Abstract: A hydraulic neutral cold start control valve for a variable displacement hydraulic unit includes a housing with a spool bore and an intersecting signal pressure passage therein. A spool is disposed in the bore and is mechanically biased to a closed or neutral position of the valve by a pair of opposing springs. A plunger is associated with one of the springs and has a surface that usually sealingly contacts one end of the spool but extends radially therebeyond such that it is in fluid communication with the signal pressure passage. When the signal pressure exceeds a threshold value, the pressure forces the plunger to separate from the end of the spool. Then the movement of the spool becomes proportional to the signal pressure, which is desirable for normal operation and control of the hydraulic unit.

Abstract: A wall stud utilized in framing structures, the wall stud including C-shaped frame members supported by core elements. The walls studs can be aligned and secured in a track mounted adjacent the top and bottom ends of the wall studs. The wall studs provide good insulation, support, and easy access for the installation of electrical and plumbing equipment.

Abstract: A gravity separator with improved efficiency comprising a gravity table with pins at the feed area and a flow channeler. The pins create space in the bed of material to be separated which increases stratification of the weight fractions. The flow channeler creates flow paths of the fractions which do not cross and therefore the fractions do not slow each other from feed to discharge.

Abstract: A thick film low value high frequency inductor made by the process of subjecting a conductor layer to a plurality of linear cuts by a pulsing laser cutter imposed simultaneously on the entire length of the linear cut being made to create a cross sectional cut of substantial rectangular configuration. The conductor body is a layer of dried silver thick film ink. The method of making a thick film low value high frequency inductor involves the steps of taking a conductor layer comprised of a dried layer of photo sensitive silver ink, masking the ink with the negative of the desired configuration of the ink, exposing the ink to UV radiation, developing the ink, and firing the layer to adhere the silver to the layer.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving unit for a robotic work station includes a plurality of elongated upright channel members each having a C-shaped transverse cross-section, the channel members being arranged in parallel pairs; and at least one shelf being releasably and movably clamped to the channel members by spring nut means so as to be adjustable in both height and angle with respect to the channel members. The adjustable shelving unit is useful in combination with a work piece positioning device and can even be attached thereto so that bins for parts and parts can be stored near their point-of-use.

Abstract: A washing machine lid includes a fluid chamber with a fill opening and a dispensing opening. A removable valve is within the dispensing opening. The lid includes a lid frame and a housing detachably mounted to one another. A fill cap with bristles is removably mounted in the fill opening. The laundry can be pretreated by scrubbing with the bristles, after the laundry is wetted with water and/or detergent.

Abstract: A fluid pump has a housing (4), a main output port (10), an auxiliary output port (14) and a priority pressure regulating valve contained with the housing (4). The priority pressure regulating valve has a spool (20) to direct fluid to one or both of the of the output ports (10,14), a force means (34,36) associated with the spool to bias the spool (20) to a position where it causes fluid to flow to the main output port (10) exclusively, and a pressure release means (40) which enables the spool (20) to move to a position where it permits fluid to flow to the auxiliary output port (14) when the pressure at the main output port (10) is at or greater than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Since glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is the most potent insulinotropic hormone known and has been shown to stimulate insulin secretion strongly in patients with type II diabetes, this invention uses GLP-1 or its biologically active analogues in &bgr;-cell stimulatory tests in order to test &bgr;-cell function in a simple way. The test provides information about insulin secretory capacity, is easy and reproducible and has insignificant side effects.

Abstract: Encapsulating calcined radioactive waste in strong, corrosion-resistant spheres of dimensions such that heat from the radiation melts the ice at a rate which brings the spheres to the bottom of the permanent icefield in a relatively short time, with the resulting waste ultimately being no more hazardous than natural uranium ore.

Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission includes a hydrostatic transmission driven by an engine and drivingly connected to a planetary gear set. A plurality of clutches are associatable with the ring gear or elements of the planetary gear set for establishing a corresponding plurality of operating modes in which additional overall transmission speed can be achieved while reducing the power transmitted by the hydrostatic transmission. The gears of the planetary gear set can be removed and replaced with gears having a different number of teeth so as to change the overall ratio of the hydromechanical transmission without changing the power rating of the hydrostatic transmission or the size of the housing. Thus, multiple overall corner horsepower capabilities can be provided with the same hydrostatic transmission and housing package size.

Abstract: A stabilizer apparatus for gymnastic bar assemblies has an elongated floor plate with outer and inner ends. A vertical post having upper and lower ends is pivotally secured by its lower end to the outer end of the floor plate. A length adjustable bar having opposite ends extends between the upper end of the post and the inner end of the floor plate. The bar has opposite ends which are pivotally secured to the upper end of the post and the inner end of the plate. A pulley assembly is secured to the upper end of the post.

Abstract: A fluid dampening system for a printing machine has a frame and a printing roll on the frame for holding a circular printing plate. A fluid reservoir is on the frame and a fountain roll is on the frame and is partially immersed in the fluid reservoir. A second roll is on the frame and is normally in surface contact with the fountain roll. A third roll is on the frame and is normally in surface contact with the fountain roll. A plurality of additional rolls are on the frame sequentially in surface contact with each other and with the third roll and the printing roll so that when all of the aforesaid rolls are rotated and in surface contact with each other, fluid will be transferred from the surface of the fountain roll to the surface of the third roll and sequentially on the surface of the additional rolls to the surface of the printing roll.

Abstract: A method of extending playing time and prize winning opportunities in a crane game includes the steps of checking for additional coins at any point during the playing time and recalculating the allotted playing time accordingly. An alarm signal can be provided when the allotted time is about to expire. The method can also allow the player to continue playing and winning multiple prizes so long as the allotted time has not expired.

Abstract: A hydrostatic loop dump valve for reducing the starting torque required for a hydrostatic unit includes a normally biased open dump valve connecting one or more of the system pressure lines to the reservoir. The dump valve(s) will automatically open and oil will drain out by gravity when the engine is not running. When the engine turns the hydrostatic unit at sufficient speeds to generate significant charge pressure, the dump valves will close and the unit will operate as normal. Thus, the input torque required to start the engine and the hydrostatic unit is minimized without damaging the hydrostatic unit.

Abstract: In an exemplary fast charging system, a hand-held computerized terminal with rechargeable batteries therein may be bodily inserted into a charger receptacle. The terminal may have volatile memory and other components requiring load current during charging. The system may automatically identify battery type and progressively increase charging current while monitoring for an increase in battery terminal voltage to ascertain the level of load current. The battery temperature may be brought into a relationship to surrounding temperature such that by applying a suitable overcharge current value and observing any resultant temperature increase, the level of remaining battery charge can be determined. For example, if the battery is found to be relatively fully discharged, a relatively high fast-charge rate may be safely applied while monitoring battery temperature.

Abstract: In an exemplary fast charging system, a hand-held computerized terminal with rechargeable batteries therein may be bodily inserted into a charger receptacle. The terminal may have volatile memory and other components requiring load current during charging. The system may automatically identify battery type and progressively increase charging current while monitoring for an increase in battery terminal voltage to ascertain the level of load current. The battery temperature may be brought into a relationship to surrounding temperature such that by applying a suitable overcharge current value and observing any resultant temperature increase, the level of remaining battery charge can be determined. For example, if the battery is found to be relatively fully discharged, a relatively high fast-charge rate may be safely applied while monitoring battery temperature.