Abstract: A charging apparatus with multiple charge stations is disclosed. The apparatus includes a single power supply which operates under the control of a microprocessor to charge a plurality of battery packs disposed in respective charging stations. Associated with each charging station is a wiring harness assembly which includes an EEPROM memory chip having one or more stored charging algorithms for the type or types of battery packs to be charged at that charging station. The microprocessor reads the charging algorithm from a charging station's memory chip when a battery pack is inserted in the charging station. The microprocessor utilizes a feedback control loop including a resistor network to regulate the charging current and charging voltage supplied to each battery pack being charged.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier having a tubular base for telescopic interconnection with a receiver type trailer hitch is disclosed. A channel bracket is secured to the base and has upstanding mounting arms straddling a spaced pair of tubular uprights lower end portions which are pivotally connected to the mounting arms. An inverted channel straddles and is pivotally connected to the upright upper portions. A bicycle mounting section is secured to the channel. The section includes mechanism for securing a bicycle to the carrier for transport. The uprights, channel and section are moveable relative to the base between an upright bicycle transport position and a lowered access position. A double latching system releasably retains the carrier in its transport position. A shock absorber is interposed between the base and a first of the uprights to cushion movement from the transport to the access position.

Abstract: A method of treating a waste material, such as a radioactive waste material, by introducing the material into a high temperature reaction vessel such as an electric arc furnace. By controlling the reducing potential of the oxide phase formed in the reaction vessel, the concentration of the waste material in the oxide phase can be controlled. In addition, the morphology of the oxide phase can be controlled so that once the concentration of the waste material in the oxide phase is adjusted as desired, the waste material can be sequestered within the crystal lattice of the cooled oxide phase for subsequent disposal.

Abstract: A mount assembly provides for the mounting of service lines of a variety of types and sizes to a support structure, such as a frame rail for an over-the-highway truck or tractor, with relative ease. The mount assembly includes a mount having a saddle for securing the service line to the mount with a self-sizing tie and having a latch for securing the mount to the support structure. The strap of another tie may be inserted through an opening of the support structure and through an opening of the latch such that a ratchet positioned in relation to the latch opening engages at least one of a plurality of sloping teeth of the strap. A spacer of the mount provides a clearance area for the service line from the support structure so as to minimize or avoid any gathering of debris between the service line and the support structure and therefore minimize or avoid any chafing or corrosion of the service line or of the support structure.

Abstract: Transport apparatus for use in a drinks vending machine. The apparatus comprises a holder for receiving and holding a cup, and transport mechanism to move the cup to a dispensing region. The dispensing region comprises a plurality of dispensers, from a selected number of which, ingredients can be dispensed to the cup. Thereafter, the transport mechanism moves the cup to a delivery position to deliver the cup to an operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved glow plug controller. The glow plug controller includes an analog temperature sensor, circuitry for converting an analog temperature signal to digital form, a microprocessor for analyzing temperature and other operating parameters and for controlling glow plugs and monitoring indicators in accordance with algorithms defined in the microprocessor. The temperature and control signals from the microprocessor are converted to analog form and applied to actuate glow plugs and indicators in accordance with determinations made by the microprocessor. A specific embodiment includes a manual override for facilitating operation even if the microprocessor should fail. A false temperature input is provided so that a false temperature representation can be directly applied to the microprocessor for factory and service center testing of microprocessor operation. Glow plug operation is controlled by way of a relay and multiple, independently fused glow plug circuits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling an output variable of a process having long dead times and delay times, for example for controlling the interior temperature of an absorber refrigerator, and also relates to an apparatus for carrying out such a method. The output variable of the process, such as the interior temperature, is sampled and compared with a desired value in order to determine a desired value deviation. In dependence on the determined desired value deviation, a manipulated variable, such as the power supplied to the absorber, is calculated in such a manner that the output variable of the process is brought near to the desired value. After the lapse of a waiting time, a value of the manipulated variable is newly determined. During the waiting time, the manipulated variable is not altered. The waiting time is calculated on the basis of the difference between the value of the manipulated variable and an earlier value of the manipulated variable.

Abstract: A conveyor system for gripping and transporting plastic film is disclosed in the environment of a packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belts as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. Alternate conveyor embodiments are also disclosed. The belts of each embodiment are constructed such that when force is applied to a gripped plastic film coaction of the film and belts causes the belt gripping of the film to tighten.

Abstract: Legs for a utility tub each have an upper end portion including a mounting surface disposed in a region of an interior corner of the leg. Pockets are disposed adjacent a bottom wall of the utility tub. Fasteners may be used to mount each of the mounting surfaces in one of the pockets. The L-shape of each leg is formed by two leg sections that converge to form a corner of the leg. Each of the leg sections has an outer peripheral edge at the upper end portion that is inwardly tapered at an angle of about 5.degree. from a vertical axis. A slot at the corner of each leg forms an inner peripheral edge on each leg section. Each inner peripheral edge has a taper that extends inwardly at an angle of about 5.degree. from a vertical axis.

Abstract: An evaporative air cooler evaporates water in multistages by passing air across a series of spaced parallel wetted wicks (11) which repeatedly interrupt air flow. This enhances both evaporation and heat transfer rates.

Abstract: A circuit for energizing an electroluminescent panel of a portable data collection device is disclosed. The circuit includes voltage step up circuit and a switching circuit. The voltage step up circuit converts a +5 volt DC signal output from power regulation circuitry of the portable data collection device to a +100 volt essentially constant DC signal. The voltage step up circuit includes a switching regulation integrated circuit chip coupled in series to a toroid inductor. The inductor is coupled through a diode to a smoothing capacitor. The switching circuit converts the +100 volt DC signal to effectively a .+-.100 volt (200 volts peak-to-peak), 500 Hertz (Hz) signal across electrodes of the electroluminescent panel. The switching circuit includes a 555 IC timer chip coupled to an H bridge configuration of switching transistors.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a flow control expansion valve. A valve body defines a valve inlet for accepting refrigerant and a valve outlet for delivering refrigerant that has passed through the valve body. A metering head defines first and second passageways for fluid passing through the valve body. A cylindrical sleeve is mounted for controlled movement within the valve body and including a center passageway which in combination with the first and second passageways conveys fluid through the valve body to the valve outlet. A spring urges the sleeve in a direction relative the metering head to maintain both the first and second passageways in fluid communication with the center passageway of the sleeve.

Abstract: A portable data collection device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array overlied by a RGB color filter. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a color image of the target area. The imaging assembly includes compensation circuitry to compensate for illumination transmittivity differences between the red, green and blue colors of the color filter. The compensation circuitry is invoked when the imaging assembly is actuated to read a bar code dataform. The imaging assembly further includes compression circuitry for compressing digital data representative of the target area when the imaging assembly is actuated to capture a color image of the target area.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for facilitating balloon catheter exchange in angioplasty procedures. A guide catheter allows the balloon catheter to be inserted into the subject to a region near a treatment region within the vascular system. A fluid source is provided for selectively inflating the balloon. A passageway in the catheter body that extends through the catheter balloon opens into the blood vessel via a sideport. A guidewire passageway extends through a distal most part of the catheter body to allow a guidewire to be inserted into the sideport and routed out the catheter body through a distal opening.