Abstract: An apparatus is provided for minimizing closing force of a door. The apparatus comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in the hinged edge of the door. A piston is slidably mounted in the bore. A button having an inner end and an outer end is disposed in the bore with the inner end of the button engaging the piston for urging the button toward a first extended position where the button extends from the edge of the door. The button is slidable in the bore relative to the housing for reciprocal movement between the extended position and a second position where the button is depressed into the bore against the force of the piston. The button is disposed so that the outer end of the button engages the door frame for slowing movement of the door in a closing direction as the button is moved into the bore to the depressed second position.

Abstract: A door operator includes a door driver for opening and closing a door, and a control system including a microprocessor having multiple microprocessor inputs. The microprocessor is connected to and controls the door driver. The microprocessor has multiple program modules corresponding to input functions to be performed by the door operator. The door operator includes a plurality of door operator inputs connected to corresponding ones of the microprocessor inputs, and a user interface connected to the microprocessor. The user interface allows a user to associate a selected door operator input and corresponding microprocessor input to a selected program module corresponding to a selected function to be performed by the door operator.

Abstract: A damping system comprises a door panel operably connected to a rail for movement along the rail. An apparatus is mounted to the rail for damping movement of the door along the rail at an end position. The damping apparatus comprises a base defining a chamber having a closed end and an open end, the base configured for securing the damping apparatus to the rail. A piston is slidably mounted in the chamber and extends from the open end of the base in a first position. The piston includes a cylinder, a piston head moveable within said cylinder, a piston rod connected to the piston head, and a compression spring disposed on the piston rod between the cylinder and closed end of the chamber. The damping apparatus is secured to the rail for engaging and slowing movement of the door panel in a direction along the rail at the position as the piston is moved in the direction from the first position to a second position.

Abstract: A door closer, comprising a door closer housing mounted to one of a door frame or a door surface and a linkage arm for pivoting the door between open and closed positions. The linkage arm has a first and second end, the first end mounted to the other of the door frame or the door surface. The door closer includes a rotatable connector between the linkage arm and the door closer housing, the linkage arm second end engaging with the rotatable connector. The connector has a rotatable body portion and head protrusion substantially secured in a female receptor to transmit rotation about a longitudinal axis of the connector. One or both of the head protrusion or female receptor has a curved profile and is further movable with respect to the head protrusion to permit limited rotational misalignment of the linkage arm on any axis perpendicular to the connector longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the force in a door operator or closer comprises an elongated housing and a spring therein connected to the door operator or closer. A spring collar is non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the housing and adapted to move linearly within the housing. A fixed adjusting screw extends along a longitudinal axis of the housing and the spring collar is slidable linearly along an outer surface of the adjusting screw. A nut is threadably engaged at a distal end of the adjusting screw and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the screw, the nut bearing on the spring collar during rotation. The spring collar bears on a distal end of the spring to vary the spring compression and thereby vary force applied by the door operator or closer. The housing has an opening in a sidewall through which the spring is visible, and the housing exterior surface includes markings indicating the degree of spring compression.

Abstract: A combination door operator assembly and door, wherein the door operator assembly includes an operator unit mounted to the door on the pushing side thereof, an arm linkage having a driving arm and a driven arm, a mounting bracket on the frame of the door, a rechargeable power storage pack having at least one of a rechargeable battery and one or more capacitors, and a controller for monitoring a speed and a position of the door, wherein when the door moves faster than a predetermined speed, the motor is used as a generator to charge the rechargeable power storage pack and the speed of the door is reduced.

Abstract: A door closer, comprising a door closer housing mounted to one of a door frame or a door surface and a linkage arm for pivoting the door between open and closed positions. The linkage arm has a first and second end, the first end mounted to the other of the door frame or the door surface. The door closer includes a rotatable connector between the linkage arm and the door closer housing, the linkage arm second end engaging with the rotatable connector. The connector has a rotatable body portion and head protrusion substantially secured in a female receptor to transmit rotation about a longitudinal axis of the connector. One or both of the head protrusion or female receptor has a curved profile and is further movable with respect to the head protrusion to permit limited rotational misalignment of the linkage arm on any axis perpendicular to the connector longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A probe includes a sensor and a support. The sensor is operable to provide an indication of a thickness of a frozen substance that has accumulated between the sensor and a cooling fin of a cooling unit, and the support is operable to hold the sensor spaced apart from the cooling fin. When a defrost controller uses such a probe to monitor an amount of frost build up on the fin or fins of a cooling unit (e.g., a refrigeration unit or freezer unit), the defrost controller can initiate a defrost cycle only when warranted, e.g., only when the thickness of the built-up frost equals or exceeds a threshold thickness.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a reactive display system comprising a display channel, data storage coupled to the display and configured to store pre-determined and reactive messages, a sensor configured to monitor at least one variable of an area within which the system is located, and a controller coupled to the sensor, data storage and the display, wherein the controller is configured to operate data storage and the display channel to display at least one pre-determined message in a first mode of operation, and wherein the controller is further configured to operate data storage and the display channel to display at least one reactive message in a second mode of operation in response to an indication from the sensor that the at least one variable has changed.

Abstract: An embodiment of a probe includes a sensor and a support. The sensor is operable to provide an indication of a thickness of a frozen substance that has accumulated between the sensor and a cooling fin of a cooling unit, and the support is operable to hold the sensor spaced apart from the cooling fin. For example, a defrost controller may use an embodiment of such a probe to monitor an amount of frost build up on the fin or fins of a cooling unit (e.g., a refrigeration or freezer unit) so that the controller may initiate a defrost cycle only when warranted. Such a probe may be more reliable than other defrost-detection techniques, and such a defrost controller may increase the cooling and energy efficiencies of a cooling unit as compared to a cooling unit having a conventional defrost controller.

Abstract: A robotic laboratory automation workcell preferably includes instruments and equipment that are integrated by using conveyor or track elements and a robotic arm. The automation workcell is controlled by a centralized or main controller or processor using specialized control software to automate the proteomics research process. The automated workcell is capable of performing genetic laboratory experiments from start to finish by moving samples or microplates between the instruments for analysis. A goal of the automated workcell is to perform repetitive procedures in an effort to build and maximize the efficiency of a gene(s) of a targeted organism.

Abstract: A dried sample processor employs a loader which reads unique identification data from a carrier web, and supplies such data to a computerized controller. The carrier web is then brought to a punch arrangement which punches a specimen sample therefrom and deposits same into a well of a microtiter array. The microtiter array and the wells therein are moved into registration with the punch hole of the punch unit under the control of the computerized controller. The correlated carrier web identification data and the address of the well in the microtiter plate are displayed as graphical information on a computer monitor, and made available to other components of a computerized laboratory.

Abstract: A loader arrangement is provided with a first conveyor for delivering an article to a first station, and a second conveyor for delivering a container to a respective first station. A gripper engages the article at the first station of the first conveyor, and a linear actuator, which is coupled to the gripper, moves the gripper along a first linear axis. Once the article has been engaged by the gripper, a rotator moves the linear actuator rotatively so that it parallels a second linear axis which is angularly displaced first the first linear axis. The gripper then is moved along the second linear axis, which is arranged to intersect with the first station of the second conveyor. A tilting arrangement is provided at one or both of the first stations for moving the container and/or the article arcuately to achieve an orthogonal orientation with respect to the second linear axis.