Abstract: A flow control valve has a housing having a fluid inlet at one fitting end and fluid outlet at another fitting end, and a control body supported within the housing by support structure bridging between the control body and the housing such that for flow of fluid through the valve from the inlet to the outlet is along fluid paths symmetric with respect to an axis of the control body, the control body and support structure being streamlined so as not to interfere substantially with flow. At least one valve member is carried by the control body in an orientation for being shifted by driven movement along the axis relatively toward and away from the fitting end for control of fluid passing through the fitting end in response to an actuator within the control body. At least one port extends through the support structure for communicating with the actuator and providing for control of the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state image sensor wherein the color shading is decreased, and/or a solid-state image sensor wherein the shading effect is outstanding. Moreover, the invention provides a digital camera having the solid-state image sensor. The solid-state image sensor of the present invention has color filters and/or apertures of a light blocking layer, and the center of the color filters and/or the center of the apertures of the light blocking layer is offset with respect to the center of a light-receiving part, in the direction to the center of a valid cell area. In each photodetecting cell of a preferred solid-state image sensor, micro-lenses are further placed on the light-receiving side of the solid-state image sensor, and preferably, the center of the micro-lens is similarly offset with respect to the center of the light-receiving part. Also, the digital camera is mounted with an above-described solid-state image sensor.

Abstract: Active high density multi-element antenna system [DS] for radiolocation of RF target radiation has a processor-controlled antenna array [CAA] having rings [R1, R2, R3] concentric about a central axis to define arcuate sectors Sn about the central axis, each ring having adjacent p.c. boards [PC1, PC2, PC3] with PIN diode-switched antenna elements within sectors. The rings provide three rings [E1, E2, E3] of discrete dipolar elements, defining electrically isolated antenna units [ASm], each radial to the central axis, of quasi-log-periodic configuration. Antenna units are switched in rotational sequence about the central axis to provide narrow beam signal selectivity, directionally rotatable about the central axis. An array control system [ACS] is operated, as under microprocessor control [34], by a host system [HS] to cause RF scanning. PIN diode switching is used on printed circuit boards within the array.

Abstract: An improved film sealing and cutting apparatus (10) for use with a shrink-wrap machine that individually wraps articles (219) sequentially with shrink-wrap film material (200) of different possible thickness and composition, especially thick, tough film which would be difficult to seal. The apparatus (10) includes two pairs of selectively heated rollers (97, 98). Overlapping layers (209) of film material wrapped around an article are passed between peripheral surfaces of each roller pair. The first roller pair forms a thermal conditioning pre-seal (208) between opposing surfaces of the overlapping layers by application of heat and pressure along the peripheral surfaces of the first roller pair. The second roller pair then completes the seal and cuts through the opposing surfaces, leaving a margin between a cutting path formed by the peripheral surfaces of the second roller pair and the seal.

Abstract: An anti-entrapment, anti-vortex swimming pool and/or wading pool drain cover having a discus or wheel-like configuration with a relatively large radius, substantially larger than the radius of a pool drain which the drain cover is intended to cover, so that the disk extends out over the pool floor or other surface having the drain, radially beyond the drain, the disk carrying beneath it a plurality of evenly spaced radial ribs which define between them channels opening at the periphery; the ribs support the cover on the surface in which the drain is located so that the disk periphery stands off that surface for water flow intake beneath through the side inlets; the ribs and channels control water flow beneath the disk so that water flows relatively evenly in the channels from the periphery and then into the drain without potential for pool user entrapment and substantially without vortex creation.

Abstract: A process of removing off-flavors and off-odors, such as caused by TCA, from food or beverage products by contacting the food or beverage with one or more aliphatic synthetic polymers so as to sufficiently lower the concentration of the off-flavors and off-odors that they are undetectable by taste or smell.

Abstract: Safety device (20) for a high-pressure fluid regulator for preventing risk of combustion caused by high velocity particles entering the regulator includes an inlet body (24) having a passage in fluid communication to receive the fluid prior to supply to the regulator, to which the device is connected. A filter (60) within the inlet body filters fluid passing through the passage. A fluid disrupter (62) is disposed between the filter and the regulator so that high velocity particles are kept by the filter and disrupter from entering the regulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state image sensor wherein the color shading is decreased, and/or a solid-state image sensor wherein the shading effect is outstanding. Moreover, the invention provides a digital camera having the solid-state image sensor. The solid-state image sensor of the present invention has color filters and/or apertures of a light blocking layer, and the center of the color filters and/or the center of the apertures of the light blocking layer is offset with respect to the center of a light-receiving part, in the direction to the center of a valid cell area. In each photodetecting cell of a preferred solid-state image sensor, micro-lenses are further placed on the light-receiving side of the solid-state image sensor, and preferably, the center of the micro-lens is similarly offset with respect to the center of the light-receiving part. Also, the digital camera is mounted with an above-described solid-state image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for dissipating electrostatic charges while providing protection against undesirable high amperage current, and takes the form of ESD (Electrostatic Dissipating) footwear, which protects against the accumulation of electrostatic charges by dissipating the charges through controlled ohmic path leakage between the user and a ground. The apparatus is primarily constructed of several conductive layers and a set of parallel resistors, whereby the conductive layers are adapted to integrate with existing construction techniques of a multitude of footwear styles, in addition to a wide variety of electrical devices. The parallel resistors provide fail-safe operation and accurate, repeatable resistance for the apparatus. The apparatus can be attached to or embedded within a multitude of footwear styles or other devices to provide electrostatic dissipation between the user or electrical device and a ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel interactive virtual reality (VR) performance theater and environment in which a plurality of participants enjoy an entertainment and/or educational experience. The performance is viewed by the participants through VR display devices such as a head mounted display, wherein both an immersive graphical environment and live and/or pre-recorded performers are viewed. The participants exert limited control over the content and outcome of the performance through the use of input devices, such as hand held input devices having a plurality of buttons, and/or voice communications, while viewing the live or pre-recorded performers whom are mixed within the immersive VR environment. The system uses interconnected computers, video and audio processing devices, and furthermore includes a network interconnecting the computers, participants, and live/pre-recorded performers for video, audio, and graphics transmission.

Abstract: A pressure release valve which is simple, compact, and easy to assemble for small applications, such as may be found in a flow control device on an oxygen container. A poppet of the valve has a resilient compressible cone providing spring-like characteristics to the poppet, eliminating any requirement for a separate spring, so that the pressure release valve is springless. A stem of the poppet carries a button manual actuation of the poppet. The cone resides in a slightly compressed state within a valve chamber, and the stem is loosely fitted inside the bore of a threaded insert. The poppet is normally seated in a sealing relationship with the insert. Pressing the button shifts the poppet toward an inner valve chamber, compressing the cone further, and allowing the release of gas about the stem. The resilient cone restores the sealing relationship upon button release.

Abstract: Various smoke and combustible gas combustors (200, 300) are disclosed, and also disclosed are systems (100, 200) combining gas combustor with inventive burner. Such a burner (100 or 100′) provides combustion of a particulate fuel such as sawdust, and many types of varying moisture content biomass fuels such as poultry litter. The combustors and burners exhibit a high turndown ratio [‘TDR”].

Abstract: An inconspicuous system is defined for measuring the absolute luminance of a CRT display and the actual effective luminance as would be measured from the viewer's perspective due to additional reflected ambient illuminance in order to enable closed loop adjustment of the display device and to thereby enable luminance quality control, facilitate image perception, and ascertain fidelity of image presentation conveniently over time.

Abstract: A portable, pneumatic torque tool automatically controls torque applied by it to a workpiece. In a portable hand-held housing, including a trigger control, a pneumatic motor provides an output shaft output shaft to a workpiece with which is associated a torque sensor within the housing for systematically measuring the amount of torque being applied by the shaft. A control module carried by the housing includes a keypad for providing a torque control input by which the operator selects a predetermined torque value. A torque control circuit interconnected with the torque control input and torque sensors operates to compare the torque being applied by the output shaft with the predetermined torque value.

Abstract: Various burner configurations for combustion of a particulate fuel such as sawdust, and many types of varying moisture content biomass fuels such as poultry litter. The burners exhibit a high turndown ratio. the burners include a housing defining an upright combustion chamber lined with refractory material and generally circular cross section, a main combustion region within an upper extent the combustion chamber, an initial combustion zone at a lower end of the combustion chamber of reduced-size cross-section compared to the combustion chamber and a transition region increasing in cross-section from the initial combustion zone to the main combustion region. A principal fuel (e.g., sawdust) is supplied with combustion air to the initial combustion region, and an auxiliary ignition fuel supplies heat to the initial combustion region for igniting the principal fuel.

Abstract: A combustor system provides high temperature, high-dwell combustion of emission products, as from charcoal kilns, with inner and outer combustion chambers. Multiple inlets receive emission products from multiple heat exchangers omnidirectionally extending for continuous heat exchange connection between the combustor and emission sources. Hot products of combustion are delivered to each heat exchanger, each with multiple ducts in mutual heat exchange relationship including at least a hot products of combustion duct for receiving at the proximal end hot products of combustion from an outlet of the outer chamber, and conveying the hot products of combustion to the distal end at a respective emission source, an emissions inlet duct for receiving emission products at the distal end from the emission source, and a return products of combustion duct for receiving at the distal end the hot products of combustion and returning them to the combustor.