Abstract: An aluminum electrolytic capacitor which has the capacity to operate at a constant A/C voltage as long as the capacitor is energized. The aluminum foil used in the capacitor is an amorphous oxide which causes the oxide to be “fluffy” such that the oxide stacks up and becomes thicker. The aluminum foil is of the heavy-duty type exceeding the specification of EIA RS463.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled timer is installed in a petroleum service station product dispensing system that includes a pump relay, a pump, a dispenser, and a leak detection monitor. The timer activates pump relays to pressurize a liquid product line that runs from a tank to the dispenser at predetermined intervals to compensate for thermal contraction during product line leakage testing. Prior to activating pump relays, the timer has circuitry to determines if product is currently being dispensed. If product is being dispensed, the timer waits until dispensing has halted before activating pump relays to pressurize the product line. Also prior to activating pump relays, the timer has circuitry to determine if pump operation should be inhibited and if so halts before activating pump relays. Optical isolation is used between the timer and pump relays and a dispenser switch.

Abstract: An appliance timer incremental drive is provided with an electronic circuit that generates a nonvarying camstack motor advancement pulse that cooperates with a cam-operated motor control switch. When the motor control switch is closed, a power circuit is completed with a camstack drive motor and the camstack rotates. When the motor control switch opens, the power circuit is also open, so the camstack is stationary. The camstack remains stationary, delayed, until the electronic circuit, which operates independently from the camstack, provides a nonvarying camstack advancement pulse to power the camstack drive motor to rotate the camstack.

Abstract: A universal controller is provided with a variable annunciation and display of information with a variety of pre-selected output graphics and indicia, programmability to control a variety of processes and machines in a variety of applications with a variety of pre-selected input graphics and indicia, manufacturability as a standard unit in large numbers, variable programming for its different applications, and containability in a small, easily operated unit.

Abstract: A household appliance, solenoid controlled, pilot actuated inlet water valve has a diaphragm insert with a bleed valve that substantially closes when a main valve is open to reduce water and contaminate flow through the bleed passage. The pilot valve outlet extension has openings to reduce vacuum drawn from the outlet into an actuation chamber thereby further reducing water flow through the bleed passage. The bleed passage is internally and externally configured to reduce contamination impairment. An anti-hammer rib or lip is placed on the pilot valve outlet extension upstream of a guide tip which provides less close-fitting surface that may be impaired by contaminates while still dampening valve closing to reduce valve noise and pipe hammer.

Abstract: A line leak test probe for use in a liquid storage and dispensing system which includes a pump. A pressure transducer provides a pressure signal to a microprocessor-based test circuit. Various conditions descriptive of the pressure versus time curve while the pump is running, such as the pressure will rise above 20 psi when the pump is turned on, drop when the liquid is dispensed, and rise again when the dispenser is turned off, are stored within a software program in the microprocessor memory. The microprocessor calculates an average pressure to average out noise and artifacts in the pressure, and waits for the pressure to drop 2 psi below the average pressure after the pump has been turned off before performing leak tests in order to give the noise and artifacts time to die down.

Abstract: A pressure transducer, a microprocessor, and associated electronics are enclosed in a probe housing which may be attached to a liquid product line with the pressure transducer responsive to the pressure of the liquid in the liquid product line to provide an electrical signal representative of the pressure. The probe microprocessor contains a software program to detect leakage from a pressurized liquid product line in which the liquid is subject to a pressure increase caused by thermal contraction. The probe also has the capability to directly operate a product pump with a signal connection between the probe and the pump.

Abstract: A pedal operated switch assembly has a plunger that operates blade switches and is mounted on a brake pedal in a manner providing self-adjustment. The pedal operated switch assembly has a pivoting lever with a portion that contacts the brake pedal and a portion that contacts a plunger creating a mechanical advantage for actuating the plunger. The mechanical advantage of the pivoting lever reduces the amount of brake pedal travel necessary operate the pedal operated switch assembly.

Abstract: A dryness sensing printed circuit board carried inside a cam-operated timer housing is accomplished by bonding a printed circuit board inside a timer housing cover plate. Electrical connections between the printed circuit board and timer components are provided by conductive pads on the printed circuit board that contact an electrical connecting means attached to timer components when the timer housing coverplate is installed on the timer housing.

Abstract: A household appliance, solenoid controlled, pilot actuated inlet water valve has a diaphragm insert with a bleed valve that substantially closes when a main valve is open to reduce water and contaminate flow through the bleed passage. The pilot valve outlet extension has openings to reduce vacuum drawn from the outlet into an actuation chamber thereby further reducing water flow through the bleed passage. The bleed passage is internally and externally configured to reduce contamination impairment. An anti-hammer rib or lip is placed on the pilot valve outlet extension upstream of a guide tip which provides less close-fitting surface that may be impaired by contaminates while still dampening valve closing to reduce valve noise and pipe hammer.

Abstract: A fluid status detection system includes a plurality of probes connected to a controller capable of being operated in a plurality of different operation modes. The controller includes a display and ten key switches adjacent the display. Software divides the screen into ten key label areas, each adjacent one of the key switches. Other programming assigns different labels to each key in different operation modes. One key will advance the system and display to a different menu depending on the mode. Another key will provide different help messages depending on the mode. When help is requested, the current display is saved and then restored when the help message is exited. The system beeps if an inappropriate key is pushed in any mode.

Abstract: A self-adjusting multicircuit brake switch is accomplished by employing a switch housing with an integral mounting means that is carried on a brake pedal actuation pin. The brake master cylinder push rod is also carried on the brake pedal actuation pin and directly actuates a plunger on the brake switch eliminating the need for adjustment. Multicircuit capability is provided by a plurality of blade switches that are actuated by the plunger with integral activation arms. The plunger's integral activation arms can be configured to: make or break electrical contacts when the plunger is depressed, mechanically break electrical contacts, sequence blade switch operation, and be micro-adjusted during production to compensate for component tolerance variations. Additionally, blade switches can be configured to provide contact wiping action.

Abstract: A pair of gloves and the handle of a golf club include self-gripping tape which forms a tenacious bond when engaged. Patches of such tape are located on inner surfaces of an end of each thumb of each glove, only at knuckles of at least three fingers of one glove, and only at knuckles of the second glove. Additional coacting patches of such tape are located on the palm of the second glove at the base of the thumb, and on the back of the thumb of the first glove.

Abstract: An anti-rotational device for a cam-operated timer is used in appliances with timer control knobs that recess when the appliance is operating. A spring biased axially displaceable shaft that carries a circular disc having teeth peripherally disposed around its circumference is provided. When the shaft is axially displaced by pressure on the timer control knob, the teeth on the circular disc engage raised tabs on the timer's housing, and the engagement prevents the shaft from rotating.

Abstract: A fluid status detection system includes a controller that has eight sets of sockets for mechanically receiving a solid state input module. The module may be either an one of two A.C. responsive moduled responsive to two different A.C. voltage ranges or a D.C. responsive module. Either module provides the same output, a one-bit-digital signal, to the controller via the sockets. The controller includes a relay, an alarm, and a display. The operator may select one or more indicator conditions individually for each of the socket sets from a plurality of possible indicator alarm conditions and store the conditions in the controller. The controller then responds to the one-bit-digital signals to provide an alarm or other programmed indication that a device, such as a fire alarm, connected to a particular socket set has been activated. The modules respond to a wide range of voltages, thus a wide range of devices may be connected to the controller.

Abstract: A timing mechanism has cams operating switches which control the functions of an appliance and another cam operating another switch supplying short pulses to a separate function such as a warning buzzer. A PTC thermistor is in series with the switch supplying the short pulses which when applied to the buzzer electrical circuit provides a short controlled "on" time to the buzzer even though power is applied to the complete switching system for an extended period of time by the timing mechanism.

Abstract: A uni-direction rotation device in a cam-operated timer is accomplished by coupling the timer control shaft to the camstack with a semi-circular tang and semi-circular slot connection. When the timer control knob is rotated in the biased or right direction, the slot is coupled to the tang, and the timer can be set. But when the timer control knob is rotated in the unbaised or wrong direction, the slot is uncoupled from the tang and the timer control knob rotates freely, so the timer cannot be set.

Abstract: A timing mechanism having electrical switches opening and closing in response to power driven rotating cams. The electrical switches are composed of fixed and movable electrical contact blades which include electrical contacts carried on the blades. For those blades which are switching currents of two amperes or less (120 VAC) a protuberance on one and/or both the fixed and movable blades may form the contact.

Abstract: A high accuracy fill control is accomplished by using a drop-drop cam-operated timer switch in parallel with an electromagnetic water valve in series with a motor start relay and main motor machine windings. The drop-drop cam-operated timer switches almost instantaneously from one position to another, so the timer air gap variable created by the normal rise to make and activate transition is eliminated and other variables are not introduced.

Abstract: The component mounting plate of a control console for an appliance such as a washer or dryer is retractable so that the console's knobs are flush with the appliance's outer trim panel.