Abstract: A method of severing an elongated flat metal tube of the type including upper and lower flat horizontal walls, vertical edge walls and vertical partition walls spaced between the edge walls and interconnecting the upper and lower walls to divide the tube into a series of parallel, generally rectangular, longitudinally extending passages. The tube is cut by forming transverse kerfs in the upper and lower walls of the tube and thereafter exerting a relative pulling force on the tube sections on opposite sides of the plane in which the kerfs have been formed to tear apart the remaining tube material at the severing plane and sever the tube. The kerfs are formed in a two-step broaching operation comprising a first cut in which a narrow generally V-shaped narrow angle kerf is formed and a second cut in which the kerf is widened to provide a wide, generally V-shaped, wide angle kerf.

Abstract: A snake cleanable fluid flow system is provided which incorporates a first fitting in the form of a clean-out pipe and a second fitting in the form of a baffled tee. The two fittings may be formed integrally. The clean-out pipe is in the form of a tee with the leg of the tee being divided by an interior partition into first and second fluid passageways. The crossbar of the tee is also longitudinally bisected by a partition to form second and third fluid passageways. The partitions are disposed at right angles to each other so that the first and second fluid passageways are in communication with both the third and fourth fluid passageways. A snake may be selectively directed down various paths formed by the four fluid passageways. The baffled tee fitting has a baffle which will divert a snake out either end of its crossbars.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically testing a safety light curtain used to protect to an unsafe moving part of an industrial machine. A combined beam splitter and photodetector is temporarily attached to the receiver of the light curtain with beam splitter in the path of one of the light beams. A portion of the light beam continues to a receiver of the light curtain and a diverted portion of the light beam illuminates a photodetector. Interruption of this particular light beam simultaneously triggers a safety system to initiate the stopping of the machine and triggers the photodetector. A motion detector temporarily coupled to a rotating part of the machine determines when the machine has stopped. This motion detector may include a d.c. tachometer coupled via a resilient friction wheel. A timer connected to the photodetector and the motion detector determines the duration of the interval between interruption of the one light beam and the stopping of the machine.

Abstract: The compression system includes a series of piplined data processors. Each processor has an associated memory. The body of digital data is applied serially to the first processor in the chain. The first processor analyzes pairs of data elements in its incoming signal to detect the occurrence of previously non-occurring sequences and stores those sequences in its associated memory. The output signal from the processor identifies the storage position in its associated memory of each pair of data elements in its input, whether or not those sequences have previously occurred in the data stream. Subsequent processors work with storage location signals only. Each processor provides a single output location signal for each pair of signals in its input. Each processor also determines the number of times that each incoming sequence has occurred and stores that number in association with each stored pair.

Abstract: This invention is an electrical control apparatus for control of an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle. The electrical control apparatus includes an operator input device for generating a desired transmission state signal, an encoder for generating a present transmission state signal from the position of a mode select shaft on the transmission, and a logic control unit developing signals enabling a motor controller circuit to control operation of a motor which changes the state of the automatic transmission. The motor controller circuit is disposed remotely from the logic control unit, preferably in a power module which also includes the motor, and the encoder. This location of the motor controller circuit advantageously reduces the need for a high current wire harness, improves the dynamic braking efficiency, enhances serviceability, reduces the size of the part of the apparatus which must be mounted in the crowded instrument panel and reduces the effect of noise on the logic control unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and surgical procedures are provided for completely coagulating endometrial tissue of the uterus by means of heated liquid in the distended uterus under direct view of a thermally insulated hysteroscope or under indirect view fluoroscopically using a thermally insulated hysterographic cannula and a radiopaque heated liquid.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a pair of foot engaging links. The first end of each link is supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis and a second end of each foot link is guided in a reciprocal path of travel. The combination of these foot link motions permits the users foot to travel in an inclined, oval path of travel. This natural foot action exercises a large number of muscles through a wide range of motion.

Abstract: A tabletop hockey game includes a scoring member configured for affixation to a player's hand. The scoring member includes a transversely curved shooting portion which enables the player to lift the puck above the playing surface for top shelf scoring.

Abstract: A portable emergency breathing apparatus provides both a source of breathing gas and a source of light to a person confronted by an emergency situation. Breathing gas from a supply container is distributed through a mouthpiece to the user. Further, a flashlight is removably affixed to the breathing gas supply container for use by the user. The apparatus is stored within a storage container adapted for convenient storage and transition to use of the emergency apparatus. The storage container comprises a storage body and cap member. The mouthpiece of the breathing apparatus is secured proximate the interior surface of the capping member. In this manner, access to the capping member provides for immediate access to the mouthpiece and facilitates removal of the emergency equipment from the storage container.

Abstract: A toilet seat and lid holder is disclosed for holding a toilet lid and toilet seat in the upright position against the toilet tank of the toilet. The holder includes a securing bracket for releasably connecting the holder to the toilet tank. In one embodiment, the holder securing bracket is a U-shaped bracket which fits over the upper edge of the toilet tank under the toilet tank cover. An L-shaped arm is connected to the bracket and has a portion which extends vertically upwards away from the bracket. An elongate flexible connector is connected at one end to the end of the L-shaped arm spaced from the bracket. A weight is attached at the other end of the flexible connector and which hangs down over the toilet seat and cover being held down by gravity thereby holding the toilet seat and cover against the toilet tank in the upright position.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously laminating thin polymeric sheets onto at least one surface of a plurality of spacedly disposed substrates, such as photovoltaic modules. By simultaneously accommodating the lamination of a plurality of modules, the cost of the back-end fabrication of those modules is substantially reduced. The apparatus includes a plurality of diaphragms adapted to forcibly and simultaneously urge the polymeric sheets against at least one surface of each of the respective modules to be laminated. The force is preferably generated by a pump which creates a vacuum between the diaphragm and the substrate surface.

Abstract: A computer based system for processing travel requests directed to a specific venue from individual members of a sponsored group. The system comprises a data base containing a venue file including information regarding the specific venue, a group member file for each individual member of the group, a travel policy file containing information on preselected vendors of various travel services, and a city code file containing codes corresponding to a plurality of city airport locations. Data is entered and information displayed to an individual group member making a travel request via a terminal, such as a personal computer. A central processing unit is in communication with the data base and with a plurality of airline CRS systems. The CPU is programmed to select an individual group member itinerary for the specific venue which includes specific airline flights, and if necessary, specific hotel accommodations and specific rental car services.

Abstract: A wireless, monolithic photovoltaic module. The module includes top and bottom, rectangular electrodes with a photovoltaic body and an adjacent insulating strip sandwiched in between the electrodes, the insulating strip being disposed proximate the edge of the bottom electrode. A bus bar overlies the insulating strip, but not the photovoltaic body, and is connected to a net of current carrying grid lines which overlie the photovoltaic body to form a current collector. A top encapsulating layer has diffractive grooves formed therein which overlie the grid lines to minimize shading effects otherwise caused by shadows from the grid lines.

Abstract: A photovoltaic roofing system includes a plurality of roofing panels each having a photovoltaic device thereupon and each including an electrical connector engageable with a connector on another panel. The panels includes upstanding flanges and a batten and seam roof construction may be readily configured by interconnecting the panels, fastening them to the roof and covering adjoining flanges with the battens.

Abstract: A method of treatment is provided for reducing or eliminating psychomotor addiction in mammalian subjects, employing as an active agent 3-phenoxypyridine or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salt thereof.

Abstract: A connector with a cover for connecting an electric wire to a printed circuit board or a like element wherein a half inserted condition of a terminal accommodated in a housing can be detected. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers each having a flexible arresting piece formed on an inner wall thereof are formed in a housing body and each has a terminal accommodated therein. The terminal is connected at an end thereof to an electric wire and has an engaging hole formed at a rear face of the end portion thereof. The terminal further has a contact piece folded back over itself from the other end to an intermediate portion thereof and has a protrusion formed at an intermediate portion thereof by bending a pair of side plates thereof inwardly toward each other. The contact pieces and protrusions are exposed outside through slots formed in a top plate of the housing body.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a shearing blade specifically for use in a cut-off die set of the type used to cut tubing continuously emanating from a mill. The present invention is directed toward the shearing blade assembly used in conjunction with the notching blade of the cut-off die set. The subject device includes a mounting block fixed to the upper platen of the die set, a shearing blade mounted in a shearing blade cartridge, and a locking stud rotatably mounted on the mounting block which threadably engages and secures the shearing blade cartridge to the mounting block.

Abstract: The glow discharge deposition of thin film materials is most advantageously carried out at a pressure which is less than the pressure of the minimum point on the deposition system's Paschen curve and at a power which is in excess of the minimum power required to sustain a deposition plasma at the particular process pressure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell having a light-directing optical element integrally formed in an encapsulant layer thereof. The optical element redirects light to increase the internal absorption of light incident on the photovoltaic device.