Abstract: A transillumination system for carrying out breast examination to determine the existence of a carcinoma and other pathological conditions. The system includes a portable light-beam projector in the form of a gun which houses a low-voltage, high wattage lamp whose reflector is sealed to the end of the gun barrel to project a light beam therethrough, the gun grip having a trigger-finger switch for the lamp. The gun operates in conjunction with a camera assembly formed by a tripod-mounted bracket having a camera secured to one end, the camera being trained on a guide fixture attached to the other end. The fixture is adapted to engage the rib cage of the patient just above the breast and to present the breast to the camera lens at a fixed location. The shutter mechanism of the camera is coupled to a remote actuator operable by one hand or foot of the operator.

Abstract: A pneumatic relay responsive to an air input signal whose pressure represents a variable, the relay producing an air output signal proportional thereto. The relay includes an input chamber to which the input signal is fed, this chamber being separated from an output chamber by a diaphragm of elastomeric material. Air from a constant high-pressure supply is fed into the output chamber through an adjustable supply port that is operatively coupled to the diaphragm to cause this port to open to an extent determined by the deflection of the diaphragm in response to the force produced by the pressure of air in the input chamber until a point is reached where the pressure developed in the output chamber attains equilibrium with that in the input chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid lubricant in which a colloidal dispersion of solid lubricant particles (PTFE) is uniformly dispersed in a fluid lubricant carrier that includes a small but effective amount of a nonionic fluorochemical surfactant acting to stabilize the dispersion. When the hybrid lubricant is diluted with a major amount of a conventional fluid lubricant, it functions in the environment of rubbing surfaces to afford the benefit of both solid and fluid lubrication, thereby minimizing friction under all operating conditions regardless of their severity.

Abstract: A halocarbon oil composition suitable for use as a hydraulic fluid and lubricant in those applications in which hydrocarbon oils constitute a fire hazard or a contaminant because of their reactive properties. The composition is formed by a chemically-inert halocarbon oil having PTFE solid lubricant particles dispersed therein, the particles being in the micron range. Also included is a fluorochemical surfactant having foam-producing properties in an amount insufficient to generate foam in the context of the inherent non-foaming characteristics of the particles, the surfactant acting to enhance the lubricity of the oil and to stabilize the PTFE dispersion therein.

Abstract: A defocusable electro-optical system for scanning the near-specular surface of an object to be examined with a light beam to produce a reflected-light pattern that depends on the relative reflectivity of the different components which make up the surface. The system includes a light source producing an illumination beam that is directed by a scanning mechanism through an objective which focuses the beam onto the surface to be examined. The beam reflected from the surface is directed toward a photodetector through a field stop that defines the size of the viewed area when the object surface lies in the focal plane. The viewed object surface is illuminated in a manner imaging thereon an image of the light source comparable in size to the field stop, so that when the object surface lies in the focal plane the light source image is coincident therewith.

Abstract: A scented sticker attachable to an article of clothing or other surface, the sticker including an applique sheet which is profiled to simulate the appearance of an odoriferous object such as a fruit or flower. Secured to the rear of the sheet is a shallow dish containing a pad saturated with a volatile scent whose odor simulates the characteristic natural odor of the object pictured by the sheet, the scent being emitted through perforations in the sheet. The base of the dish has a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon to facilitate attachment of the sticker.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter in which the fluid to be metered is conducted through a flow tube formed of nonmagnetizable metal and provided with an inner lining of electrical-insulating material. The fluid intercepts a transverse electromagnetic field established in the tube whereby the voltage induced in the fluid is transferred to a pair of electrodes disposed at diametrically-opposed positions on the tube to yield a signal indicative of flow rate. The electromagnet is constituted by at least one solid core surrounded by a coil to which a low-frequency excitation current is applied, the core having a cavity in a region therein which serves to reduce the mass of the core without, however, significantly affecting the intensity of the magnetic field produced thereby.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having an analog time display and a digital alarm setting system for actuating an alarm at a preset time. The timepiece includes a high-frequency time base whose output is applied to a frequency converter yielding low frequency timing pulses, these being applied to a motor for driving the hour and minute hands through a gear train. The alarm setting system includes an electro-optical digital display whose electronic actuator responds to the same timing pulses to provide a digital display concurrent with the analog display, and a microprocessor associated with a data memory adapted to store the digital value of any selected time setting. The microprocessor compares the existing time expressed as digital data with the stored digital value to produce a representative output signal when the existing value is coincident with the stored value. The output signal acts to trigger an alarm generator to produce an alarm for a predetermined period.

Abstract: An aroma-dispensing tab that is stickable onto any surface, such as an article of apparel, to exude a pleasant fragrance or to function as an insect repellent. The tab is in the form of a sac constituted by a base having a perforated dome marginally secured thereto to define a vented chamber occupied by an absorbent pad saturated by a liquid scent. A layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the underside of the base makes it possible to attach the tab to any surface.

Abstract: A plastic screw anchor for fastening fixtures and other objects to a hollow wall, the anchor including a four-legged diamond-shaped shank whose front legs are joined together by a front apex living hinge and whose rear legs are joined to the front legs by side apex living hinges, the ends of the rear legs defining a rear apex. Secured by a pair of normally outstretched resilient webs to the rear legs of the shank is a flanged socket whose bore lies in registration with an opening formed in the front apex hinge. The diamond-shaped shank is collapsible to form a tongue that is insertable in a hole drilled in the wall to accommodate the socket, the webs then reverting to their outstretched condition to cause the shank which is now behind the wall to recover its diamond formation. When a self-tapping screw is turned into the socket bore, it acts to thread the bore.

Abstract: A transmission system for a vortex-shedding or swirl-type flowmeter whose meter signal lies in the low-frequency range and is therefore of low resolution, the meter signal being subject to jitter. In order to provide a jitter-free, high resolution output signal, the system includes an input amplifier responsive to the meter signal, the output of which is applied through a tracking filter to a Schmitt trigger. The trigger converts the meter signal into pulses of the same frequency which are fed into a frequency multiplier to produce a relatively high-frequency output signal of good resolution. The tracking filter serves to characterize the amplifier response to reduce the amplification gain thereof below a selected frequency level. The tracking filter operates in conjunction with a comparator assembly which compares an analog voltage whose magnitude depends on the meter signal frequency with a series of progressively increased reference voltages, each representing a predetermined frequency level.

Abstract: A cartridge formed by a vertical stack of sealed trays nested within an open carton, the cartridge being used in conjunction with a hot-air oven which reheats pre-cooked meals contained in the trays to a temperature suitable for serving. The geometry of the carton and the distribution of openings in the walls thereof is such as to facilitate the entry of heated air through these openings and its circulation throughout the interior of the carton in spaces between the trays whereby the meals in all of the trays are raised in temperature at substantially the same rate and all of the meals are in condition to be served at about the same time.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a printed circuit board constituted by an insulating board having a conductive pattern thereon which creates interconnections between circuit elements mounted on the board. In this system, a laser beam is deflected in the X and Y directions to generate a raster scan which is optically split in a manner making it possible to simultaneously examine corresponding sections of the conductive pattern on the board and on the artwork from which the board is derived. The artwork possesses the same scale and the same orientation as the desired conductive pattern on the board and therefore represents the nominal pattern required therefor. In this simultaneous examination, a comparison is made in an associated computer between the dimensions of the conductors in the pattern and the spacings therebetween on the board and on the artwork to determine the extent of the disparities therebetween.

Abstract: A toy cableway assembly in which an endless cable is strung over pulley wheels which are rotatable on standards that are detachably mounted on a vertical wall. The standards project laterally from the wall at selected sites therein to determine the travel pattern of the cable which rides in a plane parallel to the wall surface. One pulley is manually or otherwise driven, the others being idlers, whereby cars or other toy elements suspended from the cable at spaced points thereon are caused to travel in the pattern established by the player. In practice, the travel pattern may be extended to include the ceiling.

Abstract: In order to simplify the production of electronic watches, there is provided a family of standardized movements whose members can be housed within a variety of watch cases of different size and shape. All movements in the family are identical but for their mounting plates which differ in size, and in some instances also in shape, to render the movements receivable in differently-configured cases. The standardized movements in the family include batteries of different size which take advantage of the space made available by the plates of different size to afford optimum battery life.

Abstract: A vortex-shedding flowmeter in which a liquid or gas to be metered is conducted through a flow tube having a shedding body transversely supported thereon. Torsionally-supported at a downstream position behind the shedder on a shaft which projects outside of the flow tube to provide a shaft extension is a sensor, the pivot axis of the shaft being normal to the longitudinal axis of the tube. In operation, as the incoming fluid stream is divided by and flows past the shedder, vortices are successively detached therefrom and appear alternately on either side of the sensor, thereby developing a torque about the pivot axis. The torques are developed alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, causing the torsionally-supported sensor to oscillate at a rate proportional to the flow rate of the fluid. These oscillations are converted by a transducer operatively coupled to the sensor into a corresponding electrical signal.

Abstract: A high-yield technique for converting logs of balsa having a small diameter into large rectangular panels. Each log is longitudinally cut into raw pieces, all of whose broad faces lie in a plane parallel to a tangent to the curvature of the log. The cuts are spaced to produce a pair of opposing side pieces having like thicknesses and at least one center piece. The uncut surfaces of the side pieces are faceted to provide stock pieces having a trapezoidal cross-section, whereas the uncut surfaces of the center piece are faceted to provide a stock piece having a rectangular cross-section. The stock pieces thus formed are fitted together in a complementary manner to create uniform layers thereof which are stacked to define a dry block. The pieces in the dry block are then wet-coated with a curable adhesive and reassembled to form a wet block which is subjected to compression until the adhesive is cured and the stock pieces interlaminated to form an integrated block.

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.