Abstract: A device to provide overload protection for a shape memory metal (SMM) wire of an SMM-type actuator and to automatically compensate for cyclic creep and maintain the tension of the SMM wire. During normal operation, a restraining drum, in cooperation with a biasing spring, maintains the position of one end of the SMM wire so that the other end of the SMM wire can move an actuator. Under excessive loads, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move, thereby reducing the tension and preventing damage to the SMM actuator. When the excessive load is removed, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move under the influence of the biasing spring to its original position. By permitting the first end of the SMM wire to move in dependence upon the tension on the SMM wire, the device automatically takes up any slack caused by cyclic creep and maintains proper tension of the SMM wire.

Abstract: A control system for a processing machine such as an eroding machine operates to determine preferred withdrawal directions between a workpiece and a tool. In addition to the path movements necessary for the treatment process, the control system determines in advance at each point along the predetermined path a withdrawal direction oriented away from the surface being processed. This withdrawal direction runs essentially normal or perpendicular to the surface being processed on the workpiece. The amount of the desired separation between the tool and the workpiece along the withdrawal path is applied as an input to the control system in accordance with predetermined parameters of the treatment process.

Abstract: An encapsulated photoelectric measuring system for measuring the relative position of two objects includes a housing which encloses a scanning unit positioned to scan the graduation of a measuring scale. The housing defines a longitudinal slit closed by sealing elements, and a coupling member passes between the sealing elements and connects the scanning unit with one of the objects to be measured. In order to avoid optical disturbances of the beam path of the photoelectric scanning by liquid drops on the measuring scale, the scanning unit is hermetically sealed. The spacing between the surfaces of the scale acted upon by the light beams and the associated surfaces of the scanning unit is made so small that any liquid drops present on the surfaces of the scale in the region of the scanning unit are spread or formed into a continuously homogeneous wetted liquid layer.

Abstract: An improvement in a strip feeder for feeding a continuous strip of sheet material to a punch press, for example. The feeder includes a drive roller segment and an idler roller. The drive roller segment is driven in oscillating fashion by the punch press through a cam oscillator drive. A lever assembly connects the cam drive with the drive roller segment shaft. The lever assembly includes a lever which pivots about a point adjustable along the length of the lever. This adjustment, which can be made while the feeder is in operation, is effective to vary the oscillating travel of the feed roller segment and, accordingly, the length of strip which is fed.

Abstract: The application of thaumatin or monellin to the surface of a chewing gum composition comprising gum base, sweetener and flavoring provides flavor and sweetness potentiation. The thaumatin or monellin is present in an amount within the range of from about 0.5 to about 100 ppm by weight of the chewing gum composition and is conveniently applied as a rolling compound to the surface of the gum.

Abstract: An improved modulator for an anti-skid brake control system generates a modulated brake control signal as a time integral function of the difference between an input signal indicative of a braking condition and a variable threshold signal. The preferred embodiment includes a computer which stores a number of threshold signals. An appropriate one of these threshold signals is selected depending on the magnitude of the velocity of the braked wheel. Furthermore, the modulator adjusts the value of the modulated brake control signal in response to skids more severe than a preset level in a manner that varies in response to the frequency of such more severe skids.

Abstract: A length measuring device is disclosed in which a bending rigid scale carrier is fastened to a slide piece of a machine tool at both ends by means of respective clamping shoes. A flexible measuring band is mounted on the surface of the scale carrier by means of an adhesive layer so as to be slightly shiftable in the measuring direction. The measuring band defines a graduation scanned by a scanning unit connected to the bed of the machine tool. The two ends of the measuring band are fastened by means of welding points to the ends of the scale carrier. In order to provide error correction, the end zone of the scale carrier is constructed as a stretching element formed via a joint as an integral part of the scale carrier. An adjusting screw engages directly on the scale carrier in order to adjust the longitudinal position of the stretching element in order to alter the effective length of the scale carrier and thereby adjust stretching forces applied to the measuring band to provide the desired error correction.

Abstract: A line activity monitor for a plurality of telephone lines operates to record a log for each call indicative of the time at which the telephone line entered each of a plurality of states during the call. In this way, complete information regarding line usage is recorded for each call, and the use of averages or summary statistics is avoided. Detailed analysis can then be applied to the information contained in the logs, tailored to the individual application. The disclosed line activity monitor also acts to record a coded signal with each log. This coded signal is generated by an operator following the answering of an incoming call, and can be used to indicate the purpose of the call to further enhance the line usage statistics developed from the information in the logs.

Abstract: An inertial barrier system can be constructed with barrier units of various, sequentially increasing barrier weights (i.e., masses). The inertial barrier units are each constructed from similar parts, namely, a frangible hollow container of conical or other generally circular cross section having upper and lower portions, with the lower portion being joined to the upper portion by a substantially annular horizontal ledge; an inner core of frangible material and formed substantially as a hollow conic member with an annular flange at the open base of the conic member, the flange being dimensioned to fit onto and be supported by the ledge of the container; and a frangible cover to fit the open top of the container. The inner core is orientable in either an upwards position or a downwards position, each of which has the flange of the core resting on the ledge of the container.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator system for use in an aircraft in high frequency electromagnetic environments is disclosed. The system includes an electromechanical switch which responds to a control signal to actuate a device on the airplane. A pair of capacitors is installed in the control signal circuit and the indicator light circuit of the switch within a switch housing. These capacitors cooperate to suppress electromagnetic radiation and voltage transients emitted by the switch. A low pass filter line cable is attached at one end to the switch and at its other end to the source of the control signal and other devices on the aircraft. The individual conductors of this cable are electrically insulated, and these insulated conductors are encased in an electrical shield which is also electrically insulated. To protect the system from high frequency electromagnetic interference, this cable is over 12 inches long, and substantially the entire periphery of the shield is grounded at both ends of the cable.

Abstract: A shape memory metal (SMM) actuator includes an SMM actuator element mounted to an end fitting. An end portion of the actuator element adjacent the end fitting is cold formed to a thickness no more than 40% of the original thickness of the actuator element. This cold formed region extends by about 5 times the diameter of the actuator element away from the end fitting. The cold formed end region remains in the austenitic state, and is therefore relatively hard and strong. For this reason, the tendency of the actuator element to break at the end fitting is reduced, even though the end fitting acts as a temperature sink and maintains the cold formed end region below the transition temperature of the SMM actuator element.

Abstract: A hood is provided for use over pizza ovens in pizza preparation and delivery vehicles. The hood comprises two intake air fans and one inline exhaust fan. The intake air fans are each disposed adjacent a side wall of the vehicle and direct air from the sides toward the center of the hood. The exhaust fan is disposed adjacent a back wall of the vehicle between the two intake air fans. The exhaust fan exhausts the air from which the vehicle. A back draft damper is disposed downstream the exhaust fan. Hinged louvers on the back draft damper can be adjusted with a threaded rod to balance the air flow within the system. Vents adjacent the intake air fans have fixed louvers shaped to impede water droplet flow from entering the vehicle.

Abstract: A shape memory metal actuator includes an actuator element that is secured at one end to an end fitting which is in turn secured to an overload protection spring. An adjustable screw is mounted to a frame and is positioned such that the overload protection spring biases the end fitting into contact with the adjustment screw. The end fitting lifts off of the adjustment screw when excessive stretching forces are applied to the actuator element. The adjustment screw can be moved to vary the rest position of the end fitting, thereby allowing manual compensation for cyclic creep of the actuator element.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled pacemaker is programmed to extend an atrial refractory interval in response to the detection of events which could initiate a pacer sustained tachycardia. The extended atrial refractory interval ensures that a spurious atrial event resulting from retrograde conduction of a ventricle event will not cause a pace of the ventricle.

Abstract: A system for the automatic establishment of a shortwave telegraphy signal connection between two transmitter-receiver stations within a frequency range subdivided into several channels. Both stations use their receiver to determine objective measurement values reflecting the transmission conditions over the individual channels. Active and passive channel analysis of the actual quality of the signal transmission is determined at each channel. The transmitter of the calling station is automatically tuned to the channel which corresponds to the best channel quality stored in its memory. A predetermined time after transmitting the call signal, the calling station switches to reception and upon reception of an acknowledgment signal from the counter station automatically begins the message transmitting-and-receiving operation. If after a predetermined time no acknowledgment signal is received, the transmitter automatically switches to the channel stored in its memory with the next best channel quality value.

Abstract: A measuring system for measuring the relative position of two machine parts of a processing machine includes a scale fastened at one end by means of screws to the slide of the machine. The other end of the scale is joined by means of an adhesive layer with one end of an expansion element. The other end of the expansion element is fastened in a similar manner by means of screws to the slide. For the compensation of thermally induced length changes of the scale, the expansion element is provided with a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially greater than that of the slide piece. Thermal expansion of the expansion element is dimensioned in such a way that the measuring length of the scale is preserved in an unaltered length in the event of temperature fluctuations by means of increased compressive forces applied by the expansion element to the scale.

Abstract: A gas metal arc welding gun includes a power cable in which the power conductors are asymmetrically distributed in a crescent between a gas conduit and a sheath in order to improve flexibility of the power cable. The welding gun includes a head assembly which includes a head that defines an internal annular ridge between a contact tip and a free end of an electrode liner. This annular ridge serves as a stop for the contact tip, as a centering guide for the electrode liner, and as a shield to protect the electrode from welding spatter. The welding gun includes a two-piece handle which includes a tongue and aperture guide at one end, and an interlocking flange guide at the other end. The two guides restrict movement between the two housing parts to axial movement, and a snap ring locks the two housing parts in a desired assembled position.

Abstract: An information monitoring and notification method and apparatus is provided which may monitor many forms of changing data input, such as market and stock market information, and notify a user or users in near real time of the occurrence of identified events of interest. The system and method require no affirmative monitoring or interrogation by the user, and require no specialized equipment to be in the possession of individual users. Intelligence is provided permitting adaptive monitoring of the input data, maximizing the efficiency and reliability of the user contact and notification. Notification is made, for example, via the telephone utility directly to the user by means of a voice synthesized message.