Abstract: An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a substrate to heat the substrate which in turn heats the water flowing through the heating chamber. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion.

Abstract: A fully formed flared portion is molded as part of the main body of the one embodiment of the fitting. The flared portion is inserted through the back side of a retaining cap. A collet assembly is assembled together around the smallest diameter of the tube fitting below the flare. The collet assembly is fitted into the top of a mating nut. The retaining cap is then snapped onto the top of the nut, completing the assembly.

Abstract: A controller system for a bathing installation such as a spa is disclosed. The system distributes line voltage from a line voltage service to one or more line voltage loads and controls operation of a service system for the bathing installation. The system includes a housing structure, with a controller printed circuit board mounted within the housing. The board includes a plurality of line voltage output terminals for connection to respective line voltage loads via line voltage wiring connections, a set of circuit board line voltage contact surfaces, a plurality of circuit conductors for providing circuit connections between the contact surfaces and respective ones of the line voltage from the circuit board line voltage contact surfaces to the output terminals.

Abstract: A residue collector is adapted for coupling to a prep-board. The collection perimeter encompasses a reservoir and has support members for laterally and perpendicularly supporting the prep-board. The support members are inboard of the collection perimeter.

Abstract: A follicular dissection system comprises a polarized light source for directing polarized light onto a follicular donor section. An analyzer polarizes image light from the follicular donor section. An optical system provides an image of the follicular donor section from polarized image light from the analyzer.

Abstract: An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a pipe to heat the pipe which in turn heats the water flowing therethrough. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion.

Abstract: A tacital base for a guided projectile includes a base structure, and an adaptor structure for securing the base structure to a forward section of the projectile. The base further includes a plurality of fin slots. A plurality of deployable fins are pivotally mounted to the base structure and supported for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A method for optically scanning a subject having a three-dimensional surface contour includes illuminating the subject with a matrix of discrete two-dimensional image objects such as a grid of dots. Respective object illumination images of the illuminated subject are captured from different known image perspectives. The respective object illumination images are processed to obtain a set of three-dimensional coordinates of at least a portion of the surface contour, including correlating positions of common discrete image objects in the respective illumination images, using data regarding the image perspectives. The machine vision system includes camera apparatus disposed at different camera perspectives relative to a subject, and one or more light projectors for projecting a grid-like structured light projection onto the subject. The machine vision system captures a sequence of images including a light object projector image and an ambient light reference image from each camera perspective.

Abstract: A control system for a pool and spa. Main line voltage is provided through a single line voltage service and a single ground fault circuit interrupter circuit, facilitating a ground fault test and simplifying installation. The control system acts as a power distribution system for controlling the pool and spa equipment, with a circuit board assembly including individual fuse protection devices and switching circuits. A test algorithm is included, wherein the control system is disabled from normal operation if the GFCI test fails. The pool operator manually enters a water fill command, and the controller system automatically opens the fill valve for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically closes the valve. An emergency disconnect switch is mounted near the bathing area, connected by low voltage wiring to the controller system cabinet. The controller system senses the emergency switch closure and disconnects line voltage to the line voltage loads.

Abstract: A communication headset includes at least one dome structure for fitting over a user's ear, the dome structure comprising a rigid outer housing defining an earpiece cavity. A support structure supports the at least one dome structure in place covering the user's ear. An audio transducer is positioned within the cavity for converting electrical signals into audible signals. A suspension structure supports the transducer within the cavity without any rigid connection between the transducer and the rigid outer housing. Flexible wiring is passed between the transducer and an external connector structure, the wiring for carrying the electrical signals to the transducer.

Abstract: A radar system having a tactical mode and a calibration mode includes a transmitter section for providing high-power amplification of an RF pulsed waveform from an exciter during the tactical mode and the calibration mode. A circulator system has an input port connected to an output of the transmitter section and including first, second and third switchable junctions, and a high-power attenuator. The circulator system provides a transmit tactical mode signal path and a transmit calibration mode signal path of virtually identical electrical path lengths for a transmitter output signal, the tactical path passing through the first, second and third junctions in a first direction to an antenna I/O port, the calibration path passing through the first, second and third junctions in a second direction and through the high-power attenuator to an output port.

Abstract: A control system for a pool and spa. Main line voltage is provided through a single line voltage service and a single ground fault circuit interrupter circuit, facilitating a ground fault test and simplifying installation. The control system acts as a power distribution system for controlling the pool and spa equipment, with a circuit board assembly including individual fuse protection devices and switching circuits. A test algorithm is included, wherein the control system is disabled from normal operation if the GFCI test fails. The pool operator manually enters a water fill command, and the controller system automatically opens the fill valve for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically closes the valve. An emergency disconnect switch is mounted near the bathing area, connected by low voltage wiring to the controller system cabinet. The controller system senses the emergency switch closure and disconnects line voltage to the line voltage loads.

Abstract: A control system for bathers with ground continuity and ground fault detection includes an electronic controller which controls operation of electrically powered devices such as an electric heater assembly connected in a water flow path for heating water. A solid state water temperature sensor apparatus provides electrical temperature signals to the controller indicative of water temperature at separated first and second locations on or within the heater housing. A solid state water presence sensor apparatus determines the presence of water within the heater housing, providing electrical water presence signals to the controller indicative of the presence or absence of a body of water within the heater housing. The system includes ground continuity detection, ground current detection and ground fault detection circuits. The ground continuity detector detects continuity of the electrical ground and provides an electrical detector signal to the controller indicative of a ground continuity status.

Abstract: A control system for bathers includes an electronic controller which controls operation of an electric heater assembly connected in a water flow path for heating water. The heater assembly includes a heater housing and electric heater element. A solid state water temperature sensor apparatus provides electrical temperature signals to the controller indicative of water temperature at separated first and second locations on or within the heater housing. The presence of water in the heater housing is detected electronically, by turning on the heater, and monitoring the temperature sensors for unusual temperature rises or other faults for a period of time thereafter. A solid state water presence sensor apparatus can also be used to determine the presence of water within the heater housing, providing electrical water presence signals to the controller indicative of the presence or absence of a body of water within the heater housing.

Abstract: A technique for resistance welding an attachment such as a collar or base ring to a tank head section by causing welding current to flow through weld protrusions disposed on the attachment and which are pressed against the tank section. Electrodes are contacted to the attachment and the tank section in such a manner to provide for substantially equal welding current paths through the protrusions.

Abstract: A molded sweep elbow tube connector includes a molded tube connector member comprising a first linear tube end portion, a second linear tube end portion, and a curved sweep tube portion defined by a relatively large sweep radius and joining the two end portions to form an integral one-piece molded part. The tube connector member forms an interior passageway for carrying a flow of fluid, characterized by a sweep bend between the two end portions, permitting fluid laminar flow through the tube connector. The tube connector member has a thick wall thickness over at least a portion of the curved sweep tube portion and a thin wall thickness over the first linear tube end. The thin wall thickness facilitates the removal of a curved core pin from the part through a linear tube end portion after injection molding, since the plastic material will flex enough to permit the pin to be stripped without damaging the part.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting between rotational and linear movement includes a rotatable hub structure and a striker element having an inboard end and an outboard end. In one form of the mechanism, a pivot/spring structure is positioned to engage a pivot location on the striker element between the inboard and outboard ends of the striker element. The pivot/spring structure provides a deflectable pivot fulcrum which can be deflected from a pivot rest position in response to a deflecting force exerted on the striker element. The hub structure can be engaged with the inboard end of the striker element so that a rotational movement of the hub structure provides a force on the striker element tending to cause the inboard end to pivot about the pivot structure, deflecting the pivot fulcrum such that the outboard end of the striker element moves in a generally axial direction. The mechanism can be used in a latch.

Abstract: A control system for a pool and spa. Main line voltage is provided through a single line voltage service and a single ground fault circuit interrupter circuit, facilitating a ground fault test and simplifying installation. The control system controls the pool and spa equipment, with a circuit board assembly including individual fuse protection devices and switching circuits. A test algorithm is included, wherein the control system is disabled from normal operation if the GFCI test fails. The pool operator manually enters a water fill command, and the controller system automatically opens the fill valve for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically closes the valve. An emergency disconnect switch is mounted near the bathing area, connected by low voltage wiring to the controller system cabinet. The controller system senses the emergency switch closure and disconnects line voltage to the line voltage loads. The emergency switch closure also remotely induces a ground fault, tripping the GFCI.

Abstract: A system, method and device for selectively tracking expenditures against a total monetary amount. The device includes a support having a plurality of response areas for presenting information for selection, and printing indicative of one or more discrete monetary amounts, each amount a small fraction of the total monetary amount as a discrete budget unit. The printing is fixed to the support within each response area. The plurality of response areas and the printing are arranged on the support in a distributed fashion such that the aggregate of the representations of the discrete monetary amounts equals the total monetary amount. The arrangement of the printing and response areas provides a visual representation of the total monetary amount as a distribution of discrete monetary amounts. Expenditure amounts are tracked by canceling, for each expenditure amount, a corresponding amount of the discrete printed representations to approximate the expenditure amount.