Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for monitoring the polar compound content of a liquid bath disposed within a cooking vat to insure the liquid bath remains suitable for human consumption while in use. The invention thus teaches the use of a capacitive probe configured take an initial measurement of the dielectric constant of the liquid bath and thereby define a shutdown criterion. The dielectric constant is then continuously measured during subsequent heating cycles and compared with the initial measurement. A shutdown procedure is triggered when the difference between the initial measurement and subsequent measurements reach a predetermined threshold defined by the shutdown criteria. In this manner, the polar content of the cooking vat is continuously and automatically monitored such that operator supervision is not necessary.

Abstract: An integrated filter body and adsorbent unit capable of being integrally fastened together for easy and economical assembly into a refrigerant pressure vessel assembly. The integrated filter and adsorbent unit includes a filter puck, an adsorbent unit mounted to the filter puck, and an integral feature on the filter puck for integrally fastening the adsorbent unit to the filter puck. The adsorbent unit includes a desiccant bag and a flap that has a mounting aperture and a fastening hole extending therethrough. The filter puck includes a disc-shaped body portion and a projection for cooperation with the fastening hole of the adsorbent unit. The projection is displaced to form an enlarged head for trapping the flap of the desiccant bag to the filter puck.

Abstract: An accumulator having an improved baffle connection and a related method of interlocking an outlet tube and baffle within annular grooves of a passage of an enclosure to prevent blow by of liquid refrigerant fluid past the baffle connection. The baffle includes a cylindrical extension having a mounting passage through which an outlet tube extends. The cylindrical extension and outlet tube extend into the passage of the enclosure and are engaged within one or more of the annular grooves of the enclosure to interlock the baffle and outlet tube to the enclosure. The enclosure preferably includes a puck having the passage therethrough, where the puck is inserted into a canister and then welded thereto.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for automatically analyzing a blood sample having a pumping assembly, a dilution assembly and a measuring assembly. The pumping assembly includes pumps for air, lysis and diluent. The dilution assembly includes a sampling needle, and containers for waste, white corpuscle dilution, and red corpuscle dilution. The measuring assembly includes a measuring chamber, and a device for counting platelets, red corpuscles, white corpuscles and hemoglobin in the blood sample. Both red and white corpuscles are counted in the same measuring chamber. A plurality of pipes establish fluid communication between the elements of the apparatus. A plurality of electro-valves are adapted to automatically open and close the pipes thereby regulating fluid flow between the pumping assembly, the dilution assembly and the measuring assembly. One of the electro-valves is adapted to shutoff a diluent source and substitute water therefor, whereby the apparatus is rinsed with the water to avoid crystalization.

Abstract: A projection screen apparatus for reproducing the coherence between a visual image and associated acoustic signals. The projection screen apparatus includes a sound broadcasting device and screen that is transparent to sound waves disposed between the sound broadcasting device and the audience, whereby the projection of video and sound broadcasting are simultaneously implemented with respect to the audience. The screen includes multiple layers of white fabric that are superimposed and joined together such that the screen provides a surface that is both transparent to sound and sufficiently opaque to view a projected image.

Abstract: A wheel cover assembly having an array of pocket inserts correspondingly disposed within an array of turbine pockets of a wheel cover for providing multitudes of different decorative wheel appearances. The pocket inserts are fastened to the wheel cover using an integral snap tab arrangement including integral snap tabs that extend in an inboard direction from the inboard surface of the wheel cover and that are disposed around each turbine pocket. The pocket inserts include integral snap tabs, corresponding to the integral snap tabs of the wheel cover, that extend in an inboard direction from an inboard surface of the pocket insert, and thereby interlock with the integral snap tabs of the wheel cover to retain the pocket inserts within the turbine pockets of the wheel cover. Surface treatments of the wheel cover and pocket inserts can be varied to provide a contrasting decorative appearance across the wheel cover assembly.

Abstract: Looseness in the fit of a wristwatch to the wrist of a user is taken up by affixing a thin spacer to the back of the watch. The spacer is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material with a pressure sensitive adhesive on a surface thereof, and is affixed to the watch, after cleaning of the watch if necessary, by pressing the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the spacer against the watch. Spacers are packaged in spaced apart multiples on a display card, with a removable transparent film covering the spacers on the display card.

Abstract: An accumulator for an automotive air-conditioning system includes a suction tube having an inlet leg, an outlet leg, and a bight therebetween. A pickup filter is mounted to the bight of the suction tube and cooperates with a desiccant bag. The pickup filter has a clasp circumscribing a portion of the bight, wherein the clasp includes a flange extending therefrom. The pickup filter further has a screen filter body extending integrally and downwardly from the clasp. The desiccant bag includes a flap extending from one end, wherein the flap includes an aperture therethrough defining a locating edge at one end or side thereof. The aperture of the desiccant bag mounts over the pickup filter with the locating edge of the flap locating against a portion of the clasp of the pickup filter to assist in retaining the desiccant bag in position on the pickup filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deep drawing a heavy gage workpiece into a drawn part. A lower die section includes a die cavity therein and a base mounting surface thereon, and further includes a die radius defined between the base mounting surface and the die cavity. Riser blocks mount to the base mounting surface of the die for supporting the workpiece at a predetermined elevation above the base mounting surface of the die. A punch having an end face is capable of reciprocating past the riser blocks and into and out of the die cavity. The workpiece is located on the riser blocks over the die cavity. The punch is advanced from a retracted position into the die cavity, wherein the end face of the punch contacts the workpiece such that the punch and the riser blocks cooperate to pre-form the workpiece therebetween as the punch moves toward the die, but before the workpiece enters the die cavity.

Abstract: A thermal protection device adapted to extend along a surface to be protected from a thermally and mechanically severe external environment, having an inside face adapted to face the surface to be protected and an outside face adapted to be exposed to the external environment, includes a composite layer containing a refractory armature buried in a thermally insulative material matrix, the device further including a ceramic, metal or metalloid external layer of which the outside face is part and which is attached to the composite layer.

Abstract: A hanger for supporting and drying a flak vest, the hanger including an upper support, a lower support, and a vertical support connected therebetween. The upper support includes a cross-member portion and a hook portion extending upwardly therefrom. The vertical support includes an upper end connected to the cross-member, opposite the hook portion. The vertical support extends downwardly to an adjustable collar portion, and further downwardly terminating in a lower end. The lower end of the vertical support couples to the lower support at a base portion thereof. Retainers extend upwardly from the base portion on opposite sides of the vertical support so as to define retaining channels between the retainers and vertical support.

Abstract: A lock which incorporates a digital programmable microprocessing interface capable of user-programming whereby a programmed combination opens the lock. According to one embodiment of the lock, there can be as many as approximately 10×106 possible different combinations which may be entered by the user. The operation of the lock is driven by an electric signal derived from the combination, and that electrical signal is sent to a motor assembly inside the lock body in response to which there is a disengagement of a set of locking balls from a locking bar, which with the assistance of a springing mechanism causes the locking device to open automatically.

Abstract: A vessel assembly and related assembly method that includes a flexible J-tube assembly that bends in compliance during assembly to a vessel to ensure locating of a filter unit against an inside bottom surface of the vessel while accommodating longitudinal part tolerances greater than that of the prior art. The flexible J-tube assembly is disposed within the interior of the vessel such that an upper end of the flexible J-tube assembly is connected to an inside top portion of the vessel, and a distal end of the flexible J-tube assembly is located against the inside bottom surface of the vessel. The resiliency of the flexible J-tube assembly permits the distal portion of the flexible J-tube assembly to stay located against the inside bottom portion of the vessel regardless of longitudinal dimensional variations of the flexible J-tube assembly and the vessel.

Abstract: A cantilevered conduit connection including a connecting block circumscribing a conduit and mounting to a fluid component where an anti-cantilever fastener mounts to a back surface of the connecting block. The anti-cantilever fastener includes a cusp portion bent toward and in contact with the back surface and induces a positive bending moment across the back surface of the connecting block for urging the connecting block flat against the fluid component and for positioning the conduit squarely within the fluid component. A device for fastening the anti-cantilever fastener and connecting block to the fluid component is also provided.

Abstract: A compact adjustable pedal system for adjusting a pedal with respect to a datum on a reaction member of a vehicle having a support mounted within the vehicle that establishes an axis of actuation for the adjustable pedal system. A pedal arm that includes a pivot end mounted to and pivotable about the axis of actuation, and that extends downward from the pivot end and terminates in a pedal end having the pedal attached thereto. A slave arm is also mounted to and pivotable about a slave axis, and includes an adjustment end opposite the pivot end. A powered screw adjustment device connects the adjustment end of the slave arm to a point on the pedal arm intermediate the pivot end and pedal end. The powered screw is positioned for pivoting the pedal arm with respect to the slave arm, either about the axis of actuation or about an offset end of the pedal arm establishing an axis of adjustment.

Abstract: A receptacle-type heating device for automatically warming and vibrating a multitude of containers simultaneously in order to thaw, warm, and mix cold or frozen liquid in an expedient and accurate manner. The device heats each container to a desired temperature using heat exchange of heated water with the container. The device includes a heater block having multiple wells therein, and removable reservoirs disposed respectively within the wells for receiving the water. Heating elements are disposed between the removable reservoirs and the heater block within the wells for heating the removable reservoirs, the water, and the containers placed therein. The container typically is a baby bottle, syringe, test tube, or the like.

Abstract: A dual-plane sealing configuration for a fluid-tight conduit connection that incorporates additional sealing areas and minimizes assembly misalignment. A gasket is mounted around a conduit, sandwiched between an end-form block and a receiver, and compressed therebetween using a fastener fitted through the end-form block and threaded into the receiver. The gasket has a formed pilot that pilots around the conduit and is sandwiched between the conduit and a chamfer in the receiver to establish a secondary seal. The gasket incorporates features such as a fold-over tab and a non-uniform embossment to counteract the cantilever behavior of the conduit connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biogenic residues, especially cafeteria leftovers, meat refuse, clarification sludge, organic industrial wastes and the like, wherein the residues are subjected to temperature pressure hydrolysis. In order to obtain a higher flow rate for residues using a small apparatus, the invention provides that temperature pressure hydrolysis is carried out in a cylindrical section in a first direction and in an external radial section in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A device for exchanging heat with a flat product moving in front of the device that includes a device for placing at least one plenum chamber under gaseous pressure, the plenum chamber having on a front face several blades forming a duct for the ejection of the gas towards a surface of the flat product, the blades being superimposed upon one another in the direction of movement of the flat product and constituting an outlet orifice for the gas extending in the direction of the width of the flat product. The plenum chamber has a width in the direction of the width of the flat product sufficient to allow the evacuation of the gas on both sides of the plenum chamber.

Abstract: A device for starting a gas turbine in an aircraft includes an electrical power supply delivering a direct current and a drive electric motor connected to the power supply, independent of the turbine to be started and having an output shaft mechanically coupled to an input shaft of the turbine to rotate with it. The drive electric motor is a three-phase alternating current synchronous motor and is controlled by an inverter connected to the power supply. Applications include situations in which the turbine to be driven is a high-power turbine.