Abstract: An automatic ice making apparatus having a sensor which can detect continuously a temperature of an ice making tray is used as a temperature sensor. The temperature and a temperature variation rate of the ice making tray are detected by an electronic control circuit having a function corresponding to an A/D converter and a microprocessor or the like to determine a freezing state of water. Further, a thermistor is used as the temperature sensor, and by and A/D converter including a microprocessor a water level in the ice making tray is detected and a solenoid valve for determining an amount of supply water is controlled so as to suppress the water amount variation due to a water pressure change or the like.

Abstract: A magnet type stepping motor which has (1) a stator with three-phase stator windings, and 6m pieces of stator main pole arranged side by side, where m is an integer and ≧1, the stator windings of one phase are wound around every two stator main poles among the 6m pieces of the stator main pole, wherein when the stator windings of one phase are excited with a direct current, m pieces of N pole and M pieces of S pole are formed alternately on the 6m pieces of stator main pole, and (2) a rotor of a cylindrical permanent magnet magnetized in the circumferential direction to form Z/2 pieces of N pole and Z/2 pieces of S pole alternately, where Z is the number of rotor poles.

Abstract: The bandwidth of a microactuator for a surface modification instrument or a surface measurement instrument is improved by inertially-balancing the microactuator to prevent the transfer of any net forces from the microactuator to its support structure by counteracting momentum generated upon operation of the microactuator, thereby inhibiting induced resonances in the support structure. Net force transfer prevention can be achieved using either 1) a multi-actuator assembly including a primary microactuator and a counteracting actuator operating substantially out-of-phase with respect to the primary microactuator, or 2) a single microactuator mounted on the microactuator's support structure so as to prevent momentum transfer to the support structure during microactuator operation. The instrument also preferably includes high internal damping to minimize the effect of any slight inertial misbalances on instrument operation.

Abstract: A conveyor oven has two insulated cabinets, each cabinet having two plenums for conducting heated air toward a printing plate that rests on a conveyor. The two plenums in each cabinet face each other and are substantially identical. Each plenum has a supply and return duct assembly located above the conveyor, and is supplied by a fan and heater arrangement located below and underneath the conveyor. An insulated intermediate chamber is disposed between the exit of the first upstream cabinet and the second, downstream cabinet. With this arrangement, the conveyor carries a printing plate through the first cabinet, where the plate is heated, then through the intermediate insulated chamber, where it is maintained at a heated temperature, and then into the second cabinet where it is again heated. It is then conveyed out of the second cabinet and out of the oven by the conveyor.

Abstract: A paving machine employs an electrically heated screed assembly to uniformly heat a screed plate of the machine. Uniform heating is achieved by inserting a thermally conductive plate between electrical heating elements and the screed plate. An insulation layer may be provided above the heating elements to direct the heat downward into the thermally conductive plate. The heat spreads relatively uniformly throughout the thermally conductive plate, thereby uniformly heating the screed plate. A clamping mechanism is also provided that, when tightened, provides a compressive force, thereby holding the assembly in place. When released, the pressure is alleviated, thus permitting a heating element to be removed for repair or replacement without the need to remove the screed plate.

Abstract: A rotor composite type three-phase stepping motor having a stator consisting of two stator elements each having 6 n pieces of stator magnetic pole with Ns pieces of pole tooth formed on the tip end of each stator magnetic pole piece, and a permanent magnet held by the two stator elements therebetween, a rotor of magnetic material arranged so as to face to a periphery of the stator through an air gap, Nr pieces of pole tooth being formed on a periphery of the rotor, and exciting windings wound around each stator magnetic pole piece of the stator elements consisting of two sets of three-phase windings each wound around 3n pieces of stator magnetic pole among the 6 n pieces of stator magnetic pole.

Abstract: In a silently operating pilot-operated flow regulating valve, a main valve element is not allowed to vibrate freely, e.g., in lateral direction in an opened state and cannot constitute a noise source because while the main valve element is brought into its open position, an urging force acts upon the main valve element so as to tilt it into vibration suppressing contact with the valve seat whereby vibration of the main valve element is restricted.

Abstract: To achieve a silent, noiseless operation supercooling degree-controlled expansion valve 10 wherein vibration of a valve element 14 induced by refrigerant flow changes is suppressed and a spring 18 presses valve element 14 in an oblique direction inclined with respect to an axial direction thereof against a surrounding member 12 to thereby restrict vibration of the valve element.

Abstract: An improved soil-working implement. The implement comprises a shank having a free-end portion; a one-piece adapter defining a recess, wherein the adapter is removably affixed to the shank free-end portion; a one-piece shovel; and an elastomeric element frictionally removably retained within the recess of the adapter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing concrete structures utilize a generally flat composite material insert. The insert is inserted into a slot formed in a preexisting section of concrete and bonded to the preexisting section using an adhesive. The insert is installed such that a portion of the insert extends beyond the preexisting structure and into a void where damaged concrete has been removed and where the new concrete is to be poured. The insert then functions to join the preexisting section and the new concrete section. Alternatively, the insert may comprise an extension to attach an external fixture to the concrete section. Alternatively, a slot can be created within two preexisting concrete sections, adhesive added to the slot, and an insert installed in the slot. Again, the insert functions to join the two concrete sections.

Abstract: An electric rotary machine has a concentrated winding stator and a rotor facing the stator with a gap therebetween. The stator has M number of stator magnetic poles extending in the radial direction from an annular yoke, pole pieces each extending in the circumferential direction of the rotor from the tip end of each of the stator magnetic poles, and windings wound around the stator magnetic poles. The rotor having a permanent magnet with P number magnetic poles, wherein P:M=6n−2:6n, or P:M=6n+2:6n, where n is an integer not less than 2, and the figure of each of the pole pieces is so determined that a gap formed between the pole piece and the rotor is increased going toward the both ends of the pole piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high precision image metrology. A feature dimension from the image is determined by measuring corresponding features in the Fourier power spectrum of the image with substantially improved precision due to immunity from noise and system response. Operationally, a digital image of the sample is acquired at sufficient resolution to capture the feature of interest. A sample widow is chosen which substantially isolates the feature of interest. The feature window is then piecewise extended to a predetermined window size for effective Fourier Transform interpolation. A Fourier Power Spectrum of the sample widow is generated at high sample density such that the loci of extremal points indicative of a feature dimension is identified with high precision. The relative spacing of the extremal points is measured and related to the desired feature dimension.

Abstract: The leakage current in a circuit for charging a battery is eliminated by placing a switch in series with the resistor connecting the emitter and the base of a transistor. When this switch is open the current can no longer flow through and there is therefore no longer any leakage current. This switch is controlled by a microprocessor through a bus and the battery can be charged in pulsed mode. Furthermore, the circuit has no protection diode against reverse voltage and over voltage.

Abstract: An expansion valve of a refrigerating cycle contains a compressor with variable capacity that hunts the flow of the refrigerant as soon as the expansion valve starts to open in a condition where the capacity of the compressor is varied. The variation of the cross-section of the passage of the refrigerant in the expansion over a selected amount of the moving stroke of a valve body of the expansion valve is less than the variation of the cross-section with another moving stroke amount of the valve body 53. The stroke section or stroke range with the reduced gradient of the variation of the cross-section extends between a position E in a fully closed state and a position F in a middle part of the opening stroke of the expansion.

Abstract: A solenoid controlled valve for controlling the displacement of a variable displacement compressor the moveable iron core and the valve driving rod actuating the valve responsible for the displacement of the compressor are provided between said valve and a pressure sensitive part which is actuated by the suction chamber pressure, so that with the solenoid de-energized the valve is kept open by the force of an operational spring while said differential pressure acting at said pressured sensitive part is hindered to act upon said valve. In a valve combinaton of a solenoid controlled valve and a valve for opening or closing a suction passage between a low-pressure refrigerant piping conduit and the suction chamber said valve is controlled directly by said solenoid controlled valve and by refrigerant pressure without a mechanical transmission mechanism.

Abstract: An improved method for generating masters having a plurality of randomly distributed speckle suitable for making seamless light shaping diffusers of virtually any size and at low cost is disclosed herein. The method utilizes incoherent light to record a desired speckle pattern in a photosensitive medium which is then exposed in an imagesetter.

Abstract: A cathode assembly includes a monolithic target having a first surface and a center region. In addition, a sculpted section is formed in the first surface, and the sculpted section is generally recessed from the first surface and extends around the center in a racetrack configuration. The racetrack has a concentric centerline, and the sculpted section preferably is generally symmetric about the centerline. A magnetic field generator is disposed adjacent to the target and produces a magnetic field having an in-plane component. The magnetic field generator is tuned so that a distribution of the magnitude of the in-plane component in a direction transverse to the centerline at a point along the racetrack is characterized by two peaks that have a generally equal magnitude.

Abstract: A fold linkage is provided that is usable in combination with a conveyor assembly having a foldable conveyor section and a main conveyor section. The fold linkage includes linkage members and hinge sections that are rotatably attached to each other and that are connectable to the conveyor sections without interference with the conveyor assembly truss members. The fold linkage further includes a pressure operated cylinder that is extendable and retractable so as to fold and unfold the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: An expansion valve adapted to achieve a stable operation in case of variations of the pressure of a high-pressure refrigerant is actuated by a power element transmitting an opening force to a valve body via a rod located between the power element and the power body by applying couple forces to the rod and generating a retarding force for the rod while the rod is guided in the direction of its shaft line

Abstract: A non-scattering light pipe includes a transition surface between a first side wall and an input surface and a second side wall and the input surface. The transition surface is arranged to substantially obscure the corner interfaces between the first and second side walls and the input surface such that in the corner formation any imperfections therein are not imaged into the output. Most preferably, the transition surface is optimized to provide a substantially uniform light intensity distribution. A light pipe in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention is further arranged to couple to a linear light source, such as a cold cathode fluorescent light (CCFL). The light source is arranged such that dim areas, i.e., areas of the light source having non-uniform intensity, are not disposed adjacent the input surface.