Abstract: A separator placed in a mist collection system prior to a final air cleaning stage, and is configured to remove a substantial portion of the mist from the air. The separator includes stationary vanes in a cylindrical housing to establish a cyclonic flow therethrough, an annular flow restriction collar to establish a liquid collection area at the downstream end of the housing, a drain for discharge of the liquid from the collection area, and a flow interrupter to direct the swirling liquid into the drain.

Abstract: A contactless rotary shaft position sensor provides for precision computation of shaft angle for a wide range of input shaft rotational angles. The sensor includes two annular two-pole magnets which are connected by a precision, motion-transmitting gear train. An optional second gear train between one of the magnets and the input shaft can provide additional angular rotation scaling to accurately measure either fractional or a large number of multiple turns of the input shaft. The gear ratios are selected such that one of the magnets does not rotate more than one revolution. Pairs of ratiometric Hall-effect or magnetoresistive sensors provide differential voltage signals which are used for sensing angular position of each magnet over a full 360 degrees of rotation. The single-turn magnet provides an absolute, coarse indication of input shaft rotation with a typical accuracy of 2%. The gear ratio between the magnets produces several turns of the second magnet for each turn of the single-turn magnet.

Abstract: A contactless rotary shaft rotation sensor includes a two-pole annular magnet attached directly to the shaft, pairs of diametrically opposed magnetic field sensors, and electronic processing circuits to produce linear output signals proportional to shaft speed and position. The annular magnet has two diametrically opposed poles on its outside circumference and is magnetized with a magnetic iron pole piece temporarily placed through its inner diameter to magnetically shape the poles and provide an extremely linear flux variation over plus and minus sixty degrees from the neutral position between the poles. Positioning one pair of magnetic field sensors around the magnet enables provision of a voltage signal that is proportional to the angular position and/or speed of the shaft through 120 degrees of rotation. Placing three pairs of magnetic field sensors around the magnet with 120-degrees of spacing provides three linear sensor output segments, each with a useful range of 120-degrees of shaft rotation.

Abstract: Used and manufacturing scrap asphalt shingle material processed into a fine material comprising smaller sized pieces of shingle material with a relatively high aggregate content is finish processed into shaped products by grinding and heating the aggregate and smaller sized pieces of asphalt shingle material into a homogenous mixture, extruding the homogenous mixture, and forming the shaped products via molding or cutting the extruded mixture. A surface treatment material may be embedded into a softened surface of the shaped products.

Abstract: A safety system for a mobile anhydrous ammonia fertilizer application system is configured to be remotely actuated closed by the operator in the event of a leak in the system, and to automatically shutdown the system in the event of an actual or impending nurse tank breakaway.

Abstract: A proactive carbon monoxide protection system includes a carbon monoxide detector connected to a control module adapted to turn off the source of carbon monoxide, sound a central alarm, and alert an off-site monitoring station upon detection of carbon monoxide by the detector.

Abstract: A machine adapted for testing wear, wear-preventative and friction characteristics between a rotating specimen axially loaded against one or more non-rotated test specimens includes a load mechanism in the form of a low-friction, pneumatic diaphragm actuator, a load sensor in the load path to provide visual confirmation and feedback for automated load control, a linear motion sensor aligned with the load path for detection of specimen wear during the test, and a torque sensor for detection of the friction generated between the test specimens.

Abstract: A catnip-filled toy (10) which may be caused to roll, spin, rock, wobble, and slide when manipulated by the paw of a cat. The device (10) has a convex hub (12). Extending axially from the hub (I 2) are two hollow reservoirs (14) that may be filled with catnip (24). The convex hub (12) and catnip reservoirs (14) are circular in shape when seen in side elevation from an end view, so as to allow the device (10) to roll freely upon any smooth surface (30). The hub is larger in circumference than the reservoirs for continuous rolling of the toy on the hub. In the preferred embodiment of the device (10), the reservoirs (14) are elongated axially beyond a hemispherical shape. The catnip reservoirs (14) have openings (20) through which the catnip (24) may be filled, emptied, and refilled and have a plurality of small holes (22) through which the scent of the catnip (24) inside may emanate outside. The holes (22) are small enough to substantially contain finely cut catnip (24).

Abstract: A grease gun holder includes a body and a closure flap. The body is provided with compartments to carry a grease gun and a spare grease cartridge. The body and flap are provided with heating elements to maintain the grease in a warmed, readily usable condition in cooler environments.

Abstract: An electrical underground wire pulley for pulling wire through conduit having an opening in a base structure that is provided with pre-installed anchor bolts. The wire pulley includes a frame with a bottom adapter plate and a pair of side supports extending upwardly from the adapter plate. The adapter plate includes an opening through which the top of the conduit extends, and a set of four slots through which the anchor bolts extend for securing the wire pulley to the base. The slots are equally spaced from one another and extend lengthwise at 90 degrees radially outwardly from the conduit opening to accept anchor bolt patterns of different size. A pulley is rotatably supported between the side supports above and offset behind from the center of the conduit to assist in pulling wire through the conduit.

Abstract: A modular green roof system includes modular panels (10) providing a surrounded space suitable for supporting live plant growth and adapted for installing onto a roof deck in side-by-side positioning while allowing water flow on the roof thereunder. The panels are filled with growing medium and pre-seeded prior to delivery to the roof site, and delivered in either a preserved condition or a germinated condition. The panels are adapted for interconnecting to adjacent panels, and for connection to an edge finishing/edge termination system (46) and support structure to enable provision of non-panel areas of the green roof, and above-panel structures.

Abstract: A system to warn an automobile driver of an approaching emergency vehicle includes at least one sensor (18) located in the motor vehicle (12), the sensor being responsive to sense the alert-status signal from the emergency vehicle and to provide an output signal indicative thereof, a control block (20) responsive to the signal from the sensor and operative to provide an output signal indicative thereof, visual indicia (16) associated with the face of the rearview mirror (14) and receiving the output signal from the control block, and an audio alert (22) also responsive to the output signal from the control block. The visual indicia include four indicia markers located at approximately 90 degrees from one another on horizontal and vertical axes visible on the face of the mirror to provide the driver with visual directional notification of the presence and location of the emergency vehicle.

Abstract: A powered carousel shelving unit is configured to bring individual shelves to a standard handicap accessible height at a front access opening for viewing and selection of product on the shelves. Stationary guide tracks and complimentary tracking elements connected to the shelves are cooperative to tip the shelves forward as they approach and leave the access area so as to organize the product to the front of the shelves.

Abstract: A machine adapted for testing wear, wear-preventative and friction characteristics between a rotating specimen axially loaded against one or more non-rotated test specimens includes a load mechanism in the form of a low-friction, pneumatic diaphragm actuator, a load sensor in the load path to provide visual confirmation and feedback for automated load control, a linear motion sensor aligned with the load path for detection of specimen wear during the test, and a torque sensor for detection of the friction generated between the test specimens.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator includes a brushless motor driving an output shaft through a torque-amplifying geartrain. An integrated motor commutation sensor includes an annular, two-pole magnet rotating with the motor and two ratiometric Hall-effect sensors at right angles around the magnet. The sensor signals are utilized by a processor to compute motor angle over 360 degrees rotation. An integrated output position sensor includes a second annular magnet rotating with the output shaft, and a second pair of Hall-effect sensors providing signals to the processor for computation of output shaft absolute position. The commutation magnet angle is predicted from the output shaft position, and compared to the motor's sensed rotational angle. The difference is used to correct the output shaft sensed angle with improved accuracy proportional to the gear ratio. The processor also provides logic signals to control motor winding current and provide closed-loop control of actuator position.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a base into which the open end of a conventional tube of toothpaste is threaded, a manually operated pump in the base to draw paste from the tube and discharge the paste onto a toothbrush, a perforated tube positioned in the tube of toothpaste to prevent prematurely collapsing of the walls and resulting flow restriction as paste is drawn from the tube, and a cover that hinges to the top of the base to conceal the tube and that provides presentation area for advertising, logos and other graphic or written information.