Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas S. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 4461935
    Abstract: In a hand video controller having two portions (11, 13) tiltable with respect to each other to make or break a series of spaced electrical switch contacts (26) to move a video cursor and having one-piece spring (47) having inner and outer connected rings (31, 33) to return the portions to a neutral position, an improved spring mounting comprising a mounting block (15) having a bearing recess (19) attached to one controller portion (11), a switch operator holding member (20) having a matching bearing surface extension (22) and attached to the other controller portion (13), switch contact means (27) between the block and holding member, and wherein the rings of the spring are connected respectively to and between the block and holding member and tilting movement of the controller portions deflect the spring rings and bring spaced flexible switch operators (28) extending from the holding member into contact with at least one of the switch contacts (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Texticon
    Inventor: John L. Guenther
  • Patent number: 4458597
    Abstract: A cartridge with firing actuation of the payload comprises a case solid with a case bottom which houses a threaded member constituting an ejection nozzle, and in front of the latter a missile provided with a delay ignition chain interrupted at the level of a transversally movable slide which comes into fire transmission position only after a predetermined delay. The cartridge has in addition a striker device actuated on impact so as to ignite the delay firing chain on impact, and a stabilizer device ensuring an axial deceleration permitting the satisfactory operation of the striker on impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices SA
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Reynes
  • Patent number: 4458114
    Abstract: A hand controller for use in controlling the motion of a cursor on a video display comprises a spherical surface on which is mounted a flat plate. On the bottom of the flat plate is a unique electrical switch capable of indicating the direction in which the flat plate is rocked over the spherical surface. Attached to the bottom of the flat plate adjacent the spherical surface is a spring consisting of a substantially flat center position and four spiralling arms extending from the periphery of said center portion to attach to the structure on which the spherical surface is mounted. When the flat plate is rocked over said spherical surface, the spring generates a restoring force which, upon removal of the rocking force, restores the flat plate to its nominal position. The spring makes possible rocking motion of the flat plate over the spherical surface without pinning the flat plate to a point on the spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: Gordon H. May
  • Patent number: 4434222
    Abstract: A photoconductor material having high sensitivity to infrared light is provided therefore making it suitable for use in laser printers. The photoconductor of this invention has a dark decay of approximately 40 volts/second, thereby enhancing the use of this invention with infrared laser printers as compared to prior art infrared sensitive photoconductors. The photoconductor of this invention comprises cadmium sulfide (CdS), cadmium selenide (CdSe), cadmium carbonate (CdCO.sub.3) and cadmium oxide (CdO) in a binder, and preferably also includes a small amount of copper dopant. The photoconductor of this invention is prepared by adding ammonia to a suspension of cadmium sulfide/cadmium carbonate in water and then adding hydrogen selenide to this suspended solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: Benson, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary J. Wegener, Morris Feinleib
  • Patent number: 4433217
    Abstract: A hand controller for use in controlling the motion of a cursor on a video display comprises a spherical surface on which is mounted a flat plate. On the bottom of the flat plate is a unique electrical switch capable of indicating the direction in which the flat plate is rocked over the spherical surface. Attached to the bottom of the flat plate adjacent the spherical surface is a spring consisting of a substantially flat center portion and four spiralling arms extending from the periphery of said center portion to attach to the structure on which the spherical surface is mounted. When the flat plate is rocked over said spherical surface, the spring generates a restoring force which, upon removal of the rocking force, restores the flat plate to its nominal position. The spring makes possible rocking motion of the flat plate over the spherical surface without pinning the flat plate to a point on the spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Koala Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William M. Griffith
  • Patent number: 4424130
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving and lifting the rake assembly in a sedimentation basin. An annular hub is mounted on the main gear member, such hub having slot means through which vertical edges of a vertically-extending rectangular torque-plate are slidably affixed. Torque is transmitted from the gear member, through the hub slot means, to the torque plate and to the rake assembly which is attached generally at the bottom of the torque plate. Side loads (horizontal unbalanced rake loads) are transmitted from the vertical edges of the torque plate through the hub slots to the main gear bearing in the drive. Means is also provided attached to the torque-plate to move the torque-plate upwardly through the slot means so as to raise and lower the rake assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. King
  • Patent number: 4419539
    Abstract: A structure for transmitting an optical signal which allows physical separation of the optical source from the point of optical output, thereby preventing noise or interference due to the optical source being located in the vicinity of sensitive electrical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Arrigoni Computer Graphics
    Inventor: David M. Arrigoni
  • Patent number: 4415941
    Abstract: A linear actuator for translating accessing transducers such as read/write heads along a straight line path of travel relative to a rotating magnetic disk includes a carriage, a flat coil mounted to the disk and having an effective winding extending transversely at the rear end of the carriage, one pair of rollers mounted at right angles to each other at one side of the carriage in rolling engagement upon a cylindrical guide rail, two pairs of rollers similarly mounted at the other side of the carriage in rolling engagement upon a second guide rail. The second guide rail is fixedly mounted to a base frame; the other guide rail is pivotally mounted parallel to the other rail and is biased by a spring to preload the single pair of rollers against the pivotal rail. A pair of block magnets are mounted at the rear end of the base frame with a gap therebetween that is aligned with the path of travel of the effective winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Atasi Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Gibeau, Paul L. Farmer
  • Patent number: 4414594
    Abstract: A dual motor linear actuator is disclosed for use in a magnetic disc drive device. It includes a carriage reciprocatably guided between a pair of guide rails, with the accessing transducers being mounted to its inner end. Separate rectangular drive coils are affixed in symmetrical outboard relationship at the sides of the body of the carriage. The actuator assembly further includes two pairs of slab shaped magnets mounted to E-shaped magnet support structures that are integrally formed with the base of the disc drive device. The magnets are mounted to form two air gaps that are symmetrically disposed relative to a center plane and so that they respectively cooperate with the drive coils to apply motive forces on the carriage generally along two lines that are equidistantly spaced from the aforesaid plane of symmetry. The outer ends of pole pieces of the two magnet support structures are rigidly interconnected by a single plate that acts as an end pole piece for both magnet support structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Atasi Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Farmer, Frank C. Gibeau, Stanley F. Brown, Garold W. Plonczak
  • Patent number: 4275020
    Abstract: A dissolving tank for dissolving a large amount of gas in a liquid and including a generally horizontally disposed tray (28) (29) mounted within the tank (2) (21) to divide the tank (2) (21) into an upper reaction zone (36) and a lower discharge zone (38). The tray (28) (29) has formed therein both a central opening (34) (35) for fluid communication between the discharge zone (38) and the reaction zone (36) and peripheral openings (32) (33) which allow any liquid which collects on the tray (28) (29) to flow from reaction zone (36) to discharge zone (38). The dissolving tank further includes liquid feed means (10) positioned within the tank (2) (21) below the tray (28) (29) to discharge liquid upwardly through the central opening (34) (35) of the tray (28) (29) and into the reaction zone (36). The dissolving tank further includes liquid distribution means (14) mounted within the tank (2) (21) above the tray (28) (29) and having flared sidewalls (15) and a vertically-oriented distribution orifice (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: David DiGregorio, Daniel McCarthy, Keith J. Mounteer, Charles D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4273558
    Abstract: Total organic carbon in an aqueous sample containing halide ion is determined by preparing an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing agent and mercuric monohalide ion without forming an insoluble precipitate, introducing the sample into the solution so formed, irradiating the solution and sample with ultraviolet energy to oxidize organic matter in the sample to produce carbon dioxide, sparging the carbon dioxide so produced from the solution, and measuring total carbon in the carbon dioxide. The aqueous solution is prepared by mixing the oxidizing agent with a solution containing mercuric monohalide ion, which is formed by adding a quantity of mercuric halide and a quantity of mercuric nitrate to an aqueous solution containing nitric acid, where the molar concentration of the mercuric halide is at least equal to the molar concentration of the mercuric nitrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventor: Danny M. Mar
  • Patent number: 4265587
    Abstract: A quick-coupling locking mechanism is provided comprising a C-shaped attachment means (2) which is secured to a service module (C) of any type and a toggle linkage assembly which is secured to a service vehicle (B). The C-shaped attachment means (2) is formed to define a lifting hook (3) at its top and a holding hook (4) at its bottom. The linkage assembly includes a horizontal lifting bar (5) for engagement with the lifting hook (3) and a horizontal holding bar (6) for engagement with the holding hook (4). The linkage assembly is selectively operable to move the lifting bar (5) into secure engagement with the lifting hook (3) to raise the service module (C) such that the holding hook (4) is brought into engagement with the holding bar (6). The linkage assembly further includes separating means (21) responsive to the movement of the assembly to force the lifting bar (5) away from the holding bar (6) to lock the lifting bar (5) and the holding bar (6) into secure engagement with the attachment means (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Clark
  • Patent number: 4264411
    Abstract: A separator assembly (30) for an evaporator comprises an ensemble of spaced-apart corrugated vanes (31) mounted in a hollow cylindrical configuration at the outlet (22) of the evaporator. The spacing between adjacent vanes (31) is such as to prevent line-of-sight passage of vapor between adjacent vanes (31) from the outer wall (33) to the inner wall (34) of the ensemble. The upper end of the ensemble of vanes (31) is secured to an annular support member (32), which is secured to the evaporator circumjacent the outlet (22). A closure member (40) is secured to the lower end of the ensemble. The annular support member (32) and the closure member (40) prevent vapor from leaving the evaporator via any path other than tortuous path between adjacent vanes (31) in a direction from the outer wall (33) to the inner wall (34). Droplets entrained in the vapor passing through the separator assembly (30) impinge upon the vanes (31) and are thereby separated from the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventor: Charles B. Almond, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4257849
    Abstract: A coke guide fumes control system includes a hood overlying a coke guide and apparatus for continuously evacuating the hood during a coke pushing operation. Several types of apparatus are illustrated. Some types are self-contained, including blowers and filter mechanisms mounted on the coke guide hood. The fumes and dusts from the pushing operation are evacuated through the filter mechanism under suction established by the blower, and the purified air pulled through the blower is exhausted to atmosphere. Alternatively, the hood can include slot-like nozzles cooperating with the blower to generate an air curtain which is directed down the sides of the coke guide to prevent the escape of contaminants through openings typically provided in the sides of such coke guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Pramodh Nijhawan, Joseph M. Duckworth
  • Patent number: 4256553
    Abstract: A process and system are provided for recovering copper from chalcopyrite concentrate. The chalcopyrite is ground to a mean particle size of about 1.5-5 microns. The ground chalcopyrite is then divided into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is leached in a leach solution containing at least about 100 gpl sulfuric acid and about 10-30 gpl ferric iron to produce a copper sulfate solution containing about 40-75 gpl dissolved copper and less than about 5 gpl ferric iron. The second stream of ground chalcopyrite is combined with the copper sulfate solution and with sulfur dioxide such that the combination reacts to precipitate dissolved copper from the copper sulfate solution as simple copper sulfides and to produce a liquor containing dissolved ferrous iron. The simple copper sulfides are then separated from the ferrous iron liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Frank A. Baczek, Bruce C. Wojcik, Alexander A. Jueschke, Daniel M. Lewis, Jack C. Otto, Lawrence L. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 4256466
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process provided for increasing the fuel value of off-gas (20) recovered from oxygen blowing steel converters (10, 100). Carbon is introduced into an off-gas capture hood (22) to react with carbon dioxide therein to form carbon monoxide. A carbon dioxide curtain (61) is formed which surrounds the inlet end of the gas capture device (22) to prevent air from entering the capture device. Carbon dioxide is drawn from the carbon dioxide curtain (61) into the capture device (22) to mix with the gases therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventor: Frank C. Braemer
  • Patent number: 4161395
    Abstract: A vacuum receiver comprising a closed top vertical cylindrical tank with a central vacuum takeoff at the top, a tangential downwardly inclined feed conduit in the sidewall, an inverted conical bottom section with anti-swirl baffles therein, and a barometric leg extending downwardly from the apex of the bottom to termination in submergence in a lower seal tank. A conduit is provided to recycle a portion of discharge liquor from the seal tank to the top of the barometric leg. The slope of the conical bottom does not exceed about 40.degree. from the vertical wall and inclination of the inlet conduit is about 15.degree. from horizontal. The barometric leg length and diameter as well as the liquor recycle rate are selected to optimize final liquor discharge rate at prevailing vacuum and foam conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Norris K. Brown, James W. Foust
  • Patent number: 4157301
    Abstract: Filter drum having its surface divided by longitudinal division strips into a plurality of separate filtration sectors each of which is provided with a plurality of lead and trail ports. In each sector, all lead ports communicate with a single manifold through ports in the manifold wall, the manifold is in turn connected to a filter valve by a single conduit; and all trail ports register with ports in another manifold in turn connected by a single conduit to the filter valve. The manifolds are formed as rectangular conduits secured to the inside of the drum wall and extending the full length thereof. The boundaries between adjacent manifolds are located under division strips. The manifold for a given sector is physically located next to the manifold connected to the lead port for the next succeeding adjacent sector. The ports are formed as elongated slots in the drum deck as close as possible and parallel to the division strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventor: Willi A. Wegener
  • Patent number: 4147634
    Abstract: A segmented cake discharge deflector blade for rotary drum filters. Each segment includes a straight blade mounted on a plurality of spaced apart U-shaped flat steel springs with the free edge of the straight blade extending beyond the closed end of the U. The face of the filter tank is provided with a clamp for receiving the free end of the other leg of each spring. The springs are preselected for proper tension. Complemental elements on the tank wall and springs cooperative with each other provide proper positioning of the free edge of the blade segments relative to the drum face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventor: Willi A. Wegener
  • Patent number: 4147756
    Abstract: In a cooperative combination of two scrubbing systems, the first scrubbing system operates upon combustion gases with an aqueous solution to remove hydrogen chloride gas and other chlorine components. The second scrubbing system subsequently operates upon the combustion gases with a sodium-base solution to absorb sulfur oxides. The products of the two scrubbing systems are treated in combination to form a material for disposal and to generate the aqueous scrubbing solution for the chloride scrubbing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Dahlstrom, William Ellison, James H. Wilhelm