Abstract: A gas fired broiler having a plurality of burners adjacent to multiple conveyors with a shield on at least one of the burners in the area of one of the conveyors.

Abstract: A capacity pressure sensor having a housing and a diaphragm. The housing and the diaphragm are substantially flat and are connected to each other at an upstanding border at the periphery of the housing. In the hermetically closed space between the housing and said diaphragm a reference pressure is applied. In a pressure measurement the diaphragm is bent inwards relative to said housing depending on the pressure acting on the surface of said diaphragm. This bending inwards is a primary output signal which capacitively can be converted to an electrical signal. Inside the pressure sensor on the inner surfaces of said housing and said diaphragm there are arranged, for the detection of the position of said diaphragm relative to said housing, capacitor plates connected to an electrical measuring circuit for detection of the capacity of the capacitor formed thereby. To enhance the linearity of the measuring capacitor the outer flat surfaces of the pressure sensor are coated with conducting layers connected to earth.

Abstract: An error measurement and reduction method, including the steps of inducing a high error rate in a mass storage device memory system to determine rapidly and independently the optimal pattern sensitivity, pulse pairing, and window centering error parameters for the system. In a preferred embodiment, the system error rate is then reduced by setting at least one, and preferably all three, of the error parameters to its optimal value. The inventive system includes means for performing the inventive method, and preferably includes computer-controllable means for independently adjusting the pattern sensitivity and pulse pairing error parameters associated with each read/write head of the system, and for adjusting the window centering error parameter associated with the system.

Abstract: Bead producing process and an apparatus in which sol having enzymes, plant tissues, etc. dispersed therein is dropped into a solidifying liquid through a perforated plate. The sol is fed from a sol supply tank to a position near of the outer periphery of the planet gear of a planetary gear mechanism which is disposed on the perforated plate. At this moment, the sol supply tank is raised at a given rate in proportion to a decrease in the liquid level thereof so that the liquid level of the sol in the sol supply tank may be kept constant with respect to the perforated plate.

Abstract: In this invention, an improved scalpel blade holder for holding a conventional scalpel blade is disclosed. The conventional scalpel blade has two elongated holes that are coextensive with one another. Each of the holes has a length and a width with the holes being attached to one another in the length direction and the hole near the blade portion having a width smaller than the hole away from the blade portion. The blade holder has an elongated handle member having a distal end and a proximal end along the length. A support member is near the distal end. The support member has a groove along the periphery parallel to the length direction. The width of the support member between the groove is substantially equal to the width of the smaller hole of the blade. The length of the support member is less than the sum of the lengths of the two holes in the blade.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided which automatically add diluent/quench reagent in such a manner as to enable adequate mixing as well as a short period for further mixing in automated immunoassay techniques. The probes for adding the diluent/quench reagents are offset from the optics module probe so that reagents are being added to a second row while the optics probe aspirates solutions from a first row.

Abstract: An improved insert anchor assembly which provides a lifting clevis is disclosed. A novel void former comprising a body and plug to completely surround the lifting clevis is also disclosed. An improved hoisting attachment capable of complimentable receipt within the recess created by the void former is further provided.

Abstract: A spring clip including parallel jaws carried by telescopically interengaged carrier members. The jaws are spring biased toward one another by a compression coil spring captured between opposed end caps on the carrier members. One of the carrier members has diametrically aligned slots formed through opposed side walls thereof to enable the other member to passed through said slots and snapped into telescopic receipt within said one member. The end caps are formed integrally with the carrier members. In assembly of the clip, the carrier members are passed into telescopic engagement with the end caps in place and the compression coil spring interposed between the end caps.

Abstract: Distraction rods for use in the treatment of curvature of the spine and comprising an elongated member having a threaded, axial bore therein and an elongated housing into which the elongated member is slidably fitted, the elongated housing having located at one end a connection means for fitting to a clamp for connection to the vertebra, and wherein at the other end of the elongated housing a second connection means for fitting to another clamp for connection to the vertebra is located on one end of the elongated member, said elongated housing having a threaded rod which fits within the bore of the elongated member and engages the threaded bore therein such that the elongated member can move longitudinally along the threaded rod, and hence longitudinally with respect to the elongated housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for coating a substrate (1) with dielectrics which has a dc current source (10) connected to an electrode (5) which is connected to a target (3) which is being sputtered. The sputtered particles of the target (3) form a compound with an introduced substance which is deposited on the substrate (1). Permeating the target (3) are toroidal maganetic fields whose field lines emerge in the region of magnetic poles from the surface of the target (3). Under the invention an ac voltage source (30) is provided whose output voltage is superimposed on the dc voltage of the dc current source (10). Here, the electrical output of the ac current source (30) which is supplied to the electrode (5) corresponds to 5% to 25% of the output supplied by the dc current source (10) to the electrode (5).

Abstract: A portable apparatus for measuring the electrochemical characteristics of a sample is disclosed. A disposable cartridge, including a plurality of interconnected flow chambers, houses a printed circuit board substrate upon which reference and indicating electrodes are formed. The electrodes are employed in the presence of chemical reagents to aid in the electrochemical determination of a sample undergoing analysis. A thermal sensing element is in close proximity to the electrodes to permit the correction of the measurement for variations in temperature. After a pH value has been determined, the used cartridge can be mechanically ejected thus eliminating user exposure to the blood sample being measured. In this way, the pH of a blood sample can be determined quickly, effectively, inexpensively and with a minimum amount of sample and reagent preparation.

Abstract: An hysteretic current-mode controlled DC to DC converter has an input voltage, an output voltage and a control switch. The switch alternately coupled the input voltage into an energy storage inductor. It is controlled by an hysteretic conparater sensing the current of the inductor and having turn-on and turn-off limits. The limits are symmetrical about an average inductor current. The limits are adjusted by simple non-closed-loop methods to maintain an approximately constant frequency of oscillation. The average inductor current is controlled by an error amplifier to maintain a constant output voltage. The two controls are independent.

Abstract: A reinforced soil embankment having precast concrete face panels with cantilevered sections extending into the embankment to support the panels in an upright condition and provide a surface beneath which a wedge may be inserted to plumb the panels during erection of the embankment. Soil reinforcing elements are secured to the panels intermediate their height to reinforce the embankment and secure the face panels in place. Connectors are provided for securing the reinforcing elements to the panels by means of loops formed on the elements for extension through eyes on the panels. The connectors also serve to orient the reinforcing elements in a horizontal disposition within the embankment.

Abstract: A voice signal compression system wherein the compression threshold may be adjusted to a calibrated level. The system includes a variable gain amplifier for amplifying a voice input signal based on the application of a variable control voltage. A driver increases the power gain of the amplified input signal to provide a power-boosted output signal. In addition to applying the power-boosted output signal to an acoustic output transducer, the power-boosted output is also applied both to a peak detecting comparator and to a threshold reset timer. The comparator produces a digital output that triggers an attack/decay timing generator which produces the control voltage for the variable gain amplifier. The comparator initially is set to a high threshold state by the threshold reset timer. As the levels and peaks of the input signal increase, the comparator begins to trigger digital pulses to the attack/decay timer.

Abstract: A branch line coupler is disclosed. The device is comprised of multiple ports and branch lines, every two such lines being connected in a junction point. Each branch line has a width which is narrow at each end and increases in a curvilinear manner toward the middle. By virtue of the width design, the device performs the same functions as a conventional coupler, but for much higher frequencies.

Abstract: A double-acting, rotating piston reciprocating in a cylinder with the motion of the piston providing the valving action of the Sibling Cycle through the medium of passages between the piston and cylinder wall. The rotating piston contains regenerators ported to the walls of the piston. The piston fits closely in the cylinder at each end of the cylinder except in areas where the wall of the cylinder is relieved to provide passages between the cylinder wall and the piston leading to the expansion and compression spaces, respectively. The piston reciprocates as it rotates. The cylinder and piston together comprise an integral valve that seqentially opens and closes the ports at the ends of the regenerators alternately allowing them to communicate with the expansion space and compression space and blocking that communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating magneto-optical, storable, and/or deletable data carriers. One or more layers, each comprising two or more different chemical materials, are applied on a substrate (4) by means of a magnetron sputtering system (1). The fractional composition of each layer is controlled by changing the strength of the magnetic field produced by the magnetron system (1). By means of a suitable measuring device (51, 58) the compensation temperature of a particular layer is measured and compared with a desired value. If the measured compensation temperature differs from the desired value, the desired value can be attained by adjusting the cathode voltage U.sub.K of the magnetron system. A controller (63) is provided for controlling the cathode voltage and adjusting the distance between the magnetron system's target (6) and magnets (8, 9, 10).

Abstract: An acoustical voice tube, comprising an acoustical hollow upper piece and an acoustical hollow lower piece in hinged connection permits voice or sound tube positioning over a large area without changing the sound characteristics.