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 behind the body and spaced therefrom by a gap is a drag-actuated sensor which includes a pair of parallel legs symmetrically disposed with respect to the fulcrum axis of the sensor, this axis being normal to the longitudinal axis of the tube. In operation, as the incoming fluid stream is divided by and flows past the shedding body, it creates a stagnant zone in the gap that is initially aligned with the tube axis. But as vortices are successively detached from the body and appear alternately on either side of the gap, the low pressure region produced by each vortex acts to draw the stagnant zone in front of the adjacent leg of the sensor, the fluid flow then going around and past the other leg, thereby developing a torque about the fulcrum axis.

Abstract: A high fidelity turntable system with low aggregate resonance is disclosed. The turntable system comprises a tone arm assembly and a belt-driven platter assembly joined rigidly by a silent substructure of pure aluminum tubing. This low acoustic mass substructure is internally damped beyond its resonance point and is resiliently suspended from a base plate in a mounting cabinet to isolate the turntable system from substantially all resonant feedback. The acoustic mass of the turntable system and, consequently, the resonance, is further reduced by decoupling the tone arm counterweight from the tone arm assembly by means of additional resilient elements.

Abstract: A dual-purpose, convertible household utensil assembly which in one mode operates as two separate implements for mixing a salad, and in the other mode acts as tongs in which the two implements are hinged together and function as a grasping device for serving portions of the mixed salad. The assembly is constituted by two implements such as a fork and a spatula, both having like shanks whose end sections define channel-like sockets, and a removable U-shaped yoke having a pair of legs which are receivable in these sockets to join the implements together and a resilient cross-piece which interconnects the legs to form a hinge.

Abstract: A lubricating oil containing polytetrafluoroethylene particles and a fluorochemical surfactant which stabilizes the dispersion and creates a molecular surface tension skin on the surface of the oil to reduce volatilization losses during use in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A technique for producing a non-corrosive platinum-cobalt product having high wear resistance and soft magnetic properties as well as a specular surface. In this technique, a platinum-cobalt composition is solutionized at a temperature above its order-disorder region for a predetermined period and then rapidly quenched to produce a stock piece whose atomic structure is in the disordered state and therefore possesses soft magnetic properties. The piece is then rough-machined to assume the shape of a ball or other product to be formed, the machining action working the outer layer of the rough product and imparting hard magnetic properties thereto. This product is then ground and polished to cause the product to assume its final dimensions and to remove the hard magnetic layer, thereby providing a finished, soft-magnetic product whose surface has specular characteristics and a high order of wear resistance.

Abstract: A moist tissue dispenser in which a web of absorbent sheet material divided by transverse lines of perforations into interconnecting tissue is saturated with a liquid cleansing agent and coiled into a roll having a hollow core, the roll being housed within an open-mouthed container. The leading end tissue of the roll extends upwardly from the core and passes through a frusto-conical central orifice in a removable cover received over the mouth of the container. The orifice functions as a converging passage whose constriction forces the end tissue to rope and to effectively plug the orifice, thereby maintaining the container in a sealed state to prevent evaporation of the cleansing agent. The orifice constriction and its configuration are such as to impose a drag on the roped end tissue as it is pulled from the dispenser by a user and funnelled through the orifice.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter for measuring the flow rate of a fluid passing through a flow tube, the fluid intercepting a magnetic field established by an excitation coil supplied through an excitation circuit with a direct current or a current whose frequency is lower than that of a commercial AC power source. A DC reference voltage is derived from the excitation circuit which is either used in a feedback arrangement to maintain the excitation current constant or in a divider arrangement to correct for the adverse effects of fluctuations in the excitation current of the flow rate signal yielded by the flowmeter.

Abstract: A flangeless electromagnetic flowmeter insertable between upstream and downstream pipes which have the same internal diameter, the adjacent ends of said pipes having like flanges. The cylindrical body of the flowmeter is interposed between the flanged ends of the pipes, the body being provided with an annular pressure vessel formed of insulating material to define a central flow passage whose diameter matches the internal diameter of the pipe whereby the flowmeter functions to meter the flow rate of fluid passing through the pipes and the passage along a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. A pair of electromagnetic coils is embedded in the vessel at opposed positions with respect to the passage to establish a magnetic field therein whose lines of flux are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

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. The 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. Thus 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 thermoelectrically-powered wrist watch in which thermal energy picked up by the metal back of the watch casing is transferred to the hot pole of an electrothermal generator housed within the casing. To avoid thermal shunts which cause heat losses and reduce the efficiency of the generator, the metal carrier for the watch movement is thermally insulated from the upper component of the casing which, in turn, is thermally insulated from the back thereof. In addition or alternatively, the casing back is partially constituted by thermal insulation material.

Abstract: A ratio meter adapted to determine the ratio of a first input signal representing the difference between two input voltages and a second signal representing the sum of both input voltages.

Abstract: A high yield technique for converting normally-unusable round logs of balsa or other species of wood whose diameter is less than about 4 inches into large rectangular panels. 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 assembled into a block, the pieces being coated with a curable adhesive and being subjected to compression in orthogonal directions until the adhesive is cured and the pieces interlaminated to provide an integrated stock block. The stock block is then divided into panels of the desired thickness and grain direction.

Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter whose electromagnet is excited by a low-frequency excitation current that is derived from an on-off alternating current whose frequency is higher than that of a commercial power line source, the on-off current being modulated by a low-frequency wave. A reference voltage-detecting transformer is interposed between the excitation coil of the electromagnet and an excitation current source. The primary of the transformer is constituted by a pair of windings wherein the excitation current is caused to flow in one direction in the first primary winding and a current produced by the counter-electromotive force generated in the excitation coil in every on-off transient of the excitation current is caused to flow in the opposite direction in the second primary winding.

Abstract: A high-yield, low-cost technique for converting balsa wood logs into thin, flat sheets usable in model-making. In this technique, the log is first debarked and then cut to a standard bolt length. The bolt is supported for rotation in a veneer lathe which acts to peel off in spiral form a continuous web of balsa veneer. After kiln drying, dried sheets taken from this web are clipped to a usable width, the sheets at this point having a curvature as a result of their spiral memory. Then the sheets are assembled into matching pairs of opposing curvatures, each pair of sheets being laminated together in face-to-face relation to produce a two-ply flat sheet whose planarity, upon exposure, is immune to changes in relative humidity and temperature.

Abstract: A drive system for an electromagnetic flowmeter wherein the fluid to be metered is conducted through a flow tube to intersect a transverse magnetic field created by an electromagnet having an excitation coil. The resultant voltage induced in the fluid is transferred to a pair of electrodes mounted at diametrically-opposed points on the tube to yield a signal representing flow rate. The drive system, which is powered from an a-c line, includes a full-wave rectifier whose output voltage is applied periodically to the excitation coil at a rate which is low relative to the line frequency.

Abstract: A rapid-response overload protector interposed between a voltage source and a load powered thereby, the protector effectively decoupling the load from the source when the current drawn thereby exceeds a predetermined limit indicative of an overload condition. The protector includes an automatic resetting stage that periodically samples the state of the load and acts to restore the normal supply of current thereto when the current drawn by the load during the sampling interval falls below the limit.

Abstract: A fabric-covered chair rail for creating a horizontal waistline along the interior walls of a room or passage that is both protective and decorative. The chair rail for a given interior is formed by pieces whose lengths are appropriate to the interior walls. Each piece is constituted by a molding having upper and lower edges which are separated from the base to define therewith inlet jaws communicating with an internal storage channel running the full length of the molding. Overlying the molding whose base abuts the wall to be railed and conforming to the contour thereof is a replaceable band of fabric having upper and lower margins which initially extend beyond the edges of the molding. The fabric margins are inserted in the jaws of the upper and lower edges of the molding and are stuffed into the storage channels whereby the fabric fully covers the exposed portion of the molding and presents a smooth and attractive appearance.

Abstract: An aroma-dispensing cartridge and holder assembly for installation in an automobile interior or other location for charging the atmosphere thereof with a pleasing or stimulating fragrance. The holder is in the form of a receptacle that is attachable to the underside of an automobile dashboard, with its open mouth facing the front seat of the vehicle. The cartridge is constituted by a bottle which is receivable in the holder and is filled with a liquid scent, the bottle being closed by a stopper having a suction pump supported thereon. The pump includes a flexible pipe extending into the bottle to draw liquid therefrom and a spring-biased hollow plunger coupled to the pipe, the free end of the plunger projecting beyond the mouth of the holder and being coupled to an actuator head. The hollow plunger communicates with an internal head chamber occupied by an absorptive pad.

Abstract: A toy, game or other play device wherein a trackway, slide, maze or other play surface is coated with superhydrophobic material that is highly water repellent, whereby a drop of water applied thereto forms into a ball that can then be manipulated by a player to carry out predetermined play activities. Alternatively, a tiny vehicle or other toy body having a hydrophilic coating thereon may be wetted with water and placed on the super-hydrophobic surface whereby the slightest force applied thereto causes the body to skim at high speed over the surface. The toy body may be in the shape of an arrow which can be caused to move along the playing surface, when tilted, and come to rest at a particular number, word or symbol provided on the playing surface.