Abstract: In a furnace insulating module, a plurality of heating element supports are embedded in situ in a ceramic fiber insulating body. Each support includes a rod with one end embedded in the insulating body. The rod is anchored to the insulating body by means of a cross pin welded to its embedded end. An element supporting keeper at the exposed end of the support rod is pivotable about a transverse pivot axis. The keeper is formed of a pin passing through the rod and bent to form fingers at both ends extending in opposite directions from the pivot axis. When the keeper is in a first position the fingers extend vertically, generally parallel to the support rod, and permit a rod overbend heating element to be moved along the rod to a position above the keeper. With the keeper then moved to a second position with the fingers in a horizontal plane, the heating element may be rested on the keeper fingers and be supported thereby.

Abstract: The amount of electrically conductive finish that has been applied to a filament is determined by measuring the conductance of a length of the filament. The measurements are made independently of any difference in conductivity of finish mediums by means of a reference cell containing a sample of the particular finish medium used. An electric measurement circuit provides an indication of the amount of finish medium on the filament by determining the ratio of the conductance of the length of filament to the conductance of the reference cell. In one circuit embodiment, two operational amplifiers are placed in series. The reference cell takes the place of the feedback resistor of one operational amplifier and the length of filament takes the place of the input resistance of the other amplifier. The resulting output of the series circuit is a scaled ratio of the conductances of the finish along the length of filament and in the cell.

Abstract: A vibration type transducer is provided in which various physical quantities, for example, the pressure, density, force and temperature are measured from the natural frequencies of the mechanically vibrated vibrator.The vibrating element is vibrated in a plurality of vibration modes and a plurality of resultant frequency signals are processed to obtain signals associated with the various physical quantities. The system is not influenced by physical quantity other than the physical quantity to be measured.

Abstract: A laser inspection system is provided having an absolute closed loop dc system in which the power gain is automatically stabilized. In order to stabilize the power gain of the system and provide a closed loop absolute reference dc level, a sample of the radiation from the laser beam utilized to scan the material being inspected is applied to a photomultiplier tube for generating a reference pedestal signal which is dependent on the intensity of the laser beam and is free of the influence of the characteristics of the material being inspected. The reference pedestal signal is applied to a comparator which develops a control signal which is applied in a single closed feedback loop including in effect, the laser source and the light collection and detection system within the loop. This loop includes the photomultiplier tube and its high voltage power supply to which the control signal is applied for stabilizing the gain of the system.

Abstract: A diffuser for a hair dryer reduces the force of impact of air discharged from the hair dryer against the hair of a user. The diffuser includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port and a freely rotatable fan blade mounted within the housing. The inlet port is removably interconnected to the discharge nozzle of a hair dryer so that air discharged from the hair dryer enters the housing, strikes the fan, and causes it to rotate. The rotating fan disperses the discharged air into a plurality of diversely directed eddy currents which flow out of the outlet port. These less powerful eddy currents, which are applied to the hair of a user, will not upset the setting of hair.A screen can be interposed between the fan and the outlet port to prevent hair from becoming caught in the diffuser and to further disperse the eddy currents of air before they are discharged from the outlet port.

Abstract: While many materials and additives which will melt and freeze at various temperature levels for storing and releasing large amounts of heat thereby per unit volume have been disclosed, the packaging of these materials with suitable non-corrodible long-lasting heat exchange structures has been cumbersome and expensive. The present invention provides an inexpensive, high performance, non-corrodible thermal storage method and system adapted for use with heat storage materials of various compositions and adapted for use over a wide range of temperatures, including a heat exchanger which provides for phase change to occur approximately simultaneously throughout the volume of the entire storage mass and provides for the sites at which the phase change is occurring to be approximately uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the heat storage material. Problems of thermal expansion, stratification and sub-cooling are eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement by adaptation of a rising stem fuel oil gauge for indicating, at a remote location, the quantity of fuel in oil storage tanks commonly used in homes and businesses. The improvement includes a magnet carried on a horizontally positioned level indicating disc, which is attached to the upper end of a vertically rising stem and enclosed within a transparent tube. Markings on the tube correspond to the quantity of fuel oil within the storage tank and the alignment of the indicating disc with a specific marking indicates the fuel oil quantity at any given time. A magnetically actuated reed switch is mounted to the exterior of the tube at a predetermined position, and a power supply and remote alarm are coupled to the switch. When the level of the indicating disc is near the position at which the switch is mounted, the magnet carried on the disc actuates the switch which in turn actuates the remote alarm.

Abstract: The beta ray gauge is augmented with a radiation inspection system for automatically improving products formed into a continuous web such as non-woven paper, non-woven textiles, plastics, etc. For example, the basis weight of a continuous web of paper is measured by passing the web through a beta ray gauge which generates a first signal based on the weight of the paper web. The first signal generated by the beta ray gauge is compared with a predetermined preset reference signal representing the basis weight desired. After the beta ray gauge measures the basis weight in the paper making process, a light inspection system applies a light source across the paper web and detects the light emanating therefrom to provide a second signal based on the characteristics of the paper web.

Abstract: An air gun firing sensor apparatus and system are provided for determining the instant of firing of an air gun by sensing pressure changes within the air gun when it is being fired. A pressure-change-sensitive transducer assembly is inserted into a socket in the housing of a solenoid-controlled valve of an air gun with a passage from the air gun communicating with the transducer for transmitting to the transducer a pressure surge occurring within the air gun whenever it is fired. The transducer assembly has a cylindrical casing with a head mounted at one end. The head includes a plurality of spaced recesses which are adapted to communicate with the passage leading from the air gun.

Abstract: Anhydrous sodium sulfate has been shown to have higher thermal content than any other low cost solid material because of its high density, high specific heat, and additional reversible latent heat of solid-to-solid crystal phase change at around 465.degree. F. By compressing anhydrous sodium sulfate into pellets and then forming a bed of these pellets and passing a heated fluid through the bed a relatively great quantity of heat energy may be economically stored in a relatively small volume. Moreover, a rapid rate of heat transfer into or out of the pebble bed can be achieved, up to 400,000 Btu per hour per cubic foot. The same heat transfer fluid may be used to withdraw the heat from the bed for use in space heating or other purposes. The fluid may be air, other inert gases, or a non-acqueous heat transfer liquid which does not react with sodium sulfate, such as a modified terphenyl or a high temperature oil.

Abstract: An improved drive unit for a food processor of the type wherein the drive unit is enclosed in a base housing and has a vertically extending spindle which extends into a processing bowl and carries rotary tools thereon. The drive unit comprises a horizontally mounted universal motor carrying a pinion gear at the end of its shaft. A ring gear meshes with the pinion and encircles the motor on a concavo-convex support structure. The support structure is coupled to the vertical spindle. Included in the drive unit are a novel three point shock mounting for the motor and an automatic brake to prevent coasting of the tool after the motor is deenergized. In a further embodiment of the drive unit the motor and the concavo-convex ring gear are held in a motor mount which is vibrationally isolated from the base housing for providing quieter operation. This mount arches up over the dome of the ring gear which in turn arches up over the motor.

Abstract: An isolation amplifier comprising an input section coupled by a multi-winding transformer to an output section. A blocking oscillator produces in the transformer a signal comprising a positive power pulse followed by a negative flyback pulse. The flyback pulse magnitude is modulated by a half-wave diode-capacitor rectifier circuit which supplies negative supply current to an amplifier in the input section. Other half-wave diode-capacitor rectifier circuits in the input section develop (1) a positive supply voltage for the amplifier, (2) a negative feedback signal for the amplifier, and (3) a level-shifting voltage to be combined with the feedback signal. The output section includes additional half-wave diode-capacitor rectifier circuits to develop a demodulation signal derived from the flyback pulse, and a bias voltage to be combined with that signal to develop an input signal for the output amplifier.

Abstract: A food container is provided for efficiently cooking foods in a microwave oven and for serving them at the table. By use of the container, the food is cooked positioned vertically within the oven so that it absorbs both direct microwave radiation and microwave radiation reflected from the walls and floor of the oven. The container can be used to display the food in a store in a vertical position, cook it in a vertical position, and serve it in a horizontal position. It may then be disposed of after one use. The container is designed to use the weight of th food itself to position the center of gravity of the container and food so that the filled container will balance in a vertical position and therefore, no extending supporting base is needed. The container can be readily blow molded, thermo formed or injection molded and, consequently, is inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator has an outer tube and an inner tube concentrically positioned therein, forming an annular gas inlet channel between the outer and inner tubes, and slots are defined in the inner tube to provide communication between this annular channel and the space within the inner tube. A collection chamber for collecting particulate matter and for allowing the flow of bleed gases is provided towards the bottom of the annular channel. Transverse discharge means communicate with the collection chamber for removing material therefrom. The separator includes at least one swirling vane for imparting swirling motion to gas flowing in the annular channel. Separation of particulate matter from the swirling gas due to centrifugal force occurs when the gas initially enters the annular channel and as the gas swirls within the annular channel.

Abstract: An improved signal isolator including two nonlinear circuits having nonlinear voltage-to-current characteristics, in which an input network is formed by connecting one of the nonlinear circuits in series with the primary winding of a transformer, and an output network is formed by connecting the other nonlinear circuit and an averaging circuit in series with the secondary winding of the transformer. A pulse signal is applied to the input network, the output network or the tertiary winding of the transformer to develop an output signal corresponding to the input signal while the input network and the output network are isolated from each other with respect to direct current.

Abstract: Resistance heating coils, flattened longitudinally along two sides to have generally oval cross-sections, are embedded in situ in a lightweight ceramic fiber insulating body adjacent to and extending along beneath the surface of the insulating body. Electrical terminal elements extend from the heating coils through the insulating body, and axial movement of the leads is prevented by anchoring members welded thereto. In one embodiment, the coils are embedded in an insulating body having a thickness no greater than about twice the depth of the heating coils. The resulting compact heating unit is sufficiently thin to be mounted as a retrofit item on the interior walls of an existing furnace.

Abstract: A rotary slicing tool is provided for a food processor having a hub with a horizontal disc-like member carrying an elevated slicing blade. The disc-like member has a horizontal area with an arcuate slot extending from the hub out to the periphery. The slicing blade is mounted on an elevated arcuate rim behind the slot with the cutting edge projecting forward and elevated above the horizontal area facing forward above the slot for slicing food items, with the slices passing down through the slot. For avoiding smashing or shredding of slices, a gradually sloping shoulder joins the horizontal area with the elevated platform having the rim where the slicing blade is mounted. Both ends of the blade are contoured to conform with the rotational direction of travel; the outer end conforming with the periphery of the disc-like member, and the inner end conforming with the hub, and the cutting edge is spaced well forward of the shoulder near both ends of the slicing blade.

Abstract: A package comprising a receptacle cup of semi-rigid plastic having a top of semi-rigid plastic sealed to flanges of the receptacle and formed inwardly to press against the packaged product and hold it in place with or without evacuation of the interior. Different techniques and apparatus are disclosed for forming such packages. Package configurations also are disclosed providing improved recloseable characteristics, wherein the semi-rigid nature of both the top and the cup are utilized to enable the reclosed top to be held securely in place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the magnitude of spherical hardness testing indentations in solid surfaces by scanning the indentations with a light beam. Scanning is achieved by tilting the beam in one or several planes perpendicular to the testpiece surface through a point which is the center of rotation for the beam tilting as well as the center of curvature of the indentation area in the plane of tilting. At least the part of the indenter making contact with the indented surface is spherically shaped, and the scanning light spot follows an arcuate path in the indentation being measured. The scanning light beam is sent through a transparent indenter, or scanning is carried out directly on the indentation after removal of the indenter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the magnitude of hardness testing indentations by scanning the indentations with a light source with or without an external load being applied while the scanning takes place. The intensity of the reflected light from the surface under test is measured utilizing a light-senstive surface surrounding the measuring field. One or more diameters or the entire indentation is scanned and measured to determine the magnitude of the indentations.