Abstract: An air sampling device comprises a pump assembly including a pump and a motor operably associated with the pump, the air flow rate of the assembly being substantially characterized by a function having a plurality of measurable variables; sensors for periodically automatically monitoring the variables; a programmable computer operably associated with the sensors for periodically estimating the instantaneous air flow rate of the pump from the function and the monitored variables and for camparing the calculated instantaneous air flow rate with a previously programmed desired air flow rate; and a DC-DC converter responsive to the computer and operably associated with the motor for modulating the motor speed in response to the computer to thereby cause the instantaneous air flow rate of the pump to approach the desired air flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a composite strip material without any sintering step. The process includes blending a powdered high conductivity material such as powdered copper with a powdered low thermal expansion phase material such as a nickel-iron alloy, compacting the powders to form a green composite strip, heating the green strip to a hot rolling temperature and hot rolling the heated strip to a desired gauge. The heated strip is reduced less than about 45% to minimize the deformation of the low thermal expansion phase particles.

Abstract: A fire retardant polymer foam composite suitable for the making of packaging material, including a thin film of fire-retardant plastic extruded between layers of polymer foam sheets and bonded together to form a composite sheet of material having a sandwich structure.

Abstract: A motor bearing system is provided in which a motor shaft is received by a bearing which is circumferentially engaged by a first lubricating felt washer. A second lubricating felt washer is received by a retaining cup opposite the first lubricating felt washer, with a motor bracket interposed therebetween. The second lubricating felt washer is forced into contacting engagement with the first such washer by means of pins extending from the retaining cup and passing through apertures within the end bracket. Accordingly, the effective lubricating reservoir is significantly increased and the integrity of the lubricating reservoir is maintained.

Abstract: A composite cartridge type filter of the kind utilizing a hollow cylindrical body of bonded activated carbon and an interior filled with a particulate filter media bed is disposed within a housing such that raw unfiltered water passes radially inwardly through the carbon body, into the interior media bed and then axially through the media bed to an outlet in one end. To balance the radial flow of water through the carbon body and maximize contact with the particulate media bed, a flow distribution device is disposed in the interface between the carbon body and the particulate filter media bed to distribute a portion of the flow toward the end of the media bed which is remote from the cartridge outlet. In this manner, short circuiting of the water through the filter is eliminated, radial flow through the carbon body is balanced, and a substantial portion of the flow is forced to follow a path which carries it through substantially the full length of the particulate media bed.

Abstract: A composite cartridge-type filter effective to substantially reduce low but hazardous concentrations of lead in drinking water to acceptable levels utilizes a porous activated carbon block filter and a powdered deionizing resin which is converted to an ion exchange resin in situ and during use of the filter. The method of operation of the filter results in a substantially extended life for lead removal as compared to similar disposable cartridge filters. The composite filter is also affective in removing dissolved metals which are leached from the soluble ash fraction of the carbon block itself. Powdered deionizing resin, having a greatly enhanced active surface area as compared to the resin beads from which it is formed, is formed by fracturing the resin beads in situ in a slurry filling and drying process which provides a stable packed resin bed.

Abstract: A process for hot pin perforation bonding of a plurality of lamina of thermoplastic foam sheet material to produce a controllably rigid, strong, lightweight and easily shaped cushioned foam plank; and a product as formed in that process.

Abstract: A self-erecting, coiled metal tube comprises a helically wound ribbon of spring material having an inside surface and an outside surface, the ribbon having adjacent turns stressed to coil in tight overlapping and telescoping engagement, and a textured surface formed on the outside surface of the ribbon so that when the ribbon is extended, the textured surface of an underlapped turn of ribbon bears against the inner surface of an overlapped turn of ribbon to create friction between the adjacent turns of ribbon and control the length of extension of the ribbon tube and strengthen the tube.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for treating drinking water to remove a broad range of microorganisms includes a microbiocidal resin layer, a porous activated carbon filter element and a flow controller to assure a minimum effective residence time of water in the filter under varying pressure conditions. The microbiocidal resin preferably comprises a halogenated resin bed which is effective to kill a broad range of bacteria, viruses and protozoan cysts. The five micron carbon filter element removes any particularly resistant cysts which may have survived passage through the resin bed. The filter may also be provided with a scavenger resin downstream of the haogenated resin bed to remove any free halogens from the final effluent. A buffering resin may also be included upstream of the halogenated resin bed to precondition high pH supply water.

Abstract: A snap ring is provided for receipt within a circumferential groove of a bore to maintain a motor shaft and bearing assembly within a housing. The ring has an open sector to allow for flexibility. In one embodiment, a number of lobes, defined by tapered inwardly declining surfaces extend from the ring and protrude from the groove into the bore. As a bearing is urged past the groove, the lobes are urged into the groove to allow the bearing to pass. Once the bearing has cleared the groove, the spring-like nature of the ring causes the lobes to again extend into the bore such that bottom surfaces of the lobes engage a top surface of the bearing, retaining the bearing and shaft assembly within the bore. In another embodiment, the ring has a number of lobes defined by tapered outwardly declining surfaces, while a third embodiment includes lobes defined by alternating inwardly and outwardly tapered declining surfaces.

Abstract: An exhaust fan blower is provided for use in induced draft furnaces. An integrally molded fan housing and exhaust conduit is provided of a material impervious to the corrosive effects of exhaust gas condensates. The conduit is of a round cross section to mate with an associated flue pipe. The fan blower includes a conduit in communication with a pilot light for constantly venting the pilot light irrespective of operation of the blower. A first bore in the fan blower housing provides means for monitoring the vacuum developed therein, while another bore provides a means for thermally sensing a blocked or restricted flue condition. A flange and mounting lugs about the periphery of the fan blower housing provide a means for mounting the system to the side of a furnace panel, while sealing such mounting engagement. A motor mounting bracket for the fan blower serves as a cooling fan guard and heat sink, having a bearing contact mounting seat cast integrally to the bracket.

Abstract: A composite cartridge-type filter effective to substantially reduce low but hazardous concentrations of lead in drinking water to acceptable levels utilizes a porous activated carbon block filter and a powdered deionizing resin which is converted to an ion exchange resin in situ and during use of the filter. The method of operation of the filter results in a substantially extended life for lead removal as compared to similar disposable cartridge filters. The composite filter is also effective in removing dissolved metals which are leached from the soluble ash fraction of the carbon block itself. Powdered deionizing resin, having a greatly enhanced active surface area as compared to the resin beads from which it is formed, is formed by fracturing the resin beads in situ in a slurry filling and drying process which provides a stable packed resin bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring and rapid predetermining of the oxygen demand for the combustion of hydrogen sulfide-containing gas mixtures which allows a quick adjustment to changing gas compositions by regulation of the oxygen supply.

Abstract: A control circuit for maintaining power output of a motor, irrespective of amplitude changes in line voltage. The output of an amplifier is indicative of the line voltage. A ramp generator generates a ramp voltage which is consistent and repetitive, irrespective of changes in the line voltage. A comparison is made between the ramp voltage and the amplifier output, causing a triac to fire when the two are equal. The equalization point is a point at which sufficient power can be derived from the remainder of the line voltage to assure consistent and repetitive operation.

Abstract: A heterojunction p-i-n photovoltaic cell having at least three different semiconductor layers formed of at least four different elements comprises a p-type relatively wide band gap semiconductor layer, a high resistivity intrinsic semiconductor layer, used as an absorber of light radiation, and an n-type relatively wide band gap semiconductor layer. The intrinsic layer is in electrically conductive contact on one side with the p-type layer and on an opposite side with the n-type layer. First and second ohmic contacts are in electrically conductive contact with the p-type layer and the n-type layer, respectively.

Abstract: A method for depositing superconducting ceramic materials on an article by electrodeposition including the steps of obtaining a dispersion of the components of a superconducting ceramic material in a non-aqueous medium and creating an electrical field within the medium such that the material will migrate to and deposit on an electrode placed within the medium. After deposition, the article is sintered and then reoxygenated to achieve the composition required for the superconducting ceramic material.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter is disclosed which can generate both an electrical and a mechanical representation of flow rate. A first magnet, mounted within a flow tube, is displaced in response to fluid flow in the flow tube. A second magnet, mounted outside the flow tube, moves in response to changes in the magnetic coupling between the first magnet and the second magnet caused by displacement of the first magnet within the flow tube. A pointer is coupled to the second magnet and moves with the second magnet to produce a visual representation of flow rate. A sensor, mounted in proximity to the second magnet, and responsive to movement of the second magnet, produces an electrical signal representative of the flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining position, tilt and offset of a pointer with respect to a grid of parallel conductors with which it is coupled by obtaining measured responses between each of a group conductors and the pointer and fitting an expression for the response to said measured responses.

Abstract: A planar solid state LCD display for presenting numeric information comprises six generally rectangular arrays of segments arranged in ladder-like disposition with the outermost rectangles being of progressively decreasing height. The segments are selectively energizable to present multiple 7 segment digit displays wherein a digit has maximum height when centered and a reduced height when above or below the centered position. This provides to a viewer a perception which simulates the rotation of rolling of a digit wheel of conventional counter type wherein the trend of rotation is observable.

Abstract: A portable water treatment apparatus utilizing a cylindrical filter module having a spirally wound semipermeable membrane assembly includes interior upper and lower O-ring seals and an outer brine seal, all of which may be assembled without any potentially damaging movement between the seals and the respective interfacing surfaces in contact with the seals. Each of the O-ring seals is disposed between an annular shoulder on one interfacing part and a frustoconical surface on the other part such that a sealing compression is the only movement imposed on the O-ring. The brine seal, comprising a strip of adhesive-coated tape, is attached after the filter module has been placed in the housing such that it is in its final sealing position and is undisturbed by any subsequent assembly step.