Abstract: The roots of human hairs of a patient are devitalized using high intensity, short duration pulses of light having wavelengths with respect to which the skin of the patient is non-absorbative and the hair of the patient is relatively absorbative. A narrow, focused beam of the light is aimed at the epidermis of the patient adjacent the hair such that an extension of the beam intersects the hair root at an angle relative to the skin surface. A short pulse passes through the skin and is absorbed in the hair root, destroying its blood supply. Apparatus for practicing the method employs a manually controlled two-axis positioning system supporting the focusing system that is connected to a laser light source by a flexible fiber optic bundle. A shutter selectively positionable in the optical path allows a low intensity beam to be produced for aiming and the shutter is removed from the optical path for the pulse period to produce the high energy beam.

Abstract: A system for providing an indication of a glidepath for aircraft using a conventional altimeter having a graduated dial scale and a rotatable pointer includes a plurality of individual indicating lights spaced around the circumference of the dial which are individually controlled by an onboard microcomputer to provide a time dependent, moving indication of a descent rate on the dial scale corresponding to a safe, theoretical glidepath, which indication may be followed by the altimeter pointer to maintain the aircraft on the glidepath. The microcomputer includes a microprocessor control unit, a random access memory for temporary data storage and a read only memory for permanent storage of programmed instructions for computing the glidepath. A manually operable keyboard device permits entry of glidepath data regarding the aircraft's speed, position, etc.

Abstract: A device adapted for use with electrical discharge machining apparatus generates tapped holes in a workpiece using a threaded, hollow carbon tool. The tool is releasably connected to a reversible hydraulic motor by a coupling which feeds dielectric fluid through the interior of the tool into the space between the machining tip of the tool and the workpiece. The motor is mounted on a vertically reciprocable slide arrangement carried by a support which is mounted on the head of the conventional electrical discharge machine. The tool extends downwardly through a threaded guide which is held in spaced relationship to the workpiece by the support, thereby allowing fluid emanating from the tip of the tool to carry machined fragments upwardly out of the tapped hole. The slide includes a slide plate mounted on a pair of upright guide posts carried by the support.

Abstract: An air conditioning system comprises sensor means arranged at a location for sensing the air condition at said location, and air delivery means arranged at the location, the air delivery means being responsive to the sensor means to deliver air to the location in accordance with the prevailing air condition. The system is particularly useful in a building having a plurality of locations. In this case, separate sensor means and an associated air delivery means are arranged at each location so that a controlled air supply can be delivered to each location in accordance with the air condition at that location and independently of the air condition at the other locations.

Abstract: Provision is made for removing gaseous impurities, such as air, from hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic power system. A sump tank serves as a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid which passes through the power unit in a closed loop manner. The fluid inlet and outlet lines are connected to the tank below the level of hydraulic fluid therein. A source of vacuum is connected to the tank above the fluid level for removing impurities from the fluid. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible member is used to adjust the volume of the evacuated area of the tank as a function of the pressure in the tank space above the fluid level. The tank may further include one or more adjustable expandable devices which are used to regulate the fluid pressure within the system as desired.

Abstract: A bucket shaped container having a rim opening smaller than the diameter of the sidewall thereof is injection molded from thermoplastic material using a die set including a molding core which collapses to allow axial removal of the molded container from the mold. The molding core comprises a plurality of individual, wedge shaped outer core sections which collectively form a continuous molding surface and are slidably mounted on a tapered inner core to allow axial sliding movement of the outer core sections relative to the inner core. Each of the outer core sections is also mounted for radial sliding movement on a mounting plate which circumscribes the molding core and is mounted for reciprocating axial movement relative to the inner core. Reciprocation of the mounting plate produces simultaneous axial and radial movement of the outer core sections throughout their entire lengths between an expanded molding position and a collapsed container releasing position.

Abstract: A security-oriented conveyor system for currency dispensers and the like comprising a pair of conveyor belts which lie in facial contact with one another to grip one or more sheets of currency between them and convey same through a downwardly inclined slot in a vault wall. Conveyor rollers are located adjacent the slot openings to prevent tampering.

Abstract: A multilevel video display control circuit. A plurality of current levels are developed in response to coded command signals (P1, P2, P3). The generated currents are summed together and converted to analog voltage signals (V25) to control the brightness of the pixels on the display. A contrast adjustment network (26) includes a first potentiometer (K1) for setting the magnitude of one of the currents at a desired level. A second potentiometer (K2) is provided for varying the magnitudes of the other current levels while maintaining the first current at the preset magnitude. Preferably, the magnitude of the first current is inversely varied with respect to other current levels.

Abstract: A shelter specially adapted to function as a portable toilet is disclosed being collapsible for ease of shipment. Inefficiencies of shipping fully assembled portable toilet shelters are eliminated by a modular construction shelter having foldable walls, a removable roof, base member and commode.

Abstract: The unburned particulate accumulation within the exhaust for a combustion system, such as the liner of a flue for a stove, is monitored by a circuit which receives a temperature indicating signal from a thermo couple mounted within the flue. The circuit includes comparators which process the temperature signal to determine whether the temperature is within in any of three ranges. When the temperature is within a normal burning range, the elapsed time that the temperature remains within such range is stored as a first count whose magnitude is proportional to the accumulation of particulates. When the first count exceeds a prescribed level, a warning device is activated. When the temperature reaches a higher cleaning range that is sufficient to burn the accumulated particulates, the elapsed time that the temperature remains within such range is stored in a second counter. The first counter is reset when the value of the second counter reaches a prescribed value.

Abstract: A flying ram cutoff machine for severing successive lengths of an elongated workpiece continuously moving in the direction of its longitudinal axis employs a bevel gear drive for swinging a ram in synchronization with movement of the workpiece. A motor drive fly wheel and clutch assembly power a drive shaft which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece, at the rear of the machine. A pair of bevel gears disposed at spaced locations along the drive shaft form power take-offs for transmitting power from the drive shaft to a pair of input shafts which extend perpendicularly away from the drive shaft and toward the swingable ram. A pair of crank assemblies couple the input shafts with the ram to produce swinging movement of the ram upon rotation of the drive shaft. Backlash of the drive system is controlled by interposing a stabilizing spacer between one of the bevel gears and a stationary support.

Abstract: A digital communications system includes a plurality of master stations communicating with a plurality of terminals over a single communication line which carries a plurality of duplex communication channels, each corresponding to a particular master station. A frequency translator coupling each terminal with the communication line permits the remote station to selectively communicate over any of the channels by translating the frequency of a selected channel to that of the terminal's receiver and by translating the frequency of the terminal's transmitter to that of the selected channel. Upon selection of a particular channel, the terminal's transmitter is disabled for a duration sufficient to allow its receiver to pick up a resynchronization signal periodically sent out by the master station whose channel has been selected. The receiver then enables the transmitter in synchronism with any other terminals using the same channel.

Abstract: Tension in a cable of a parking brake assembly is measured by way of a force measuring transducer device which is removably attachable to the lever arm bracket of the assembly located in the cabin of the automobile. The lever arm is lifted and the transducer device is positioned such that the arm presses against the load receiving surface of the transducer, such pressure being a function of the cable tension. Preferably, the transducer includes at least one flexure element connected to the load receiving surface operative to convert the force applied by the lever arm to electrical signals as a function thereof. The transducer device incorporates a retractable pin which engages an opening in the mounting bracket for the lever arm. The transducer is thus wedged between portions of the bracket and a pawl on the lever arm in a predetermined orientation such that the forces exerted by the pawl are applied generally perpendicularly to the flexure element.

Abstract: A vibration-resistant prevailing torque fastener combination comprising a conventional first element having a standard thread form with first flank angles and a modified second element having a thread form characterized by second steeper flank angles over the entire length thereof, and a truncated root caused by foreshortening of the flanks over a portion of the thread length to produce a helical flat which firmly engages and typically deforms the crest of the first element when threadedly engaged therewith. A difference in flank angles provides longitudinal clearance to receive the deformed material during the threaded engagement. Tapping tools are disclosed.