Abstract: Apparatus for determining the liquid level in tanks, such as are used in recreational vehicles, which utilizes a pair of parallel plates secured to the outside of the tank to avoid contact with the liquid inside of the tank. The plates have a generally vertical orientation so that as the liquid rises in the tank, an increasing area of the plates is adjacent to the liquid. The change in capacitance between the plates as a function of liquid level is utilized to generate an electrical signal indicative of liquid level. The problems caused by highly viscous liquids coating the inside surface of the tank and yielding false readings are solved by utilizing a high frequency driving signal.

Abstract: A removable bandage attachable to a body part for entirely covering same, the bandage being made from an elastic material so as to hold the flesh of the body part firmly in place following surgery, a plurality of Velcro strips positioned on the outside surface of the bandage, a flexible fluid retaining envelope having a fluid therein which is heatable or coolable so that the envelope functions as a hot or cold pack, complementary Velcro strips on one side of the envelope to permit attachment of the envelope to the bandage without moving the bandage out of contact with the body part, and a layer of insulating material covering the outside of the envelope for reducing heat loss therefrom.

Abstract: A modular conduit spacer rack comprising a plurality of units which may be interconnected to form a rack for supporting a plurality of conduits in parallel, spaced-apart relationship. Each of the units comprises four generally coplanar arms emanating from a central hub in mutually orthogonal directions, first and second adjacent arms having a predetermined width and thickness, third and fourth adjacent arms forming channels at the free ends thereof, the width and depth of the channels formed in the third and fourth arms being approximately the same as the width and thickness of the first and second arms whereby the third and fourth arms are adapted to receive the first or second arms of adjacent units.

Abstract: A machine for welding a conductor to a terminal in which a pair of elongated conductive electrodes having adjacent ends are mounted for axial movement toward and away from each other on opposite sides of the terminal. The opposite ends of a cable are attached to the electrodes for moving same toward the terminal. A motor applies a tension force to the cable and a sensor operatively coupled to the cable senses the tension force therein and generates an electrical signal proportional thereto. This signal is compared to another electrical signal proportional to the desired force between the electrodes and the terminal and the difference signal is utilized to control the motor.

Abstract: A novel noncrystalline fibrous potassium titanate and a process for preparing said titanate fiber by calcination of a mixture of potassium compound(s) and titanium compound(s) at a temperature of from 800.degree. C. to the melting point of the mixture to obtain whiskers formed on the surface thereof; and an improved process for preparing fibrous potassium hexatitanate which comprises calcining hydrated fibrous potassium titanate at a temperature of 500.degree. to 900.degree. C. or which comprises kneading a mixture of potassium compound(s) and titanium compound(s), and calcining the thus kneaded mixture at a temperature of 1150.degree. to 1300.degree. C. to obtain fibers from the inside of the bulk of the calcined mixture are described.

Abstract: A system for use in a facility, such as the home, equipped with a common power distribution system, for controlling, from a central location, the operation of a plurality of remote devices. The system includes a central control unit including a memory for storing user-entered command information, preset instructions, time-of-day information, and remote-device selection information. The time-of-day information is compared with the current time-of-day and, in the presence of a time match, the command information and the remote-device selection information is modulated in a serial binary format onto a carrier signal which is coupled directly to the electrical system. A receiver/demodulator unit coupled to the electrical system and to a remote device receives the information from the central control unit and, if the command information is intended for the remote device with which the receiver/demodulator unit is associated, acts on such command information for controlling the operation of the remote device.

Abstract: A method and means for determining the amount of compressional load in an assembly of clamped elements by measuring the friction between adjacent elements in the assembly. A rotatable element is positioned between two non-rotatable elements within the assembly and the torque necessary to rotate the rotatable element is measured. By measuring or calculating the torque necessary to rotate the rotatable element with a known compressional load, the relationship between torque and compressional load can be established whereby comparison of a measured torque with the established relationship permits conversion of any measured torque to compressional load in applications where element surface coefficients of friction do not change appreciably.

Abstract: A detonator assembly for mating a gas cartridge to an expandable chamber, such as a life vest, the cartridge having a sealing diaphragm across one end thereof and the chamber having a wall, comprising a body having a threaded collar on one side thereof which is adapted to extend through a hole in the chamber wall, the body having first and second intersecting passageways therein, the first passageway extending through the collar, one end of the second passageway being threaded to receive the one end of the cartridge; a nut positionable in the chamber for engaging the collar and connecting the body to the chamber wall with the first passageway providing a flow path into the chamber; a firing pin positioned for axial movement in the second passageway and having a diaphragm puncturing element at one end thereof positioned in facing relationship with the one end of the cartridge; a spring positioned within the body and surrounding the firing pin for biasing the firing pin with the diaphragm puncturing element spa

Abstract: A water and energy conservation system connectable between a hot water line and a hot water faucet comprising a reservoir for saving clean water normally wasted as the hot water tap is turned on and the cold water retained in the hot water line between the hot water system and the faucet is drained. When the hot water faucet is turned on, the water in the hot water line is conducted into the reservoir where it accumulates until the water in the reservoir reaches a predetermined temperature. At this time, the reservoir is drained through the hot water faucet.

Abstract: Continuous, random dyeing apparatus for carpet or the like comprising a plurality of elongate drums mounted for rotation on parallel, spaced axes, each drum having a plurality of cavities extending partially thereinto from the outer surface thereof, wiper means engaging the outer surface on one side of each drum, along a line parallel to the axis thereof, means for rotating the drums in a direction such that the one sides thereof move downwardy, and means for conducting a dyeing liquid to the intersections between each drum and its associated wiper means. The liquid fills the cavities in the drums, on the one sides thereof, as the drums rotate and the liquid in the cavities passes below the wiper means and is dispensed below the drum onto a carpet moving therebelow.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the liquid level in tanks, such as are used in recreational vehicles, which utilizes a pair of parallel plates secured to the outside of the tank to avoid contact with the liquid inside of the tank. The change in capacitance between the plates as a function of liquid level is utilized to generate an electrical signal indicative of liquid level. With the present invention, more than one tank can be connected to the same measuring electronics and the measuring electronics may be mounted at a central point, adjacent the liquid level visual indicator. The present apparatus is relatively independent of variations in conductivity of the liquid in the tank and relatively independent of operating frequency. The apparatus is relatively unaffected by the capacitance of long cables between the plates and the measuring electronics.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for supporting posters, pictures, and other art objects on a vertical surface, comprising first and second mounting means adapted for supporting the art object at two horizontally spaced points, each mounting means including a post, means for securing one end of the post to the vertical surface with the longitudinal axis thereof perpendicular to the surface, and a disc having an off-center hole therein, the diameter and cross-sectional shape of the hole being approximately the same as those of the post, the post extending through the hole in the disc, the discs of the two mounting means being adapted to support the art object on the uppermost edges thereof, the discs of the two mounting means being individually rotatable relative to their associated posts to level an art object supported thereon.