Abstract: The efficiency of a furnace is determined by determining the percentage of the heat supplied to the furnace in the form of fuel which is lost due to a plurality of phenomena in the furnace operation. The thus determined efficiency may be displayed for use by an operator or may be utilized for automatic control of the furnace so as to substantially maximize the efficiency of the furnace.

Abstract: A tuning adjustment for a PI controller is disclosed which produces a desired response for a controlled variable in a selective control loop having an external reset feedback signal for anti-reset-windup protection. The desired control effect is evident in the time response of the controlled variables return to set point when a select switches signals and suddenly selects an output limited PI controller to control a process variable, and the selected controller assumes control of the process variable starting with its output at the limiting value. The tuning adjustment is implemented by combining the signal selected for controlling the process variable and a tuning factor for use as the reset feedback signal for the PI controller.

Abstract: A vertical cartoner assembly and method is for placing and assembling cartons over preselected product groups moved on a conveyor. The assembly has a frame structure having an elongated circular portion and vertically disposed drive shafts each having upper and lower chain sprockets. Continuous chains engage the upper and lower sprockets, and a power drive is provided to rotate one of the drive shafts. A continuous cam rail structure is mounted to the frame spacially intermediate the continuous chains. The continuous cam rail has downwardly and upwardly sloping sections. A plurality of vertical shafts are connected to the top and bottom chains. A carton holder body structure having a vertically disposed sleeve slidingly engages at least one of the vertical shafts. The carton holder body has a rearwardly extending cam follower for movement in the cam rail structure. The carton holder body structure has a pair of adjustable outwardly extending arms for receiving an opened and partially erected carton.

Abstract: A magnetic actuating or trip mechanism for use with a circuit breaker including an armature, a permanent magnet for biasing the armature to a biased position, a first magnetic member having an armature guide, a second magnet member, an electromagnetic coil including a first winding for urging the armature from the biased position and a second winding for urging the armature from the biased position, a compression spring for urging the armature from the biased position, a fastener for fastening the first and second members to the permanent magnet, and recesses for locating the electromagnetic coil relative to the first and second members. The coil includes an armature opening and the first and second members each include a permanent magnet mounting surface and a coil mounting surface, the permanent magnet mounting surface includes a ridge for preventing the members from rotating relative to the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A recirculating type analog to digital converter is disclosed which has an auto-zero mode that is introduced prior to each conversion cycle. The loop is based on an arrangement of operational amplifiers and FET switches, and further includes a comparator circuit, a reference voltage source and a microprocessor which are coupled to the loop. Also coupled to appropriate points in the loop are three time gated integrator circuits which generate analog signals which respectively compensate for offset voltages of operational amplifiers in the loop, the offset voltage of the comparator circuit which is coupled to this loop, and the gain of the loop. The compensating signals which are generated in the auto-zero mode are applied to the loop during the conversion cycle.

Abstract: A system for monitoring ink flow from an ink storage tank to at least one ink fountain of a high-speed, web-fed printing press employing a scale for measuring the weight of the ink storage tank and comparing weight signals from the scale at successive times to determine the weight of ink consumed over the interval between readings. A pump is associated with the storage tank for pumping the ink to the fountain via coupling lines. An ink level sensor detects the level of ink in the fountain and provides an ink demand signal for operating a valve means in the ink coupling line to in turn cause ink flow to the fountain so as to provide replenishment of ink thereat. With the use of plural fountains, means are provided for prioritizing delivery to the fountains so that individual ink consumption on a per fountain basis can be determined. In this regard, the system also employs a volume sensor preferably in the form of a pump stroke position sensor for determining incremental weight delivery per stroke.

Abstract: A piston biasing means including, a coil-type spring, adapted to exert pressure on one side of a piston to be biased in a predetermined direction, a spring retaining means which is slidable toward and away from the piston when the spring is compressed and released and centering means, preferably including pivot balls on each end of the spring, so as to make point contact and rolling contact with the piston. A spring adjusting means to adjust the tension on the spring is also included. A piston assembly and valve assembly incorporating the piston biasing means are also described.

Abstract: A two-piece spring latch assembly operable as a closure device for a load center cabinet, wherein the latch assembly is slidably engagable with the door of a load center cabinet. The latch assembly includes a sliding latch body having a top surface with a depression for facilitating engagement of the latch body. The latch body also includes a latch member for engaging the frame of the load center cabinet. A latch spring is mounted to the latch member and defines a spring member for urging the sliding latch body into a latched position. The latch spring also defines a latch bearing surface and a strike bearing surface. These surfaces are fabricated from the same material as the spring member and resist wear through repeated cycles of engagement and disengagement with the frame of the load center cabinet.

Abstract: A high voltage switch for switching capacitor banks in and out of a circuit. The switch includes two sets of contacts to perform the switching function. An impedance element is connected in parallel with one set of contacts. Upon closing of the switch current is caused to flow through the impedance element and one set of contacts, thereby preventing the switch from functioning as a short circuit. Subsequently, the second set of contacts engages and the switch can function as a short circuit to completely switch a capacitor bank into the circuit.

Abstract: An insulating tie strap for supporting conductor bars in a load center including an insulating support member including a center body portion defining a center axis, and two end portions. Each end portion includes a mounting pad having an opening for accepting a fastener, an elevating member for elevating the center body portion above the mounting pad and an angle member for attaching the mounting pad and the elevating member to the center body portion. The openings are offset from the center axis of the center body portion, the mounting pads are attached to the elevated members, and the elevated members are attached to the angle members and the angle members are attached to the center body portion. The mounting pads are each adapted to mount to a conductor bar such as a neutral conductor bar or a ground conductor bar.

Abstract: A golf practice putting device comprises an elongated mat upon which a golf ball is propelled from one end to an opposite end exhibiting a ramp surface and an abutting elevated normally level surface provided by a frame supporting the mat at such opposite end. An aperture is provided at the elevated surface and a ball entering the aperture is guided to a first receptacle in the frame where the ball is retained. Balls rolling toward the aperture but missing the aperture drop into a second open top receptacle. The first receptacle is covered by a liftable portion of the mat. For retrieving balls from the first receptacle, the mat portion covering the first receptacle is manually lifted. Means are provided on that mat portion for causing the mat to remain flat above the first receptacle despite repeated lifting and bending for ball retrieval.

Abstract: An error compensated, coordinate measuring machine includes a ram, a supporting structure for the ram and a base on which an object or part to be inspected is secured. The ram is mounted to the structure and movable with respect thereto. An object sensing probe is mounted to the ram. The probe is responsive to contact with the part or object being tested. Sensors are mounted to the ram and the base. The sensor on the ram detects the angular deviation of the ram from a reference plane, and the sensor on the base detects the angular deviation of the base from the same reference plane. A calculator unit determines the difference between the angular deviations of the ram and the base from the reference plane. The machine further includes transducers which measure the position of the ram with respect to the supporting structure, and the position of the supporting structure with respect to the base. The transducers provide ram positional data.

Abstract: A supervisory computer automatically equalizes the temperature of effluent streams of a multipass heating system to maximize heat transfer, without substantially disturbing a desired total flow through the heating system. Temperature control is achieved by manipulating the division of a feed stream among the multiple passes. In addition, if the flow in one or more passes cannot be manipulated, the control scheme automatically equalizes the temperatures of the remaining passes. This is accomplished by calculating a flow rate for adjusting the flow through the number of passes under supervisory control to a value, which in addition with any uncontrolled flow, will provide the desired total flow through the heating system. This adjusted flow rate is used as an approximate set point for the flow rate in each controlled pass. The adjusted flow rate signal is modified for control of each individual pass by applyng a bias through a conventional controller acting on a weighted average temperature signal.

Abstract: A bandage useful, for instance, in medical applications includes a rupturable sheet or strip having encapsulated fluid (liquid or gas). The sheet or strip is disposed between the body portion to be bandaged and the outer surface of the bandage. The sheet or strip ruptues when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, thereby releasing the fluid for indicating that the bandage is applied too tightly. When the fluid is a liquid, such as a dye, the released liquid will stain the bandage. When the fluid is a gaseous substance, the release of the gas will be sensed. When a plurality of strips are used, one strip may contain a liquid and another one a gaseous substance, the strips rupturing at different predetermined pressures.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring eggs continuously conveyed in spaced-apart, aligned relationship by a conveyor to a receiving station at which eggs are packaged according to their individual physical characteristics. A frame on which solenoid-actuated plungers are mounted is disposed adjacent the conveyor at the receiving station for releasing eggs having the same physical characteristics from the conveyor in a predetermined sequence at the receiving station. The frame is movable with respect to the receiving station according to the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: An improved transport belt is provided for gripping and carrying parts such as thin and fragile electronic components through production processes including, for example, electroplating steps and the like. The transport belt comprises an elongated upright web carrying a succession of depending gripper units, each including first and second fingers for gripping and carrying the production parts. The first finger is formed generally coplanar with the belt web, whereas the second finger has a generally U-shaped configuration with depending legs on the leading and trailing sides, respectively, of the first finger. The legs are deformed laterally from the plane of the belt web and interconnected at their lower ends by a cross bar which is urged by the legs into spring-loaded contact with the lower end or tip of the first finger.

Abstract: An improved solder reflow system for mass joining with solder electrical and electronic components affixed on a circuit board is provided. The system employs a combination of IR heating, recirculating forced hot air heating, and focused forced hot air heating to achieve solder reflow at throughput speeds and soldering quality not heretofore achievable.

Abstract: An equipment (10) designed to engage and stop each of a plurality of items (16) passing down a track (12). The equipment (10) includes a mount (28) which carries a plurality of stops (30). The stops (30) are disposed such that, when the mount (28) which is spaced laterally from the track (12) is moved toward the track (12), stops (30) will successively obstruct the track (12) in sequence, consecutively in a direction upwardly along an axis along which the stops (30) are spaced.

Abstract: A bus bar stab insulator shroud cooperates with a bus bar stab housing to insulate and protect the stab fingers. The shroud includes an insulative member which has first and second side members connected by a central member which has first and second openings of a size sufficient for receiving stabs of a bus bar stab.

Abstract: An automatic article stacking system wherein a plurality of articles to be stacked are arranged in layers prior to being stacked. The layers are advantageously arranged horizontally orthogonal to one another so as to enhance the stability of the stack. A measurement system is provided for determining whether any of the articles exceeds a predetermined size limit. In one embodiment which is arranged for stacking egg cartons, a determination that the egg carton exceeds the predetermined size limit signifies that the egg carton is open and, therefore, not in a form suitable for stacking. The open egg carton is conveyed under an elevator which accumulates the articles to be stacked, and to a discharge area. Thus, closed egg cartons are accumulated in layers and stacked. Successive layers of articles are stacked under prior stacked layers.