Abstract: A lase diode light source (21) is arranged to emit light of a desired intensity (I1), which is transmitted via an optical conductor (22). Light exiting the fiber has an intensity (I.sub.2), and falls incident on the receiver surface of a photodiode (23). Such transmitted light provides both the power and control for operating a load (24). The load has a maximum impedance such that the maximum load input voltage required to produce the maximum desired load current does not exceed the forward conductive breakdown voltage of the photodiode.

Abstract: This invention provides two forms of improved guards for a roll-up door. The first form ( 58 or 59) is intended to prevent shifting cargo from intefering with becoming interlocked with the lowered door. This form has a vertically-elongated guard which is adapted to overlie the vertically-spaced hinges, and has opposite marginal end portions closely spaced to the knuckle portions of such hinges. This first form reduces the stepped configuration of prior art hinges, and therefore reduces the opportunity for shifting cargo to become interlocked with the door. The second form (111) is mounted on the door and track, and is designed to prevent shifting cargo from entering the space through which the door must pass as it its raised or lowered.

Abstract: An improved vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine in accordance with one embodiment, does not include a support tower but instead includes a bearing support for mounting a torque tube rotatably connected to blades, the bearing support being secured to ground by a plurality of guy cables. The torque tube may comprise a plurality of tube sections including an intermediate bearing and additional guy cables for supporting the torque tube to the ground in a vertical orientation. In another embodiment of the present invention, control means are disclosed for independently controlling the pitch of respective wind turbine blades in response to relative wind direction.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved support frame and extender for an adjustable bed which comprises an inclinable head frame portion 14 and an adjustable extender 19 slideably mounted on said head frame to bridge the space, S, between the head frame and the bed's post and filler apparatus 12 independent of the head frame angle of incline. The extender is slidably fastened to the head frame through the use of extender brackets 39 and is further supported by support bracket 40 and is interposed between the post 29 and first filler rod 36 of the post and filler assembly. As the head frame is inclined causing the space S to increase, the extender can be mannually slided to bridge the space thereby preventing inadvertant patient injury.

Abstract: An improved sterling silver alloy composition, exhibiting the desirable properties of reduced fire scale, reduced porosity and reduced grain size, consists essentially of the following parts by weight: about 92.5% silver, about 0.5% copper, about 4.25% zinc, about 0.02% indium, about 0.48% tin, about 1.25% of a boron-copper alloy containing about 2% boron and about 98% copper, and about 1% of a silicon-copper alloy containing about 10% silicon and about 90% copper.

Abstract: A shed-forming device for a textile machine which includes lift blades (e.g., 3) arranged to hookingly engage or slidably contact an associated hooking engagement element (e.g., 4) such that the hooking engagement element is either lifted into an upper shed position to effect a shed change or alternatively, is pivoted into an arrested lower shed position by the attractive force of an associated electromagnet (e.g., 5). The hooking engagement elements are arranged in pairs by flexible connecting elements (e.g., 9) which form a loop into which is disposed a roller (e.g., 12) operatively attached to a shed such as a harness (e.g., 13). A pulling force generated by the movement of the roller and harness serves to pivot or position the hooking engagement element for cooperation with the lift blades and accordingly, facilitates changing of the harness.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device has a male section (20) and a female section (21). Each of the sections has two rotatable ball valve elements (30,31). A docking member (23,24) is mounted on each section to accomodate a misalignment of the flow passageways when the sections are brought together. When the sections are brought together, the ball valves automatically rotate sequentially from flow-preventing positions to flow-permitting positions.

Abstract: An improved device (10) is arranged to drill one or more holes through the wall of a subterranean sewer (11). The device includes a frame (13) adapted to be positioned within the sewer and moved to a desired location relative thereto. Three plate-like members (40) are mounted on the frame for movement inwardly and outwardly in a radial direction. An actuator (56) is mounted to the frame, and is selectively operable to move the plate-like members radially outwardly. Each plate-like member carries a motor (18) and a chuck (16) grasping a drill (19). When the motors are energized, the drills rotate. When the actuator is energized, the drills move radially outwardly to bore holes through the conduit wall. The apparatus is used prior to application of grout or sealant in the repair of ground water leaks.

Abstract: An improved pressure relief device (40) for a pressure vessel (42) includes a thin-walled cylindrical tube (41) mounted on the pressure vessel such that the interiors of the vessel and tube continuoulsy communicate with one another. A flat (50) is ground, or otherwise machined, on the tube outer surface to form a weakened wall portion (54) of reduced wall thickness. The vessel is first filled with pressurized fluid through the tube. Thereafter, the remote marginal end portion of the tube is crimped together, and the remote end (44) thereof brazed (53) to hermetically seal the same. The weakened portion is so dimensioned and configured that, should the pressure differential across the tube wall exceed the burst pressure of the tube, the tube will rupture predictably along a longitudinally-extending line (55) in the outer surface of the weakened portion.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for measuring physical quantities, comprising an optical transducer (33) for sensing position, outgoing and return optical fibers (20,23), and an electronic control module (43). Light is generated at the control module and is transmitted by the outgoing optical fiber (20) to the optical transducer (33), which simultaneously varies the relative intensities of two different colors in a dissimilar manner in response to location of a positionable device (34,35) in the optical transducer. The modified intensity is transmitted back to the control module via the return optical fiber (23). The control module (43) measures the intensities of the two returning colors, and then outputs an electrical signal proportional to the intensity ratio for analog applications, or, alternatively, tests the intensity ratio against preselected constants and outputs discrete signals for digital application.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device has a male section (20) and a female section (21). Each of the sections has two rotatable ball-valve elements (30,31). A docking member (23,24) is mounted on each section to accommodate a misalignment of the flow passageways when the sections are brought together. When the sections are joined together, the ball valves automatically rotate sequentially from flow-preventing positions to flow-permitting positions.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism (20) for a ground-engaging tool is arranged as a swinging parallelogram such that the tool has varying components of velocity in the horizontal and vertical directions. The mechanism is synchronized such that the tool has a rearwardly-directed velocity component substantially equal to the forward ground speed of the frame, when the tool is in the vicinity of its bottom dead center position. Hence, the tool has a substantially-zero net horizontal velocity as it engages the ground. The tool may include a burner head (25) and/or an injector mechanism (26) for planting a pneumatically-delivered seed-vermiculite mixture through a sheet of imperforate plastic mulch.

Abstract: An improved joint construction (10) for a roll-up door includes specially-configured upper and lower panel sections (12, 11), a specially-configured hinge member (13) adapted to be longitudinally inserted into operative engagement wiht lower panel section, and a seal member (14) protectively concealed within a recess (73) in the upper panel section. The hinge member is coated with a low friction material to facilitate its longitudinal insertion into operative engagement with the lower panel section, and to facilitate relative movement of the adjacent panel sections. The lower panel section has an upwardly-extending lug (42) which is arranged to enter the recess in the upper panel section and compress the seal member when the adjacent panels are in vertically-aligned relation to one another.

Abstract: An improved coupling device (e.g., 134) has a first section (e.g., 135), a second section (e.g., 136), and a sleeve member (e.g., 138) mounted on one of the coupling sections and arranged to selectively engage the other coupling section. The sleeve member is provided with a weakened portion (e.g., 156). The weakened portion is formed of a suitable material and is so configured and arranged as to permit the two coupling sections to be physically separated from one another through thermally-induced flexural deformation of the weakened portion, without rotation of the sleeve member relative to either section, when the temperature of the weakened portion is greater than about 200.degree. F. but less than about 300.degree. F., and preferably about 266.degree. F.

Abstract: An "active" suspension system provides two parallel force-transmitting paths between the body and wheel of a vehicle. The first path has a main spring (41), and the second path includes an actuator (42) and a spring (43). LVDT's (53,55) are arranged to monitor the displacements of the actuator (42) and the spring (43). The actuator is arranged in a high-gain closed position or velocity servoloop. The actual force (F.sub.w) exerted by the suspension system on the body is determined and compared with a desired force (F.sub.c) to produce a force error signal (F.sub.e). The force error signal (F.sub.e) is converted to a command signal supplied to the servoloop. The servoloop operates the actuator (42) so as to continuously drive the force error signal (F.sub.e) toward zero.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for filling containers, such as can (C), has a tank (14) provided with a weir (30) over which liquid may fall and descend along a guide plate (32). The liquid falls from the guide plate as a sub-laminar rectangular sheet having, in transverse cross-section, a width (w) and a length (l). An endless stream of single-file series-abutting cans is moved beneath the guide plate, and through the length of the falling liquid sheet. Each can is just filled with liquid as it is moved the length of the liquid sheet, but without undue splashing of liquid or contamination of the can outer surfaces.