Abstract: A system adapted to continuously and accurately measure the concentration of chlorine dioxide dissolved in liquid, the system including a sensor immersible in the liquid being tested. The sensor is constituted by a noble-metal measuring electrode, an oxidizable-metal counter electrode and an electrolyte which together define an electrochemical cell whose output current depends on the amount of chlorine dioxide passing into the cell through a diffusion membrane permeable to chlorine dioxide but not to the liquid. The chlorine dioxide within the cell is electrochemically reduced at the surface of the measuring electrode to generate a current proportional to its concentration, the counter-electrode being oxidized to complete the cell reaction.

Abstract: A module which integrates into a single block a process gas flow control system for precisely metering the flow of gas fed into a furnace diffusion tube or other utilization device. The block is formed of a chemically-inert body having cavities therein for nesting a gas filter, a pressure-regulator, a flowmeter, a pressure indicator and the other components of the system necessary to set the flow rate and pressure of the gas. These components are intercoupled by internal bores in the block which define flow passages that communicate with the cavities.

Abstract: A module capable of being grouped into multiples to define various articles of furniture, such as bookcases and file cabinets. The module is constituted by top, bottom and side panels whose edges have longitudinal bores therein and are cut to form complementary tongues and grooves creating corner joints, whereby the panels may be compactly packaged and shipped in the flat state and thereafter assembled on a site to create a box-like module having rectangular front and rear openings. The joints are held together and the structure stabilized by a removable strut connector constituted by a pair of intersecting arms each acting as a bridge between a set of diagonally-opposed corners at the rear opening to form a truss, the arms being pivotally interconnected and being provided at their ends with laterally-extending pins that are insertable into the corner bores so that one may collapse the module simply by removing the strut connector.

Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter whose electromagnet is excited by a low-frequency excitation current, the flowmeter including flow tube electrodes yielding a flow rate signal. A reference voltage-detecting transformer is provided in the excitation circuit to produce a reference voltage that reflects fluctuations in the excitation current. Fluctuations in the flow rate signal as a result of fluctuations in the excitation current are eliminated by dividing the flow rate signal by the reference-voltage signal.

Abstract: An external sensing system for a vortex-type flowmeter in which the fluid to be metered is conducted through a flow tube having an obstacle assembly therein to produce periodic vortices which cause a deflectable section of the assembly to vibrate at the same rate. These vibrations are mechanically transmitted to a point outside the flow tube which is linked to the diaphragm of a pneumatic cell to generate in the cell chamber a compressional wave that is conveyed by a pipe to the cavity of a pick-up cell having a force sensor therein. The pipe has a constricted passage which acts to attenuate the compressional wave and thereby reduce the dynamic range of the system, the pipe also serving to effectively isolate the sensor from the temperature of the fluid being metered. The sensor yields a signal whose amplitude is indicative of the mass of the fluid and whose frequency is indicative of the volumetric flow rate thereof.

Abstract: A dryer-cooling machine for combining a single face corrugated paper web whose flute peaks are wetted by lines of water-based adhesive with a liner web. The machine serves to cure the adhesive and thereby bond the webs together to form doubleface corrugated board. The singleface web and the liner web which overlies the flute peaks are transported by a conveyor belt through a heating zone and a cooling zone. In the heating zone, the belt carrying the webs passes through a funnel. Air is blown through the funnel to create in the converging region above the webs a static pressure which forces the liner into intimate contact with the flute peaks. Above this region are infrared heater elements. The wall of the funnel between the heater elements and the converging region is permeable to infrared rays whereby these rays penetrate the region and are absorbed by the liner to heat the wet adhesive, the resultant water vapors being carried away by the air flowing through the funnel.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter capable of accurately measuring the flow rate of fluid conveyed on a line in either direction. The flowmeter includes a primary whose flow tube is provided with electrodes yielding a signal depending on the flow rate of the fluid intersecting a magnetic field established in the tube, the sense of the signal changing with the direction of flow. This electrode signal is applied to a secondary in which the electrode signal is converted by demodulator means into a d-c signal whose magnitude is a function of flow rate and whose polarity depends on the sense of the electrode signal. This d-c signal is converted into variable-frequency pulses which exhibit a duty cycle proportional thereto, the pulses being sampled and fed back through a feedback loop to one input of a summing junction to which the electrode signal is also applied as another input, the ouptut of the junction being fed to the demodulator means.

Abstract: A carrier card integrating a group of separable blister packages containing seeds of different kinds or varieties having compatible properties, making it feasible to plant these seeds at the same season in a common ground area. The card is divided by a transverse perforation line into an upper display section on whose face is pictured the compatible plants produced by the packaged seeds, and a lower section sub-divided by longitudinal perforation lines into a group of strips. Each strip has adhered to its face a clear plastic bubble backed by a plastic base to create a hermetically-sealed blister package within which is housed a charge of pelleted seeds, the seeds in the packages being of different color to facilitate discrimination therebetween. The bubbles are shaped to define at their lower end a tapered spout which can be snipped off to permit the housed seeds to be dispersed. Each strip is labelled to identify the seed plant, the strip being usable as a ground marker for the plant.

Abstract: An electro-optical measuring system wherein a scanning laser or light beam is precisely translated in a direction parallel to itself at a constant rate to define a time-varying sensing field whose energy is picked up by a photoelectric detector that yields an output signal. An object whose dimension is to be measured is inserted in the field whereby the output signal of the detector takes the form of a pulse whose leading edge is developed by the traversal of the beam across one boundary of the object, thereby blocking passage of the energy to the detector, and whose trailing edge is developed by the traversal of the beam across the opposite boundary of the object to restore the energy pick-up. The width or time duration of the pulse is an exact index to the distance between these boundaries, the time duration being converted into a measurement reading.

Abstract: A reader-filler machine adapted to cut and insert sections of microfilm into the channels of a multi-channel microfiche jacket, each channel having an entry slot adjacent its rear end. The jacket to be loaded is placed on a platform that is shiftable stepwise with respect to a film trackway guiding a film web, the trackway being parallel to a film pusher station. In the insertion mode, after a section of film of a desired length is extended from the trackway for insertion in a given channel through its entry slot, an automatic three-phase insertion cycle is initiated. In the first phase, the section is cut to produce a film chip whose tail projects beyond the entry slot. In the second phase, the platform is indexed one forward step to align the next empty channel with the trackway and the tail of the chip with the film pusher. In the third phase, the film pusher acts to engage the tail and push it into the channel, thereby loading the chip in the channel.

Abstract: An inclination gauge that includes a bar placeable against a surface to be gauged to determine the degree to which the surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal or vertical axis and to provide a readout in digital as well as in analog terms. Mounted on the bar is a gravity-sensing potentiometer coupled to a balancing circuit to produce an analog output voltage which has a null value when the bar is placed against a horizontal or vertical surface and which has a magnitude and polarity or phase that depends on the extent and direction of the deviation from the norm when the surface being gauged is inclined. The analog voltage is converted into a corresponding digital value that is applied to a digital display. Also mounted on the bar are conventional spirit level tubes, one being arranged for horizontal and the other for vertical gauging.

Abstract: A self-contained pressure sensing cell responsive to an applied input pressure to produce a force for deflecting the pivoted force beam in the transducer section of a transmitter for converting the pressure into a corresponding signal. The cell includes a housing that is seatable within a well formed in the meter body of the transmitter and communicating with a chamber therein into which the lower end of the beam is extended. The cell housing is divided into a rear section, a mid section and a front section. Disposed within the rear section and integral with the wall thereof at its junction with the mid section is a wafer functioning as a flat sensing diaphragm. The flat diaphragm is provided with a connector pin that projects into the body chamber and is joinable to the beam whereby deflection of the flat diaphragm results in a corresponding beam deflection.

Abstract: An oscillating-ball flowmeter for accurately measuring and transmitting extremely low flow rates. The meter includes a vertically-positioned flow tube having a ferromagnetic ball therein which is subjected to the force of gravity as well as the drag force imposed thereon by the upward flow of fluid being metered. An electro-optical sensor associated with the tube produces a control signal when the ball is intercepted by a light beam. This signal activates a magnet driver which energizes an electromagnet positioned above the sensing beam to generate a magnetic force that lifts the ball upwardly away from the light beam. The driver is thereafter de-activated to cause the lifted ball to fall and again intercept the light beam to re-activate the driver to repeat the cycle.

Abstract: A lampstand providing a stable and properly-oriented support for a lampshade, particularly one constituted by an oriental lantern formed by a collapsible paper shell having polar openings, each of which is bridged by a strut having a central loop. The stand includes a vertical pole carrying a bulb socket and a harp formed by a triad of arms which encage the bulb and interconnect upper and lower rings. The lower ring is secured to the pole and the upper ring supports an extension rod in axial alignment with the pole. The lantern is mounted on the stand to envelop the bulb, the upper loop being attached to the head of the extension rod, the lower loop engaging the pole at a point just below a resilient collar which embraces the pole and is shiftable to a position subjecting the lantern to tension to maintain the shell thereof in its fully expanded state. Extension rods of different length may be installed on the harp to allow for centering of the bulb for a range of shade sizes.

Abstract: A display stand for holding an advertisment or other notice in sheet form in an upright position on a counter or desk. The stand is constituted by a pair of complementary pieces each formed by a transparent panel having a right-angle ledge extending from its lower end so that when the two panels are brought together to sandwich a display sheet therebetween, the ledges which extend in opposite directions then define a base to support the panels in an upright position. Each panel, just above the junction of its lower end and ledge, is provided with interlocking elements in the form of a rectangular slot and a companion tongue which projects in a direction opposite to the ledge direction. When the panels are brought together, the tongue of one fits neatly into the slot of the other, each tongue having an edge notch therein making it possible to slide one panel relative to the other to a position at which the panels are then coincident with each other and are interlocked.

Abstract: An adapter for an electrical wall fixture such as a wall light switch having a toggle or other actuator, the adapter serving to protrude the switch outside of the wall outlet box in which it is nested to the extent necessary to project the toggle through an opening in a fabric covering spaced from the wall. The standard switch includes a pair of mounting wings each having a slot therein to receive a primary screw for attaching the wing to the outlet box and a secondary screw which normally serves to hold a standard face plate over the switch to cover the outlet box. The adapter is constituted by a cover plate which overlies the outlet box and is provided with spacer elements to place the surface of the plate against the rear of the fabric covering.

Abstract: A frame assembly for mounting and displaying a sheet of decorative fabric. The assembly is constituted by a set of four mitered pieces joined together at their corners by reinforcing snap-in elements to form a frame whose dimensions fall somewhat short of the sheet dimensions to an extent equal to the margins of the fabric sheet. Each frame piece is formed by an extruded molding having resilient inlet jaws which lie adjacent to the junction of the outer edge and the back of the molding and communicates with an internal storage channel running the full length of the molding. Also running the full length of the molding on the front face thereof is a band of pressure-sensitive adhesive having a peel-off cover. Formed in the back is a longitudinally-extending keyway.

Abstract: A liquid fuel atomizer nozzle having a liquid fuel input and an air input, the nozzle including an internal mixing chamber in which the incoming liquid fuel to be atomized is subjected to high velocity air streams both within the central core of the liquid and about its periphery to effect thorough atomization of the liquid even at low atomizing air flow rates and pressures.

Abstract: An electronic totalizer interposable in the line of a two-wire transmitter having a transducer which converts a metered variable into a current signal that is conveyed over the line to a receiving station, the same line delivering direct current power from the station to the transducer and to the totalizer. The totalizer input circuit includes a resistor through which the current signal flows to produce a corresponding voltage signal, the voltage signal being applied to a resettable integrator to produce a time-integrated voltage which rises above a base level at a rate depending on the varying magnitude of the voltage. The rising integrated voltage is applied to a comparator having a threshold set by a reference voltage to produce an output signal when the integrated voltage reaches the threshold. The output signal is fed back to the integrator to effect resetting thereof to the base level, the output signal also serving to trigger a one shot generating a pulse which is applied to a digital counter.

Abstract: A cryogenic rapid-cooling machine for reducing the temperature of cartridges each formed by a vertical stack of sealed trays containing pre-cooked meals, the trays being nested in an open carton whose walls have holes to admit gas. The machine is constituted by an open-ended tunnel having a conveyor therein to continuously advance two parallel trains of cartridges from the inlet to the outlet. The space between the trains is bordered by the carton walls to define a center aisle, while the spaces between the opposing sides of the tunnel and the open sides of the cartons define outer aisles. Disposed in these aisles are a series of partition assemblies that divide the tunnel into consecutive treatment stages. Nozzles disposed in a main cooling stage adjacent the outlet stage serve to spray the cartridges passing therethrough with a cryogenic liquid. Fans act to draw the resultant cold gas from the main cooling stage through a succession of pre-cooling stages between the main cooling stage and the inlet stage.