Abstract: An illuminating device for an instrument of a vehicle or the like using a light guiding member for introducing outside light during the day time to illuminate the dial of the instrument clearly at a brightness matching with that of the scenery. An internal light source is provided to illuminate the same dial in a dark place.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing and vapor recovery system designed to be utilized in gasoline stations, or the like, in which the gasoline is pumped from a storage tank, through a first conduit system, and to each of several dispensing units for dispensing the gasoline to the vehicle tanks. A portion of the gasoline at each dispensing unit is diverted from the first conduit system into a second conduit system before it passes to the dispensing nozzle, and means are responsive to the gasoline flow through the second conduit system for drawing vapors from the receptacle into the second conduit system. A sump tank is connected to the second conduit system for receiving the mixture of diverted gasoline and vapor, and means are provided which are responsive to the operation of the pump for drawing the diverted gasoline from the sump tank to an additional conduit for passage back into the storage tank.

Abstract: A magnetic tape reproducing and/or recording system in which two magnetic cassette tape transports are mounted on the same chassis and are adapted to selectively drive magnetic tape from two separate type cassettes past separate head assemblies to reproduce and/or record magnetic signals on the tape. The arrangement is such that the second tape cassette is automatically actuated upon the tape in the first cassette reaching its end, and vice versa. Logic circuitry is provided which controls the tape transports so that, after completion of the first cassette tape it can be rewound to a starting position during play of the second tape, and vice versa. A single set of recording and playback electronics can be provided which are automatically switchable between the respective head assemblies depending on the particular operational mode.

Abstract: An air cleaning device constitutes of dust collecting plates and discharge plates in multi-layer assembly charged with high voltage and located in the center of the cyclone type dust collector to clean the intake air of dust particles. In addition, a high voltage charged needle is located in the intake located in the center of the plates to improve engine efficiency and to aid in cooling the intake air.

Abstract: A fuel injector valve for use in an internal combustion engine has a spherical valve member which is movable to be biased onto a valve seat by pressure differential between upstream and downstream sides of the valve member. A pressure responsive element is disposed within the electromagnetic valve and located opposite to the valve member in order to bias the valve member against the valve seat to close a fuel outlet when fuel pressure prevailing upstream of the valve member is lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method for bonding a layer of porous polymeric material to a rigid implantable portion of a prosthetic device, which includes the steps of (a) forming a substrate by coating the implantable portion with material which is chemically compatible with the porous polymeric material and which has a melt viscosity and/or melting temperature lower than that of the porous polymeric material, (b) covering the substrate with a porous polymeric material in powder form capable of forming said porous polymeric layer for forming a composite coating on the implantable portion, and (c) heating the substrate and porous polymeric material to a temperature high enough to cause the substrate material to flow into the adjacent pores and low enough so that the porous material will maintain its shape so that the porous layer will be bonded to the substrate and the outer pores will be open to accommodate tissue ingrowth, and an apparatus formed by said method.

Abstract: A humanoid appearing robot adapted for movement relative to a ground support surface includes a removable passenger carrying platform attached to a base portion thereof. The platform serves to both provide the robot with a passenger carrying capability that enhances the entertainment value of the robot and to enhance the stability of the robot during movement relative to a ground surface. The platform may be removed when the passenger carrying capability is not desired or when it is necessary to maneuver the robot in confined spaced, e.g., the interior of a passenger carrying aircraft. Arm-like members are articulatably connected to a torso portion of the robot and include articulatable hand-like members for grasping and releasing small objects. The arm-like members are articulatable to a forwardly extended position to provide lateral support for a passenger on the platform. An articulatable head-like module is mounted on the torso portion to complement the robot's humanoid form.

Abstract: A plasma jet ignition system wherein a plasma jet energy storage system is designed as an add-on system, which is used in conjunction with a conventional ignition system which provides the basic spark timing and high voltage trigger signal to plasma jet ignition plugs. The plasma jet energy storage system is connected to the plasma jet ignition plugs via steering diodes. Each of the steering diodes has an anode terminal directly connected to one of the plasma jet ignition plugs.

Abstract: A composition in the form of a solution or dispersion which includes a perfluoroalkyl group-containing phosphoric acid ester of the formula(R.sub.f XO).sub.n PO(OH).sub.3-n(wherein R.sub.f represents a perfluoroalkyl group containing from 4 to 20 carbons, X represents a divalent organic residue and n is an integer from 1 to 3) and an additive which is a surface active agent, a silicone oil, a highly fluorinated organic compound, a wax or a mixture thereof, the composition being useful for imparting mold releasing properties to a mold.

Abstract: A fuel consumption measuring apparatus for an internal combustion engine equipped with an electromagnetic fuel injection valve, comprising a fuel injection control means which calculates a proper value of fuel to be injected into the engine, and which then corrects this value in accordance with the characteristics of the electromagnetic fuel injection valve and controls the valve thereby, and a totalling means, which, in synchronization with the signals for controlling the valve, totals the values of the amount of fuel to be injected. In an embodiment, the totalling means is capable of subtracting a first predetermined value from the total held therein, and the apparatus further comprises a decision means which at regular time intervals judges whether the totalled value in the totalling means is greater than a second predetermined value or not; and, if it is, outputs an output pulse signal and also controls the totalling means to cause it to perform the subtraction.

Abstract: A dental implement for dispensing amalgam includes a handle on which are mounted at least one amalgam dispenser and a plugger corresponding to each amalgam dispenser for condensing the amalgam dispensed by the dispenser.

Abstract: A dental implement for dispensing and compacting amalgam includes separate dispensing and compacting assemblies at opposite ends of a handle. The assemblies each have an amalgam carrier cooperating with a plugger portion which extends from an end of the handle. A spring-biased lever maintains the amalgam carrier in a normally lowered position capable of receiving amalgam. Each assembly features a lock for releasably retaining the amalgam carrier in a raised position whereby the plugger portion extends beyond its respective amalgam carrier for tamping the amalgam into a tooth cavity.

Abstract: A process for reducing sugarcane bagasse to a peat moss-like material that is useful as a planting or potting soil consists of the steps of: (1) screening the bagasse to remove the short fibers which are about 1/4 to 3/8 inch (6.35-9.53 mm) in length; (2) feeding the so-screened bagasse through a hammermill to reduce the remaining long fibers to fibers of a shorter length; and, (3) removing the short fibers which are about 1/4 to 3/8 inch (6.35-9.53 mm) in length as they are generated in the hammermill. The product consisting essentially of short fibers of bagasse which are about 1/4 to 3/8 inch (6.35-9.53 mm) in length produced by the foregoing process.

Abstract: A seat is mounted on an engine covering panel to form a clearance between a seat portion of the seat and the panel. The clearance is fluidly connected to a portion where an air flow produced by an engine cooling fan is present, thereby causing generation of air flow in the clearance to cool the seat portion.

Abstract: In a closed loop air-fuel mixture control system for carburetor-equipped internal combustion engines, an exhaust gas sensor provides a feedback signal to a control unit where the signal is modified to meet the control characteristics of the closed loop. The modified feedback signal is converted into digital pulses whose width varies with the amplitude of the feedback signal. Additional air is supplied to the engine through an air bleed in accordance with the magnitude of the analog feedback signal to provide a coarse control of air-fuel ratio and in response to the digital pulses to provide a fine control of the ratio. The mixture is controlled in a wide range of ratios to eliminate the need for calibration which would be required for fitting the closed loop system to the time-varying characteristics of individual carburetors.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator for liquid suspensions, particularly useful for the separation of highly concentrated slurries, the separator being provided with a forced discharge means in the form of a screw conveyor extending axially through the underflow discharge end of the hydrocyclone for forcibly discharging highly concentrated underflow fractions which would otherwise tend to stagnate in the underflow nozzle to cause choking thereof. An air column is maintained in the hydrocyclone by feeding air thereinto through the rotational axis of the screw conveyor which is driven by a variable speed motor, controlling rotational speed of the conveyor drive axis and the inspiratory air pressure according to the conditions of the feed slurry.

Abstract: A small table-top hand operated weaving apparatus on is disclosed upon which various patterned fabrics can be woven by extremely simplified operations thereof. In the disclosed apparatus, each heald member is mounted for movement along an inclined path with let-off and take-up rollers located on the same side relative to the path of the healds so that the warp yarns turn their direction at an angle, such as a right angle, at the healds. The heald members are automatically positioned selectively to either of the two end positions of their paths in accordance with a heald selection program by a manual reciprocating movement of a heald selection carriage movable transversely along the apparatus in order to form a desired shed with the warp yarns.

Abstract: A closable food container body and utensil enclosing cover assembly of generally rectangular outline and in which the cover assembly is received by snap fit in the opening of the container body to seal the contents thereof. Both the cover assembly and the container body are formed with overlying coextensive peripheral flanges which may be planar to inhibit opening of the container once closed, deformed to facilitate opening of the container, formed to augment removable retention of the cover and the container body, or formed to provide a tamper proof closure. The cover assembly includes a utensil recess for receiving a spoon, a fork, or a drinking straw and is closed by a removable cover sheet secured to a central cover member panel about the periphery of the utensil recess but having a loose, unattached peripheral portion to facilitate grasping for manual removal to gain access to the utensil.

Abstract: A fluid injection system for an internal combustion engine such as a spark-ignition or compression-ignition engine in which an injection nozzle injects a finely divided spray of fluid, such as water or a water solution, into the engine in response to a flow of atomizing air. The nozzle is connected to a fluid supply reservoir and to the outlet line of an air-injection pump connected to and controlled by an electronic circuit that includes a pick-up coupled to the ignition system of the engine. The electronic circuit responds to spark plug firing rate, which is proportional to engine speed, and to the amplitude of the voltage across the spark plug gap, which is proportional to engine load, and varies, respectively, the pump stroke rate and the pump stroke length accordingly. As a result, the flow of atomizing air to the nozzle and therefore the rate and magnitude of water injection is responsive to engine speed and load.