Abstract: An adaptive actuator system comprising a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to a torque biasing means for biasing the rotational direction of the shaft, and also operatively coupled to a counter torque developing means for sensing the rotational bias of the shaft and providing a counter torque proportional to the rotational bias.

Abstract: X-Ray tube monitoring apparatus comprising a shockproof housing having insulatingly disposed therein for electrical connection between the anode of an X-ray tube and a high voltage source a current sensing means which is operatively connected to opto-electronic means for transmitting a linearized light output signal corresponding to an anode current passing through the sensing means safely out of the shockproof housing to a relatively low voltage amplifying and display means.

Abstract: An X-ray tube comprising a tubular envelope having therein a filamentary cathode operatively disposed for directing a beam of electrons toward a spaced anode target, the cathode being insulatingly supported in a slotted open end of a focusing cup and extending longitudinally between an insulated pair of spaced conductive ears, and including means for applying respective electrical potentials to the anode, cathode, focusing cup, and each of the conductive ears.

Abstract: An appliance for sterilizing and melting plastic items such as found in hospitals or the like, for example, which appliance includes a chamber containing a foil casing within which the items are placed, and means for heating the chamber for a temperature and time cycle sufficient to soften or melt the plastic items which when cooled will form a solid body of plastic material containing within it other non-melted disposable items such as might have been included with the plastic items.

Abstract: An air classifier drum for receiving mixed materials and separating them into light and heavy materials, the heavy materials being dropped from one end of the drum during operation onto a conveyor, the drum being rotatable about an axis disposed at a selected angle to the horizontal and being vertically adjustable to the selected angle, the conveyor being vertically adjustable with the drum so that it will be constantly retained at a reasonably close-spaced relation to the drum to assure minimum impact of the heavy materials on the conveyor as they are discharged from the drum.

Abstract: A materials separating apparatus which comprises a conveyor on which materials to be separated are deposited and conveyed to a hopper mounted on an adjustable platform, a rotary drum air classifier mounted on said platform, and transport mechanism connecting the hopper with the interior of the drum whereby materials may be moved from the hopper to the drum for separation therein, the platform being movable together with the hopper and drum whereby the drum may be positioned at a selected angle of inclination, and the conveyor and hopper being interconnected in a manner whereby the conveyor remains in position for proper deposit of materials in the hopper regardless of the position of the hopper when the platform is moved.

Abstract: A heat injector gas burner having controlled air flow for assuring positive repetitive ignitions, comprising an elongated tubular casing having therein a short tubular flame holder into which gas is introduced, means at one end of the casing for metering the flow of air into the casing and simultaneously into the adjacent end of the flame holder, and ignition means within the casing external to and adjacent the opposite end of the flame holder, which metering means produces controlled velocity of air flow within the casing both inside and outside the flame holder, the air flow through the flame holder being metered whereby a sufficiently rich gas-air mixture is provided to insure first ignition, and a sufficiently lean mixture is provided assuring positive repetitive subsequent ignitions.

Abstract: An oven having an air inlet opening in its lower region and an exhaust opening in its upper region, and at least one gas-fueled burner within the oven, one of the openings containing a baffle variably movable into and out of closing relation to the opening in response to heat-sensitive actuating means whereby control of stack action within the oven is achieved so that proper air supply to the burner is permitted while simultaneously obtaining decreased heat loss through stack action.

Abstract: An automatic suction-type cleaning system for apparatus such as a household incinerator, which system comprises a number of air jets spaced at selected intervals along two walls of a compartment being cleaned and directed toward a single common outlet in one corner of the compartment so as to sweep substantially the entire floor area thereof.

Abstract: A radiation limiting shutter device including a hollow, frusto-pyramidal structure having relatively movable walls made of radiation absorbent material and defining an entrance aperture of a desired size, each of the walls comprising a frusto-triangular plate having serrated sloped edges which intermesh with similar sloped edges of respective adjacent plates forming the structure.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device comprising a vacuum fuse having an evacuated envelope wherein one or more fusible elements electrically connect spaced open ends of aligned tubular electrodes which have respective sealable ends external of the envelope and provide means for facilitating assembly and processing of the fuse.

Abstract: A radiographic system comprising a radiation source disposed to direct a beam of radiation through an adjustable aperture in an aligned beam-limiting device and onto an image receptor located at a selected distance from the source, and automatic means for making a unidirectional final adjustment of the aperture to provide the beam with a cross-sectional area which conforms to the size of the image receptor at the selected distance from the source.

Abstract: An X-ray tube including a tubular envelope having therein two cathode filaments operatively disposed in spaced relationship with an anode target surface, one filament being made of a material suitable for low current operation and the other filament being made of a material suitable for high current operation of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: An electron discharge device such as an X-ray tube having a filamentary cathode arranged to discharge electrons onto an adjacent anode wherein the filament is an elongated member fixed at its ends to respective filament support posts which are each mounted within a metal eyelet fastened within the bore of a nonconductive sleeve, respective lead wires being connected to opposite ends of the posts by flexible metal connectors whereby upon applications of heat to the assembly mechanical and thermal stresses, as might normally cause distortion of the parts and particularly of the filament, will be absorbed by the connectors.

Abstract: A laser material removal apparatus and method of removing material from a workpiece wherein a laser forms a beam of radiation having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration, and optical means is provided for compressing portions of the beam so that the resultant focused beam will provide an image of substantially rectangular shape and uniform energy whereby improved control of the size and shape of the area to be removed is obtained.

Abstract: An X-ray tube including an evacuated envelope having therein a rotatable anode target comprising a cup-shaped disc open toward an electron emitting cathode and having a sloped inner wall provided with an annular groove wherein a plurality of rod-like members are disposed in side-by-side relationship, the rod-like members being made of rare earth composite material to provide substantially monochromatic X-radiation when bombarded with electrons.

Abstract: A revolving kitchen package which includes a combination of various appliances and work areas assembled into a single unit revolvable within a wall section so as to present selected ones of the areas to particular regions on selected sides of the wall section.