Abstract: To achieve priming during start-up and repriming during operation, a self-priming pump system is provided. The self-priming pump system includes a discharge priming reservoir for storing priming liquid for a pump. The discharge priming reservoir has an inlet in communication with the outlet of the pump for receiving priming liquid from the pump and has an outlet in communication with the pump upstream of an impeller and downstream of a liquid supply reservoir for supplying the priming liquid to the pump. The self-priming pump system is operable to separate air from priming liquid in the discharge priming reservoir during recirculation of priming liquid. In addition, a priming valve is disposed between the discharge priming reservoir and the pump to control circulation of priming liquid through the self-priming pump system.

Abstract: In order to protect an actuator system for a movable surface in a reliable manner, while also protecting the movable surface in the event of a system failure, the actuator system includes a power drive unit connected to one end of an input shaft. An actuator is disposed on the input shaft having multiple output stages normally driven by the power drive unit through the input shaft with the mutiple output stages being operatively associated with the movable surface for driving movement thereof. In order to provide dual load path shafting together with incorporating fail safe actuator construction, the actuator system also includes a feedback shaft extending from the actuator to the power drive unit and a torque sensor operatively associated with the feedback shaft.

Abstract: A modular elevator cab construction is provided for assembly onto a platform of an elevator cage substantially from within the area of the cab. A rear wall panel, two side wall panels and front wall structures are assembled by simple complementary interengaging hanger devices on the backside of the adjacent walls for assembling the walls in proper right-angular juxtaposition. Anchoring mechanisms are provided between the platform and the lower edges of the wall panels. A drop ceiling support framework is hung from the top edges of the surrounding, assembled walls without the use of extraneous fastening means. A unitary canopy structure surmounts the walls and has a skirt embracing the upper portions of the walls.

Abstract: A micro-contoured surface is formed about a substantial portion of the edge of the end bearing face of each gear tooth of a gear having a plurality of circumferential gear teeth each with an end bearing face for carrying an axial thrust load against a flat housing bearing face or the like. The micro-contoured surface forms a wedge space between the bearing faces which when filled with a fluid establishes a hydro-dynamic film pressure distribution over the entire end bearing face of the gear tooth upon relative motion between the bearing faces.

Abstract: A system for producing electrical energy including a stack shaped and positioned generally as the letter "J" and having an intake portion, an exhaust portion and a conveying portion therebetween together with a vacuum producing mechanism associated with the exhaust portion for causing air to move through the stack whereby a generator responsive to the moving air generates electricity.

Abstract: A dual drag mechanism is provided for use in a spin cast reel having a body portion with a deck plate, a forwardly extending hub associated with the body portion, and a spool supported on the hub fowardly of the deck plate for rotation about an axis lengthwise of the reel. In one embodiment of the invention, a drag plate includes a body portion supported between the deck plate and the spool for applying pressure to the spool. The drag plate is anchored to the deck plate at a first point radially of the hub. A first drag actuating device is provided for engaging the drag plate at a second point radially of the hub and angularly of the first point, and including a first manually manipulatable actuator movable in a plane generally transverse to the reel axis.

Abstract: A universal control system for hydraulic cylinders to enable controlled increments of movement for varying uses including shaping members and lifting and lowering of loads. The lift control system is utilized to synchronize the raising or lowering of a load by, for example, four simultaneously-acting pump-operated hydraulic rams which have plural increments of movement. A sensor associated with the load adjacent each ram measures incremental movement of the load. A master controller controls the operation of the rams in accordance with the sensed increments and operates each pump simultaneously and independently until each pump achieves a preselected increment of movement of a ram, to maintain the load substantially level, followed by movement of all the rams through another increment of movement until the total lifting or lowering movement is achieved.

Abstract: A switch actuator providing a floating operating and release point switch including a base, a plunger having an exposed operating end mounted for movement on the base, a mount for relatively movable switch contacts on the base, and a friction piece normally grasping the plunger so as to be movable therewith and yet be relatively movable with respect to the plunger when movement of the friction piece is resisted. The friction piece is oriented with respect to the mount such that movement of the friction piece may effect relative movement between relatively movable switch contacts mounted to the base.

Abstract: A toothed power transmission belt (10) is manufactured by an improved method to have substantially improved resistance to tooth root face cracking. The manufacture utilizes a modified rubber blend forming the teeth (15) and may utilize the same blend for embedding the load-carrying cords (14) to provide improved bonding of the teeth (15) to the cords (14) over a wide range of temperatures.

Abstract: The selection of the mass of a mechanical damper 20 for a blade 12 in a turbine wheel 10, 12 independent of the size of a damper receiving opening 22 is achieved by making the damper 20, 40, 50, 60, partially hollow (FIG. 4) or completely hollow (FIGS. 5-7, inclusive).

Abstract: A general purpose valve is provided to control the discharge of particulate material. An overlying plate with a first, through aperture, cooperates with an underlying plate having a solid surface and a second through aperture. The first aperture is in vertical alignment with the solid surface on the underlying plate. Structure is provided to vary the vertical spacing between the overlying and underlying plates to selectively commence, terminate, and vary the rate of flow of particulate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper system for motor vehicles or the like, comprising at least one wiper arm guided and actuated in a complex movement by a kinematic chain or mechanical linkage which comprises a first bar (2) actuated in an oscillating movement by a motor (63), a second bar (3) pivotally connected (23) to the first bar (2) and rigidly attached to the wiper arm, a third bar (4) articulated (34) to the second bar (3) and a fourth bar (5) secured to the vehicle body at one of its ends and torically connected to the third bar (4) at the other of its ends, said toric connection being materialized by a joint (45) made of an elastomer material. The kinematic chain and wiper arm are driven by a second kinematic chain or mechanical linkage which comprises a motor (63), a crank (64) and bar (65) with the bar (65) being pivotally connected to bar (62) rigidly connected to pivot shaft (61) connected to first bar (2).

Abstract: Frostless type refrigerator/freezers having a plastic liner utilize a metal heat shield disposed between an evaporator and the liner. A defrost heater located below the evaporator is controllably energized to melt frost away from the evaporator. A metal clip of spring steel removably mounts a thermostat to the heat shield above the evaporator to sense the temperature above the evaporator to de-energize the heater when the frost is melted from the evaporator.

Abstract: A wall mounted cosmetic center including a generally box-like enclosure. The box-like enclosure is defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls. It has a plurality of cosmetic-supporting shelves extending between the side walls in vertically spaced relation to the bottom wall and also has a plurality of drawers mounted under the shelves adjacent one of the side walls for reciprocating movement and a slotted compartment mounted into the shelves adjacent the other of the side walls in spaced relation to the drawers. The box-like enclosure further includes a makeup mirror-receiving opening between the bottom wall, drawers, compartment and the lowermost of the shelves. Additionally, a pair of drawers having inner surfaces for storing jewelry in an organized manner are hingedly mounted to the side walls of the box-like enclosure.

Abstract: An electrically compensated constant speed drive includes controllable gear boxes in the speed compensation link of the drive which permit the overall speed ranges of the permanent magnet machines to be controlled, thus leading to a desirable decrease in size and weight of the machines.

Abstract: A food warming apparatus is provided with a cabinet defining a food treatment space and a food storage space above the food treatment space and in communication therewith. A wall at the bottom of the food treatment space supports a supply of food. Structure is provided to gain access to the food storage space to introduce a food supply and separate structure is provided to gain access to the food in the food treatment space for removal of the treated food. Heat is directed in a circulating path upwardly through food at one portion of the treatment space and downwardly through food in another portion of the treatment space.

Abstract: According to the invention, a fixed bolt is provided on the door of a dishwashing apparatus and cooperates with a strike plate on a cabinet, against which the door seats in a closed position, to latch the door in the closed position. The strike plate in addition to latching the door, concurrently activates a switch that is fixedly mounted on the door.

Abstract: An operator interface for a programmable controller is disclosed. The programmable controller has a plurality of discrete input terminals, a discrete input switch coupled to one of the input terminals, a plurality of discrete output terminals, a processor and a memory. The memory stores operating system software processed by the processor and comprises relay logic. The processor controls states of the output terminals in response to states of the input terminals and the relay logic. The operator interface selectively operatively coupled the input switch to a desired one of the output terminals and comprises an operator actuable control switch coupled to another one of the input terminals and an element responsive to actuation of the control switch for selectively coupling the input switch to the selected one of the output terminals, the coupling element comprising the operating system software processed by the processor.

Abstract: A vertical mass flow conveyor includes a vertical tube which has an inner surface fixed to the outer surface of a spiral ramp. The spiral ramp extends radially inward of the tube only a portion of the radius of the tube to leave the center section of the tube free and forming a vertical open space. The tube has an inlet to the spiral ramp and an outlet. A hopper or trough substantially surrounds the inlet of the tube for receiving material to be conveyed up the inside of the tube. One or more guide vanes or blades, face generally in the direction of the upward spiral of the spiral ramp, and disposed about the tube for directing the material radially inwardly toward the spiral ramp. The tube with a vibratory motion transmitting device, the trough and the vanes or blades are secured to a common base such that when a helical reciprocating movement is produced in the tube, bulk material either is vertically conveyed in a mass flow relationship or is blended and mixed in the tube.