Abstract: A process irradiator includes a heavily shielded, generally cylindrical, housing with a heavily shielded top. A radiation source includes source elements in several tubes extending from the top into a shielded storage cask below the center of the housing floor. A circular track concentrically positioned relative to the track guides a motor-driven carousel carrying a number of turntables which carry material to be irradiated, the turntables being rotatable on their axes. A heavy shielded door provides access to the turntables which are successively rotated on the carousel to a position adjacent the door opening. A lifting structure on the top includes two or more lifting devices which permit selective lifting of the source elements from the storage cask into the housing. Interlock controls prevent the door from opening and the carousel from rotating unless all source elements are stored in the storage cask.
Abstract: A process control valve is disclosed including a valve body assembly which includes process fluid input and output ports, an actuation pressure port and a vent port. The valve body includes a cylinder with two pistons longitudinally spaced and separated by a biasing means such as a spring. The pistons each have a rod which acts as a seal for a process fluid port when normally biased by the biasing spring. The actuation port of the body assembly communicates with the opposite faces of the pistons from the bias spring to open the process fluid input and output ports by overcoming the biasing port closing force. The two pistons include rods having process fluid passageways therethrough. The pistons also include a valve poppet & seat combination which is closed whenever actuation force is applied to the process control valve sealing the process fluid path from the vent port. A reversible input/output valve is disclosed as well as a modular assembly of interchangeable valves is disclosed.
Abstract: A laminated structural panel is formed of top, bottom, and one or more intermediate layers of material having low strength at high temperature and with perforated high temperature, high strength materials interleaved between the top, bottom and intermediate layers. Brazing material is clad on the top and bottom layers and the intermediate layer or layers may be entirely of brazing material or clad on both sizes with brazing material, such that when the assembled stack is subjected to high temperature in a high vacuum environment brazing material is caused to melt and fill the perforations in the high strength material. A particular application is for structural panels, used as shelves in manufacturing electronic chips or displays where aluminum is advantageous because it does not outgas or release particles under the high temperature, high vacuum environment used to make the product. Aluminum, however, does not maintain its strength and stiffness at the high temperatures involved.
Abstract: A dress or clothing form includes a sheet metal back to which are attached a plurality of reinforcing strips. A support rod is carried on one of the reinforcing strips and on the back. Leg supports are attached to the back to which are attached a pair of flat leg panels. Front and back molded plastic body panels are secured by fasteners to the metal back and similar molded front and back leg panels are secured to the flat leg panels. The support rod includes a large diameter portion at its top which includes a tapered surface. This surface mates with a socket on a support arm attached to a stand for supporting the form at the desired height. The stand includes telescoping members each including a rack with one member including a gas spring connected to a pinion positioned between the racks. The gas spring is arranged to essentially balance the weight of the dress form and garment so that a worker can move it up and down with little effort.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 28, 1999
Date of Patent:
March 6, 2001
Assignee:
Cyberform Corp.
Inventors:
Richard S. Cavdek, Darren Saravis, John Duval, David Potter, Brian Heidsek
Abstract: A quick release buckle particularly for use on backpacks including a two part body, an engagement part and a receptor part each of which include attachments for a strap or belt. The body parts telescope into engagement with one body part including a flexible finger and the other a catch. A buckle release strap is secured to the flexible finger and to the body by a snap fastener. At least one upstanding wing on a body part protects the buckle release strap from unintended release.
Abstract: A golf club includes a head having a striking face, a threaded cylindrical chamber behind and generally parallel to the face, a cylindrical weight member threaded in the chamber, a hosel attached to the cylindrical weight member having a shaft receiving socket with a non-circular portion and a threaded portion, a shaft having a hosel engaging end with a mating non-circular cross section and a ferrule having threads engagable with the threaded portion of the socket. An additional weight is adjustable in the chamber to provide the desired balance characteristics to the club. A second embodiment includes a head which is symmetrical so that the hosel may be attached at either end to make the club ambidextrous. Some different structures for attaching the hosel to the cylindrical weight member provide for variations in the loft of the club.
Abstract: A photocell unit in combination with a programmed microprocessor which samples the output of the photocell and detects day or night by sampling over a predetermined period of time, e.g. 80 minutes to establish a right reference value and a predetermined number of samples of increasing light values to establish a "sunrise detect value" to turn lights off. A further predetermined increase in light values is used to establish a "sunset detect" light value. This value is retained throughout the day until sensed light values again diminish to the "sunset. The sampling techniques makes the system immune from errors due to transient lights and also avoid unwanted daylight operation of lights or undetected light outages.
Abstract: A method of reduction and prophylaxis of the sphaerotheca (powdery mildew) in rose plants and other flowering plants. The method involves applying a silicone solution to the surface of a plant. The silicone solution can be a siloxane compound such as a methyl siloxane compound, a polydimethylsiloxane, and cyclic methylated siloxane.
Abstract: A process control valve is disclosed including a valve body assembly which includes process fluid input and output ports, an actuation pressure port and a vent port. The valve body includes a cylinder with two pistons longitudinally spaced and separated by a biasing means such as a spring. The pistons each have a rod which acts as a seal for a process fluid port when normally biased by the biasing spring. The actuation port of the body assembly communicates with the opposite faces of the pistons from the bias spring to open the process fluid input and output ports by overcoming the biasing port closing force. The two pistons include rods having process fluid passageways therethrough. The pistons also include a valve poppet & seat combination which is closed whenever actuation force is applied to the process control valve sealing the process fluid path from the vent port. A reversible input/output valve is disclosed as well as a modular assembly of interchangeable valves is disclosed.
Abstract: A handlebar assembly and method of making same includes cutting a straight handlebar tube to a desired length, forming a reinforcing member or slug to fit within the tube including drilling and tapping radial bores and forming a longitudinal groove in the slug for the passage of control wires etc. Somewhat larger diameter bores are formed near the center of the handlebar tube in registry with the bores in the slug. The slug is then fixed in the tube in the desired position after which the tube is bent to the desired configuration and handgrip sections are formed. The handlebar is then finished as by chrome plating. A mount is formed having bores spaced like those of the slug and a longitudinal groove to support the center section of the handlebar. The mount is then finished as desired. Threaded fastening members are then passed through the bores in the mount and the handlebar and are screwed into the threaded bores in the slug to secure the assembly together.
Abstract: A viewfinder, particularly useful in a camera, is lensless but which provides a useful reticle to aid the user to properly frame the desired scene. A camera body includes a viewfinder front wall opening. Surrounding the front wall opening, on its interior surface is a concave mirror with its focus on a reticle. The reticle on an internal surface of the camera body is located at the interior face of the eyepiece opening region of the viewfinder. Incoming light at the front opening illuminates the reticle and its image is reflected by the concave mirror surface to the user's eye. In one embodiment, the front opening of the camera is a single opening larger than the rear or eyepiece opening, and in another embodiment, the front opening constitutes a series of small holes in the front wall of the camera with the surface between the holes reflectorized and acting as the concave mirror.
Abstract: A system is disclosed for sensing selected conditions particularly adjacent to an unoccupied commercial business building and taking the appropriate action. Corrective action may include shutting down a system, sending a signal to an occupied location for evaluation of the selected abnormal condition, or making a record of the abnormal condition for rectification at a later time. The system includes one or more light level sensors including microcomputer controlled photocell units directed to observe the light level at selected locations and to transmit signals indicating sensed light values below a desired value, and includes a receiver receiving the transmitted signals and which responds to such signals to produce a correction signal. If the commercial establishment is a bank and the light level is at an ATM (automatic teller machine) the system may respond to the correction signal by temporarily shutting the ATM machine down and illuminating a sign to indicate that the ATM is not open.
Abstract: An optical reflective mouse or other pointing device for computers which provide an optical signal. The mouse modifies, e.g., interrupts, the optical signal from the computer as a function of the mouse movement or operation of one or more control buttons.The mouse reflects or retroreflects the modified optical signal to the computer as a computer control signal. The mouse employs retroreflectors, diffraction gratings, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements in combination with a mouse ball operator to complete the mouse. No electronics, radiation sources or batteries or any cable connection to the computer is required.
Abstract: A rigid wall telescoping wine bottle includes an outer cylinder member having an inner cylindrical wall with internal threads and an inner cylindrical member having a bottom end, a top end and external threads engagable with the internal threads. An axially located tube of small diameter as compared with the diameter of the inner cylindrical wall passes through the top and bottom ends of the inner cylindrical member and terminates at the top end in a transparent threaded neck which serves as a pouring spout. An O-ring seal near the bottom end of the inner cylindrical member seals against the inner wall of the outer cylindrical member. Turning the inner member into the outer member displaces air above the wine minimizing oxidation and causing the wine to be forced up the tube into the neck.
Abstract: Atmospheric Samplers are disclosed using aerogel filter material. The samplers include one or more cascaded impact sample stations with discs of aerogel as the targets. Ambient air carrying particulate matter is introduced into the sampler and the particles are captured by the aerogel in its pore structure. In certain embodiments, the aerogel filter is next transported to a position where it is fragmented by a spray of water. The fragmented aerogel and the captured particles are transported in the fragmenting water from the sampler for analysis. In one embodiment, the sampler is segmented with alternate nozzle and filter segments for easy assembly, sampling and disassembly for analysis of the captured particles in aerogel filters positions below the nozzles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 25, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2000
Assignees:
Pacific Sierra Research, University of Virginia Patent Foundation
Inventors:
Jack S. Brenizer, Charles E. Daitch, Bouvard Hosticka, L. Roger Mason, Jr., Pamela M. Norris