Abstract: A system and method for securing premises by distinguishing between authorized and unauthorized removal of articles from the premises via an approach within the premises to an exit door (38). Each article is secured by a passive security device (50) which in an article-securing state will be detected upon the article entering the approach and in a non-securing state will not be wirelessly detected upon the article entering the approach. A detector (40), having a detection transmitter and a receiver, wirelessly detects attempted unauthorized removal of a secured article. A register (36) registers authorized removal of a secured article. An unsecuring transmitter (52) is controlled by the register to wirelessly transmit to a passive security device of a secured article whose authorized removal has been registered in the register, an unsecuring signal which unsecures the secured article by changing the passive security device from the article-securing state to the non-securing state.

Abstract: A mounting for an all-in-one personal computer (10) that has a stand (12) for supporting the computer on a table or desk to enable the computer to be mounted on a wall or at the end of an articulated arm. A bracket (16) has a first wall (16A) that is disposed to confront a face of the stand surrounding the through-hole in the stand and that contains a through-hole (24) that registers with a through-hole (26) in the stand and a second wall (16B) that joins with the first wall and that contains a VESA compliant hole pattern that provides for attachment to a VESA compliant member. A hollow bolt (20) and a nut (22) coact with the registered through-holes to hold the first wall of the bracket fast on the stand.

Abstract: A valve closure assembly (50) for remotely and automatically closing a railway tank car valve (V1, V2, V3, V4), characterized by improved convenience in mounting on a tank car dome (160) and adaptability to various dome geometries, valve configurations, and car-to-car dimensional variations. A clamp assembly (52) mounts assembly (50) on dome (160). An adapter (180) operated by a motor (58) turns a valve handle (A1, A2, A3, A4) when motor (58) runs. A positioning mechanism (54) selectively positions adapter (180) relative to clamp assembly (52) to establish a spatial relationship between them for enabling clamp assembly (52) to be placed at a desired location on the dome wall (162) and adapter (180) to engage a valve handle. Positioning mechanism (54) comprises three degrees of freedom of motion for establishing the spatial relationship of adapter (180) to clamp assembly (52), two of which are in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A valve closure system (30) for operating a valve (32) of a fluid-holding cylinder (CYL) between an open and a closed position to allow and disallow communication of the interior of the cylinder through the valve. A coupler (118) engages and rotates a stem (40) of the valve. An electric motor (92) rotates the coupler. A square tube (102) on the motor housing surrounds the coupler. A bracket (50) mounts on the valve body. The parts (50, 102) have respective walls shaped to mutually telescopically engage when, with bracket (50) mounted on the valve, the motor housing has been properly circumferentially and axially aligned with the bracket and then advanced to move the coupler toward engagement with the valve stem. The parts (50, 102) may be pinned together by a hitch pin (54).

Abstract: A device and method for disclosing position of a positionable input by positioning the input over a range of positions to cause the magnitude of the directional component of a vector representing a field or force produced by a source to change from a reference magnitude or reference direction as the input is being positioned while an electric circuit that contains a sensor for sensing the directional component is changing the value of an electric signal for restoring the magnitude of the directional component being sensed by the sensor to the reference magnitude or reference direction, and using the value of the electric signal to disclose the position of the input.

Abstract: The internal movement of one embodiment of a sealed fuel level sender employs two magnets disposed diametrically opposite each other about a pivot. The actuator that is operated by in-tank fuel level has two magnets disposed diametrically opposite each other about the axis with one pole of each magnet of the actuator confronting an opposite pole of a respective magnet of the movement to provide the magnetic coupling for causing the movement to follow the fuel level while minimizing, and preferably substantially eliminating, cross thrust on the pivot. Pole pieces may be associated with the magnets in a further embodiment. Still another embodiment employs magnets to only one side of the pivot, but with pole pieces that reduce cross thrust.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated measurement of properties related to a stack gas stream, flow velocity for example. A probe assembly (24) is introduced into a stack through a test port and operated by an automated mechanism mounted on the test port to position a sensing tip (28) at various locations within the gas stream at proper yaw angle. A framework (30, 32, 34, 36) of the automated mechanism provides bearing support for the probe assembly while allowing the probe assembly to translate on the framework along an axis but constraining the probe assembly from turning on the framework about the axis. With a gripper assembly (44) gripping the probe assembly and another gripper assembly (56) released, a linear actuator (40) can move the gripper assembly (44) along the axis to translate the probe assembly on the framework.

Abstract: A collapsible and erectable organizer for holding bags and their contents, such as bags containing grocery items, upright during transport, such as in the trunk of a car. The organizer has Velcro® pieces on its bottom that resist slipping on a carpeted surface and that secure opposite halves of the bottom when the bottom is folded in half to collapse the organizer. The organizer can be used when collapsed to carry smaller items.

Abstract: A process for efficient, low-pressure production of sodium or potassium hypochlorite. A liquid containing hypochlorite is introduced into a mixing chamber to create a dispersed liquid phase moving generally downward through the mixing chamber. Cl2 is introduced into the mixing chamber to create a continuous gas phase containing Cl2 moving in concurrent flow, while reacting, with the dispersed liquid phase to produce hypochlorite. The reactants are constrained to pass through a static mixer that aids the reaction without causing any substantial foaming in aqueous hypochlorite that collects at the bottom of the mixing.

Abstract: A cover (30) for covering the exterior of a through-wall air-conditioner installation in a building. A sheet of material has a shape that provides a rectangular outer wall (32) for covering a rectangular outer face of the through-wall air-conditioner installation and four sides (34, 36, 38, 40) that are folded inward for covering respective sides of the installation and joined at their ends to form four distinct corners for fitting to four corners of the installation. A hem (62) runs along the inner edge margins of the sides and encloses an elastic cord (60) that elongates to a stretched condition to allow the cover to fit over the exterior end of the installation for placing the sides in overlapping relation to the sides of the installation and that exerts a holding force for holding the hem against the four sides of the installation.

Abstract: An assembly for swinging an external handle of a tank dome valve on a tank dome about a generally horizontal axis has a gearbox and an air motor. In a preferred embodiment, a housing is cooperatively formed by the gearbox casing and the motor cover. The gearbox contains a worm that meshes with a gear that turns within the casing. The air motor turns the worm, thereby turning the gear. An adapter that is external to the casing has a spline that passes through an aperture in the casing to mesh with an internal spline of the gear. The adapter is shaped for engagement with the handle of the tank dome valve. The housing and adapter are arranged such that, when the adapter is in engagement with the valve handle and the motor is operated to turn the gear via the worm, the far end of the motor cover is forced to bear against the tank dome and consequently force the adapter to swing the handle.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of high-strength, low-salt sodium hypochlorite. An aqueous solution that comprises certain weight percentages of sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide and that is essentially free of sodium chloride (salt) crystals, an aqueous solution that comprises a certain weight percentage of sodium hydroxide, and chlorine in gas and/or liquid phase that may or may not include inerts are reacted in a tank. This creates a solution having a precipitation zone where salt crystals are precipitating out of solution and falling downward to form a slurry, some of which is withdrawn, then cooled, and then re-introduced into the precipitation zone. Above the precipitation zone is a crystal-free mother liquor zone consisting essentially of crystal-free mother liquor containing a weight percentage of sodium hypochlorite greater than that of than the lower strength aqueous sodium hypochlorite bleach being reacted.

Abstract: An on-site roadway warning system for alerting a driver of an approaching vehicle of a need to brake the vehicle. A transceiver radiates electromagnetic energy toward the approaching vehicle and receives reflected energy from the vehicle. A processor processes data about the reflected energy in relation to data about the radiated energy to yield data disclosing both range of the approaching vehicle from the transceiver and rate at which the vehicle is approaching the transceiver. The processor processes the data disclosing range of the approaching vehicle from the transceiver and rate at which the vehicle is approaching the transceiver in relation to the stored data, and activates a signaling device to signal the approaching vehicle when the data disclosing range of the approaching vehicle from the transceiver and rate at which the vehicle is approaching the transceiver correlates with stored data that identifies a potentially dangerous combination of range and rate.

Abstract: A system and process for detecting a traffic lane boundary before it is potentially violated by a moving vehicle traveling in the lane. Passive RF tags or labels are embedded in a paint stripe running along pavement. A sensor in the vehicle emits an RF signal at a frequency to which the tags or labels are responsive. When the emitted signal is incident on a tag or label with strength indicative of straying of the vehicle from the lane toward incipient violation of the lane boundary defined by the stripe, the tag or label issues a return signal that is received by the sensor for on-board signaling of the potential violation to alter the driver so that corrective action can be taken.

Abstract: An electric device contains a medium interposed between first and second electric elements to provide electric continuity between the first element and a defined reference point of the second element throughout a defined range of sliding travel of one of the elements along the medium in a direction that is transverse to a favored direction of conduction through an electrically anisotropic conductive region of the medium that is composed of electric conductors that conduct in a favored direction and are electrically separated by solid dielectric.

Abstract: A fuel level sender (26) for signaling liquid fuel level in a fuel tank (22). An enclosure (31) forming a hub of the sender provides an interior that is hermetically sealed against intrusion of fuel vapor and liquid. An actuator (110, 122) is positionable on the enclosure exterior in correlation with liquid fuel level. A movement (52) within the enclosure interior follows the positioning of the actuator. An electric circuit element (62; 86) within the enclosure interior is operated by the movement to provide an electric characteristic for transmission through the enclosure to signal liquid fuel level. A bottom reference rod (150) and stop (152) position the enclosure circumferentially within its mounting in a fuel pump module to cause the circuit element to signal zero fuel level when the stop is on the tank bottom wall and the actuator is in position corresponding to zero fuel level in the tank.

Abstract: A valve closure assembly (50) for remotely and automatically closing a railway tank car valve (V1, V2, V3, V4), characterized by improved convenience in mounting on a tank car dome (160) and adaptability to various dome geometries, valve configurations, and car-to-car dimensional variations. A clamp assembly (52) mounts assembly (50) on dome (160). An adapter (90) operated by a motor (58) acting through a torque limiter (88) turns a valve handle (A1, A2, A3, A4) when motor (58) runs. A positioning mechanism (54) selectively positions adapter (90) relative to clamp assembly (52) to establish a spatial relationship between them for enabling clamp assembly (52) to be placed at a desired location on the dome wall (162) and adapter (90) to engage a valve handle. Positioning mechanism (54) comprises three degrees of freedom of motion for establishing the spatial relationship of adapter (90) to clamp assembly (52), two of which are in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A valve closure assembly (50) for remotely and automatically closing railway tank car valves (V1, V2, V3, V4) characterized by a series of novel adapters (180, 240, 242, 244, 252, 254) for enabling one valve closure assembly to turn the handles of various different valves, including soft-seat valves and hard-seat valves.

Abstract: Sphagnum, sphagnum moss, and/or sphagnum peat is milled to create a multitude of sphagnum, sphagnum moss, and/or sphagnum peat particles substantially all of which have a size less than about 850 microns. Particles of milled sphagnum moss have been shown to retain excellent water and oil absorption capabilities until particle sizes become smaller than 180 microns.