Abstract: A process for preparing a heat-settable casting or moulding composition comprises forming a mixture of a refractory oxide, preferably alumina, and a polyvalent metal polyphosphate, the polyvalent metal being preferably magnesium, aluminium, cobalt or zinc. The mixture is preferably formed by precipitating the polyvalent metal polyphosphate from an aqueous solution of an alkali metal polyphosphate in the presence of the refractory oxide by the addition of a water soluble polyvalent metal salt to the solution.The compositions are useful in making encapsulated or "potted" components such as resistance thermometers and thermocouples.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to certain modifications to sensor cells to minimize electrolyte dilution or loss and to reduce electrical noise. These objectives are attained by designing and constructing the cell in such a manner as to force the electrolyte to communicate between the anode and cathode by diffusion through a porous plug which is placed adjacent the cathode and in contact with the required porous membrane.

Abstract: An aerial device includes a boom support structure, a boom pivotally secured to the support structure, and first and second boom lift hydraulic actuators. The first and second boom lift hydraulic actuators are operated in tandem to raise, lower, and hold the boom in position. The first and second boom lift hydraulic actuators are pivotally connected between the boom support structure and the boom and are disposed with respect to the boom pivot axis so that regardless of boom position, one of the first and second actuators is under tension and the other is under compression. This eliminates the danger of loss of lift of the boom caused by end gland failure of a lift actuator.

Abstract: A scraper attachment for use with a hand-held power sander of the oscillating vibrator type is useful for scraping paint, and for removing various types of floor coverings rubber-back glued carpet, soft or cushion-type vinyl floor coverings, ceramic tile, Formica-type surfaces, and wallpaper. The scraper attachment includes a metal plate which is removably connected to the power driven platen of the hand-held power sander so that a blade portion of the metal plate projects forward of the front of the platen. The metal plate, when connected to the platen, is power driven by the platen, to provide a power scraper action.

Abstract: A photographic printer control system of the present invention separates the operation of the printer into first and second working levels. The first (or "operator") working level includes selecting the printing mode, loading or selecting one of a plurality of setup blocks, initiating printing, and applying color density button corrections. The second (or "manager") working level includes determination of printer operating parameters for each setup block, selection of automatic corrections to be applied, color balancing, calibration, and totalizing. A control panel supplies input signals which select and control operation on the first and second working levels. A security system is provided to limit access through the control panel to the first working level for all persons except authorized persons such as the lab manager.

Abstract: An adapter improves the performance of the heater system in certain automobiles such as 1974-1978 Ford Pinto and Mustang II cars equipped with the 2300cc engines. An adapter is connected between the engine and the thermostat to permit coolant (i.e. water and "anti-freeze") to be routed from near the thermostat directly to the heater core inlet. This permits the coolant having the highest temperature within the engine to be provided to the heater core, thereby significantly increasing the available heat output of the heater core.

Abstract: A street address locating aid includes two printed paper discs. Street addresses and cross streets are printed in concentric circles on both sides of each disc. A printed paper carrier having first and second essentially parallel sheets is mounted on opposite sides of the two discs. Each of the two sheets of the carrier include "street address" and "location near" apertures through which a particular street address and the corresponding cross street are exposed. By rotating the discs, different street addresses can be selected and the cross street near that address is displayed. The two discs are mounted so that they are partially overlapping within the carrier but so that neither disc obstructs the view of the street address and location near apertures associated with the other disc.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes a RUN/TEST switch which, when in the TEST position, permits a test exposure cycle to be performed without exposing print paper. This allows the operator to test the functioning of the color and density controls and the print lamp prior to the printing operation without wasting print paper.

Abstract: A miniature electrical tester provides a wide range of voltage and electrical continuity testing capabilities. A molded plastic front case has a partition which separates it into a circuit compartment and a test lead compartment. A circuit board is located in the circuit compartment, and test leads which are connected to the circuit board are stored in the test lead compartment when not in use. A molded plastic back cover has a circuit cover section which covers the circuit compartment, a test lead cover section which covers the test lead compartment, and a flexible hinge section located between the circuit and test lead cover sections. The positioning of batteries and the innerconnection of the batteries within the circuit compartment, together with the location of the remaining components of the circuit board permit the circuit board to be held securely in place by a single screw and a compression pad.

Abstract: The photographic printer of the present invention stores measured gamma values for the photosensitive medium upon which prints are to be made. The gamma values modify exposure times so that the operator button corrections always correspond to a known increment in density. When the photosensitive medium is changed, new gamma values are entered and the printer again modifies exposure times by the appropriate amount so that button correction increments remain constant despite the change in paper gamma.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes a system for indicating the direction of movement of the dichroic filters required to re-establish color balance whenever a setup is changed. Signals are stored for each of the plurality of setups which are determinative of the desired filter position for achieving color balance with that setup. When one of the setups is selected, a parameter is sensed which is related to the filter position. The signals generated as a function of the sensed parameter are compared to the stored signals, and an indication of the direction of movement, if any, necessary to move the filters to the desired filter positions for that selected setup is provided.

Abstract: A speed shift indicating device is mounted in the driver compartment of a motor vehicle and is connected to the ignition system by a single wire which extends from the driver compartment through the firewall and into the engine compartment. The single wire derives from the ignition system an electrical input signal having a repetition rate indicative of engine revolutions per minute (RPM). The speed shift indicating device has an electrical circuit connected to the single wire for receiving an input electrical signal which has a repetition rate indicative of engine RPM. Trigger pulses are produced in response to the input electrical signal and are supplied to a timer. The output of the timer switches to a first state in response to each trigger pulse and remains in the first state only for a first time period unless another trigger pulse is received before the end of the first time period. The first time period is adjustable by the driver.

Abstract: An automatic anti-oxidation fluid replenisher system for processors of photosensitive material has an improved, digital electronic control system. The control system includes a digital binary counter which is counted down if use-related chemical replenishment is not occurring in the processor, and is counted up (generally at a different rate) if use-related chemical replenishment is occurring in the processor. When the counter reaches a predetermined value (e.g. zero), a detection circuit triggers anti-oxidation replenishment and resets the counter to its original value for further operation. A special circuit protects against counter roll-over should the counter reach its maximum capacity due to frequent chemical replenishment activity.

Abstract: A dryer for automated washing and drying of mesh or perforated bottom trays such as those used for bakery goods, which includes a source of air under relatively low pressure and has a means to direct air at a relatively high velocity through the mesh or open bottom tray as it is carried on a perforated or open conveyor, and vacuum means connected to the suction side of the same fan to collect and receive moisture laden air and water droplets that pass through the tray and the conveyor. The fan includes a water-air separator on the inlet side so that the inlet air carrying the water is processed to remove water droplets and the like.

Abstract: In the photographic printer of the present invention, color balancing is performed through an interactive procedure with the user. A test print of a reference film negative is made and the densities of the test print are measured and entered into the printer by the user. The printer derives and displays modified exposure times for the reference negative from the density of the reference negative, the desired reference print density values and the measured density values of the test print. The printer then performs a series of density measuring and exposure time calculating cycles during which time, if the modified exposure times differ from desired reference exposure times, the user changes the color content of the print lamp light by moving subtractive filters. The calculated exposure times are displayed so that the operator can monitor the changes in exposure time for each color channel as the subtractive filters are adjusted.

Abstract: A lawn litter sled for the purpose of hauling leaves, grass clippings, papers, twigs and other such matter. A precut, corrugated cardboard may be assembled into a rectangular, or other geometric form, sled that when filled with lawn litter may be easily dragged along the ground. The said apparatus has a folding loading panel which, when in a horizontal position, enables the user to sweep lawn litter into the said sled, then by positioning the loading panel into a vertical position and by pulling on a provided rope, the loading panel may be secured in a vertical position by frictional forces the loading panel is attached to side panels through which fold and hold the loading panel upright to secure the contents of the sled.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes light sensors for measuring optical characteristics of photographic film to be printed. Prior to printing, the output signals of the light sensors are monitored under one or more reference condition, and calibration values based upon this monitoring are derived and stored. During normal operation of the photographic printer the sensors provide measurements of the optical characteristics of the film, and the output signals of the light sensors are calibrated based upon the stored calibration values. The exposures are then controlled as a function of the corrected output signals.

Abstract: A vortex flowmeter having a flow obstruction body or vortex forming bar formed in a manner to provide enhanced generation of vortices across a wide range of Reynolds numbers of the fluid being measured. The bar includes projections adjacent the lateral edges thereof which tend to cause formation of vortices at the leading lateral edges with respect to the direction of flow and enhance the formation of such vortices along the surfaces extending generally parallel to the flow. Additionally, the flowmeter disclosed provides a mounting for a sensor which makes the device relatively insensitive to acceleration in the mounting structure or supporting pipe of the flowmeter.

Abstract: A meter face arrangement for use with a cross wind sensor that provides information indicating relative airspeed with respect to a probe, and also the direction of the relative wind, which permits an operator of an aircraft such as a helicopter pilot or an operator of a levitated vehicle or an observer in a ground installation to determine the relative movement of the air and also the relative direction of movement. The meter face is made so that the indicator will visually provide the direction and speed information from a single meter location using standard indicating hands to prevent confusion of the user.

Abstract: A sampling catheter having an outer tube of resilient material with a normally closed distal end and an inner flexible tube which is longer than the outer tube and which is normally held in retracted position with respect to the distal end of the outer tube by means of a loop of the inner tube which is fastened to the outer tube. The assembled catheter is disposed in a sealed package with the inner tube in such retracted position.