Abstract: The air ride sleeper of the present invention supports a mattress or cushion. The sleeper provides cushioned movement in both a vertical and horizontal front-to-rear direction, so that the effects of bumps, vibrations, and rapid acceleration or deceleration on the person lying or sitting on the cushion are minimized. In preferred embodiments, the vertical cushioning is provided by first and second air cushions while the horizontal cushioning is provided by first and second spring-loaded slides, which slide over first and second rails and are connected to the frame by first and second variable vertical supports.

Abstract: The present invention is a strip feed control which is particularly useful in photographic systems such as film and paper cutters, film notchers, and printers. The photographic strip material is fed by a predetermined feed length during each operating cycle. The operator of the system visually monitors the position of the strip with respect to a reference position or indicator along the feed path and provides adjustment signal through an operator control knob. The strip position is moved in accordance with the desired adjustments, and the predetermined feed length for the next operating cycle is derived from the predetermined feed length of the just completed operating cycle, together with any adjustment in the strip position which was made by the operator.

Abstract: An improved exposure time control for a photographic printer includes a digital processor such as a microprocessor. The digital processor receives input signals such as signals from large area transmission density (LATD) sensors, from density or color sensors, and from an operator control panel. Based upon the input signals, the digital processor derives a digital count and a clock control signal for each color channel. The exposure of each color channel is controlled as a function of the time required to change the corresponding digital count from its initial value to a predetermined final value. The changing of the digital count for each channel is caused by the digital processor in response to clock or interrupt signals from variable clocks controlled by the clock control signals. The rates at which the interrupt signals are generated are controlled by the clock control signals.

Abstract: An automatic photographic print and film packaging mechanism inserts individual orders of prints and film into multilayered packaging envelopes formed in a continuous strip. The mechanism sequentially seals the sides of the envelopes and cuts the envelopes from the strip. The mechanism has provision for either sealing the top of a cut envelope and depositing the same in a first collection station or depositing the cut envelope with the top unsealed into second collection station.

Abstract: An automatic film conveying and packaging mechanism for conveying cut film lengths forwardly from a film cutter to a packaging envelope while maintaining continuous contact with the film lengths between a pair of opposed upper and lower conveyor assemblies and driving the lengths directly into the packaging envelope in stacked relation to each other with the trailing ends thereof positively disposed in substantial alignment with each other and in rearwardly spaced relation to the discharge end of the upper conveyor assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable depth tubular sheath thermowell which permits changing the depth of extension of the well from its mounting into the environment to be sensed. Excess length at the exterior may be trimmed off and after trimming the open end may be sealed. An interior sensor and lead wire assembly is removable from the tubular sheath or well. The well can thus be trimmed to a desired length to fit a particular application and the fittings utilized with the well may again be reassembled to adequately seal the interior of the well against contamination and foreign material.

Abstract: A temperature control system controls operation of two heaters, such as the solution heater and dryer heater of a photographic processor. First and second temperature detectors sense temperature and provide first and second detector signals, which are compared with first and second reference ramp signals by first and second comparators. The comparators produce first and second inhibit signals, which prevent power from being supplied to the first and second heaters, respectively. A priority circuit prevents power from being supplied to the second heater if the first heater is receiving power.

Abstract: The operation of an automatic photographic paper cutter is controlled by a programmable digital processor such as the microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the paper feed, the knife assembly, the display, and other related operations of the automatic paper cutter as a function of a step status signal which indicates whether the stepper motor paper drive has taken a step, a cut status signal which indicates whether a cut mark on the paper has been sensed, and stored control information.

Abstract: A replenisher system for photographic processors includes an automatic calibration system. A film sensor senses when film approaches the density sensor (and guarantees that the sensor is clear), and the automatic calibration system calibrates the density sensor (or other film parameter sensor) of the replenisher system prior to the film reaching the density sensor. The automatic calibration is performed each time a strip of film enters the processor, and reaches the density sensor, thereby assuring that drift and other variations in density sensor output unrelated to the film density are eliminated. In addition, the automatic calibration system provides a data valid signal after the density sensor has been calibrated to allow the replenisher control to accept the output signals from the density sensor and control the supply of replenisher fluid to the processor only for a limited time interval after calibration (i.e. while film is actually present in the density sensor).

Abstract: A photographic printer has a paper feed system for automatically advancing print paper by a predetermined feed length after each exposure. A paper feed cut off circuit terminates the paper feed after a predetermined time period in the event that the paper feed has not been previously terminated. This prevents waste of large amounts of print paper in the event of a malfunction in the automatic paper feed system.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistance heater assembly is used in combination with an angle of attack vane to provide automatic means for maintaining the temperature of the vane at a level which will de-ice the vane. The heater assembly is embedded in a recess in the vane and is made up of a plurality of individual PTC resistors connected electrically and mechanically in parallel by flexible electrically conductive perforated strips which permit the individual resistors to move relative to each the other under thermal stress and which also permit the encapsulation of the resistors in a suitable thermally conductive, electrically oinsulative material that is sufficiently resilient to permit the individual resistors to expand and contract relative to the vane during use.

Abstract: A solar collector having a housing and a plurality of substantially parallel heat absorbing vanes mounted in the housing immediately beneath a radiation transparent upper wall in such a manner as to form a plurality of relatively narrow channels through which a heat exchange fluid is circulated. The width of the channels is preferably not greater than one-half of the depth of the channels and is preferably substantially less. The width of the channels may be as little as one-sixth of the depth of the channels. Provision is made for changing the angular disposition of the vanes and this may be done by heat sensitive means sensitive to the direction of the solar radiation. One form of the vane is L-shaped in cross section with a short leg of each L constituting the bottom wall of the channel and the long leg constituting a side wall of the channel.

Abstract: A depth control for grain drills, planters or the like utilizing a press wheel which can be adjusted to control the depth of each individual furrow opener to insure uniform depth of planting across the width of wide machines presently in use.

Abstract: A controller for controlling SCR's used for supplying power to loads, which provides digital control of the phase angle of the firing signal for SCR's during rapidly changing frequency of applied power. The digital control is based upon clocking signals which are derived directly from the rotation of a generator to always provide a set number of pulses for each electrical cycle independent of time (frequency).

Abstract: Imprinters or stampers for imprinting or stamping numerals, letters or symbols into the top of pieces of dough prior to baking, which includes means for individually sensing each piece of dough to insure that the imprinting device is properly timed for imprinting the dough pieces.

Abstract: A home water distiller which provides for an efficient distillation process wherein the inlet water supply is controlled as a function of the temperature of the output of the distiller, and which inlet water is preheated by introducing it into a chamber surrounding the condensor coils. After preheating, the water flows into the boiling chamber. The unit is provided with a flowthrough or constant-flush drainage system to keep mineral buildup to a minimum, and to provide for automatic control of the input water.

Abstract: A rear view mirror for vehicles such as automobiles and trucks, which provides a periscope-like rear view utilizing only two mirror surfaces. One of the mirrors is a substantially planar mirror, and the second of the mirrors is a curved part elliptical mirror. At least one of the mirrors is mounted outside the windshield, and the use of the part elliptical mirror surface provides the proper orientation of the image that is seen by a driver without utilizing prisms, lenses, or three mirror systems. The device is thus much more compact, more attractive in use, and still affords a substantially undistorted wide angle view to the rear.

Abstract: A locking jaw machine vise which includes a fixed jaw rigidly mounted on a frame, and a movable jaw slidably mounted on ways or guides for movement toward and away from the fixed jaw. The sliding jaw is driven by an actuating nut and screw. The actuating nut has an inclined surface that interlocks with the sliding jaw to provide a downward force on the sliding jaw to prevent the sliding jaw from tilting when it is clamped. A set screw is provided on the device to limit the amount of movement of the movable jaw toward the actuating nut to minimize any tendency of the jaw and the nut to bind on the ways or guides used for the sliding jaw.

Abstract: A strut or boom mounted probe having separate pressure sensing ports or sets of ports axially spaced on the side of the probe. The ports are located on the probe so that at a reference angle of attack, normally zero angle of attack, the static pressure conditions at both of the sensing port sets are at a known relationship. As the angle of attack varies from the reference angle, the sensed pressures at the port sets differ, with the difference increasing with increasing angle of attack. The sensor normally has a pitot pressure opening at its forward extremity, although a separate pitot pressure probe may be used if desired. A single probe is capable of providing pitot pressure, static pressure and a differential pressure signal proportional to angle of attack.

Abstract: A V belt pulley clutch assembly for a variable speed transmission which may be either the driving or the driven pulley, and which has one movable sheave which is both speed and torque responsive, and wherein the torque responsive portions comprise raised spiral ramps on the hub of the movable portion of the V belt pulley driven through saddle type members riding on the spiral ribs. The ribs are spiraled axially along the hub of the movable portion of the V belt pulley in a direction so that when the driven member is subjected to more load the unit tends to shift into a lower drive ratio. That is when the drive clutch assembly is powered from a drive shaft, the spirals are arranged so that the pulley halves tend to separate under increasing load on the belt. The ribs are on the external surface of a hub and can be die cast draft free for permitting driving and sliding between two relatively movable pulley halves.