Abstract: A method of transmitting a signal to at least one of a plurality of serially-connected devices. The method includes the step of receiving the signal at a first one of the plurality of serially-connected devices, where the signal includes a first address. Then, the signal is sent to each successive device of the plurality of serially-connected devices. Prior to the step of sending the signal to the each successive device, the first address of the signal is modified by a predetermined value at each of the plurality of serially-connected devices. Data associated with the signal can be transmitted to or received from at least one of the plurality of serially-connected devices if the first address received by the one of the plurality of serially-connected devices matches a predetermined address. The method is useful in the operation of programmable limit switches (PLS), especially in a PLS where each output circuit has an addressable controller.

Abstract: A high frequency signal transmission apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting received signals from a signal source as a modulated signal on a high frequency 900 MHz carrier to a remote receiver. The remote receiver converts the high frequency carrier in at least one conversion step to a lower frequency carrier signal. The lower frequency carrier signal carrying the modulated signal is then converted to an audio output or to another carrier signal and retransmitted as a modulated second signal to another remote receiver capable of demodulating the signal and broadcasting the audio sounds or video images. The oscillators in the transmitter and receiver are selectable to operate at discrete frequencies. Automatic fine tuning control is provided in the receiver to accommodate drift of the oscillator in the receiver.

Abstract: A method for grouping computer subscribers by common preferences to establish non-intimate relationships. The method of the present invention provides a subscriber access to a computerized database having stored non-intimate profile information from fellow subscribers. The user registers and stores non-intimate profile information into a database. The present invention groups the user with at least two of the fellow subscribers to form at least one group based on similarities between the subscriber's profile information and the fellow subscriber's profile information. The present invention utilizes an algorithm to determine a level of similarity between the subscriber's profile information and the fellow subscribers' profile information, wherein preferences are assigned integer values concatenated to form a lookup key and used to access an entry in a table containing the corresponding similarity value between two preferences.

Abstract: A system for actuating sequential engine function transducers such as fuel injector solenoids comprising a plurality of switch nodes equal in number to the number of cylinders of the engine. Each switch node includes a high current switch such as a transistor and an individually addressable driver circuit for causing the transistor to conduct when an address unique to the driver is received. The nodes are preferably disposed in close physical proximity to the injector solenoids. Low current address carrying lines are connected between the address generator and the individual switch drivers to activate them in sequence. Only a single high voltage high current supply line need be provided. The transducers may also be intake and/or exhaust valve actuators or spark ignition devices.

Abstract: A plastic barb clamp provides leakproof connection of a flexible tube in a barb fitting. The barb clamp includes a collet and a sleeve. The barb clamp is configured to fit snugly within the tube. The collet is slid over the tube. Annular retainers on the interior surface of the collet fit tightly around the tube and under an expanded portion of the barb fitting. The sleeve is then slid over the collet. As the sleeve moves over the collet, tangs on the collet are pushed radially inwardly into the tube and barb fitting. The exterior surface of the collet has radial projections or expanded diameter portions for locking with the sleeve. The sleeve has an annular projection or a reduced diameter portion on the interior surface of the sleeve to correspond to the exterior surface of the collet to provide a secure lock between the collet and sleeve.

Abstract: A power train for an amphibious vehicle includes an engine and transaxle arranged North-South, driving front, rear, or all four road wheels. A power take off with optional decoupler and constant velocity joint drives marine drive. The power take off may be taken from the input shaft of the transmission, and may use a synchronizer. The transaxle includes a differential. The rear wheels may be set back from the differential outputs, with intermediate drives by chains or belts. A sandwich type power take off may also be used. In the four wheel drive embodiment, a power take off is required from the rear differential. Decouplers may be provided in at least one wheel drive shaft on each driven axle.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for the manufacture of carbon disulfide from sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide comprising two catalytic reactions. In the first reaction, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide are converted to carbonyl sulfide and carbon dioxide. In the second reaction, carbonyl sulfide is disproportionated to carbon disulfide and carbon dioxide. The second reaction is conducted in the presence of a solvent, which continuously removes the carbon disulfide product so as to drive the reaction to completion.

Abstract: A method of forming a fluid quick connect includes steps forming a housing having a split end retainer slidably mounted in a recess in at least one end of the housing. A first angular recess is formed in the housing adjacent the first end. The first recess communicates with a bore extending from the first end of the housing. The retainer is captured in the recess by deforming an extension of the first end of the housing angularly inward. In one aspect, a conical surface is formed inward of the extension to form the recess in conjunction with the deformed extension. The retainer and recess may be used at one end of the housing for connection with one endform or at both ends of the housing to fluidically couple two endforms.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for the production of olefins, including ethylene, propylene and butenes, from methane, the process comprising first, second and third reaction steps operated in tandem. In the first reaction step, hydrogen chloride, perchloroethylene and oxygen are reacted in the presence of a catalyst, using methane as a diluent, to yield hexachloroethane and water. In the second reaction step, the hexachoroethane from the first reaction step is reacted with methane to produce methyl chloride, hydrogen chloride and perchloroethylene. In the third reaction step, the methyl chloride from the second reaction step is reacted to give the desired olefins and hydrogen chloride. By recycling the perchloroethylene from the second reaction step and the hydrogen chloride from both the second and third reaction steps to the first reaction step, a balanced process is achieved that is self-sufficient in chlorine values.

Abstract: In a method for detecting an offset drift in a resistive Wheatstone measuring bridge, a switch is made between a measuring mode and a testing mode without interfering in the internal structure of the measuring bridge. In testing mode, two sensor resistors that act in the same way and lie in different bridge arms in the measuring mode are connected in series, and a voltage level occurring in the connection of these sensor resistors is compared with a reference voltage. Preferably the sensor resistor that acts in a different way and lies between the two series-connected sensor resistors acting in the same way is bridged. The reference voltage is advantageously formed by resistive division of the voltage applied to the series connection of the sensor resistors. The testing mode may expediently be switched in such a way that the two pairs of sensor resistors acting in the same way are respectively tested in succession.

Abstract: A slack-based method for determining fastener placement tolerances for a wire harness relative to a vehicle mounting point layout. The method uses a determination of maximum permissible slack between pairs of adjacent mounting points to calculate tolerances for each point-to-point segment of the wire harness. The determination of maximum permissible slack is made by inspection of the vehicle mounting point layout between each set of mounting points, and in particular is based on real-life slack-limiting factors found to exist between the mounting points. The point-to-point tolerances are easily summed to determine an overall harness length sufficient to create the desired slack and tolerances. The overall length can be optimized for the greatest number of fastener placement options with the least amount of excess harness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting movement of a pillow relative to a bed. At one end, flexible member can be engaged with a pillow. At the other end of the flexible member, a weight can be suspended from an edge of the bed. The invention can include a clip engageable with the pillow to releasibly associate the member and the pillow. The weight can be moveably associated with respect to the member to selectively space the weight and the member with respect to one another.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of formaldehyde from methyl bromide. In the process, methyl bromide is oxidized with air over a catalyst to give formaldehyde and hydrogen bromide. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mixture of two different catalysts are employed, one to promote hydrolysis of methyl bromide to methyl alcohol and the other to promote the oxidation of methyl alcohol to formaldehyde.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate for packaging of or for attachment to products which are sensitive to aging and temperature, having a planar time-temperature integrator comprising a matrix and at least one reversible indicator embedded therein, which has photochromic properties on the basis of transfix reactions, arranged in the region of the substrate.

Abstract: A wireless audio transmission apparatus and method for coupling audio players to audio receivers for broadcast of audio signals stored in and processed by the audio player. A housing carrying operative circuitry is electrically connected by a multiconductor cable to an audio player for receiving stereo channel signals. Band pass filters couple the stereo signal and signal ground conductors in the cable to the stereo encoder in the housing. The filtered stereo signals are received by a stereo encoder in the housing and modulated onto a radio frequency carrier signal. A transmitter coupled to an antenna carried in the cable wirelessly transmits the carrier signal and the audio signals to a remote radio frequency receiver for demodulation and broadcast of the audio signals. Preferably, the carrier signal is an FM radio frequency signal. The carrier signal is optionally selectable from a plurality of different carrier signal frequencies.

Abstract: An automotive battery cable grounding terminal having an integral attachment appendage adapted to serve as an attachment or anchor point for a plastic cover, a secondary cable or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A water supply shut off valve is mounted in a fluid quick connector carrying a retainer for releasably and latching an endform of an external fluid operative device or conduit to connect the fluid device to a water supply conduit fluidically coupled to the quick connector. The shut off valve is movably mounted in the cartridge between a fluid flow position in response to the full sealing insertion of the endform into the cartridge. In this position, an outlet of in the cartridge is fluidically coupled to a bore in a housing surrounding the cartridge and connected at one end to the water supply conduit. The cartridge is rotatably mounted in the housing such that an outlet in the cartridge is movable with respect to the bore in the housing between maximum fluid flow, intermediate fluid flow, and fluid flow blocking positions.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed and comprises a pair of connectors, each including a body which securely receives in electrically-conducting relation the end of a welding cable and a sleeve which, in use, forms a grip for the body and receives same in a manner which provides access to the receiver for the cable end at one end and provides access to the body at the other end. The pair has: an initial position wherein they define a longitudinal axis and wherein the sleeves are disposed other end-to-other end, aligned with the axis; a primary lock, which locks the connectors against longitudinal movement relative to one another upon rotation of the connectors relative to one another about the axis from the initial position and permits electrical conduction between the bodies when the connectors are so locked; and a secondary lock which selectively arrests relative rotation of the connectors about the axis.