Abstract: An apparatus for generating a reference signal in a brake control system stores a reference signal representative of a reference braking condition and compares this reference signal with a conditioned wheel signal. Depending on the outcome of the comparison, the reference signal is either updated to correspond to a reduced reference braking condition or ramped to correspond to an increased braking condition. The reference signal is not simultaneously ramped and updated, and is, therefore, precisely controlled. In a first embodiment, the amount by which the reference signal is ramped is a function of the past history of the reference signal: each time the reference signal is ramped the ramp rate is increased and each time the reference signal is updated the ramp rate is decreased.

Abstract: A message retrieval system is disclosed which includes a plurality of answering machines, each connected to respected telephone line. Each answering machine records telephone responses on a respective message memory unit and all message memory units are connected to a single message processor. The message processor is in turn connected to a number of retrieval consoles used by operators to transcribe messages from the message memory units.

Abstract: A multibit hand tool has a plurality of bits provided in a circular pattern within a handle magazine. A rotatable selector cup at the end of the handle permits selection of a desired bit from the magazine and placement in a chuck in the handle. An elongate slot is provided in the cup to permit the manipulation of the bit. An improved guidance arrangement is provided for guiding movement of a bit withdrawn from the handle magazine for insertion in the chuck. The guide device prevents rotation of the screwdriver bit while being transferred from the magazine to the chuck. An improved arrangement is provided for retaining a bit withdrawn from the handle magazine within the bit selector cup so that bits are not lost. The mounting of the bit selector cup on the handle is improved to facilitate assembly and use of the bit selector cup.

Abstract: A multibit hand tool has a plurality of bits provided in a circular pattern within a handle magazine. A rotatable selector cup at the end of the handle permits selection of a desired bit from the magazine and placement in a chuck in the handle. An elongate slot is provided in the cup to permit the manipulation of the bit. The improvement in this hand tool arrangement comprises an adaptation to the chuck and bit ends so that the selected bit end is readily placed within the chuck. This feature is accomplished by providing a number of operative faces on the bit end equal to the number of bits provided in the handle. Similarly, the chuck has a bore presenting a corresponding plurality of internal operative faces for engaging the bit end.

Abstract: The present invention is a frame for installing a grid section of cells of a grid confinement system for soil. The frame is generally planar having holding members on two sides to engage the grid section of cells. Each holding member can be independently controlled to engage or disengage the grid section of cells. Also, the frame is ventilated. The frame facilitates road center line reference, edge cell interlock and underwater installation.

Abstract: The invention is heat transfer device to aid in the cooking of pizzas, particularly thick or double crust pizzas, as well as a method for cooking an assembled pizza with such a device. The device comprises a heat conducting means, preferably made in one piece, which in turn comprises a heat absorbing band portion with heat transferring pins extending therefrom. In the preferred embodiment, the heat conducting means is formed in a spiral with the heat transferring pins extending in a direction perpendicular to the spiral. In another embodiment, the heat conducting means is formed in at least two concentric circles with the heat transferring pins extending in a direction perpendicular to the circles. The method of using the device includes the steps of inserting the heat transferring pins into the pizza before it is cooked and then removing the pins after the pizza is cooked.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting, transporting and grinding tissue specimens and the like which includes a long hollow container into which the sample of tissue is placed. A pestle or grinder of a shape to conform to the interior of the container is placed into the container in order to grind the sample. Attached to this grinder is a flexible protective sheath which envelops the grinder and container combination during grinding and thereby prevents contamination of the specimen or the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A sinuous spring band assembly and a plurality of seat spring assemblies incorporating the sinuous spring band assembly. Each sinuous spring band assembly has a torsion bend complex at its front end and another torsion bend complex at its back end. The bend complex at the front end is pivotably connected by a link member to the front rail of the seat spring assembly. The bend complex at the back end is pivotably connected by a link member to the back rail of the seat spring assembly. The front end bend complex comprises a pair of downward bends and the front end bend complex comprises a single upward bend.

Abstract: A nonoriented, heat sealable, coextruded, moisture barrier film is disclosed. This film has a base layer ("A") of polypropylene homopolymer, polypropylene copolymer or combinations thereof, a heat sealant layer ("C") of polyester/copolyester or blends thereof and a tie layer ("B") of modified polyethylene homopolymer, modified polyethylene copolymer, modified polypropylene homopolymer, modified polypropylene copolymer, an unmodified polyethylene copolymer or combinations thereof between the base layer ("A") and the heat sealant layer ("C"). This film has three layers ("ABC") or five layers ("CBABC"). This film exhibits a very broad heat seal range and has a moisture vapor transmission rate of from about 0.20 to about 1.0 g/100in.sup.2 /24 hr. This film has a wide variety of applications as a packaging film including such demanding uses as the inside of a microwave popcorn bag. This film significantly improves the shelf life of microwave popcorn compared to conventional films used for this product.

Abstract: A photoelectric length or angle measuring system for measuring the relative position of two objects includes a graduation of a scale which is scanned by a scanning plate of a scanning unit. The scanning unit includes an illuminating unit for the illumination of the graduations of the scale and the scanning plate. In this illuminating unit there is arranged a light emitting diode on a surface of a carrier. For the improvement of the light radiating characteristics of the illuminating unit, reflections in the direction of the graduations of the scale and the scanning unit of light beams emerging laterally from the light emitting diode are avoided by properly configuring the surface of the carrier. In alternate embodiments, this surface of the carrier consists of a light absorbing material, is covered by a light absorbing material, or is provided with a dimension along the measuring direction no greater than that of the light emitting diode.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis which comprises a flexible, collapsible, hollow device which can be filled after it is positioned within the bone structure. In the case of a prosthesis designed to replace the ball of the femur, the endoprosthesis has a ball portion, a neck portion attached to and communicating with the ball portion, a body portion attached to and communicating with the neck portion, and an access opening opposite the ball portion. A method for installing the endoprosthesis in the hip is also described, in which a portal is drilled through the lateral cortex of the femur at a location opposite the ball, the ball of the femur is removed, and the endoprosthesis is inserted through the portal. Finally, the invention provides a special tool that can be used for removing the ball of the femur through a portal in the lateral cortex without dislocating the hip.

Abstract: A process for representing on a picture screen of a numerical control system a simulated workpiece. The workpiece is represented in several viewing planes with shaded surfaces. The viewing planes and the associated shadings are hierarchically ordered, which is achieved by synchronized shading of different density. A tool is simulated by a silhouette, which presents the shading of the momentary viewing or processing plane which is being worked. In the movement of the shaded silhouette along with the programmed tool path, higher lying viewing planes are erased (or etched) and equally high or lower lying viewing planes are not affected.

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. The pacer is also programmed to break out of a pacer sustained tachycardia by inhibiting a ventricular pace when a predefined number of previous successive ventricular paces have occurred at the ventricular rate limit. The pacer is further programmed so that in response to a high atrial rate, the ventricle is paced at either a predefined ventricular upper rate limit value or at a rate limit value that is decremented to a fallback rate limit value. The pacer further increases the VA interval when the ventricle is paced at the ventricular rate limit.

Abstract: A gas/liquid separator for a gas analyzer includes a separation chamber having a spherically domed upper wall and a pyramid-shaped lower wall. An incoming sample to be separated is introduced into the separation chamber at one corner of the pyramid via an inlet port, liquid is removed via a liquid outlet port at the apex of the pyramid, and gas is removed via a gas outlet port in the domed upper wall. The pyramid forms internal corners, some of which converge smoothly toward the liquid outlet port so as to channel liquid away from the gas outlet port. All internal corners are separated from the gas outlet port by more than 0.05 inches in order to reduce any tendency of liquid which was collected in the internal corners to bridge across to the gas outlet port.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted crash attenuator includes an array of parallel diaphragms. A set of cell assemblies is interposed between adjacent diaphragms, and each cell assembly is formed of two L-shaped sheet metal components which are riveted together to form a rectangular column extending between the adjacent diaphragms. These columns are cross braced by ribbed braces which extend diagonally between adjacent columns. These cross braces stabilize the columns against long column buckling and promote short column buckling, thereby increasing the energy absorbing capability of the columns.

Abstract: A multistage angle encoder includes a fine code disc which is connected via a reducing gear with at least one coarse code disc. In order unambiguously to allocate the coarse code information on the coarse code disc to the fine code information on the fine code disc, control information data is applied to the fine code disc to directly superimpose on the coarse code information of the coarse code disc. The control code information is provided in each case on two concentric control half-tracks of the fine code disc, and the coarse code information is provided in each case on two concentric coarse code half-tracks of the coarse code disc. The superposed coarse code half-tracks and control half-tracks are scanned in common by means of a single scanning field of the scanning plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping the leading edge of continuously produced spiral pipes is disclosed. The apparatus includes upper and lower passive crimping rollers, which are rotatably mounted adjacent each other in a holder. The holder is carried by a guide rail system which slides in the axial direction of the spirally moving pipe. The holder and rollers are rotated between a down position, where the continuously produced pipe will move freely over the crimping apparatus, and an up position where the leading edge of the pipe will pass between the upper and lower crimping rollers. When the crimping apparatus is in the up position and the leading edge of the pipe is between the crimping rollers, the lower roller is raised until the rollers cooperate to crimp the leading edge of the pipe. The spirally moving pipe will exert a force on these rollers, which causes the guide means, which carries the rollers, to move axially with the pipe.

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein a flavoring agent used to flavor fried foods products is encapsulated so that the flavoring agent may be easily removed from oil used to fry the food products. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the encapsulated material is further coated with a flavor modifying agent and a high melting point fat which helps to protect the encapsulant from water and from physical damage prior to and during frying, and to modify the flavor of the oleoresin capsicum flavoring agent used.