Abstract: A barrier operating system having a diagnostic performance feature includes a motorized barrier movable between limit positions and a counterbalance system coupled to the barrier. A disconnect mechanism may be interposed between the motor and the counterbalance system so that the barrier can be moved manually without assistance from the motor. A position detection device is coupled to either the barrier or the counterbalance system and generates a barrier position signal. One of the motor and the position detection device generates operational parameter values for the barrier moving in either direction. A controller receives the operational parameter values and the barrier position signal, and as the barrier is manually moved, the controller compares operational parameter values for each direction of movement at a given position and generates a diagnostic signal based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus (10) for training the abdominal muscles of a user (41) comprises a lever frame (11) linked to a support frame (12) at a pivot (13). The lever frame (11) has first and second arms (14, 15) joined at a central junction (16) which also forms a fulcrum for the lever frame (11). The support frame (12) consists of a base member (19) having a seat portion (21) associated therewith. The apparatus (10) is adapted to support a user (41) in a half-kneeling position so as to promote neutral pelvic alignment during the performance of abdominal muscle training exercise. In use, the exercise apparatus (10) is operated by the user (41) pushing the first arm (14) away from his or her body so as to cause the lever frame (11) to rotate about its fulcrum (16). This lifts the second arm (15), which in turn causes the seat portion (21) associated with the base member (19) to lift and/or tilt. The user's abdominal muscles are thus exercised in lifting his or her own body mass.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a medium agitation mill which is responsive to the standstill of the mill for preventing the pulverizing medium from invading the inside space of the longitudinal hollow space of the drive shaft of the impeller. In the medium agitation mill the medium separating impeller is arranged in the inside space of the agitating member, and the impeller has a plurality of vanes circumferentially arranged at intervals, and is driven by the hollow drive shaft, one end of which opens to the inside of the impeller to provide the raw material discharging port. The discharging port is provided with an on-off valve of a resilient material to open and close the discharging port.

Abstract: A drink making machine (10) includes an ice shaving and dispensing unit (11) which provides a predetermined amount of ice, by weight, through a chute (21) to the pitcher (17) of a blending unit (12). A nozzle (30) is carried by the chute (12) and provides water through a nozzle opening (41) until a predetermined amount of water, by weight, is received by the pitcher (14). The water from the opening (41) is not allowed to directly impinge against the bottom of the pitcher (17). The water from the opening (41) is not allowed to directly impinge against the bottom of the pitcher (17) so that it does not adversely affect the weight measurements being taken.

Abstract: (Pentafluorophenyl) Group 11 and 12 metal compounds and processes for preparing (pentafluorophenyl) Group 11 and 12 metal compounds are disclosed. Also, disclosed are processes for preparing (pentafluorophenyl) Group 13 or 15 metal compounds useful as Lewis acids. Compositions with low levels of base impurities and products produced by the novel processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic awning assembly includes a sheet of material carrying photovoltaic strips thereon. A rotatable roll receives the sheet of material and has a contoured drum at opposite ends thereof for deploying and retrieving the sheet of material through the use of a cable connected to a boom at an opposite end of the sheet. A pair of support tubes extend along opposite sides of the sheet of material, and support legs serve to position the sheet. In one embodiment of the invention, one of the support legs is out of plane with the others, introducing a saddle surface in the sheet of material to provide it with stability to resist wind. The roll for retrieving and maintaining the material is constructed of a non-metallic material such as corrugated fiberglass sheet, rolled about take-up drums at opposite ends thereof, and having reinforcing flanged disks in the interior thereof. The corrugations provide conduits for the passage of electrical conductors to an externally maintained control box.

Abstract: An operator system for moving a barrier between limit positions, includes an operator motor assembly mounted to the barrier, wherein the motor assembly is movable between an operating position and a locking position with the motor assembly blocking movement of the barrier. A bias assembly allows the motor assembly to move toward the locking position when either a predetermined force overcomes a biasing force, or when the barrier is moved to a closed position or when forced entry is imposed on the barrier. A modified blocker tab having a plurality of projections, and which is part of the motor assembly, allows the speed/angular position of the rotation of the motor assembly to be monitored with increased resolution.

Abstract: The present antenna system includes a balun for coupling an antenna to a feed line. The balun has at least two transmission line transformers, such that the transmission line transformers are coupled in parallel at their inputs with the feedline, and coupled in series at their outputs with the antenna. At least one of the transmission line transformers maintained by the balun is fabricated so that it has reduced power dissipation properties, and reduced electromagnetic stress handling properties with respect to the other transmission line transformers. Such considerations reduce fabrication time, waste of material, and the cost of the balun.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus has a transparent substrate having a transparent common electrode formed thereon; an active matrix substrate having pixels with reflective pixel electrodes, the pixels being formed in column and row directions on the matrix substrate in a matrix fashion, each pixel having a switching transistor with a gate, a drain and a source, and a signal-charging capacitor; a liquid crystal layer provided between the common electrode and the pixel electrode; a column-signal electrode driver and a row-scanning electrode driver for activating the matrix substrate; column-signal electrodes connected to the column-signal electrode driver, the gate being connected to each column-signal electrode; and row-scanning electrodes connected to the row-scanning electrode driver, the drain being connected to each row-scanning electrode, each pixel electrode being provided at an intersection of each column-signal electrode and each row-scanning electrode, each pixel electrode and the capacitor being co

Abstract: A goggle includes a lens assembly which comprises a front lens, a rear lens spaced apart from the front lens, and a liquid crystal device disposed on one of the lenses. The goggle includes a frame, which defines an aperture and a peripheral channel. The peripheral channel receives the front lens and the rear lens is positioned rearward of the channel so that the aperture receives the lens assembly. A power unit includes a battery and a drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit is connected to a pair of prongs that are electrically connectable to the liquid crystal device for operation thereof. The power unit provides a master switch connected to the battery to control application of power to the drive circuit, and a state change switch to control application of power from the drive circuit, through the prongs, to the liquid crystal device.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a first substrate having a first surface having a first recording layer formed thereon, a first reflective film formed on the first recording layer, a second substrate having a second surface and a third surface on both sides with a second recording layer and a third recording layer formed thereon, respectively, a second semi-transparent reflective film formed on the second recording layer, a third semi-transparent reflective film formed on the third recording layer, an adhesive layer provided between the first and second reflective films, and a transparent cover layer having a fourth surface and a fifth surface on both sides, formed on the third semi-transparent reflective film at the fourth surface. The first recording layer is capable of storing first data in compliance with first specifications. The second recording layer is capable of storing second data in compliance with the first specifications.

Abstract: An electric brake actuator for the brake system of an aircraft is presented. A brake actuator includes a piston driven by a cylindrical nut and screw arrangement, driven by an appropriate motor of the actuator. Application of brake force results in a reactionary force that deflects the top cover of the actuator. The axial component of this deflection correlates directly with the brake force applied. A beam is interposed between this cover and a top cap, such that deflection of the beam correlates to applied brake face. Piezo-resistive devices are connected to the beam and, through a whetstone bridge, provide an electrical output signal correlating to applied brake force.

Abstract: A drive coupling assembly (10) for attaching two shafts includes a coupler body (11) and a locking clip (12). The body (11) has a splined opening (23) which is adapted to receive one shaft, and an aperture (24) which is adapted to receive a drive shaft (13) of a motor (14). A slot (25) is formed in coupler body (11) and the slot (25) communicates with the aperture (24). The clip (12) is positioned in the slot (25) and includes a spring tab (33) which can engage an undercut (40) in the shaft (13) to maintain the drive coupling assembly (10) on the shaft (13).

Abstract: A phase-change optical storage medium has a substrate, and a recording layer, to be recorded on which is at least one recorded mark representing information to be recorded by irradiating a recording light beam onto the recording layer in accordance with a recording pulse pattern of recording pulses rising from an erasing power and formed between a recording power larger than the erasing power and a bottom power smaller than the erasing power and of erasing pulses rising from the bottom power to the erasing power. The expressions (1) and (2): 1.00<(R1/R0)<1.15 . . . (1), 1.05<(R9/R0)<1.20 . . .

Abstract: A towelette dispenser is provided with an integrally molded lid. The lid has a central aperture for allowing access to a roll of towelettes maintained within a tub receiving the lid therein. The separation bar bridges the aperture, and provides a rip fence in the form of a fingered thimble that is angled with respect to the lid as a whole. The thimble is offset near one edge of the annular opening so that a user may make access to the back side thereof to thread an edge of the leading towelette through the thimble without having to remove the lid from the tub. A well is provided in the smaller portion of the aperture and a cap for the lid is provided with a stuffer tab to urge the leading edge of the next towelette into the well when the cap is closed.

Abstract: The present tuning circuit for a trap antenna having a plurality of traps tuned to a predetermined frequency comprises a coil in which a conductive compensation section is electrically coupled to one end of the coil and a conductive tuning section is electrically coupled to the other end of the coil. A pair of rods electrically coupled to the tuning section extend in opposite directions therefrom, whereby the adjustment of the rods and the coil allow the tuning circuit to be operable at a desired resonant frequency. To prevent the detuning of the trap to which the tuning circuit is being attached, the dimension of the compensation section may be adjusted to enable the trap antenna to be operable at both its predetermined frequency and the desired resonant frequency established by the tuning circuit.

Abstract: A method of positioning a load wheel in a tire uniformity machine to load a tire for testing, the method comprising providing a drive assembly including a drive motor and a drive controller, electrically connected to each other, said drive controller being adapted to switch between analog velocity control and position control; moving the load wheel with the drive motor using analog velocity control; and switching to position control to cause said motor to maintain a selected position of said load wheel without a mechanical brake.