Abstract: A vortex-shedding flow-sensing instrument comprising a flat-faced vortex-generating plate integral with a downstream sensor-bar having flat sides set back laterally with respect to the rows of vortices shed from the edges of the vortex-generating plate. The side surfaces of the plate are tapered inwardly at a moderate angle, and extend downstream a short distance to rear surfaces at right angles with respect to the direction of fluid flow. The downstream end of the sensor bar comprises a tail piece the side surfaces of which are tapered inwardly at a moderate angle, and extend downstream a short distance to a rear surface perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow.The sensor bar carries a liquid-filled capsule having as side walls a pair of flexible diaphragms effectively in the plane of the sensor-bar side surfaces. These diaphragms are of moderately large area so as to respond to a relatively large portion of the vortex energy.

Abstract: Continuous casting apparatus is described wherein the temperature of the flexible casting belts in twin-belt machines having two or more main rolls in each belt carriage is controllably elevated prior to contact with the molten metal to improve the casting conditions and the operation of the thin flexible casting belts; the temperature elevation preferably being relatively gradual may be carried out while the travelling belts are approaching the nip rolls or while the belts are in contact with the nip rolls, or both. Zone control of belt pre-heating is disclosed, and control of the coolant streams issuing from the curved nip roll tubes by use of fingernail-like extenders may be provided to aid in pre-heating the belts and in controlling their operation. Intensive infra-red heaters are shown directed at close range toward the casting surfaces of the belts, these heaters serving also to cure and dry any coating material on the belts.

Abstract: A process control system of the type arranged to accept varied forms of analog sensing signals from field sensing devices, to digitally process data represented thereby, and to supply varied forms of analog control signals to field control devices. The system is characterized by signal converter means which convert data between the varied analog forms generated by the field devices and a standard form of intermediate signal, e.g., a pulse-width signal, which carries data as a function of duration. The intermediate signals facilitate signal transmission, editing, and isolation, and permit the process control system to have a simple, noise-free, easily adaptable structure. Digital interface means then convert data between the intermediate signals and digital signals in a form suitable for use by digital data processing means.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying and counting coins or the like comprising an optico-electronic image converter controlling a counter by means of signals analogous to the coin surfaces, which signals are fed to at least one comparator feeding the counter.

Abstract: A shower head is provided capable of producing a pulsating or steady spray. Water entering the shower head passes through a set of inlet orifices into a plenum chamber and drives a turbine-type rotor within the chamber. The rotor has water cutting vanes which alternately open and close one or more water outlets from the chamber. The water then passes from the water outlets to the user for pulsed spray, or is directed to smaller openings for steady spray.In the pulsed spray condition the total water outlet opening area is about four times the area of the inlet orifices to the plenum chamber, resulting in low back pressure, rapid rotation of the rotor and so pulsating spray. In the steady spray the smaller openings have a total area approximating that of the plenum inlet orifices, resulting in a high back pressure within the plenum chamber. This high back pressure causes the chamber to fill with water and serves to slow or stop rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A remote control arrangement for a communication system which transmits intelligence occurring within a band of frequencies f.sub.b between first and second remotely located stations is described. The remote control arrangement which is adapted to activate an element at the first station comprises an encoder located at the second station and a decoder located at the first station. The encoder provides a control signal of selectively adjustable frequency f.sub.e and period T.sub.e. The decoder includes means for detecting a control signal of corresponding frequency f.sub.e and period T.sub.e and for discriminating against signals of differing frequency and period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for manufacturing phials, ampoules or the like from thermoplastic substances, in particular glass, having a number of holders capable of rotating around their own axes and around a central axis, which are distributed around the circumference of the machine and are supported on a frame in the nature of a turntable, whose axis of rotation constitutes the central axis. The holders are mounted on segment-like carriers which together form a cylinder, and which are fastened to a support ring mounted on part of a ball race.

Abstract: A container such as a metal top can containing a liquid to be dispensed by perforating the can top has an annular metal top having a concentric opening sealed with an easily perforatable thin film material. The thin film material extends across adjacent to the undersurface of the annular metal top and is sandwiched between the container top and the can body at the rim in a usual rim bead crimping operation, which leaves a projecting edge portion of the thin film outside of the rim. This edge of the film is then melted away by a hot sleeve or by spinning the sealed can relative to a hot element. The thin film material, which may be a polyester plastic, is selected to be sufficiently strong to protect the container contents during normal handling yet is more readily perforatable than the container top itself would be.

Abstract: A writing instrument such as a pen having a nib and a shaft for hand-held use. The shaft is formed with three elongated concave indentations in a generally equilateral triangular configuration with rounded vertices and at least one concave side as seen in cross section in the region normally grasped which form sockets to receive the thumb, index finger and middle finger respectively so as to provide a firm, comfortable and relaxed grasp ensuring complete control of the instrument and virtually eliminating writing tension. The nib is adjustable positionable relative to the shaft axis to provide a nib edge alignment at an angle to the pen's horizontal axis as defined by the three concave indentations, thus ensuring an optimum angle of contact between the nib and a writing surface, regardless of whether the pen is used right or left-handed, for producing attractive pleasing writing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having combustion chamber walls coated with a thin ceramic coating with a specific heat of less than 0.12 BTU/lb/.degree. F, a thermal conductivity of less than 11 BTU/HR/FT/.degree. F and a thickness of 0.2 to 1 mil so as to reduce heat losses and increase efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: A differential-pressure transducer of the type comprising a measuring diaphragm supported at its peripheral edges and its sides presented to respective internal chambers filled with a pressure-transmitting liquid, the chambers and the diaphragm being contained in a body mounted within the interior space of an outer housing, there also being provided a pair of seal diaphragms remote from the measuring diaphragm and establishing liquid-filled isolation chambers communicating with said internal chambers respectively, the opposite sides of the seal diaphragms being adapted to receive the pressures whose differential is to be measured, and the peripheries of the seal diaphragms being secured to the housing.

Abstract: A process control system of the type arranged to accept sensing signals from field sensing devices, to digitally process data represented thereby, and to supply control signals to field control devices. The system is characterized by a centralized maintenance backup system for supplying backup control signals to selected field control devices while their normal control signals are interrupted during servicing of various system components, e.g., signal conversion units. A maintenance backup device, centrally located at a control station, includes means for providing an adjustable backup control signal, a selector unit having jack terminals connected through prewired leads to a plurality of field control devices, and jack plug means for connecting the backup control signal means to a selected jack terminal and the field control device corresponding thereto. Servicing of circuit boards used, e.g.

Abstract: A multipoint recorder of the type used to monitor a number of measuring instruments and including a mechanism having a group of contacts for sequentially selecting signals from a number of measuring points, a self-balancing circuit having a balancing motor for intermittently measuring each of said signals, and an indicating and recording mechanism operated in synchronism with said selection mechanism for indicating and recording, e.g., on a strip chart, the group of measurements supplied by said self-balancing circuit. The multipoint recorder is characterized by a group of auxiliary contacts in said selection mechanism interspersed with the group of measuring point selection contacts, said auxiliary contacts being switched with a given delay behind switching of the measuring point selection contacts so that the auxiliary contacts are sequentially closed as the selection mechanism switches between measuring point selection contacts.

Abstract: A method of forming a nozzle outlet in the stretchable, flexible wall for a container by providing rigid inner and outer sleeves adapted to mate together in taper-interlocked relationship by stretching a portion of the wall around the inner sleeve and becoming sandwiched between the mated sleeves. The inner sleeve has an outlet passage extending therethrough and has an exterior surface which tapers at a small angle, the outer sleeve having an interior surface tapering at a corresponding angle so the sleeves will engage together in a wedging-locking relationship with the stretched wall portion sandwiched and protected between them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tightening and releasing tool of small dimensions, allowing considerable reduction in the force to be applied thereto to perform tightening and releasing operations.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for providing a regulated d.c. output of a substantially high output current magnitude from an unregulated single or polyphase a.c. input source. Regulation is provided by a single feedback circuit interacting with a plurality of ferroresonant transformers connected in parallel to a single phase source, singly on each phase or a polyphase source, or interconnected in the known Scott T connection on a three phase source. Regulation is accomplished with thyristor switches which are synchronized with the input phase of each transformer.

Abstract: Weather-stripping especially for slidable closures such as windows, wherein the weather-stripping comprises a flexible plastic foam substrate provided on at least a part of its outer surface with a tough abrasion resistant skin. The weather-stripping is compressed into a confining channel in one closure member, and is provided with flocked fibers extending away therefrom to engage a second closure member to prevent the infiltration of air and water. The substrate may preferably comprise ionomer plastic foam. The outer skin may be of the same material as is the cellular substrate or it may be a different material, e.g. laminated to at least one side of the cellular substrate to provide a smooth yet abrasion resistant surface. Specific cross-sectional shapes of weather-stripping are disclosed, together with manufacturing methods wherein the weather-stripping is shaped while in sheet form and then is slit into strips for insertion into the channel member.

Abstract: A resonance thermometer utilizing nuclear quadrupole resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance or like resonance-absorption phenomenon. The thermometer includes an oscillator for oscillatively detecting a resonance in a resonant material, a means for modulating the oscillation frequency of the oscillator at a low frequency, a first detecting means with a short time constant for detecting a component from the modulated output of the oscillator, and a second detecting means with a long time constant for detecting a component from the modulated output of the oscillator. The oscillator frequency is swept in linear ramp fashion at high speed until an output from the first detecting means occurs, at which point the frequency sweep is stopped. The precise resonance-absorption frequency of the resonant material then is found by using the output of the second detecting means, and the temperature is derived from the precise resonance-absorption frequency.

Abstract: Continuous casting methods and apparatus are described wherein the flexible casting belts in twin-belt machines having two or more main rolls in each belt carriage are sensed by mechanical probes, and belt temperatures are controllably elevated prior to contact with the molten metal to improve the casting conditions and the operation of the thin flexible casting belts; the temperature elevation preferably being relatively gradual may be carried out while the travelling belts are approaching the nip rolls or while the belts are in contact with the nip rolls, or both. Zone control of belt pre-heating is disclosed, and control of the coolant streams issuing from the curved nip roll tubes by use of fingernail-like extenders may be provided to aid in pre-heating the belts and in controlling their operation. Intensive infra-red heaters are shown directed at close range toward the casting surfaces of the belts, these heaters serving also to cure and dry any coating material on the belts.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter the output circuit of which comprises a set of switching transistors arranged as current generators. The currents through the switching transistors are maintained constant by means of a supply voltage adjusting circuit comprising a separate reference transistor matched to one of the switching transistors and energized by the same voltage supply lines as the switching transistors. The supply voltage adjusting circuit includes an operational amplifier which senses the collector current of the reference transistor, and adjusts the supply voltage so as to maintain that collector current constant. This automatic adjustment of the supply voltage also maintains the current through the switching transistors constant.