describes the actuator movement required to maintain a rolling parameter at a desired level as a function of mill speed. This compensation function is used during mill speed changes to calculate a compensation value change for each actuator, a change that is required to maintain the parameter at the desired level. The compensation value change is added to a current level of the compensation value to provide a new, updated compensation value. The updated value is converted to a voltage for control of the actuator, and the voltage is added to the reference voltage of an associated electrical controller to provide a total voltage reference for the actuator.

Abstract: A method of making a low inertia wheel for a track laying vehicle. The method includes securing together two center metal discs provided with peripheral offset portions that form a continuous groove when the discs are secured together. Annular wall portions of two circular fiber-reinforced composite rim members are secured to the peripheral offset portions of the metal discs. The composite rim members have laterally extending rim portions supporting solid elastomer tires. Segmented, light weight wear pads are secured on opposed inside surfaces of the continuous groove.

Abstract: A light weight road wheel having a relatively low mass moment of rotational inertia for use in a vehicle having an endless track. The wheel includes an inner metal member having a peripheral groove for receiving guide cleats of an endless track, and opposed peripheral rims having inner annular wall portions disposed against surfaces of said inner metal member. The rims are made of a fiber-reinforced composite material. Means are provided for securing the inner member and rim portions together. Elastomer tires secured to the outside surfaces of the rims, and segmented wear pads are located on inwardly facing surfaces of the peripheral groove.

Abstract: A ventilator for straddling an aperture in a roof of a building, the ventilator comprising at least one rectangular cover panel having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A plurality of longitudinally spaced interior walls are provided for supporting the panel over the aperture, with each wall having a portion extending beyond the edge of the panel. A longitudinally extending baffle wall is spaced outwardly from the panel edge and is supported in an upward direction by the lateral portions of the interior walls. A plurality of openings are provided in the baffle wall for draining water from the ventilator, and an upstanding baffle is spaced inwardly of and in line with each opening to deflect any wind-driven rain or snow entering through the opening from entering into the roof aperture.

Abstract: A method of determining the severity of oxides rolled onto the surfaces of metal strips subjected to rolling operations. The method includes identifying different types of rolled-on oxides, and comprises providing image pixels of at least a portion of a strip surface that contains oxides. The image pixels are filtered to identify oxides extending in a fixed direction and are thresholded to segment oxides from other surface features extending in the fixed direction. All pixel ares and/or intensities that are above a threshold value employed in the thresholding step are summed to obtain the total amount of oxides on the strip surface.

Abstract: A method for attaching an applique panel to a support surface comprising securing a threaded stud to said support surface; placing a centering washer over said threaded stud such that said stud extends through the eyelet in said centering washer, and at least a portion of said centering washing is flush with said support surface; placing a hollow cone over said stud; placing an applique panel having an opening therein over the apex of said hollow cone such that said stud extends through said opening in said panel; placing an upper washer over said applique panel such that said stud extends through the eyelet in said upper washer; and placing a nut over the top of said threaded stud and rotating said nut thereby connecting and securing said upper washer, said applique panel, said hollow cone and said centering washer to said support surface.