Abstract: A counter-top oven adapted to effect low-temperature cooking of food at a relatively rapid rate whereby food nutrients and other valuable constituents are preserved. The oven includes a food-receiving compartment having a perforated wall and means to heat air to a temperature well above the cooking temperature of the food and to force the heated air through the perforations to cause the air to flow at high velocity through the compartment in heat-exchange relation with the food.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter wherein a liquid to be metered is conducted through the flow tube of a primary to intersect a transverse magnetic field produced by an electromagnet. The resultant signal induced in the liquid is transferred to a pair of electrodes mounted at diametrically-opposed points on the tube. To avoid spurious signal components arising from stray couplings between the electromagnet and the loop constituted by the electrodes and the liquid bridging the electrodes, the coil of the electromagnet is energized by a low-frequency wave whose frequency is well below that of the standard a-c power line.

Abstract: A d-c converter for inclusion in a miniature electronic device, such as an electronic wristwatch having a d-c supply source, the converter functioning to increase or decrease the voltage of this source. The converter includes a transformer whose primary is connected to the source through a periodically-actuated chopper to produce an alternating voltage, the secondary of the transformer being connected to a rectifier circuit having at least one controllable switch element whose on-off state is governed in synchronism with the chopper whereby the switch element acts to rectify the secondary voltage.

Abstract: A highly compact rectifier unit constituted by a sub-assembly potted within an insulating case having a metal base plate of high thermal conductivity to provide a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the sub-assembly to enhance the current rating and to reduce the thermal impedance of the unit. The inner face of the base plate is porcelainized to form a thin insulating film thereon electrically isolating the sub-assembly from the plate. The surface of the insulating film is metallized to define separated metallic zones thereon which make contact with correspondingly-positioned conductive base straps of the sub-assembly to create a thermal bridge between the sub-assembly and the base plate.

Abstract: A coin register toy bank adapted to accept and totalize coins of different size. Each coin is deposited in the receiver of a rotary drum mounted above a coin box, the drum being operatively coupled by an intermediate clutch plate to a register wheel having a circular series of teeth on the side thereof facing the drum. The drum is manually turned by a pull-down lever from its normal coin-receiving angular position to an extreme position at which the receiver is aligned with the entry of the cash box into which the coin drops. As the drum turns, the register wheel is caused by the clutch plate which engages the teeth thereof to advance incrementally to an extent depending on the size of the received coin, thereby indicating the deposit. To prevent the advancing wheel from overshooting and misindicating the deposit, an interlock mechanism is provided which is triggered when the drum assumes its extreme position and then acts to detent one of the wheel teeth to prevent any further wheel advance.

Abstract: A miniature electronic timepiece whose analog-display time-indicating hands are driven by the rotor of a stepping motor actuated by low-frequency periodic timing pulses derived by frequency division from a high-frequency crystal-controlled time base. This motor, in addition to a stator coil wound on a core, includes an auxiliary coil wound on the same core to define a transformer whose primary is the auxiliary coil and whose secondary is the stator coil. To power the electronic watch, a voltage at a predetermined level is required, this being supplied by a converter formed by an electronic chopper interposed between the primary of the transformer and a d-c source whose output is at a different voltage level. The d-c voltage applied to the primary is periodically interrupted, the resultant a-c voltage yielded by the secondary being rectified to provide the desired power voltage.

Abstract: A compact electromagnetic flowmeter unit interposable between the flanged ends of upstream and downstream line pipes for metering fluid passing through the line, the unit being subject to compression by the flanged pipe ends to effect a fluid seal. The flowmeter is constituted by a non-magnetic metal spool of high strength whose inner surface is protectively covered by an insulating liner to provide a flow conduit for the fluid. Surrounding the spool and concentric therewith is a cylindrical housing fabricated of ferromagnetic material, the housing being formed by complementary half-pieces which include end plates that join the corresponding ends of the spool to define an annular inner chamber. Mounted adjacent the inner surface of the half-pieces at diametrically-opposed positions along a coil axis normal to the longitudinal flow axis are relatively thin coils which are shaped to conform to this surface to define electromagnets.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter in which the fluid whose flow rate is to be measured is conducted through the flow tube of a primary provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed electrodes to intercept a magnetic field established by an electromagnet whose coil is excited by a current having a rectangular waveform whose frequency is low relative to that of a commercial a-c power line. The electrodes of the primary are connected through a transmission line to the input amplifiers of a secondary, the transmission line being constituted by a pair of shielded cables each including an inner line connecting an electrode to the input of a respective amplifier and an outer shield connected to the output of the amplifier, the cables being surrounded by a common outer shield.

Abstract: A displacement converter useful for pressure gauges and similar instruments, the converter including a displacement detector provided with a variable capacitor responsive to the displacement to be metered and a fixed capacitor insensitive thereto. Also included is an amplitude-controllable oscillator whose AC output is applied to both capacitors, means being coupled to the capacitors to derive therefrom electrical signals which are a function of their capacitance values. These electrical signals are fed to a control circuit to produce a control signal corresponding to the difference therebetween, the control signal being applied to the oscillator to govern the output amplitude thereof in a manner maintaining the control signal at a constant value.

Abstract: A thermally-integrated system combining a heat exchange unit including a tank containing unpressurized water with a compressor-type refrigerator in a manner whereby energy for heating cold water conducted through the unit in a pressurized cold water line is extracted from the refrigerator. In the system, an external line carrying the hot refrigerant and acting as an auxiliary condenser is extended from the compressor of the refrigerator to the main condenser thereof, the external line passing through the water tank of the heat exchange unit in heat exchange relationship with the water line both in the upper and lower region of the tank whereby heat is transferred to the cold water.

Abstract: A pedal-operated nautical propulsion device for small craft, such as a pneumatic raft. The device comprises a pedal crank system producing circular motion which is transmitted by a frame-supported mechanism to a holder carrying a paddle to cause the paddle to undergo translation in a vertical plane, whereby the paddle is plunged in the water to propel the craft and then raised thereabove. The mechanism which makes it possible for the paddle to extend well forward of the pedal crank system includes a bar coupled to the system to transmit the motion thereof, the end of the bar being hingedly connected to the end of the paddle holder. Further included are first and second interhinged connecting rods, the end of the first rod being hinged to the bar and the end of the second rod being hinged to the paddle holder to define a deformable quadrilateral structure.

Abstract: An intelligent test head which can be plugged into an existing computer-controlled automatic test system that is adapted to carry out certain tests on integrated circuits and discrete devices, the test head making it possible for the system to execute special tests which the system is otherwise incapable of performing. The existing system includes a main frame computer associated with a programmer. A device under test is linked by a pin electronics board to the computer through a relay interface board which acts to selectively couple a forcing supply, a function generator or other testing sources to the device, which sources are appropriate to the normal test capabilities of the system. When plugged into the system, the intelligent test head is interposed between the pin electronics board and the device then under test.

Abstract: An automatic dough-processing apparatus which includes a vertical assembly constituted by a tubular processing chamber whose upper end communicates with a metering tube of enlarged diameter to which flour is supplied. Coaxially mounted within the assembly is a rotating shaft having a main screw section of uniform diameter operating within the chamber and a conical valve section operating within the tube. Slidable within the metering tube is a ring which surrounds the valve section to define an annular valve orifice, the ring being axially shiftable by an adjusting element to set the size of the orifice. The flour admitted into the chamber by the metering tube is hurled by the main screw section against the inner wall of the chamber to create a thin flour film thereon which is bombarded by the solution to form a paste, the paste being then kneaded.

Abstract: A high yield technique to convert normally-unusable round logs of balsa or other species of wood whose diameter is less than about 4 inches into large rectangular panels that are contourable.The raw logs are first peeled to expose the wood and are then cut into round pieces of a desired length. The pieces, after being kiln-dried, are stacked to form a dry assembly in which the pieces are separated from each other to define a matrix of intersticial spaces. The pieces in the assembly are then interlaminated in a mold by filling the matrix with an elastomeric plastic solution which, when cured, functions as an adhesive to provide an integrated stock block. The stock block is then divided into panels of the desired thickness, each panel being constituted by an array of round wood tiles joined together by elastomeric hinges, whereby the resultant panel is contourable and may be conformed to a curved surface.

Abstract: A powered lawn mower adapted to slice grass into small pieces and to disperse these pieces on the lawn to provide a mulch therefor to enrich the soil without impairing the appearance of the lawn. The mower includes a multi-bladed, multi-level rotor having a central hub which is driven to rotate about a vertical axis. Three sets of blades radiate from the hub in staggered relation, the first set being at the level of the hub and having the longest blade length. The second set is a step below the hub and has an intermediate blade length, and the third set is a step below the second and has the shortest blade length. The leading edges of the blades are pitched to create an air foil effect producing an updraft to raise the grass and thereby facilitate a cutting action.

Abstract: A novel collagen condom consists of isotropically-strong, crosslinked, regenerated fiber collagen. A method of preparation involves the steps of at least twice dipping a mandrel into an acidic collagen dispersion; slowly removing the mandrel under spinning conditions; neutralizing and drying the membrane between dippings; crosslinking the finally dried membrane while on the mandrel and removing the membrane from the mandrel.

Abstract: A hybrid lubricant in which microfine PTFE particles are uniformly dispersed in an oil carrier that includes a small but effective amount of an oil-soluble organic molybdenum compound, the hybrid lubricant being diluted with a major amount of a conventional lubricating oil. In operation, a thin film of the molybdenum compound is developed on the rubbing metal surfaces of the lubricated engine, the film reacting in the high-temperature, high-pressure environment of the rubbing surfaces to form a fluoride to which the PTFE particles bond to impart thereto an extremely low coefficient of friction to afford the benefits of both solid and fluid lubrication. The hybrid lubricant minimizes friction under all operating conditions regardless of their severity, and it reduces wear on the engine.

Abstract: A modified, flexible polyurethane foam product which incorporates a three-dimensional skeletal network of a thermoplastic additive whose dielectric loss index is greater than the loss index of polyurethane foam to impart to the product an acceptable dielectric heating response in a high-frequency electric field. The additive in particulate form is introduced into the polyurethane foam-forming reaction mixture, the additive having a gell point which is lower than the temperature level of the exothermic reaction which takes place when the mixture is caused to foam and expand. The additive is further characterized by a low order of viscosity whereby when rendered molten by the exothermic reaction, the particles are extruded by the expanding urethane mass to create tentacles that interlace the cellular urethane structure to form the skeletal network.

Abstract: A camming device for centering a meter or other instrument having a cylindrical body with respect to the upstream and downstream pipes of a flow line in which the meter is interposed. Each pipe is provided with an end flange having a circle of bolt holes, the pipe flanges being bridged by clamping bolts which pass through the holes to encage and compress the meter, the holes having clearances allowing limited bolt play. Rotatably mounted on the meter body is a camming device provided with a symmetrical array of camming edges that tangentially engage the bolts. When the device is turned on the meter body, it acts to force the bolts to their extreme hole positions, as a result of which the meter body is caused to assume a position concentric with the bolt circle that is centered with respect to the pipes.