Abstract: Molded exterior building panels formed from thermoplastic material and method of making and installing such panels in aligned relationship on building structures An upper margin of a building panel includes nail slots for fastening to a building An upwardly projecting lip along the top defines an engageable mounting groove behind this lip. A horizontally extending mounting hook on the back of a lower margin of each panel provides for hooking engagement with lip and groove of a next lower installed panel. During installation such hooking engagement advantageously supports the weight of a panel being installed and automatically provides alignment of the panel with the next lower installed panel, thereby freeing an installer from the burden of holding a panel in a desired position at a desired level while driving nails through the nail slots.

Abstract: A method of protecting computer software is provided by storing a first key in a plug-in hardware device, storing an algorithm for processing a purality of keys including the first key in software to be protected, loading the software containing the algorithm in the computer and plugging in a hardware device in a communications port of the computer. A second key, external to the software, to be protected which bears a relationship to the first key by the algorithm is loaded into the computer where processing takes place of the first and second keys in the algorithm for deriving a control key, if present, for the continued processing of the software being protected. The step of loading the second key is performed using a computer keyboard, any input/output port, a hard disk file or any other method of entry in the computer. Additional keys external to the software which bear a relationship to the first and second keys configured in the algorithm may be provided.

Abstract: A DC power supply for a DC motor is controlled by a drive transistor. An "ON" state of the drive transistor is maintained by a comparator which compares a terminal voltage at a point between the DC motor and the drive transistor with a reference voltage supplied from the power supply. A clock pulse is applied to the drive transistor to make it periodically turn off in order to detect an induced voltage depending upon the rotation rate of the DC motor. The drive transistor returns to turn off upon stopping the rotating DC motor by force.A regulator is provided between the power supply and the reference voltage. A restraint torque and a rotation rate control means are also provided.Alternatively, a pulsating power supply is provided instead of the DC power supply and the clock.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for efficiently and effectively isolating analytes from a liquid sample by solid phase extraction comprises a workstation platform with a plurality of suction providing stations for receiving either or both a detachably mounted collection chamber housing a removable collection vessel and membrane holder with removable, screen supported disc membrane, the holder having an inlet opening for receiving a liquid and a passageway through the screen supported disc membrane to an exit port for flow and collection, at the appropriate time, of analytes, extraction solvent, or liquid sample. The membrane holder is adapted to be releasably mounted into either the suction stations or the collection chamber. The removable collection vessel in the collection chamber enables prompt, timely, safe and effective removal of solvent, analyte or liquid from the system. The workstation platform is preferably rotatable for ease of access to the plurality of suction providing stations.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having two cascaded A/D stages of the parallel type wherein the analog signal is compared with a set of threshold reference voltages. The first stage develops a set of most-significant bits and produces two analog residue signals: a normal residue corresponding to the difference between the analog input and the threshold voltage below the analog input, and a second residue corresponding to the difference between the analog input and the threshold voltage above the analog signal level. These two residue signals are amplified and directed to the second A/D stage. The sum of the residue signals equals one LSB of the first A/D stage, so that the two residues supply to the second stage information about the quantization error of the previous stage as well as the quantization step size to be used to define full-scale at the second stage.

Abstract: An electro-optical distance meter has a light-emitting element that is directed through a shutter to a target and returned from the target to a photodetector. Internal and external optical paths are continuously switched by the shutter with a predetermined time ratio. The internal optical path is used for calibrating the distance being measured. The meter reduces the measurement time and enhances accuracy. In one form, the shutter comprises a disc having a C-shaped opening with an index thereon for providing a reference signal. In another form, the shutter comprises a liquid crystal switch.

Abstract: Use of CCl.sub.2 F.sub.2 or CHClF.sub.2 to perform cryogenic surgery on a variety of skin lesions is described.

Abstract: A cosmetics container includes a bottle for holding liquid cosmetics and a cap having extending therefrom a rod and applicator brush for applying the cosmetics. The rod and applicator brush are inserted into the bottle through a resilient wiper comprising a tubular sleeve and an apertured wiper diaphragm. The wiper is mounted in the neck of the bottle by means of a wiper mounting ring, which receives and holds the wiper and snap-fits into the bottle neck. The size of the wiper mounting ring may be varied to fit into various size bottle necks without altering the wiper/applicator/cosmetics combination. The wiper and wiper mounting ring are assembled together prior to insertion into the bottle, so that they can be inspected prior to final assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous extrusion of composite solid articles from feed mixtures comprising a substantially uniform mixture of particulate binder material and particulate primary material in which the feed mixture is forced through an extrusion die of substantially uniform cross-section and subject to heat, pressure and cooling which consolidates the feed mixture whereby it emerges from the die as a solid composite article and in which the pressure in the extrusion die is supplied by back-pressuring means external of the die. Solid filter elements of activated carbon particles for a wide variety of filtering applications may be formed using the process and apparatus.

Abstract: An earth sensor primarily for use at geosynchronous altitude measures Pitch, Roll, as well as Yaw. Pitch and Roll are obtained from the sun illuminated earth crescent viewed through a pinhole by a CID video camera. A circular mask positioned in front of the pinhole blacks out the center 10 degrees of the earth. A beam splitter receives visible radiation from the earth crescent through the pinhole and combines it with energy from a lens system aimed at Polaris and beta Ursa Minor and/or gamma Cepheus and projects radiation from such polar stars onto the CID detector. Yaw is obtained by sensing the position of the pole star Polaris.

Abstract: A self-closing breakaway valve assembly comprises first and second frangibly connected valve housings each having a rotatable valve member therein. The valve members are spring biased to close and are held open by trigger means. The trigger means comprises a first spider member spanning the bore of one valve member, the spider member having a truncated surface from which a trigger knob protrudes. A second spider member spans the bore of the other valve member, and defines a socket receiving the trigger knob in interengaging relationship to hold the valve members open. Upon separation of the housings, the trigger means disengages permitting the valve members to close.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having two cascaded A/D stages of the parallel type wherein the analog signal is compared with a set of threshold reference voltages. The first stage develops a set of most-significant bits and produces two analog residue signals: a normal residue corresponding to the difference between the analog input and the threshold voltage below the analog input, and a second residue corresponding to the difference between the analog input and the threshold voltage above the analog signal level. These two residue signals are amplified and directed to the second A/D stage. The sum of the residue signals equals one LSB of the first A/D stage, so that the two residues supply to the second stage information about the quantization error of the previous stage as well as the quantization step size to be used to define full-scale at the second stage.

Abstract: The described cleaning of work pieces, in particular printed circuit boards or assemblies, after the soldering, is performed by washing with an inert cleansing fluid which is maintained at a temperature slightly below the melting point of the solder. As a result, solvents for dissolving the impurities and soldering fluxes which are harmful to the environment can be dispensed with. This cleaning is particularly advantageous subsequent to the vapor phase soldering since the same fluid can be used for the cleansing fluid as for the heat transfer medium in the vapor phase soldering apparatus. Therefore, the problem of an unwanted mixing of different treatment media (on the one hand heat transfer medium and on the other hand cleansing fluid) does not arise.

Abstract: Rotor zone cooling apparatus channels liquid coolant flow in rotors in continuous mixers of plastic materials for causing predetermined zones along the lengths of the rotors to be cooled as may be desired and for other predetermined zones to remain neutral, i.e. without significant cooling. A sequence of alternating cooling/neutral/cooling/neutral/cooling/neutral zones can be arranged, including zones of various possible length, various possible locations and various possible numbers of such zones. These zones are tailored or customized for optimizing temperature conditions along a rotor depending upon the mixing requirements and characteristics of plastic materials being mixed. Within an axial bore in a rotor is inserted a novel elongated cooling tubing assembly which rotates with the rotor. For creating a neutral zone, coolant flow is diverted inwardly into an isolation channel within an isolation tubing section spaced inwardly from the rotor bore wall.

Abstract: A self-scanning, light-emitting device comprises an array of cells or blocks each having a self-scanning transfer element and a light-emitting element. Turn-on state of the transfer element is transferred to the subsequent transfer element in synchronism with clock pulses. Each light-emitting element is connected to the corresponding transfer element so as to emit light upon supplying current under an ON state of the transfer element. The light-emitting array generates a light image in accordance with a light emission current.

Abstract: An integrated-circuit A-to-D converter having repetitive cells which are designed to be matched, but which are subject to uncontrolled mismatches adversely affecting performance. In the disclosed embodiment, the cells all include resistors (of equal ohmic value) carrying currents (designed to be of equal value) producing corresponding output signals. To avoid the effects of cell mismatch on the output signals, a network of equal-valued resistors is added to the circuit, with each network resistor connected between corresponding ends of adjacent pairs of the cell resistors.

Abstract: The invention relates to alignment marks for a process for aligning two objects relative to each other by means of an image recognition system wherein the lines are optoelectronically scanned and the obtained brightness values are integrated line-by-line. The advantages of the alignment marks according to the invention reside in that position inaccuracies due to the mutual optical influence of the alignment marks in the optoelectronic evaluation are avoided and furthermore in a high evaluation speed.

Abstract: A tool extension adapter is provided which is adapted to be coupled to a tool drive for permitting the attachment of two different sized tools, for example socket wrenches, to a tool drive such as an air gun or ratchet using the same tool extension adapter merely by reversing the tool extension adapter in the tool drive. The adapter includes a extension bar of different first and second lengths with different first and second predetermined outside dimensions one of which is less than the other to accommodate different sized tools. A plurality of detents are positioned in the extension bar for coupling the reversible extension bar of different end sizes to the tool drive either directly in an impact or with a sleeve coupling to a ratchet tool drive. This permits the use of one tool extension for accommodating two sizes of sockets which prior hereto required two extensions for the different sizes desired.

Abstract: Continuous process and apparatus form products from thermoplastic materials between top and bottom mold carriages. A flexible silicone rubber mold adhered to a fiber belt continuously moves around each carriage frame. A surface of desired shape on one rubber mold mates with the desired shape of an opposed rubber mold surface forming a continuously moving mold channel into which is fed hot thermoplastic material at moldable temperature. After discharging the molded plastic product from the moving mold channel, localized surface heat in the molds resulting from contact with hot plastic is removed from the belt molds by blowing cold air onto mold surfaces. Each carriage frame includes a back-up plate coated with low friction coefficient material over which slides a continuously moving belt mold. These slippery plates have numerous air-bearing holes feeding high pressure air between them and the respective moving fiber belt for reducing friction and wear.