Abstract: A boiling sensor includes a case, which is mounted on the upper edge of a container in which liquid is to boil. A pair of electrical probes are spaced apart a small distance and mounted on the case above the liquid. Behind the probes is a collector of the material, preferably sheet nylon, which does not absorb the liquid, which is non-wettable and electrical insulative, and which has a high heat capacity. With a high heat capacity, the vapor raises the temperature of the collector slowly so that vapor continues to condense on the collector between the probes. The probes are part of an electrical circuit. The condensed water vapor allows current to flow the between the probes, and the rest of the circuit causes current to flow through a sound or visual indicator to indicate that the water is boiling. This circuit also has a voltage divider, one side of which is the electrical probe, and by adjusting the resistance on the other side of the voltage divider, the sensitivity of the circuit can be controlled.

Abstract: Adjustment of the force that a stylus exerts on an object in a stylus profiler is accomplished by having a magnetic core, which is operably connected to the stylus and and mounted within an electromagnetic coil. The core moves relative to the coil as the stylus moves vertically. The coil creates a uniform magnetic field within the range of movement of the core. The core is elongated to be subject to uniform fields so that the force that the core-coil combination applies to the stylus is constant irrespective of the vertical position of the stylus.

Abstract: A playing card holder is described in which two plates with diverging inner surfaces form a tapered slot which extends upward from a base section. The inner surface of each plate is lined with a layer of tufted flock material, which may be partially set into recesses in the opposed plate surfaces. The holder retains either a single card or a number of overlapping cards securely in place with a relatively high degree of static friction, and yet permits cards to be easily removed with a substantially lower dynamic friction without dislodging adjacent cards. The remote ends of the holder are provided with a compound curvature which protects the cards from casual visual observation by other players, while enhancing the ability of the player to easily and securely manipulate the cards.

Abstract: A growth container for laboratory organisms such as fungi, TB bacilli, yeast, virus or bacteria in which a well for the growth medium is spaced inwardly from an outer and higher wall. A lid snaps in place over the dish to substantially enclose the growth medium. An absorbent material, preferably a ring of filter paper, is placed in the space between the well and the outer dish wall to humidify the container when the material is wet, and to collect condensation from the lid which may include dangerous spores. Condensation is collected from a blocking ring on the underside of the lid by inversion of the dish and absorption onto a filter paper ring. An access opening in the lid permits material to be removed from or added to the growth medium with the lid only partially disengaged. The well may contain a single growth medium or a number of segregated growth compartments.

Abstract: To catch food and other debris from a child sitting in a seat where the seat is the type that attaches to the edge of the table, the present invention has a pair of arms moveable with respect to each other. The arms are attached to the table to the sides of the seat. Each arm has rearward extensions to which a catcher of flexible cloth or other material is attached. The arms also attach to the table. The flexible catcher then hangs under the child and the seat to catch food and debris. The catcher may have forward portions extending under the table, which also can be attached to the arms under the table.

Abstract: A stabilized control system and method for smoothly connecting and disconnecting an induction generator to the utility power grid is described. Thyristor switches are interposed between each phase of the mains and the generator. The thyristors are gated so as to decouple the generator from the mains for a period during each mains half-cycle, the decoupling period decreasing as the generator power factor angle increases as the generator is driven by the prime mover to its synchronous speed and above. A feedback circuit processes the generator terminal voltage to produce an analog feedback signal level proportional to the thyristor blocking voltage. The feedback signal is used to increase the thyristor gate delay angle as the generator voltage increases with increasing generator output power. This causes the rate-of-change of the generator voltage with respect to generator speed to be less than it would be with no feedback signal present.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic module is provided that permits the gradual control of the level of air pressure pulses injected into pneumatic vitrectomy probes used in intraocular microsurgical procedures. This invention permits the interchangeable use of the different pneumatic probe models according to their working pressure. The module generates in an alternating mode a flow of air pressure that can be varied from 0 to 30 p.s.i. or more, intercalated with a vacuum flow. This alternate air pulse is blown in a variable frequency of 0 to 800 times per minute into the piston of vitrectomy probes, moving in this way the internal cutting needle back and forth. The module contains also an gradually adjustable aspirating system responsible for sucking out the material sectioned by the chopping action of the internal needle.

Abstract: A motorcycle boot is described with a positive air circulating system which distributes air over the wearer's foot in a continuously replenished flow. Air enters the boot through air scoops on the upper sides, travels down an intake duct at the rear, is distributed along the sole through a network of open channels, and flows against the underside of the wearer's foot through perforations in the inner sole. An exhaust path is provided through vent ports above the sole, exhaust ducts which run up the rear of the boot on either side of the intake duct, and vent openings which exhaust the air to the outside. Openings may be provided in the scoops immediately above the vent openings to produce a venturi action that stimulates the flow of air through the boot.

Abstract: Each bomblet within a cluster bomb is provided with an individually programmable detonation time delay, such that the bomblets can be programmed to detonate at desired intervals over a relatively long period of time. Program signals are transmitted to a number of bomblets at the same time from a wire that runs through openings in the bomblets, but is not mechanically attached to the bomblets. The wire is attached to the bomb canister at selected points and is severed inbetween the connection points when the canister is opened, thus permitting the wire sections to be pulled away without disrupting the bomblets' dispersion pattern. A shaped charge running along at least one of the canister sections is used to sever the wire. The shaped charge is arranged to direct its explosive force toward the adjacent canister section and generally away from the bomblets, and generally comprises a chevron-shaped casing filled with an explosive.

Abstract: A temperature compensated voltage reference circuit in which a compensation current is generated by establishing a current through a passive impedance element which varies with temperature in accordance with the transistor voltage equation. This current is proportionately reflected into the output impedance circuit associated with the voltage reference, where it compensates for temperature induced voltage variations. The passive impedance element is adjustable to correct for processing variations, and the compensation circuit requires no voltage supplies other than those typically provided for the reference circuit by itself.

Abstract: The aircraft pre-ventilation system has a ventilation unit mounted for movement along the ground. A primary and a return duct carry air between the ventilator and the aircraft door opening. The ducts are connected to a fitting which is designed to fit into and seal different size door openings for different aircraft. The fitting has a central rigid member, and a flexible bladder is attached to and surrounds the outside of the central member. The fitting is supporting by an adjustable arm for positioning the fitting in the door opening. When the fitting is properly positioned, the bladder expands to secure and seal the fitting to the aircraft door opening. The support arm that holds the fitting is hollow and carries pressurized air from the ventilator to a hose near the fitting that carries the air into the bladder.

Abstract: A playing card holder is described in which two plates with diverging inner surfaces extend upward from a base section. The two plates diverge from each other within an angular range of about 1.degree.-8.degree., and preferably about 3.degree.-5.degree., to form a tapered slot within which the playing cards are inserted. The inner surface of each plate is lined with a layer of a flocked material, the layers being partially set into recesses in the opposed surfaces of each plate. The holder retains either a single card or a number of overlapping cards securely in place once they have been inserted into the slot, and yet permits cards to be easily removed without dislodging adjacent cards.

Abstract: The doll of the present invention is formed by outlining a desired feature with an adhesive such as a meltable, fuser thread between a front and rear piece of fabric in an outline of the desired feature such as the nose or mouth. After the adhesive is made to hold the two sheets of fabric together, soft material is inserted between the two sheets within the feature. The outline of a nose is U-shaped, and soft material can be inserted through the top opening between the two pieces of fabric. The outline of a mouth is closed so the soft material is pushed through a slit in the rear piece of fabric. The mouth can also be formed by satin-like stitches in which long stitches are formed on the top of the front sheet of material extending from the outline of the mouth or lips. The soft material is inserted through the rear sheet to cause the front sheet and the satin stitches to bulge outward. The lips can also be formed by running stitches forming an outline, which is then filled.

Abstract: A playing card holder is described in which two plates with diverging inner surfaces extend upward from a base section. The two plates diverge from each other within an angular range of about 1.degree.-8.degree., and preferably about 3.degree.-5.degree., to form a tapered slot within which the playing cards are inserted. The inner surface of each plate is lined with a layer of a flocked material, the layers being partially set into recesses in the opposed surfaces of each plate. The holder retains either a single card or a number of overlapping cards securely in place once they have been inserted into the slot, and yet permits cards to be easily removed without dislodging adjacent cards. The remote ends of the holder are provided with a compound curvature in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the card holder which has been found to secure the cards from casual visual observation by other players, and yet preserves the ability of a flat card holder to easily and securely manipulate the cards.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism for a pair of conduits held together by means of a frangible connector is described. Each conduit has a center pivoted butterfly valve with valve discs which are spring biased to a closed position. The valve discs are mutually abutting and normally hold each other open, but are released when the frangible connector is broken. Each disc is pivoted about an offset from a pivot support member, and the inner conduit walls are tapered between the open and closed positions of the disc so as to reduce the turning friction between the disc and the conduit walls. A mechanism for positively closing and latching the disc is a closed position is described. This mechanism is contained in a housing which is sealed off from the fluid containing portion of the conduit.

Abstract: A two-part head positioning system has a tracking motor for moving the head through relatively small distances so that it follows the track of a medium and moves between adjacent tracks and a seek motor for moving the tracking motor and head through relatively large distances between non-adjacent tracks. The system has been improved by mechanically isolating the seek motor from the tracking motor so that small movements from the tracking motor are not transmitted to or from the seek motor and the arm between that motor and the tracking motor. The tracking motor and the mechanical isolator are in one unit. A magnet is mounted on the head support, which extends from the tracking motor to the head. This magnet is positioned within an electromagnetic coil that is mounted within magnetic shielding and fixed to the arm extending to the seek motor. Selective energization of the electromagnetic coil moves the magnet and the head support laterally in the coil.