Abstract: In general and in one preferred method, a diaphragm plate may be formed by providing a vessel containing a quantity of a light-transmittive first photopolymer compound which includes, as mixed constituents, a reactive oligomer resin, a reactive monomer diluent and a photoinitiator. A first unmasked surface of the compound is irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light for solidifying the surface to a depth equal to the relief thickness, i.e., the desired diaphragm thickness. A second surface of the compound is irradiated with UV light subsequent to being covered with a opaque mask which defines the shape of the diaphragm. This irradiation completes the formation of the diaphragm plate by solidifying the remaining, unmasked quantity of compound. The unsolidified compound is then removed from the masked area of the plate. Other preferred methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The incremental interface system of the present invention includes a pneumatic input means for providing a first pressure to be regulated. A pressure repeater means includes a volume relay having a first chamber coupled to the intermediate bus of the input means and a second chamber coupled to a pneumatic transducer to be controlled, the first chamber and the second chamber being in fluid flow isolation one from the other. The pressure repeater means provides a second pressure at its second chamber which has a predetermined relationship to the first pressure. A reservoir means is coupled to the intermediate bus between the input means and the repeater means for limiting the rate of change of the first pressure. The input means, repeater means and reservoir means cooperate to define a substantially constant volume of fluid.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device for measuring the mass flow rate of a gas includes a surface acoustic wave delay line formed of a piezoelectric substrate and having a temperature coefficient of delay on the order of 10.sup.-4 /.degree.C. The substrate has disposed thereon a transmitting and a receiving interdigital transducer, the transducers being configured to have an operating frequency in the range of from 10MHz to 1000MHz. That portion of the substrate located between the transducers defines a propagation region and has a medium deposited thereon for absorbing a portion of the acoustical and/or electrical energy flowing thereacross. This absorbed energy increases the temperature of the propagation region over that of the surrounding ambient.A mass flow of the gas across the sensor will decrease its temperature and result in an upward shift in the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A data telemetry system for process control includes a point transponder adapted to receive digitally coded infrared interrogation signals. The transponder includes a first group of positive, intrinsic, negative (PIN) diodes disposed thereon for omnidirectionally detecting interrogation signals and a second group of infrared emitting diodes for generating digitally coded signals responsive to the interrogation signals. The first group and the second group of diodes define a first array of diode nodes, each node including at least one diode from each group. A transceiver includes a generally hemispherical, omnidirectional transmitting and receiving member having a third group of infrared emitting diodes disposed thereon for generating the interrogation signals and a fourth group of PIN diodes for receiving the responsive signals from the transponder. The third and fourth groups define a second array of diode nodes, each node including at least one diode from each other.

Abstract: A signal generating circuit useful in determining the value of a capacitor includes a charging source having a resistive element and a plurality of switches, each switch being positionable between a first, open position and a second, closed position in response to logic signals. The switches are thereby controllable for sequentially connecting a first reference capacitor of known value and a second capacitor to the resistive element for charging said capacitors to a potential. An oscillating comparator network establishes a trigger reference voltage and generates a clocking pulse when the sequentially detected charge potential of the capacitors is equal to the trigger reference voltage. A logic network is connected to the comparator network for generating the logic signals in response to the clocking pulse and the logic network includes a network for resetting the signal generating circuit.

Abstract: The formation efficiency of pasted positive plates of a lead-acid battery is greatly enhanced by providing in situ a layer of lead dioxide (PbO.sub.2) on the pasted plate surfaces prior to formation. The PbO.sub.2 layer is preferably formed by treating the surfaces of the plates with an ozone-enriched gas to convert a portion of the poorly conductive positive active precursor material (nPbO.PbSO.sub.4) to electrically conductive PbO.sub.2. In subsequent electrochemical formation of the plates, the total formation charge can be reduced significantly while obtaining more complete conversion of the paste to positive active material. The method also provides an effective substitute for conventional curing of pasted positive plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for disabling an obstructed lift mechanism having at least two hydraulic cylinders for controllably lifting and lowering a load includes a pair of valves, each arranged for sensing the differential pressure between a first sensing line and a second sensing line. The first valve is movable to a position for preventing the flow of hydraulic fluid from a first cylinder when the pressure in the second sensing line exceeds that in the first sensing line by a first predetermined value. The second value is movable to a position for preventing the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first cylinder when the pressure in the first sensing line exceeds that in the second sensing line by a second predetermined value. If the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first cylinder is prevented by the movement of either the first valve or the second valve, the operator is required to lift the load slightly to remove the obstruction.

Abstract: A differential pressure controller includes means for controllably metering a flow of air therethrough to an external control device, the metering means including a valving member and a nozzle coacting with the member for metering the flow of air. Also included in a plurality of diaphragms coacting with the valving member and defining a first chamber for receiving a first pressure signal and a second chamber for receiving a second pressure signal. One of the pressure signals includes a component representative of a master control signal. Metering of the flow of air is in response to a pressure difference between the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal.

Abstract: An electrically-powered zone condition control apparatus includes a first multiplexing means adapted for receiving analog status signals emanating from a plurality of passive signaling devices such as temperature or humidity sensors or potentiometers and transmitting these status signals in multiplex fashion to an analog-to-digital converter. The converter changes these analog status signals to digital data signals and directs them to a microcomputer. A second multiplexing means receives binary input signals which may indicate, for example, that an electrical contact is open or closed and also transmits these signals in multiplex fashion to the microcomputer. The microcomputer is adapted to perform algorithmic decisional functions relative to the signals received therein and is adaptable to periodically, selectively transmit digital output signals to one or more of a plurality of digitally-addressable load devices coupled to it by a two-wire communication bus.

Abstract: A differential pressure control apparatus includes a switch responsive to a pneumatic differential pressure for signaling the actuation of a blower motor. A signal generating section is provided and controls the speed of a blower for regulating the differential pressure. This section includes first means for sensing a projected light beam and second means for modulating the light beam. The first means and the second means are positionably displaceable one to the other in response to the magnitude of the differential pressure. Two preferred embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A stationary horizontal cylindrical reactor for the production of lead oxide comprises a series of horizontal rotating blades to promote and maintain the oxidation reaction, to provide a particle size reduction and to effect centrifugal classification of the lead oxide produced in the reaction. The reactor includes a chamber supplied with raw lead, air and water, and by the use of the entire reactor chamber-blade interface as a reaction zone results in a highly energy efficient and high rate production apparatus. The apparatus is extremely versatile and can be used to produce low free lead (less than 1%) litharge (PbO) and high free lead or leady litharge on a consistent high volume basis.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having one or more cells, a bipolar carbon-plastic electrode element providing in combination a separator, cathode and anode, the cathode and anode each having a space formed therebetween, catholyte and anolyte electrolytes circulated from and to reservoirs therefor via distribution connector means to or from a feed or discharge orifice in the appropriate cathode space or anode space. The distribution connector means is provided with at least a configured offset pathways interconnecting feed or discharge channels and the cathode or anode orifices. The pathways of a connector can be interconnected by a cross-channel having a varying area cross-section whereby shunt current protection capabilities are provided so as to reduce or eliminate detrimental orifice blocking depositions. In one embodiment the cross channel can be provided by means having a constant cross section, but variable length.

Abstract: A differential pressure transmitter includes a housing, a first chamber within the housing for receiving an input pressure to be sensed and a second chamber for receiving a transmitter adapted to generate an electrical signal representative of the input pressure. The chambers are separated by a continuously formed, highly resilient diaphragm. A reaction member embodied as a resilient spring is disposed in the second chamber for sensing a position of the diaphragm resulting from the magnitude of the differential pressure thereacross. The reaction member has a magnetized structure mounted thereon which coacts with a Hall effect transducer embodied in the transmitter for detecting the relative position of the magnetized structure and therefore of the diaphragm and responsively generating an electrical signal. The signal may be utilized for positioning actuator controlled dampers within a VAV system duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing relatively dry, oil free compressed instrument air includes a first compressor for receiving air at ambient temperature and pressure and compressing it to an elevated pressure. A cooler is provided for cooling the compressed air while a vortex directs its cold fraction discharge air to a second compressor. A heat exchanger is disposed intermediate the cooler and the vortex tube for transferring heat from the cooled, compressed air to the cold fraction discharge air. An air-water separator may be disposed between the vortex tube inlet and the heat exchanger for removing any condensed water from the compressed air. The second compressor receives the cold fraction discharge air and generates a supply of instrument air at a pressure not in excess of 25 p.s.i.g. and which has a dewpoint below the freezing temperature of water. A method for producing relatively dry, compressed instrument air is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor-driven rotary actuator includes an electric drive motor adapted to be configured for providing one of a plurality of output torques. A power transmission is coupled to the drive motor and includes a rotatable output shaft and drive elements adapted to be formed of disparate materials selected for transmitting one of the output torques. An electric controller is coupled to the motor for providing rotation positioning control of the output shaft in response to digital command signals.

Abstract: A method for communicating binary data using modified frequency shift keying techniques generally includes the steps of selecting a first bit count representative of a first untranslated frequency denoting a data signal at a first logic state, selecting a second bit count representative of a second untranslated frequency denoting a data signal at a second logic state and computing a mean bit count intermediate the first and second bit counts.A signal is detected which has a first component at a first translated frequency and a second component at a second translated frequency and defines a first interval of time having boundaries identifiable as T0 and T1, a second interval of time having boundaries identifiable as T1 and T2, a third interval of time having boundaries identifiable as T2 and T3 and a fourth interval of time having boundaries identifiable as T3 and T4.

Abstract: The disclosed memory enhancing apparatus includes an oscillating section for generating a plurality of first signals. A counting section is coupled to the oscillating section for receiving the first signals and responsively generating a plurality of second signals having time intervals therebetween, each of the time intervals having a duration different from that of the immediately preceding interval. A dividing section is coupled to the counting section and includes means for varying the frequency of the first signals while an output section is coupled to the counting section for providing a reminding signal in response to each of the second signals.