Abstract: An evaporator including a frame which defines a fluid inlet plenum and an interchangeable baffle plate positioned in the plenum along with an interchangeable fluid spray bar. A transition element carries fluid from a standard round tubular fluid inlet and distributes the fluid equally across the width of the spray bar. By forming a plurality of interchangeable baffling plates each having at least one of the placement, configuration and size of holes therethrough different than the other interchangeable baffling plates and forming a plurality of interchangeable spray bars each having a different fluid outlet configuration, the baffle plates and spray bars can be interchanged to design an evaporator for air conditioners and the like with the least amount of internal fluid pressure drop and the best fluid inlet flow balance with the best heat performance.

Abstract: An antenna (26) projects a detection zone (28) across a non-intersection portion (16) of a road (10). A scanning receiver (32) couples to and is controlled by a data logging computer (34). This computer (34) commands the receiver (32) to look for one FM local oscillator (LO) signal (22) that may be emitted from within the detection zone (28). If one LO signal (22) is detected, other LO signals (22) that may be detected at the receiver are ignored until the one signal is no longer detectable (90-106). An attenuator allows LO signals 22 emitted from radios (20) in the detection zone (28) at noisy frequencies to have the same likelihood of being detected as LO signals 22 emitted at less noisy frequencies. Detected LO signals (22) are ignored if they are detected for less than a minimum duration (100) or if they are detected for greater than a maximum duration (118).

Abstract: A seat cushion for prolonged sitting, having a thigh cushion coupled to and spaced apart from a back cushion. A seat well is defined between the thigh cushion and the back cushion to remove pressure from the buttocks region. Coupling members couple the thigh cushion and the back cushion, and extend therebetween on either side of the seat well.

Abstract: A stringed instrument having a neck coupled to a hollow body portion, the hollow body portion being constructed primarily utilizing synthetic resin laminate sheets.

Abstract: A tent system interconnects any number of stand-alone tents (12) to form a tent network (10). The tents (12) are interconnected through connection modules (14). The tents (12) include at least two and preferably three openings (30) which serve as doorways. Various fasteners attach to the tents (12) near each opening (30). One fastener (54) removably couples to a complimentary fastener (34, 36) on the connection module. Another fastener (72) mates with a complimentary fastener (74) on a door panel (76), and yet another fastener (78) mates with a complimentary fastener (80) on a screen panel (82). The openings (30) are formed in tent panels (26) that slope downward and outward from the top of the tent (12). The connection modules (14) have flexible sheet material (32) sides (38, 40) with ends configured with a downward and inward slope that allows them to mate with the tent panels (26).

Abstract: A communication system (10) includes a modulation section (12) and a demodulation section (14). The modulation section (12) performs frequency modulation in accordance with a frequency trajectory signal (28, 30, 32). An intersymbol interference (ISI) prediction filter (20) adjusts the amplitude of the frequency trajectory signal (28, 30, 32) in response to data code (16) sequences being conveyed over a plurality of symbols (18). More frequent data changes in the sequence of the data codes (16) lead to greater amplitudes in the frequency trajectory signal. The demodulation section (14) applies a distorted phase signal to a decision circuit (38). The distorted phase signal conveys a received phase (46) that includes ISI. Due to the equalization applied by the ISI prediction filter (20), the received phase (46) approximates a target phase (40, 42) in spite of the ISI.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a growing container in which plants are hydroponically grown on a support medium is disclosed. The growing container includes a plurality of openings in which seals are installed. The seals include holes through which the plants grow. When seeds are planted, a hollow tube is placed through the seal hole to maintain the seed in position. After the seed germinates, it grows through the tube. As continued growth expands the plant's stem to the size of the tube, the tube breaks apart and does not constrain future plant growth. Moreover, as the plant grows further, the seal hole expands to accommodate the plant stem. The seal surrounds and contacts the plant stem to reduce evaporation of nutrient solution from the growing container and to keep insects and contamination out of the growing container. A holding container is positioned above the growing container and coupled to the growing container through a manifold arrangement.

Abstract: A remotely controlled floating decoy having a buoyant body resembling a game bird and having a receiver disposed within the buoyant body. The receiver is responsive to commands from a transmitter and provides electrical control signals to a plurality of servomechanisms and associated linkages in response to the commands. The apparatus also has a propulsive device coupled to the buoyant body and electrically coupled to the receiver. The propulsive device is responsive to the electrical control signals. The apparatus also has a rudder coupled to a rear end of the buoyant body. The rudder is responsive to the electrical control signals. The propulsive device and the rudder cooperate to provide directed locomotion for the buoyant body in response to commands transmitted from the transmitter.

Abstract: An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded bag profile in a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having a holding fixture for receiving the retainer of an air bag assembly, and a plurality of upright members. A flattened bag with pleated sides is supported above the upright members, and sequentially inserted between the upright members forming undulating folds. The upright members are removed while retaining the undulating folds. The folds are then compressed, sharpening the folds and forming a compact package. The machine also includes an inserter assembly which inserts the folded bag into the retainer.

Abstract: A housing including an inlet conduit and an outlet, carrying a reservoir for collecting filtered liquid. The reservoir is secured within the housing by a lid. A separator assembly is carried by the reservoir and includes a strainer assembly for removing materials from a liquid inflowing from the inlet conduit, an inner container and an outer container. The outer container is covered by a lid having an opening for sealably receiving the inlet conduit. The inner and outer container cooperate to hinder the flow of liquid, giving materials more dense than the fluid time to settle, and materials less dense than the liquid time to rise to and be contained by the lid.

Abstract: An illuminated fabric article (10) includes a flexible substrate sheet (34) to which conductive ink traces (38) and lights (20) attach. The substrate sheet (34) has a low resilience so as not to press against skin (12) after it wrinkles or otherwise deforms to accommodate body (14) curves and movement. A cloth material having a thin flexible polymer film (40) applied over a woven cloth backing (42) represents one example of a suitable substrate sheet (34). A conductive ink which remains flexible after curing is applied to the substrate sheet (34) to form the conductive traces (38), which convey electrical energization to the lights (20). Each light (20) attaches to the substrate sheet (34) and to the conductive traces (38) through the use of a non-conductive adhesive patch (64) and two conductive adhesive patches (66). The lights (20) on the substrate sheet (34) are arranged to be visible from an exterior side (28) of a textile ( 26) so that they may be visually perceived from a distance.

Abstract: A temperature limiting control valve for a shower head including a housing having an internal water chamber, a water diversion piston slidably mounted in the internal water chamber, a thermostat mounted in water diversion piston that is closed by a predetermined water temperature in the water chamber with a valve and valve seat being positioned to allow water to flow into the water diversion piston when the valve is in the unseated position and to substantially prevent water from flowing into the water diversion piston when the valve is in the unseated position and to substantially prevent water from flowing into the water diversion piston when the valve is in the seated position, a button mechanically connected to the water diversion piston chamber for resetting the water diversion piston, and an overflow passage external to the housing.

Abstract: A PN modulated signal is applied to an end of a network electrical distribution circuit. The signal produces a snapshot trace of energy reflected from various discontinuities along the circuit, including a fault. Because the fault absorbs a large part of the energy in the applied signal, reflections from discontinuities in the same branch as the fault but farther from the input are reduced in amplitude. By knowing the position of the branches and various discontinuities, such as transformers, the position of the fault can be logically determined. If the fault is a high resistance fault a high voltage pulse is applied to the end of the circuit. The PN signal is initially sensed at a time when the fault has a low resistance because of arcing due to the high voltage pulse.

Abstract: A base member and a fascia are assembled to form a hollow door section which is filled with insulative material. Adjacent sections are coupled along respective longitudinal edges for angular and spatial displacement. The base member is extended from a selected plastic with male and female coupling components extending continuously along respective longitudinal edges. A plurality of mounting members projecting from the lateral edges of the sections matingly and slidably engage the semi-cylindrical guide surface of a tract for reciprocal vertical movement of the door. The door may be partially raised for spatial displacement of the sections whereby flow-through ventilation openings are exposed. In a specific embodiment, a flexible drive screw is rotatably carried within the track for powered operation of the door.