Abstract: A vertically oriented tube bending apparatus includes a vertically oriented support frame, which takes up less floor space than the previously known tubing benders. A tube bending apparatus in accordance with the invention, generally, includes a support frame having a length, a width, and a height, wherein the greatest of these is the height. The apparatus further includes a tubing advance mechanism, attached to the support frame, for advancing a tubing workpiece along a substantially vertical path. A bend die is also provided which is rotatably attached to the support frame and pivotally movable about a pivot axis. The bend die has an outer side edge with an arcuate peripheral groove formed therein to receive a portion of a tubing workpiece. The apparatus also includes a pressure die movably attached to said support frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for the pressureless division of a flow of objects from a conveyor system into multiple paths. The apparatus is ideally suited for use in conveying and combining streams of bottles. The apparatus generally is connected to a feed conveyor carrying a bulk flow of articles. The apparatus may include a conveyor system which permits the division of a bulk flow of bottles into discrete delivery channels. The apparatus may also include detectors to monitor and allow adjustment of the flow of bottles in each delivery channel.

Abstract: An instant-on valve assembly with manual override is designed to be connected to a tank containing high pressure gaseous fuel. The valve assembly and manual override allows the tank to be alternately closed off, vented or allows the gas in the tank to bypass the instant-on valve. The instant-on valve assembly can be repaired or replaced without venting the tank. The instant-on valve assembly has a main valve and a bleed valve The main valve has a secondary plunger that opens and closes a main orifice. The bleed valve has a bleed valve stem that opens and closes a bleed orifice. The main valve is slidably mounted within a housing and has a chamber at one end and a zone at another end. Both the zone and the chamber have access to high pressure gaseous fuel within the tank. High pressure gaseous fluid within the zone can be drained when the bleed valve stem is fully open. The bleed valve stem is connected to a solenoid and opens upon activation of the solenoid.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.

Abstract: The invention relates to a broadcast receiver, comprising a control circuit (7) for applying encoded messages, derived from a broadcast signal, to at least one storage device (12, 28), for receiving control data, derived from the encoded messages, from at least one storage device (12, 28), and for forming the messages from the control data in a form suitable for a display device (13) and/or a speech synthesizer circuit (14). In order to reduce the data file, given control data is stored under a respective escape code in at least one storage device (12, 28). The control data contains, for example phonetic notations of different languages. After reception of control data containing at least one escape code, the control circuit (7) applies said escape codes to a storage device (12, 28) for further processing of the control data stored under the escape code.

Abstract: An electronic tracking tag 10 may be attached to various types of physical assets to assist in asset identification. The plastic material tag body 12 includes a receiving cavity 60 therein so that a drawer 14 and an RFID transponder 16 may be slid into the receiving cavity and mechanically locked in the inserted position within the receiving cavity. A visual display cavity 54 is provided on the tag body, and a display label 56 may be selectively positioned on the tag body. The tag body with the electronic transponder therein may be secured to the physical asset by screws or other conventional securing members 46 positioned in respective securing holes 42, 44 provided in the tag body. Alternatively, one or more flexible straps 18, 19 may extend through a respective tie down hole 46, 48 in the tag body for strapping the tag body to the physical asset.

Abstract: A method for intelligently planning is provided, comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of tasks that a user needs to perform, each task having an earliest start time, a latest stop time, a duration for completing the event and a reward value for completing the event, the tasks including a fixed task having the duration being equal to the time period between the earliest start time and the latest stop time and a floating task having a duration that is less than the time period between the earliest start time and the latest stop time, arranging said fixed task into a plan for the user based on the earliest start time, duration and reward of the fixed task, determining an actual start time for the floating task within the time period between the earliest start time and the latest stop time based on the earliest start time and duration of the fixed task, and arranging said floating task into the plan for the user based on the selected actual start time and the reward of the floating task.

Abstract: A fuel vaporizer and method of fuel vaporization are described for use with a fuel such as propane, that is know to tend to liquefy at low temperatures and to vaporize at high temperatures. The vaporizer and method described pertain to a series of internal walls and cavities which promote heat-exchange and transfers heat from a fluid engine coolant to the fuel. The transfer of heat and vaporization of fluid occurs by virtue of movement of the fuel through a series of countercurrent passages created by the walls and cavities, with increasing cross-sectional dimensions in the passages to accomodate the expansion of fuel from the liquid to the gaseous state. The heat is transferred by conduction across a metallic interface which forms part of the vaporizer and which separates the fuel from the coolant.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus provided with a bidirectional rotary switch having a control element for selecting individual function elements of function groups by rotation of the control element, and for activating the individual function elements by pushing the control element, and where the selected or activated function group and/or a function is exited by pulling the control element.

Abstract: A coagulation control sample material for reproducibly monitoring coagulation control capability in a human patient wherein the coagulation control sample material has a predetermined clotting time within the range of from normal to abnormal human clotting times, the control comprising mammalian blood coagulation factors and an amount of at least one non-primate mammalian coagulation factor wherein when the coagulation control sample material has an abnormal human clotting time, the coagulation control comprises an amount of at least one non-primate plasma which has been treated with an adsorbent that adsorbs factors II, VII, IX and X and wherein the coagulation control is stable in the absence of buffer.

Abstract: A paperless recorder for recording pressure and alarm condition data from a fire controller for a fire pump control system. The fire pump is connected a pipe network which has a pressure sensor for sensing pipe pressure. The recorder is connected to the pressure sensor and checks for pressure changes. When a pressure change is detected, it is stored in an electronic memory. Pressure readings are also periodically stored in the electronic memory. The recorder may also monitor alarm voltages and alarm contacts which may also be stored in the electronic memory. The stored data may be transmitted to a computer via modem or port connection for further analysis.

Abstract: A vocabulary memory which contains descriptions of vocabulary elements is addressable by a code which is formed by a number designating a vocabulary element, but the set of useful codes for a given user comprises gaps (32-38) between groups of consecutive numbers which are referred to as segments (24-31). The vocabulary memory contains segments which are arranged end to end and the receiver comprises an auxiliary memory which contains, for a given segment (27), the smallest and largest code values of this segment and the position in the vocabulary memory of descriptions corresponding to the codes contained in this segment, as well as the addresses (225, 230) in said auxiliary memory of data of two other segments (25, 30) of the sequence of segments, some of which are situated above and some of which are situated below said given segment etc. in order to form a classification in the form of a tree.

Abstract: An interchangeable additive injection apparatus provides a plurality of flow paths from one or more upstream additive tanks to one or more downstream fuel containers. A plurality of additive lines converge into an additive conduit at a manifold disposed within the apparatus. A plurality of valves associated with the additive lines are selectively opened and closed to isolate one of the flow paths. A metering device is disposed along the additive conduit for measuring the flow of additive therethrough. A reversible, multiple port housing surrounds at least the valves and manifold. In a forward orientation, a plurality of upstream ports are coupled to upstream additive tanks, and a downstream port is coupled to a fuel tank. By reversing the housing, the apparatus is placed in a reverse orientation wherein the upstream port is connected to an upstream additive tank and a plurality of downstream ports are connected to downstream fuel tanks.

Abstract: To generate a problem solving plan and/or a system control plan respectively in association with the contents of the problem and/or the system operation conditions, there are disposed element knowledge for storing therein problem solving methods and system control guidelines and harmonizing knowledge for selecting and/or modifying the element knowledge. Depending on the contents of the problem and/or the system operation conditions, selections and modifications are executed on the problem solving methods and system control guidelines so as to produce an optimal problem solving method and/or an optimal system control guideline. Even when the solving method, the problem solving condition, and system executing situation vary depending on a given problem solving condition and a given system executing situation, an appropriate solving plan can be proposed.

Abstract: Stable coagulation controls containing mammalian blood and at least one non-primate mammalian coagulation factor or non-primate mammalian blood are described. The whole blood coagulation controls have a clotting time in the range of normal human clotting times or abnormal human clotting times.

Abstract: A method of controlling the current level of an inbound signal (Si) used in a TWACS (two-way communication system) for an electrical distribution system. The inbound signal conveys operational information and data on the performance of the system. The method includes first measuring the current (I) of the inbound signal. This current measurement is performed for each of a predetermined number of successive inbound signals. The root mean square (RMS) value of the measured currents is then determined. Operation of a solid state device (SCR) used to generate the inbound signal is now controlled as a function of the root mean square value. A line current propagating through the electrical distribution system is now modulated with the inbound signal. The inbound signal occurs at a predetermined range of angles (X) within a line voltage cycle regardless of variations in the line voltage characteristics. This enables the inbound signal to be readily detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending and cutting metal tubing includes a support base and a number of components attached thereto. A bend die is rotatably attached to the support base, and is pivotally movable about a pivot axis. The bend die has a tube-receiving peripheral groove, and a first blade guide slot formed therein to receive a first portion of a blade therein. The apparatus also includes a pressure die which is movably attached to the support base, including a reciprocally movable first pressure applicator, and a follower slide which is slidably attached to the first pressure applicator. The follower slide clamps against a portion of tubing, substantially opposite the bend die. The follower slide also has a second blade guide slot formed therein, to recieve a second portion of the blade. The apparatus further includes a movable bend arm assembly for contacting and bending a tubing workpiece against the bend die. A blade holder is attached to the support base for holding and supporting a blade.

Abstract: A method for preparing a coagulation control sample which is stable in the absence of buffer and which has a clotting time within the range of normal human clotting times for reproducibly monitoring coagulation capability in a human patient comprising (a) collecting blood from a mammalian animal, (b) removing red blood cells from the blood to produce mammalian plasma, and (c) adding to the plasma an amount of at least one non-primate mammalian plasma that has been adsorbed with a coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X adsorbent prior to addition of the plasma to the mammalian plasma.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for treating biodegradable waste material in a landfill by aerobic degradation. Waste material is deposited in the landfill and covered. The moisture content in the landfill is increased from about 40% to about 70% and a source of oxygen is injected into the landfill to drive and maintain primarily aerobic degradation of the waste material. The temperature in the landfill is increased to substantially eliminate pathogens from the waste material. The temperature in the landfill is controlled within a range of about 130.degree. F. to about 150.degree. F. to sustain the primarily aerobic degradation. Any combination of oxygen content, moisture content, and temperature in the landfill is monitored and varied to sustain and maintain the primarily aerobic degradation in the landfill.