Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring sliver and yarn characteristics. Transverse waves are generated relative to the sliver or yarn. At least one acoustic sensor is in contact with the sliver or yarn for detecting waves coupled to the sliver or yarn and for generating a signal. The generated signal is processed to identify the predefined characteristics including sliver or yarn linear density. The transverse waves can be generated with a high-powered acoustic transmitter spaced relative to the sliver or yarn with large amplitude pulses having a central frequency in a range between 20 KHz and 40 KHz applied to the transmitter. The transverse waves can be generated by mechanically agitating the sliver or yarn with a tapping member.

Abstract: A free spinning positively locking fastener assembly for threaded joints such as automotive or truck wheel assemblies includes a flanged nut with a retainer washer captured on the nut flange. The washer includes a tab received in a slot of a wheel spindle to permit the washer to move axially and prevent the washer from rotating. A pair of resilient locking clips normally lock the nut to the washer to prevent relative rotation so that neither the nut nor the washer can rotate relative to the spindle. The locking clips are released by engagement of a wrench socket with the wrenching structure of the nut so that the nut can be threaded to a desired position. When the wrench is removed, locking fingers on the clips engage the washer to prevent the nut from rotating. The clips are located at diametrically opposed wrenching flats of the nut, spaced from the corners of the wrenching structure.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for a coal pipe containing a stream of primary combustion air carrying pulverized solid fuel particles, includes a frame sealingly secured to an outside surface of the coal pipe around a window opening formed on one side of the pipe. An orifice plate having an orifice opening at the center is supported for pivotal movement in the coal pipe on a spindle extending radially outwardly from an edge portion on one side of the orifice plate and out through the window opening in the pipe. A bearing sleeve is provided for supporting the spindle for rotating movement about a spindle axis extending transversely of the coal pipe across the center thereof. A mounting plate structure for the sleeve is provided and is attached to the frame. A removable handle is attached on an outer end of the spindle for rotating the orifice plate in the coal pipe to vary the effective flow cross-section of the orifice opening for controlling the flow of coal and primary air to a burner.

Abstract: An oil separator for blow-by gases formed in internal combustion engines includes a nozzle that has a plurality of holes located in the air flow path of the blow-by gases. The diameter of the holes and the thickness of the nozzle results in the flow of blow-by gases being accelerated as the gases flow through the nozzle so that small droplets of oil in the blow-by gases tend to be formed into fewer and larger oil droplets. A portion of the oil droplets will coalesce on the outer surface of the nozzle and drain to an oil drain. The remainder of the accelerated blow-by gas flows through an air gap adjacent the outer surface of the nozzle onto an impervious impingement plate or surface. At least a substantial portion of the remaining oil droplets in the blow-by gases will coalesce on the impingement surface and flow along the impingement surface to the oil drain for reintroduction into the oil reservoir of the engine. The cleansed blow-by gases then flow out of the oil separator through an outlet.

Abstract: A new and improved air bag inflator module adapted for quick action, snap-on, permanent mounting on a steering wheel requires the use of no tools to install. The module is pre-positioned in front of the steering wheel and is thrust into place until locked. The inflator module includes a base facing and movable in one direction directly toward the steering wheel with a plurality of quick action, snap-on type fasteners carried thereby. Each fastener has a first portion extended into an opening in the steering wheel as the inflator module is pushed into place with a unidirectional thrust and a second portion for supporting the first portion projecting outwardly thereof. A snap-action, annular compressible and expandable holding skirt is provided on the first portion of each fastener for lockingly engaging a surface on the steering wheel when expanded after the first portion of the fastener is fully inserted through an aligned opening in the steering wheel.

Abstract: A magnetron assembly that is adapted to be mounted on a wall of a waveguide in a microwave oven includes a yoke enclosure in which is disposed a magnetron tube. The yoke enclosure is generally U-shaped with an open top end and open opposite ends to permit air flow through the yoke enclosure and past circular disc shaped cooling fins that are affixed only to an anode assembly about the magnetron tube. Different configured mounting plates can be detachably disposed in the open top end of the yoke enclosure. A filter box has input power terminals for the magnetron tube extending therefrom and is mounted with respect to a bottom wall of the yoke enclosure such that the yoke enclosure can be rotated to various positions relative to the input terminals extending from the filter box.

Abstract: A compact camera includes lens cover doors movable between closed standby positions and open operating positions. A lens hood is movable between a retracted standby position and an extended operating position. The hood prevents extraneous light from entering the camera and the doors protect the lens. The doors and hood are coupled by a cam system so they move simultaneously. Springs urge the doors and hood toward their operating positions, and a latch system retains the doors and hood in their standby positions. In the operating position, the doors are nested within and protected by the hood.

Abstract: An infusion pump has an outer housing within which is disposed a support mandrel with a bladder secured thereon. The mandrel has a substantially uniform circular cross-section with a central channel extending from an input end to an outlet end that has an enlarged mandrel flange or collar. An infusion tube is inserted through the inlet end, through the central channel and out through the outlet end of the mandrel. A seating tube bonded at a distal end of the infusion tube becomes seated in a tapered seating portion in the central channel. Thereafter the elastomeric bladder is secured on the mandrel. After both the infusion tube and the bladder have been secured to the mandrel, the inlet end of the mandrel is inserted through a bottom opening in the housing until the collar of the mandrel becomes seated in a circular collar projecting from a lower wall of the housing.

Abstract: A women's' abdominal support undergarment includes a waistband of horizontally elastic material with its ends joined to the side edges of a one piece control panel of horizontally elastic corset elastic different from the waistband material. The waistband is substantially more elastic than the control panel. The waistband and upper segment of the control panel form a horizontally aligned waist encircling portion on a standing wearer and have a smooth, continuous upper edge. A lower segment of the control panel cooperates with a panty portion and a thong portion to define a depending transverse portion of the garment.

Abstract: A method of reducing oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.X) in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine includes producing oxygen enriched air and nitrogen enriched air by an oxygen enrichment device. The oxygen enriched air may be provided to the intake of the internal combustion engine for mixing with fuel. In order to reduce the amount of NO.sub.X in the exhaust of the internal combustion engine, the molecular nitrogen in the nitrogen enriched air produced by the oxygen enrichment device is subjected to a corona or arc discharge so as to create a plasma and as a result, atomic nitrogen. The resulting atomic nitrogen then is injected into the exhaust of the internal combustion engine causing the oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust to be reduced into nitrogen and oxygen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the oxygen enrichment device that produces both the oxygen and nitrogen enriched air can include a selectively permeable membrane.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a housing with a mounting flange, a cavity, and a skirt extending from the flange to the cavity. Water and air supply ports communicate with the cavity and a socket ring divides the cavity into water and air supply regions. A discharge ball assembly includes a ball pivotally received in the socket and a discharge nozzle. A bezel has a lip covering the mounting flange, a skirt covering the housing skirt and surrounding the discharge nozzle and an end portion retaining the ball in the socket. Water and air flows are controlled by a valve member within the ball, and an additional water path provides continuous flow to an ejector orifice leading to a mixing region where air is entrained in the water flow. The discharge nozzle rotates to control the valve member but does not move axially. A clamp member is drawn by fasteners against the tub surface opposite to the mounting flange, and the housing can be mounted in different positions.

Abstract: A stage or support platform assembly for use in a synchrotron accurately positions equipment to be used in the beam line of the synchrotron. The support platform assembly includes an outer housing in which is disposed a lifting mechanism having a lifting platform or stage at its upper extremity on which the equipment is mounted. A worm gear assembly is located in the housing and is adapted to raise and lower a lifting shaft that is fixed to the lifting platform by an anti-binding connection. The lifting platform is moved vertically as the lifting shaft is moved vertically. The anti-binding connection prevents the shaft from rotating with respect to the platform, but does permit slight canting of the shaft with respect to the lifting platform so as to eliminate binding and wear due to possible tolerance mismatches.

Abstract: An improved spark ignition switch and gas valve assembly is provided. A gas valve includes a manually rotatable stem for controlling gas flow rates through the valve. A spark ignition switch includes a first stationary electrical contact; a second electrical contact including an arm for moving the second electrical contact into and out of engagement with the first stationary electrical contact; and a rotor rotatable by the valve stem. The rotor includes a cam moving the arm for moving the electrical contacts into engagement for a predetermined range of rotation of the valve stem and for moving the electrical contacts out of engagement with rotation of the valve stem past the predetermined range. A detent mechanism is operatively arranged with the rotor for providing tactile feedback to a user. The detent mechanism is arranged for engagement at a predefined rotational angle within the predetermined range of rotation of the valve stem.

Abstract: A gravity flush toilet system includes a fixture with a water sealed trap and a tank having an overflow tube, a flush valve and a fill valve. A control assembly includes a float assembly with a member for pushing the flush valve toward its closed position as the water level descends. A full volume or a reduced volume flushing operation is selected by alternatively filling or emptying a bias chamber of the float assembly. Water pressure variations are compensated for by increasing the weight of the float with part of the flow through the fill valve as the tank is emptying. A regulated volume of reseal water is carried in a chamber on the float and is discharged into the overflow tube to refill the fixture trap after each flushing operation.

Abstract: A flush toilet system includes a bowl that is drained in a flush operation through a flow path including a trap and a siphon. A bypass passage supplies a back jet of water in the reverse flow direction in the flow path. A back jet valve assembly opens to permit back jet flow during only the first part of the interval during which flush water is supplied to the system from a water supply. The kinetic energy of the back jet is converted to static pressure to block or impede flow of flush water through the flow path. Water level increases in the bowl, and when the back jet flow is discontinued a siphon flush operation proceeds. The back flush valve assembly also releases water after the flushing operation in order to reseal the trap.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for cleaning both a specimen stage, a specimen and an interior of an analytical electron microscope (AEM). The apparatus for cleaning a specimen stage and specimen comprising a plasma chamber for containing a gas plasma and an air lock coupled to the plasma chamber for permitting passage of the specimen stage and specimen into the plasma chamber and maintaining an airtight chamber. The specimen stage and specimen are subjected to a reactive plasma gas that is either DC or RF excited. The apparatus can be mounted on the analytical electron microscope (AEM) for cleaning the interior of the microscope.

Abstract: A window wall for shielded enclosures is provided for use in a large opening in a shielded enclosure that preserves the shielding integrity of the shielded enclosure and that is easy to install. The window wall includes a frame having a frame perimeter received within a shielded enclosure window opening in electrical conductive engagement with the shielded enclosure. The frame includes a selected number of horizontal muntins and vertical mullions defining a plurality of clear window openings. A window unit frame is received in each clear window opening supported by and electrically connected to the frame. A pair of spaced apart radio frequency shielding continuous screens span each window opening and are supported by the window unit frame. Each screen is formed of electrically conductive mesh material and is mechanically and electrically connected with the window unit frame, thereby providing continuous electrical contact with the shielded enclosure.