Abstract: The charge on a capacitor is supplied by a manual generator in a self-powered lock. The capacitor retains a reduced level charge after completion of the operation of the electronic lock controls that may serve as a capacitor pre-charge. The pre-charge reduces the amount of manual input to the generator required. The drain of the electronic control circuitry on the capacitor is disconnected responsive to a microprocessor command at the completion of microprocessor operations. The disconnection may occur at a higher level of charge voltage on the capacitor when the control is from the microprocessor without having to wait for charge decay to reach a disconnect or power down level based on charge voltage level.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock of the self-powered type, wherein the electrical energy for operation of the lock is developed within the lock itself, has a solenoid which magnetically seals in the activated position, thus preserving the "open" condition of the lock until such time as the operator may withdraw the bolt. Significantly, there is no requirement for continued electrical power to hold the solenoid and the latching mechanism in a condition for lock opening.

Abstract: A tool and method by which an inner oil seal may be installed in the hub of a wheel assembly which is in a normal upright position. The tool comprises a shaft with a tool mounting plate affixable to the outer end of a hub with the tool shaft extending axially therethrough and terminating in a threaded end. A seal locator and pusher is slidably mountable on said tool shaft from the threaded end thereof. The locator and pusher has a portion facing the tool mounting plate on which the inner seal may be slidably mounted. The opposite face of the locator and pusher is provided with a thrust bearing and thrust washer. The tool includes a nut engageable on the threaded tool shaft end. The wheel assembly is removed form its axle and is maintained in an upright position. The seal mounting tool is bolted to the hub. The inner oil seal is mounted on the locator and pusher which is mounted on the tool shaft from its threaded end.

Abstract: A pig launcher (10, 38) comprises a cassette (12, 41) adapted to receive at least one pig (14, 16, 18, 20) and a latch mechanism (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 42a, 42b, 42c) comprising a latch member (30, 46). The latch member is movable from a first protruded position wherein the latch member restricts movement of the pig relative to the cassette in a launch direction to a second retracted position wherein the latch member does not restrict movement of the pig in the launch direction. The pig launcher also comprises a flow control valve (30, 32, 35, 36, 44a, 44b, 44c, 48) which is adapted to pass fluid into the cassette when in an open state and to restrict flow of fluid into the cassette when in a closed state. The arrangement is such that the latch mechanism and the flow control valve are operatively associated with each other so that when the latch member moves from the first protruded position to the second retracted position the flow control valve simultaneously moves from the open state to the closed state.

Abstract: An improved method for producing low-cost carbon-carbon composites based on melt-impregnation of carbonaceous fiber preforms with low-melting point sugars is provided. Sugars such as fructose, ribose and sucrose are provided as impregnants via either ambient pressure or vacuum processing. Subsequent pyrolysis in air by heating to temperatures in the 325.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. range results in almost complete decomposition of the sugars to carbon. Frothing during the sugar melt-impregnation and pyrolysis process is minimized by the use of extended periods of isothermal pyrolysis or by the use of a catalyst. A hybrid process combining sugar melt-impregnation and pyrolysis with carbonaceous resin impregnation and pyrolysis is also provided as a densification enhancement.

Abstract: A hydrostatic sewer cleaning machine for driving a cable and cleaning tool in from 6 inch to 30 inch diameter sewer lines. The sewer cleaning machine comprises a wheeled base having a baffled hydraulic fluid reservoir therebeneath and an inverted U-shaped operator's handle at its rearward end. A prime mover, a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor are mounted on the base. The primer mover drives the hydraulic pump which is connected to the reservoir. The hydraulic pump is connected to the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic pump has a control valve which controls the direction and the amount of flow of the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor. The pump control valve is operated, via a cable, by a control lever mounted on the operator's handle. The pump also has a manual relief valve by which the static pressure in the system can be released. The hydraulic motor output is connected through a slip clutch to the cable which drives an appropriate remote cleaning tool.

Abstract: A self-powered lock incorporates a generator within the dial housing. The generator incorporates a plurality of coils and two concentric rings of magnetic segments. The rings are mounted on a dial housing, capable of rotation, and rotation of the dial housing generates operating power for the lock. Dial rotation rotates another ring of magnetic segments to input data necessary for lock operation.

Abstract: A gas phase process for the production of titanium dioxide powders having well-controlled crystalline and surface area characteristics is disclosed. In this process, which is preferably carried out in a laminar diffusion flame reactor, vapor phase TiCl.sub.4 and oxygen are mixed in a reaction area which is heated externally. The titanium dioxide powder formed is then collected. It is preferred that the heat source used be a hydrocarbon fueled (e.g., methane) flame. Optionally, a vapor phase dopant (such as SiCl.sub.4) may be added to the reaction mixture to desirably affect the physical properties of the titanium dioxide produced. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a corona electric field is positioned across the area where the combustion reaction takes place (i.e., the reaction area). High anatase, high surface area titanium dioxide powders made by this process are excellent photocatalysts. The products of this process and the use of those products as photocatalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cluster mill housing applicable to 20-high and 12-high cluster mills. The mill housing is similar in size and form to a comparable monobloc housing but is made of four distinct parts. The first part is a floor portion having a central lower roll cavity containing part terminating in end members and having a vertical column at each of its four corners. The second part comprises a roof portion having a central upper roll cavity containing part terminating at each of its ends in ears. The third and fourth parts comprise substantially identical bridge members overlying the roof portion ears and having downturned ends affixed to the tops of the columns. Each of the bridge members contain adjustment screws which bear against the adjacent roof portion ear. A synchronized drive assembly rotates the four adjustment screws equally and in the same direction to adjust the vertical position of the roof portion with respect to the floor portion.

Abstract: A gantry assembly and appurtenances therefor for a linear motor driven laser cutting machine. The gantry box is made of honey comb construction characterized by high strength, light weigh, high stiffness to weight ratio and vibration absorption. The gantry box is supported at each of its ends on a linear motor driven carriage by a torsion plate. The torsion plates are exteriorly flanked by protective panels which support a light weight cover for the upper part of the gantry assembly. The beam end of the gantry box is additionally attached to its gantry carriage by a snubber pin-snubber bushing assembly and by a gantry pin-carriage pin-link assembly. These last two assemblies, together with the torsion plates and gantry carriages, limit or restrain certain movements of the gantry box. The laser cutting machine is controlled by a high performance multi-axis motion controller.

Abstract: A dispenser for use with a container of lotion or paste-like product to be dispensed. The dispenser comprises a body having an inlet port connectable to the container and a dispensing spout with a closure cap. The dispenser has a plunger assembly manually shiftable between an unactuated position and an actuated position and a piston shiftable by the plunger assembly between an unactuated position and an actuated position. Both the plunger assembly and the piston are biased toward their unactuated position. As the plunger assembly and piston are shifted toward their actuated positions, the spout cap is opened and the piston causes product to be dispensed through the spout. When the plunger assembly is released and it and the piston return to their unactuated positions, a suck back vacuum withdraws product back into said spout, a vacuum created by the piston draws product from the container into the dispenser and the spout is closed by the cap.

Abstract: A combination acoustic mode and electronic mode grand piano is provided including a hammer shank stop rail that intercepts the hammer shank when operating in its electronic mode, so that the hammer cannot complete its normal travel to strike its corresponding string(s) when its key is actuated. The positioning of the hammer shank stop rail is actuated by a user-operated control that, when placed into the "acoustic" mode, raises the hammer shank stop rail to a non-engaged position that does not interfere with the normal movements of the hammer shank. When in the "electronic" mode, the control lowers the hammer shank stop rail into an engaged position where it intercepts the hammer shanks of the piano, thereby preventing each hammer head from striking its respective string(s).

Abstract: Device for sorting goods, comprising a stationary frame which is provided with guide means forming an endless path for a number of carriages supported by the guide means and movable along said path. Each carriage is provided with at least one tiltable goods carrier. The frame is provided with a closing guide rail which is placed along the path of the carriages and, viewed in the direction of movement of the carriages, is at a decreasing distance from the path of the tilting shafts of the passing carriages. The goods carrier is provided with a control element which comes into contact with the closing guide rail, for the purpose of tilting the goods carrier upwards out of the second position into the first position.

Abstract: Improvement in a toothbrush (301), especially for the combined brushing of teeth and massaging of gums, comprising a plurality of toothbrush bristles attached at their one end to the head (302) of the toothbrush and having their other end extending freely from said head, the improvement comprising one or more inner rows or groups of bristles (303a, 303b) of ordinary cleaning quality in combination with adjacent outer rows or groups of bristles (304n, 305n) of smaller height than said inner rows of bristles, said outer bristles provided with free rounded end portions (306).

Abstract: The present application discloses battery sealant compositions which exhibit excellent flexibility and chemical (alkalinity) resistance properties without requiring the use of organic solvents. These compositions comprise an epoxy resin, such as polybutadiene epoxy resin; a polyol material, such as a butadiene polyol; a cationic photoinitiator; and optionally a radiation curable monomer, such as a vinyl ether monomer. Electrochemical (battery) cells which incorporate a seal made by the photoinitiated polymerization of this material is is also disclosed.

Abstract: Interactive wall art is a game to be played indoors by one or more children. The game consists of a self-adhesive mural portraying characters playing an action sport, a loop-threaded stuffed ball corresponding to the sport portrayed in the mural, and a hook-threaded fabric target attached to the mural in an appropriate location to facilitate the fantasy of actually playing a game with the figures on the wall mural. The game encourages creative role play and physical exercise including pitching, throwing, kicking, running and jumping.