Abstract: Game set and storage system in which game pieces are stored in a preset arrangement relative to their starting positions on the game board. The set includes a game piece holder which has a plurality of compartments for holding the game pieces in an inverted position. The board is placed on the holder in an inverted position with its playing surface facing down and the board serving as a cover for the holder. To set up the game the holder is inverted with the now upright board on the under side thereof, and the board is dislodged from the holder, by pressing against the upper surface of the board with a finger inserted through a hole provided in the holder for that purpose. When the holder is lifted away, the game pieces are left in their proper starting positions on the board.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a game board device, more specifically to a chessboard game device having self-setting capability for its game pieces. Disclosed are five different embodiments of chessboard game devices having the capability of automatically setting-up chess pieces on their chessboards. The third preferred embodiment has a chessboard with a magnetically attractive surface covered by a chessboard sticker, and two holders on either side of a game box, with 16 compartments arranged in two rows of eight in each holder. Each holder contains either black or white chess pieces in its compartments in an inverted position and each chess piece has a magnet disposed in its base. The compartments are arranged to match the starting positions on the chessboard, so that when the chessboard is placed upside-down over the holders, the magnetic bases of the inverted chess pieces make contact with the appropriate squares on the chessboard, and are magnetically attached.
Abstract: A catch mechanism is provided for use in a toilet tank flushing arrangement that includes a tank for storing water, a manually operated flush lever for causing the water to drain from the tank to flush the toilet, and a float means for detecting the presence of a low tank water level and causing the tank to refill when the low tank water level is detected. The catch mechanism is adapted to engage the float means to prevent it from causing the tank to refill, unless the flush lever has been operated.
Abstract: A method for processing solar cells, and particularly thin solar cells is disclosed. The method contemplates processing the front surface of the cell on a wafer of normal thickness. A transparent substrate is adhered to the front of the processed cell. The bulk semiconductor layer is then thinned to the desired thickness. An amorphous doped semiconductor material is applied to the back surface of the thinned wafer and exposed to pulsed laser energy having a duration and intensity long enough to melt the amorphous material, but short enough to prevent thermal damage to the bondline. A back surface dielectric, backside contact mask and back surface reflector metal complete the cell.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 2, 1988
Date of Patent:
April 25, 1989
Assignee:
Sera Solar Corporation
Inventors:
George W. Cogan, Lee A. Christel, J. Thomas Merchant, James F. Gibbons
Abstract: An apparatus of the type in which relatively small and fragile articles such as shelled peanuts move along a given path is disclosed herein along with an assembly for decelerating movement of the articles along a particular section of the path. The section selected is one into which the articles initially enter while in flight but at a downward angle towards an article support surface. A first arrangement of elongated, flexible flaps is provided for intercepting at least some of the articles as the latter first enter this path section in order to slow them down before they reach the support surface. A second flap arrangement is located behind the first arrangement and serves to intercept all of the articles including those which have and have not been intercepted by the first arrangement, again to slow the articles down before they reach the support surface. A third flap arrangement is provided behind the second arrangement for slowing the articles once the latter have reached the article support surface.
Abstract: A failed element detection and location system for use in a nuclear reactor, for example, a liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR), which utilizes a large number of fuel pins in an active core and which circulates a continuous stream of liquid metal heat exchanging fluid such as liquid sodium past the pins is disclosed herein. This system first collects a combined sample of the fluid just as the latter passes through at least a selected group of containers, each housing a plurality of the fuel pins. This combined sample is detected for the presence or absence of a predetermined contaminant, specifically neutrons, resulting from the failure (break) in one or more of the fuel pins. In the event that the contaminant is detected in the combined sample, individual samples of fluid are collected, one at a time, as the fluid just passes through the selected group of containers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 21, 1979
Date of Patent:
June 1, 1982
Assignee:
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert O. Crosgrove, Edward Moody, Harold L. Sletten
Abstract: Method and apparatus for resurfacing track links in crawler-type tractors. The apparatus includes a platform for supporting a track link and a car mounted on the platform which is maneuverable with respect to the platform. The apparatus further includes a welder mounted on the car for resurfacing an assembled track link.
Abstract: A nuclear reactor including a vertically extending reactor vessel containing a number of reactor components and located within a cavity defined by a vertically extending, circumferential cavity wall assembly is disclosed herein. The reactor also includes a particularly designed guard vessel arrangement including a guard vessel located around and spaced from the reactor vessel between the latter and the cavity wall assembly. The guard vessel is supported by means in the shape of an inverted frustum which not only serves as a support but which also acts as a means to provide a uniform temperature gradient between the guard vessel and cavity wall assembly and provides for ready access into the space between the two vessels by suitable equipment for providing in-service inspection of the vessel walls defining this space.
Abstract: A dual lock mechanism for a magnetic disc drive whereby rotation of the disc spindle and translation of the carriage assembly can be prevented. A first lock arm is pivotally mounted whereby one end can engage the spindle drive motor. A connector link is operated in response to rotation of the first lock arm and pivots a second lock arm within the housing into engagement with the carriage assembly.
Abstract: A cable handling system for use in an installation such as a nuclear reactor is disclosed herein along with relevant portions of the reactor which, in a preferred embodiment, is a liquid metal fast breeder reactor. The cable handling system provides a specific way of interconnecting certain internal reactor components with certain external components, through an assembly of rotatable plugs. Moreover, this is done without having to disconnect these components from one another during rotation of the plugs and yet without interfering with other reactor components in the vicinity of the rotating plugs and cable handling system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 21, 1979
Date of Patent:
May 18, 1982
Assignee:
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Inventors:
Elmer M. Larson, Edward Moody, Robert O. Crosgrove
Abstract: A nuclear reactor of the type including a reactor vessel and a core assembly to be maintained in a fixed position within the vessel is disclosed herein along with a structural arrangement also located in the vessel, for supporting the core assembly in its fixed position. The structural arrangement disclosed utilizes a plurality of components including a grillage of I-beams interconnected to one another by welded joints so as to define a unitary structure capable of supporting the core assembly within the vessel. These components including the I-beams are also mechanically interlocked such that a total failure of the welded joints will result in a limited but readily detectable downward deflection of the unitary structure, thereby indicating such a failure while, at the same time, retaining sufficient structural integrity to maintain the core assembly in a supported position.
Abstract: A carrier and test socket for a leadless integrated circuit package includes a base portion having a cavity for receiving the integrated circuit and a plurality of leads on a surface and extending from the cavity. The leads are arranged to mate with contacts of test equipment, and a portion of each lead is cantilevered into the cavity and arranged to mate with contacts of the integrated circuit. The carriers are configured to facilitate stacking, and a retainer member is provided for retaining the integrated circuit in the carrier while being individually handled.
Abstract: A combination filter system for an enclosed disc drive in which a breather filter is provided in a central position in the disc drive cover and a recirculating air filter is concentrically positioned about the breather filter. The recirculating filter includes an annular air deflector whereby air flowing from the periphery of the disc housing is filtered and directed towards the spindle, which is positioned in the central opening of the annular air deflector, thereby establishing continuous flow of filtered air within the housing.