Abstract: In a reactor and process for the photopromoted catalytic decomposition of compounds in a fluid stream, the area of a catalyst support structure and/or the amount of catalyst on the support structure is varied as a function of distance from a light source to enhance quantum efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure has a surface area per unit of reaction chamber volume which increases with distance from the light source, or the amount of catalyst on the support structure per unit area increases with distance from the light source to maintain the light intensity on the catalyst within a desired range regardless of dispersion and/or absorption effects. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a plurality of curved plates which may, for example, be spherical, cylindrical or helical.

Abstract: A switching system is provided to enable selective access from a work center W to any of a plurality of computers PC1-PC16. Connections are provided from .the work center W including a video monitor, a keyboard and a mouse through a selector S proximate the work center W and a single cable bus CB extending in parallel to a plurality of controllers C1-C4 proximate individual computers. The selector S associates a specific computer with identification signals that are provided through the cable bus CB to the controllers C1-C4 to selectively link the identified computer through one of the controllers C1-C4 and the selector S to the work center W. The selector S incorporates a display to identify the selected computer and a manual switch for computer selection. Signal adjustment, reset and autobooting capabilities are provided in the system.

Abstract: A magnetically-driven pump transferring fluid through a conduit is provided, having an electromagnet assembly selectively excited by a power source, and a non-ferromagnetic lever structure extending from the electromagnet assembly to the conduit, the lever structure having a ferro-magnetic portion, which may consist of a plate, at one end movable by the electromagnet assembly between a release position where the ferro-magnetic portion is angularly offset relative to the electromagnet assembly and a compression position where the ferro-magnetic portion is in substantially parallel contact with the electromagnet assembly, the ferro-magnetic portion enabling a striker portion at another end of the lever structure to compress the conduit at a predetermined frequency. The lever structure couples movement of the ferro-magnetic portion at one end with movement of a striker at the other end such that the ferro-magnetic portion moves within a lesser arcuate range and the striker moves within a greater arcuate range.

Abstract: A scheduling and processing system is disclosed for telephone and video communication with a plurality of remote locations from a central station. The system utilizes a dial-up telephone facility and telephonic television terminal units at the remote locations and memory structure for storing call schedule data on the telephonic television terminal units. In accordance with one embodiment, the system also includes telephone interface structure for interfacing the dial-up telephone facility to accomplish communication and at least one central video terminal including a speakerphone unit and a display device for providing television displays.

Abstract: Objects contending for representation in pixels of a graphics display selectively are awarded a fractional area within a pixel on the basis of: coarse calculations in the Z dimension, aggregate demands of the objects and blending techniques free of binary position resolutions. Specifically, the area occupied by a polygon within a pixel is represented using a single number .alpha., which may variously be defined, for example, a value of "0" indicates no area occupied within the pixel, while a value of "255" indicates full pixel coverage. Fine calculations in the Z dimension for binary resolutions are avoided by the blending techniques with attendant antialiasing. A chain of mixer units for storage and blending in pipeline processing compensate the non-associative characteristic of repeated blending.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for complete fluid exchange and internal system flushing of an automatic transmission system as the transmission system operates. The apparatus is connectable to the transmission system and, in a preferred embodiment, is operable at an adjustable output fluid flow rate and pressure setting to act as an independent fluid supply and storage system for the automatic transmission system in the course of a fluid exchange and flushing operation. In addition to its application to an automatic transmission system, the apparatus of the present invention can be used to flush the fuel system of any internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In a closing switch having a control electrode and a cathode within a gas-filled cavity, the cathode has a distal portion spaced from the control electrode by a distance corresponding to the minimum breakdown voltage of the closing switch. Thus, the cathode is placed such that gas breakdown adjacent the distal portion occurs at a control voltage lower than the voltage required to initiate such breakdown adjacent the portion of the cathode closest to the control electrode.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling emissions caused by spraying a heated liquid paving composition from a moving vehicle make use of a vacuum hood mountable to the vehicle and a fan for creating a partial vacuum within the hood to draw air containing emissions into the hood for collection. A filter or other suitable apparatus is used to extract emissions before the air is discharged to the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, a subsystem directs air toward a region containing emissions to cool the pavement surface or control dispersion. A shroud structure may also be provided to confine the emissions during collection. In another embodiment, a fine spray of water or moist air is directed toward the emissions area.

Abstract: Organic vapors emitted from a fryer containing a fatty substance heated to its vaporization temperature are condensed from a stream of exhaust air by a venturi-type scrubber. The scrubber condenses organic vapors into a liquid bath from which floatable by-products are removed and subjected to a further separation or clarification process. Air containing organic vapors is initially collected by a hood structure which defines a substantially confined emissions region above the fatty substance. In a preferred embodiment, the hood structure is configured to restrict the flow of ambient air into the emissions region, preferably causing air to enter the emissions region at a velocity of at least approximately 100 feet per minute.

Abstract: A thyratron has an auxiliary "keep-alive" electrode in the form of a surface element with at least one aperture therein. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary electrode is disposed adjacent the upper end of a heat shield surrounding the cathode of the thyratron and is preferably coplanar with the upper end of the heat shield. A baffle can also be provided between the auxiliary electrode and the cathode to enhance control of the thyratron's switching action.

Abstract: A dehairing system with rotating cylinders bearing tines is provided to dehair fibers by forces, including centrifugal force. The dehairing system may include multiple dehairing units forming a dehairing processing line such that fibers for dehairing may be transferred upstream and downstream for extended dehairing. Each dehairing unit includes cylinders rotating at different and varying rotational speeds for transferring fibers between the cylinders, as well as between the units. A motor unit may be provided for rotating various cylinders such that they may impart rotation to other selected cylinders for accomplishing dehairing. Having different lengths and extending at different angles, the tines provided on the cylinders facilitate a brushing and/or flicking action for expelling contaminants.

Abstract: A sensing electrode on a glass layer of an anodically-bonded capacitive sensor has an interfacial barrier film containing a nitride compound between the electrode and the glass layer. In one embodiment, the capacitive sensor is an inertial sensor having a sensing element hingedly mounted to a frame which is anodically bonded to the glass layer. The sensing electrode is then located on a surface of the glass layer facing the sensing element. The sensing element and the frame are preferably made of silicon and the interfacial film is preferably silicon nitride.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift, as for use with a vehicle, includes a platform for receiving a wheelchair carried as a pivot mechanism including two pairs of cooperating parallelogram structures adopted to be affixed to a vehicle for moving the platform between loading, entry and stowed positions by hydraulic actuation. A bridge plate structure is actuated by the pivot mechanism to be positioned as a bridge into the vehicle in the entry position, as a roll stop when a wheelchair is being carried and as a latch unit in the stowed position. A cam-cable mechanism actuates the bridge plate and the parallelogram structures of each pair are interlocked in moving between the stowed and entry positions.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate has an arm that is capable of swivelling axially when a force is applied, rather than breaking. The gate arm is substantially resistant to breakage caused by high winds and contact with the tops of vehicles. In addition, a broken gate arm is easier to replace than in a traditional railroad crossing gate. In a preferred embodiment, the improved gate arm is attached to the gate mechanism through a swivel bracket, and is maintained in a preferred orientation by gravity.

Abstract: To interface a primary telephone terminal with a vast number of remote terminals through a telephone network, parties at the remote terminals are individually screened to attain a select group. Bridged together, the select group is preliminarily informed of the status of the interface by a voice generator and, accordingly, the multitude of connections are synchronized for the interface. On cue, the select group is coupled to the primary telephone terminal for unilateral communications. Deviations from the unilateral communication include select bilateral communication for a few of the remote terminals and digital communication from the remote terminals by push button as for polling applications. Subjects for interfaces are programmed for selection from a memory.

Abstract: This invention is for incrementally controlling energizing and de-energizing of at least two electrical motors in which motor armatures are mechanically coupled to a single mechanical member and in which motor stators are mechanically referenced to a second mechanical member. By energizing and deenergizing two or more electric motors of different force and torque capability coupled in this manner it is possible to provide increments of force and torque as small as the incremental capability of the smallest motor and to provide a large number of force and torque increments which can approximate a smooth control of force and torque in forward and reverse directions. The type of motor used for this invention is a multiple-two-node-open-circuit-armature-winding motor as disclosed in the referenced patents. This type of motor offers various levels of energizing the motor to the full force and torque capability.

Abstract: In conjunction with the dial-up public telephone system, voice quality lines carry videophone signals for monitoring a multitude of security locations from a central station. At the central station, telephonic interface apparatus is actuated by a control unit to selectively accomplish a telephonic connection with a remote location. Displays include the scene at the security location and related graphic data. During routine operation, security locations are displayed in sequence. Such operation may be interrupted either from a security location or central station in the event of an urgency. In such an event, the concerned scrutiny location is displayed for further communication involving status, camera selection, camera configuration, audio, video and so on. Incoming calls from scrutiny stations imply an urgent situation for immediate display.

Abstract: Front end processors in a graphics architecture execute parallel scan conversion and shading to first process individually assigned primitive objects for providing update pixels. A crossbar accommodates data rearrangement whereby parallel pixel processors with associated memory capabilities (frame buffer banks) perform visibility and blending operations on predetermined sequences of update pixels to provide display pixels. The pixel processors identify with sequences of pixels in the display in patterns designed to equalize processor loads for pixels located along scan lines or distributed over an area. Specific distribution criteria are disclosed for patterns. One form of pixel processor organization incorporates a distributed frame buffer with FIFO memory and control stacks. Display pixels are received by a multiplexer to supply a digital-analog connector with display data in raster sequence.