Abstract: A test bonding apparatus comprising a rectangular wave-guide having a first pair of spaced opposing side walls attached to an orthogonal pair of spaced opposing side walls which are relatively wider. The waveguide includes an input portion, an intermediate bonding chamber portion and a terminating end portion which disposed in communication with one another. Coupled to the input portion is a microwave source and a coolant source for propagating consistently through the bonding chamber portion microwave energy having a predominant frequency associated with a predetermined wavelength, and a flow of coolant fluid. The relatively wider side walls in the bonding chamber portion of the waveguide have disposed along their longitudinal centerlines respective aligned slots. Each of the slots has opposing longitudinal edges disposed adjacent open ends of respective quarter wavelength chokes which are supported externally of the waveguide.

Abstract: An independently powered safety device for use in a cooking device having a heating element and a cooking surface. The safety device includes a pair of lamps, one of which is disposed below the heating element and another which is disposed adjacent the cooking surface. The safety device also includes a temperature probe that is coupled above the heating element. When the cooking device is turned on, the heating element becomes hot and the lamp disposed below the heating element instantly illuminates. The temperature probe senses the heating element's temperature. In response to the heating element reaching a predetermined temperature, the probe enables the lamp adjacent the heating surface to illuminate. That lamp remains illuminated until the cooking device is turned off and the heating element cools. The lamp adjacent the heating surface is independently powered and remains illuminated regardless of whether or not power is provided to the heating element.

Abstract: A fluid level sensor for determining the amount of liquid in a container. Thin metal plates are placed parallely adjacent each other to form a capacitor cell coated with a non-hygroscopic film. The plates are mounted on the walls of the container containing fluid. As the fluid covers more surface area of the capacitor plates, the dielectric properties of the fluid increase the capacitance of the cell proportionally. The plates are connected to an oscillator whose output frequency varies with the change in container fluid levels. By monitoring these frequency changes, the container fluid levels of the fluid in the container can be controlled.

Abstract: A method and appaatus for curing a gasket material on a cap, the apparatus having a microwave transmitter, associated wavegide and a device for moving multiple caps through the waveguide. A plastic material is applied to the cap so as to form a gasket. The cap is then moved through the waveguide where microwave energy is absorbed by plastic material. The plastic material then heats from room temperature to a predetermined curing temperature in the waveguide. The cap is then removed and allowed to cool back to room temperature so that the gasket material will harden.

Abstract: A T1 digital carrier system having a transmitter, receiver and a plurality of intermediate repeater stages. Each remote repeater has a select switch for automatically selecting that the remote repeater be placed in loop-back mode should a combination of framing bits occur in the serial bit stream that matches that said remote repeaters address therein, thereby allowing remote testing of the communications link and repeaters. In addition, no additional test lines are required to verify a T1 communications link.

Abstract: An air filter and particle removal system for eliminating impurities from air. The system is constructed with an upper electrode plate facing a lower electrode plate. A flypaper-like material is placed close to the lower plate with the sticky side of the material facing the upper plate. The plates have different voltage polarities so that when air is passed through the duct, charged particles within the air will move toward the lower plate and are caught by the flypaper-like material. Further, the upper plate is shaped to create turbulences in the air to cause other impurities to flow over and be caught by the flypaper-like material.

Abstract: An ice barrier for a selective ice cube and crushed ice dispenser having a crusher section including a crusher arm mounted to a horizontal shaft axially rotatable in either direction, and a stationary crusher arm mounted to one side of the shaft. When the shaft is driven in one direction, ice pieces fed to the crusher section are caught and crushed between the rotating and stationary crusher arms. However, when the shaft is driven in the opposite direction, ice pieces escape down the side of the shaft opposite the stationary crusher arm thereby avoiding being crushed. The ice barrier is frictionally coupled for rotation with the shaft between a first position in the whole ice piece path and a second position out of the path. Accordingly, the ice barrier blocks the whole ice piece path when the crusher is operated in the ice crushing mode.

Abstract: An input command system for an electronic refrigerator control wherein dedicated function keys are provided for inputting commands to the processor. The processor will not accept inputs from the dedicated function keys unless an enable key is pressed first. The enable key is hidden on the control panel so as to avoid unauthorized inputting of commands. Once enabled, the processor receives commands for a predetermined time period that is extended when commands are input.

Abstract: An electronic control mounted in the door of a refrigerator. In fabrication, a compartment is formed within the refrigerated food door by positioning a tub behind a vertically elongated aperture near the edge of the door, and inserting locator pins of the tub through corresponding holes in the door panel so as to provide alignment between the two. The trim mounting bracket also has holes aligned to receive the locator pins, and the trim mounting bracket is screwed through the door panel to the tub. The control board is inserted into the compartment through the aperture and mounted to the tub. A plate is mounted over the aperture and provides a flame barrier in addition to having a side lever that reenforces the portion of the panel peripheral to the aperture so as to prevent oil canning. Finally, the decorative trim which integrally includes a control panel is positioned over the plate and mounted to the trim mounting bracket.

Abstract: A laser soldering system wherein a plurality of laser beams are simultaneously directed to a plurality of spatially separate locations on a printed circuit board for simultaneously soldering. Each of the laser beams is formed by combining the outputs of a plurality of fiber cables, each of which is connected to an individual laser diode.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a dielectric body including a housing having therein an open-ended cavity with an opposing closed end formed of a contact support wall of the housing. The wall has extended through its thickness a plurality of laterally spaced holes which communicate with respective aligned channels in the outer surface of the wall. Each of the through-holes has a defining surface from which protrudes integrally a ripple-like projection extending linearly from adjacent the outer surface of the wall toward the cavity. Each of the channels has opposing side surfaces from which protrude integrally respective ripple-like projections having spaced opposing crest portions. The holes are dimensioned for having press-fitted therein contact engaging arms of respective right-angle contact members which compress the respective ripple-like projections in the holes and are pressed against respective opposing surfaces thereof.

Abstract: An electrical jack module having a dielectric box-like housing with an end wall integrally joined to a side wall of the housing, the end wall having extended through its thickness a plurality of mutually spaced sleeves which define respective plug receiving apertures. The side wall has projecting integrally from its inner surface within the housing a plurality of rigid ramp-like detents, each of which is fixedly aligned with a respective one of the plug receiving apertures. Each of the detents has a lower end portion with a sloped surface merging with the inner surface of the side wall adjacent the respective aligned aperture, and has an opposing higher end portion with a surface terminating in an edge portion of the detent aligned with a sheer end surface thereof.

Abstract: A package terminal air conditioner having a modular blower and heater unit that is readily removable intact for servicing. The module includes a housing or box that has a back scroll portion and a pair of ends or side panels. The ends have rearwardly extending tabs and top forwardly extending mounting brackets. A cross-flow blower wheel is spaced adjacent the scroll portion of the housing and is supported by the ends. A shaft extending from the blower wheel is connected to a motor. An electric heating element is mounted to the housing, and the motor and heating element are connected to an electrical connector. The module is installed into an indoor section compartment of the air conditioner, and the tabs insert through slots in the main partition. The mounting brackets are then affixed and the connector is mated to a matching connector.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for defrosting a refrigerator in an operator actuated vacation mode wherein, after the operator actuation, the next defrost cycle is executed in accordance with the previously existing schedule in the normal defrost mode. If the time duration to execute the next defrost cycle is greater than a predetermined time period, the controller continues to defrost in the normal mode. However, if the next of a subsequent defrost cycle is executed in a relatively short time duration, the interval between defrost is significantly increased to a fixed interval of compressor run time hours.

Abstract: An electrical jack of the composite prong type having a leading end portion comprising a tapered tip component of an axially extending tip contact member. The tapered tip component has a proximal end portion terminating in a circular flange which has first diameter and is integrally joined to a rod component of much smaller diameter through a reinforced length component of intermediate diameter. The reinforced length component has a cross sectional size designed for uniformly distributing impact stresses transmitted from the tapered tip component, and has a length greater than its intermediate diameter for minimizing impact stresses transmitted to the rod component. The reinforced length component is slidably installed in a cup-shaped dielectric bushing having a flanged open end portion abutting the circular flange of the tapered tip component. The cup-shaped bushing has an opposing closed end provided with a central aperture through which extends the rod component and an encircling dielectric sheath.

Abstract: A laundry machine braking mechanism including a pair of spaced plates adapted to be moved axially relative to one another to frictionally compress one or more brake pads positioned therebetween. A conical spring is positioned under the bottom plate, and in normal operation, the outer periphery of the conical spring urges the bottom plate upwardly so as to exert a braking force. The conical spring acts on an integrally formed retainer that has an annular rim contacting the underside of the conical spring, and a plurality of posts that extend up and connect to the top plate thereby fixing the spacing therebetween. The braking mechanism is released by exerting an upward force on the inner periphery of the conical spring thereby deflecting the outer periphery downwardly. An annular flange integrally formed as part of the top plate extends downwardly and acts as an annular fulcrum for the deflection.

Abstract: A door bar handle for a clothes dryer having a front loading glass door. The door bar attaches to opposite sides of the door frame and spans across in front of the glass to prevent it from being struck by laundry carts and the like. A portion of the door bar is spaced from the glass so as to provide a handle for opening and closing the door, but the remainder of the mid-portion of the door bar is close to the glass so that it won't be used as a hanger rod.

Abstract: An ultrasonic grade and auger control for use on a road paving machine to compensate for uneven road surfaces is described. As the road paving machine travels, asphalt is centrally deposited along the road bed. An auger is connected to the back of the road paving machine and contains a series of spiral blades which moves the asphalt away from the center of the road bed toward its outer edges. The ultrasonic auger control apparatus detects the height of the asphalt positioned at the outer edges of the paving machine and regulates the speed of the auger to provide even distribution of the asphalt. A screed is located behind the auger to uniformly place and pack the paving material. The ultrasonic grade control apparatus regulates hydraulic actuators which control the thickness of the new road surface by adjusting the height of the screed.

Abstract: A connector adaptor assembly comprising a trough-like frame made of resilient dielectric material and having a connector retainer end portion wherein opposing side walls of the frame are integrally joined to respective taller resilient posts having respective inwardly projected portions extending toward one another. Distal end portions of the posts have adjacent an end of the frame respective surfaces supporting respective integrally protruding bosses which are spaced laterally a predetermined distance apart. The assembly also includes an electrical connector with a cylindrical body disposed recumbently in the frame and having chordally disposed in opposing portions thereof respective slots which are aligned with the respective posts. Adjacent the slots, an annular flange extends radially outward of the body and has a diameter greater than the predetermined distance of lateral spacing between the bosses.

Abstract: A combination bake oven/steamer/broiler cartridge for cooking food on a cooktop. A heat source is placed on a pan within a cooktop frame. A cartridge is placed over the heat source and inserted into the pan. The heating device warms the cartridge. The cartridge can be selectively configured as a bake oven, steamer or broiler. To configure a bake oven, an adjustable rack is placed in the cartridge to hold the food. A cover is then placed over the cartridge to contain heat. To configure a steamer, water is added to the bottom of the cartridge. A steaming pan is then placed in the cartridge. The cartridge is then covered. The water is then heated to make steam. By substituting a ceramic or glass container for the steaming pan, the steamer functions as a warming device. To configure a broiler, a special cover containing heating elements is placed over the adjustable rack.