Abstract: A laser marker system for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length and a single laser source. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The single laser source is arranged so that its energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The single laser source includes segmented reflecting means for generating a plurality of output energy beams to create a column of spots on the substrate with a higher resolution. The segmented reflecting means is comprised of a back-reflecting mirror which is formed of a plurality of different mirror segments. A device is provided for moving each of the plurality of different mirror segments between a lasing position and a non-lasing position to vary the number of output energy beams and thus the number of spots on the substrate.

Abstract: An optical fibre sensor system comprising a transmitter, a receiver and a sensor interconnected by an optical link. An optical source at the transmitter transmits to the sensor via the optical link two optical signals at different wavelengths. The sensor transmits to the receiver via the optical link measurement and reference signals, the measurement signal being derived by modulating the intensity of one of the two optical signals in dependence upon a parameter monitored by the sensor and the reference signal having an intensity which has a predetermined relationship with the intensity of the other optical signal. The receiver compares the intensities of the measurement and reference signals to derive a measure of the monitored parameter. The two wavelengths are selected such that changes in the intensities of the optical signals resulting from variations in the temperature of the optical source are minimised or are of substantially equal magnitude for both the optical signals.

Abstract: An adhesion promoting composition for use on polyolefin substrates which is formulated with a chlorinated polyolefin in a water-based emulsion.

Abstract: The blast machine consists of a self-propelled vehicle including a pair of independently driven magnetic treads capable of adhering to and traversing ferromagnetic vertical surfaces and the underside of ferromagnetic horizontal surfaces. The blast machine includes a blast unit having a pair of blast wheels supported on the magnetic treads for propelling the blast unit over ferromagnetic surfaces The blast unit is mounted so as to be able to pivot about two axes relative to the treads so that the treads can follow and traverse curved surfaces without changing the orientation of the blast unit. The treads can also flex allowing them to traverse surfaces having varying contours.

Abstract: An ozone and heat resistant polymer blend prepared from a first solid, high acrylonitrile nitrile/conjugated diene copolymer and a second, solid, fully hydrogenated nitrile/conjugated diene copolymer, blended in a ratio of about 70:30 to about 50:50.

Abstract: A resin is prepared by the reaction of a phenol, an aldehyde and an aliphatic hydroxy compound containing two or more hydroxy groups per molecule in the presence of a divalent metal ion catalyst. These resins react with polyisocyanates to form polyurethanes that are useful binders for foundry cores and molds.

Abstract: An audit system for recording the activation of coin-operated electronic equipment and the amounts of money collected employing a real-time clock to time stamp information recorded in non-volatile or battery powered memory, such as total collections, number of games played, etc. The system also allows selective pricing based on a time of day schedule.

Abstract: The optical ball sensor consists of an optical sensor consisting of a light emitter and light detector mounted on a printed circuit board. Light from the emitter is transmitted through a light pipe across the path of travel of the ball and through another light pipe back to the detector. When a rolling pinball interrupts the light beam, a signal is delivered to the game microprocessor. The microprocessor can be programmed to respond to the signal in any number of ways, for example, the microprocessor can score points, initiate other play features and the like.

Abstract: The prism pole consists of an extensible aluminum pole that can be adjusted between a length of 30 and 47 inches. The pole has a hardened steel point on one end thereof and a prism assembly on its opposite end. The prism pole also has a steel point mounted to the prism assembly such that the pole can be turned "upside down" placing the prism assembly approximately 4 inches from the point being measured. To assist in plumbing the prism pole, two level vials are provided, the first being observable when the pole is in the upright position and the second being observable when the pole is in the upside down position.

Abstract: A method for forming a carbide coating of Group IVA, VA and VIA transition metals and their alloys. The metal to be coated is heated in a bath of molten alkali or alkaline earth metal containing carbon. There is also provided a method for preparing a metal surface for carburization by heating the metal in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A supply tank having a plurality of dip tubes extending therein is provided. One dip tube is provided for each storage tank that is to be filled by the supply tank. The dip tubes are of different lengths, and their lengths are related to the amount of syrup each dip tube is to deliver. A source of compressed gas communicates with the tank to force the syrup in the tank up the desired dip tube and into the delivery line connected to the onsite syrup storage tank. When the level of syrup in the tank falls below the end of the dip tube through which delivery is being made, the flow of fluid therethrough stops, and the compressed gas forces all of the syrup in the delivery line into the storage tank. By controlling the length of the dip tubes the amount of syrup delivered can be controlled.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated storage vessel holds a quantity of LNG for delivery to a pressure building tank. The pressure building tank maintains a natural gas head over the LNG. The pressure in the pressure building tank is lowered using liquid nitrogen (LN.sub.2) to condense the natural gas head and is raised by vaporizing the LNG. A valve system connects the supply of LNG in the pressure building tank to the fuel tank of the vehicle being supplied to allow either LNG or natural gas to be delivered to the vehicle tank and allows natural gas in the tank to be vented back to the fueling station. The fueling station of the invention includes suitable controls for controlling the pressure and temperature of the LNG delivered to the vehicle, the pressure and temperature in the fueling station itself and the pressure and temperature in the vehicle fuel tank.

Abstract: Laser marker apparatus for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length, a plurality of lasers, a plurality of turning mirrors, and at least one directing mirror. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The plurality of lasers is arranged so that their energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The plurality of turning mirrors are positioned along the beam path of each respective laser and are oriented to reflect the output beams at predetermined angles. The directing mirrors redirect the output beams to form a column of spaced apart spots on the substrate. One of the directing mirrors is then moved in a first direction so as to form another column of spots on the substrate. Movement in another direction forms a third column of spots on the substrate. The columns are interleaved to create a composite column of higher resolution for marking Alpha-numeric characters.

Abstract: The fueling station of the invention consists of a vacuum insulated storage tank for storing large quantities of LNG at low pressure. A delivery line connects the LNG in the storage tank with a fill line to engage the use device such as a vehicle's fuel tank at the fueling station. A meter is provided to deliver a metered amount of LNG to the vehicle. A pump is used to sub-cool the LNG and convey it from the storage tank to the delivery hose and an eductor is provided to gradually draw vaporized LNG from the storage tank into the delivery line. The fill line, pump, eductor and delivery hose are vacuum jacketed to prevent vaporization of the LNG. A circulation loop is provided to sub-cool the pump, eductor and meter prior to delivering LNG to the vehicle in order to ensure that vaporized natural gas is not delivered to the use device. In an alternate embodiment a heat exchanger using LN.sub.2 or other coolant can be used in place of the pump to sub-cool the LNG.

Abstract: Laser marker apparatus for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length, a plurality of lasers, a plurality of turning mirrors, and at least one directing mirror. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The plurality of lasers is arranged so that their energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The plurality of turning mirrors are positioned along the beam path of each respective laser and are oriented to reflect the output beams at predetermined angles. The directing mirrors redirect the output beams to form a column of spaced apart spots on the substrate. One of the directing mirrors is then moved in a first direction so as to form another column of spots on the substrate. Movement in another direction forms a third column of spots on the substrate. The columns are interleaved to create a composite column of higher resolution for marking Alpha-numeric characters.

Abstract: The play feature of the invention consists of a three level target assembly where the uppermost level is mounted on a section of the playfield. The two lower levels are mounted to the underside of the playfield section such that upon activation of the play feature's drive system, the playfield section is raised to sequentially expose the two lower levels. In the preferred embodiment, the upper level includes ball ejector holes, the middle level includes button targets and the lower level includes ball diverting chutes. The game's microprocessor can be programmed to allow the ball ejector holes to eject the trapped ball only after the player completes a predetermined series of shots using a second ball. In such a situation, the ejection of the trapped ball will result in multi-ball play where more than one ball is in play at the same time.

Abstract: Shoes for horses are fabricated from a plastic material which is reinforced by kinked metal wire. The shoes are lightweight, readily formable, have good wear properties and are much easier on the horse than metal shoes. The reinforced plastic material is also useful for fabrication of hoof pads.

Abstract: The delivery system of the invention overcomes the above-noted shortcomings and consists of at least two stainless steel, rigid syrup storage tanks. The tanks are connected to a carbonated beverage mixer and dispenser via a automatic vacuum selector valve. The valve operates to change over between tanks when the tank providing syrup becomes empty and a vacuum is created in the supply line to the selector valve. The vacuum is created in the supply line by an automatically operating valve that closes the supply line when the tank is empty. A cleaning system is also provided that can be connected to the vent of the empty tank to clean it before it is refilled with syrup. A drain line cooperates with the valve to maintain the valve in its open position and allow the cleaning fluid to drain from the tank.