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.

Abstract: A programmable limit switch employs high speed special purpose hardware and a general purpose microcontroller to achieve high speed limit switch operation. A state sequencer controls the high speed special purpose hardware in a fixed sequence. The state sequencer latches position data, and recalls position offsets from a memory. A hardware digital adder sums the position and offset with this summed offset position used as an address in output tables for selecting an output status word. The microcontroller operates asynchronously with respect to the state sequencer. The microcontroller initializes and updates the memories. The microcontroller calculates the velocity from repetitive position signals and writes the corresponding window offsets to memory. A selection circuit picks out the status bit of the particular output circuit. Thus unique ON/OFF offsets can be used for each circuit. The outputs are shifted together and latched to the output drivers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for severing a workpiece wherein the workpiece is clamped at two axially spaced apart locations, and heated to reduce the tensile strength of the material, after which the axial spacing between the clamps is increased to pull the workpiece apart in the heated area. This apparatus and method may also be used in a flying environment; i.e., the severing apparatus travels with the workpiece to sever sections of a workpiece continuously emanating from a fabrication mill.

Abstract: The electric connector of this invention comprises: a housing containing an array of terminal accommodating chambers for receiving terminals; and a rear holder having openings that correspond to rear openings of the terminal accommodating chambers, the rear holder being fitted between side walls formed at the rear of the housing.The housing and the rear holder include means which provisionally lock the rear holder when the rear holder is inserted into the rear portion of the housing to the position where its front surface comes into contact with the rear surface of the housing and the corresponding openings of the rear holder and the housing virtually align with each other. The housing and the rear holder also include means which, when the rear holder is slid from the provisional engagement position to the final assembly position in constant surface contact with the housing, fully locks the rear holder at this final assembly position.

Abstract: A resistive strain gauge pressure sensor including upper and lower housings coacting to define a pressure chamber within the housing. A board member is clamped between the housings and defines a diaphragm portion which extends across the pressure chamber to divide the pressure chamber into upper and lower chamber portions. All of the circuitry of the sensor is screen printed onto the lower planar face of the board member including the various resistor elements of the strain gauge assembly, the various elements of the conditioning circuit receiving the output of the strain gauge assembly, and the various further leads required to connect the circuitry elements to the terminals of the sensor. The sensor terminals are provided by a plurality of connector pins extending downwardly through the board member for connection at their respective lower ends to the circuitry provided on the lower face of the board member.

Abstract: A brake member for a slide gate mechanism which includes a slanted drive mechanism engaging face adapted to engage at least one drive wheel of the drive mechanism for the slide gate so as to gradually brake the gate.The preferably a pair of opposed drive wheels are adapted to frictionally engage a drive rail on a gate so as to provide a slide gate mechanism. The pair of opposed wheels are spring biased toward the railing to ensure adequate frictional engagement with the rail. Limit switches are disposed to deactivate operation of the drive mechanism and a pair of brake members are disposed so as to positive a slanted drive mechanism engaging face toward the drive wheels of the drive mechanism such that when utilized the brake member operates to gradually brake the gate as the slanted drive mechanism engaging face engages at least one of the drive wheels.

Abstract: A protective layer is disposed between a silver reflective electrode and a layer of transparent conductive oxide in a photovoltaic device so as to prevent oxidation of the silver. The protective layer may be continuous or discontinuous and may be fabricated from MgF.sub.2, Si.sub.x N.sub.y or T.sub.ix N.sub.y where x and y are positive numbers.

Abstract: A hockey stick having the appearance of a solid wood stick and superior handling properties is formed with an outer layer of resin-impregnated wood veneer formed integrally with an inner sheath of fiber-reinforced fabric and resin. In one embodiment of the hockey stick, the two outer layers are formed over a core which may be formed of foamed plastic core. In an alternative embodiment, the foam core extends through the handle area and the blade is formed of synthetic fibers overlaid and bonded to an outer wood veneer sheath by resin which impregnates both layers.

Abstract: The present invention is an automatic door operator which includes an obstruction detector for at least stopping the motor when the detected motor speed indicates a motor torque greater than the selected closing torque limit while closing the door, and for at least stopping the motor when the detected motor speed indicates a motor torque greater than the selected opening torque limit while opening the door. The motor speed is detected based upon a predetermined count of electrical pulses corresponding to motor shaft rotation in order smooth noise. Selection of the number of pulses per rotation enables the same controller to control motors operating on either 60 Hz or 50 Hz power. A travel count of rotation pulses permits identification of a plurality of regions in the opening and closing travel of the door and corresponding adaptive torque limits. The travel counter may also be employed for detection of the fully opened and fully closed limits.

Abstract: A sanitary catheter particularly designed for the administration of barium enemas. The catheter includes a protective sheath formed of a fluid-impervious, flexible material, which may be extended over those portions of the catheter which have been inserted into a patient so that the sheath completely encloses contaminated portions of the catheter to prevent leakage of contaminated fluids therefrom.

Abstract: A power cylinder of the type in which the piston may be locked to maintain am associated tool or clamp in a fixed position. A nut is provided in an end wall of the cylinder and the piston rod of the piston passes through the nut. The initial portion of the forward stroke of the piston is accomplished by the introduction of fluid pressure into the cylinder and, as the piston approaches the final portion of its stroke, the threaded portion of the piston rod engages the nut whereupon the nut is rotated to threadably advance the piston through the final portion of its stroke. The rotation of the nut is accomplished by pressurized fluid acting against a piston rack which rotates a gear which in turn rotates the nut. The center line of the piston rod is offset from the center line of the piston to preclude rotation of the piston and of the piston rod.

Abstract: A vertically aimable tip for a pulverized coal nozzle used in the boiler areas of coal fired, steam generating facilities. The nozzle tip comprises box-like outer and inner housings which are pivotally mounted as a unit to the outlet end of a pulverized coal conduit. A box-like end housing having integral splitter plates is loosely mounted in the outer housing in conforming and contiguous abutting relationship to the inner housing to complete the pulverized coal flow path. An air flow path is defined by the spacing between the outer housing and the combination of the inner and end housings. The combination of the end housing and splitter plates is held in place by means by slots and locking keys or tabs to permit differential thermal expansion. The splitter plates are hardfaced and extend upstream into the interior of the inner housing.

Abstract: A computer system and a method for a mail sorting operation in which the computer system determines the location of the ZIP code within a digital image of an address block from a piece of mail. An interstroke distance is calculated for the image and the strokes of the image are thinned to enhance vertical separation between the lines of the address block. A medial axis for each line is determined and the medial axis is superimposed upon the digital image. A bleeding operation is conducted on the digital image from the medial axis at which data bits that do not connect to the medial axis are notated as punctuation and interlinear connected strokes are then divided between the two lines. The last line which is determined to be large enough to contain a ZIP code based on bounding box size is then selected. Alternate splits of words are formed and the best split is selected in which the last formed group is detected to be the ZIP code.

Abstract: A fuel tank vent valve disposed between the tank and a carbon canister to provide high volume venting between the tank and the canister under normal operating conditions. A diaphragm type control element within the valve pulls an internal valve plate against a seat when the filler pipe cap is removed thereby to close off the vent between the tank and the canister. In one embodiment drainage throughbore is provided in the control element and valve plate to drain liquid fuel which might otherwise collect on and disable the diaphragm control element. In another embodiment the vent valve is provided with a reverse flow flap valve. In another embodiment the vent valve is provided with purge protection apparatus. The system operates with a filler pipe door seal of the type which is opened by the introduction of a filler nozzle. The vent valve is primarily constructed of molded plastic parts.

Abstract: The present invention is an instructional child's story and picture book including a front cover, a back cover, and a plurality of pages pivotally disposed between the front and back covers. At least one of the pages includes text on one or more sides and a puzzle on the other side. The puzzle includes a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces to provide a hand and eye coordination and recognition manipulative for children.

Abstract: A combination platform and light string unit for use with a miniature or table-top Christmas tree. In an alternative embodiment, a musical unit is included within the platform to play holiday music.

Abstract: The invention is a reflective sign of polymeric material. The base of the sign consists of a spherical mirror. The cover for the sign consists of a transparent spherical section suitable for mating to the spherical mirror. A first opaque visible emblem is applied to the convex side of the cover, and a second emblem is applied to the concave side of the cover, directly behind the first emblem. The second emblem is printed in reverse, so that when it is reflected by the spherical mirror, it appears to the observer in proper orientation. The combined first emblem and second emblem are, therefore, visible to an observer of the device.

Abstract: A preheatable scrim and method of use for bonding together multiple layers of materials to form a laminate. The scrim includes a carrier layer which is impregnated with an adhesive having a melting point such that it can set and hold a bond. The scrim is preheated to its activation temperature and sandwiched between the materials layers. The sandwich is pressed together to bond the layers.

Abstract: A damped sine wave detector for detecting the response of a magnetostrictive displacement transducer. A pretrigger comparator compares the signal to a predetermined negative threshold. A signal comparator compares the input signal to a predetermined positive threshold. The pretrigger comparator turns on a pretrigger flip-flop and starts a delay timer when the input signal falls below the predetermined negative threshold. The pretrigger flip-flop supplies the data input of a signal flip-flop. The signal flip-flop is clocked by the signal comparator when the input signal is above the predetermined positive threshold. The signal flip-flop turns on if clocked and the pretrigger flip-flop is on. The detector includes two timers for resetting the flip-flops. An inhibit timer resets both flip-flops upon expiration of an inhibit time longer than the maximum expected duration of the damped sine wave signal.