Abstract: The valve includes a body having five surfaces and a plurality of blind holes, grooves and channels interconnected with the blind holes to form communication net. Two rectangular diaphragms are embedded separately into the grooves so as to selectively open and close the blind holes. An internal sliding base with an external sliding base coupled to the external periphery thereof and comprises a sliding section and an internal press pillar disposed separately on two corresponding ends of the bottom of the sliding section. The two internal press pillars are capable of selectively opening and closing the two diaphragms. The external sliding base includes an external press pillar disposed separately on both corresponding ends of the concave groove. A casing for covering the external periphery of the external sliding base is secured with the body. At least one elastic member is installed between the top surface of the casing and the external sliding base.

Abstract: The invention includes an electromagnetic filter for a feedthrough conductor, and a method of making such a filter. At least two dielectric components are supported from a first side of a substrate, such as a housing or a printed circuit board. At least one of the dielectric components is associated with a failsafe link.

Abstract: A refrigeration system and method includes a refrigeration component and an electronics module preconfigured with a data set for the refrigeration component. The electronics module stores the data set including identification and configuration parameters of the refrigeration component. A refrigeration system controller that communicates with the electronics module to copy the data set and to regulate operation of the refrigeration component within the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A method and system for driver configuration for an ultrasonic meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are ultrasonic meters comprising a spool piece that couples within a flow of fluids, a first upstream transducer mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a first downstream transducer mechanically coupled to the spool piece (the first downstream transducer in operational relationship to the first upstream transducer), and a first transducer driver that selectively couples to the first upstream and first downstream transducers. The transducer driver drives the first upstream transducer, and also drives the first downstream transducer.

Abstract: An input/output module for implementing directions from a controller for sending and receiving signals to and from devices. The input/output module includes a microprocessor for communication with, and receiving programming from the controller. The input/output module further includes device communication connectors, each having number of pins, each pin for interconnection with a cable conductor to a device. The input/output module has an ASIC for each of the pins, providing a controlled interface with the corresponding pin. Each ASIC has interconnection apparatus, selectable by the microprocessor for providing a particular interface with the pin served by the ASIC.

Abstract: An apparatus for refrigeration system control includes a plurality of circuits, each circuit having at least one refrigeration case and an electronic evaporator pressure regulator in communication with each circuit. Each electronic evaporator pressure regulator controls a temperature of one of the circuits. A sensor in communication with each circuit measures a parameter from the circuit. A controller associated with each electronic evaporator pressure regulator controls the respective electronic evaporator pressure regulator based upon measured parameters from each of the circuits.

Abstract: A quick disconnect is provided to permit two cable ends to be rapidly connected and disconnected without the use of tools. The quick disconnect includes rear and front couplings which may be mounted to respective cable ends. Quick connection of the cable ends is effected by connecting the rear and front couplings to one another by a hinge latch. The hinge latch is retained in the closed position by a compression sleeve which surrounds the hinge latch. The front end of the compression sleeve includes a ring groove that retains a ring spring. The ring spring engages complementary retention grooves in the hinge latch to bias the hinge latch in the closed position, thus securing the front coupling to the rear coupling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time.

Abstract: The wall thickness and ovality of a tubular are simultaneously determined. The theoretical radius of a pipe is computed from a measurement of its circumference. An ultrasonic device conventionally used to measure the wall thickness of tubulars is adapted to also measure the maximum and minimum diameters and ovality by equipping or utilizing existing ultrasound inspection device with contact surfaces which contact the tubular at a fixed distance apart and at a known distance from the surface of the ultrasonic transducer. The contact surfaces define a chord of known length on the tubular under test. The mean radius of the tubular may be computed from multiple water path measurements around the circumference relative to a known fixture. The maximum and minimum diameter and ovality are calculated from the measured differences in distance from the surface of the tubular to the ultrasonic transducer and the theoretical circle.

Abstract: A high differential pressure, low torque precision temperature control valve is disclosed herein. This valve is trunnionated with stem components that are separable from the plug for ease of maintenance and manufacturability and thus reducing the need to remove the entire plug and sealing assemblies in the field. Field repair of stem sealing devices can be accomplished inline. The stem design can be smaller in diameter with smaller bearing surfaces than would be anticipated creating a lower requirement of torque to rotationally transposition the plug within the fluid chamber while under high pressure. This valve's lower trunnionated stem is stationery reducing the problems associated with o-ring failure and leakage problems with objects that rotate. Due to the design of the orifices in the plug, this valve is capable of repeatability at lower opening ranges than prior art valves and reduces jetting, caviation and erosion often associated with lower opening ranges.

Abstract: A transmission drive system (TDS) for a differential speed steered vehicle, in particular a track-laying vehicle (tank or armored personnel carrier), has two AC induction traction motors, each operatively coupled to two semi-independent coaxial traction shafts, and two AC induction steer motors coaxially mounted on a common steer axis parallel to the coaxial traction shafts. A steering gear assembly, preferably between the traction and steering motors, has a common steer input shaft operatively connected to the two AC induction steering motors. Two planetary gear sets have the two traction shafts being operatively connected with one of a two planet gear carriers, or two ring gears, respectively. The other of the planet gear carriers or the ring gears are operatively connected with each other. Two offset gears mounted to the steer input shaft and meshing with two sun gears, respectively, including a reversing idler gear interposed between one of the two offset gears and one of the two sun gears.

Abstract: An optical system design for measuring the velocity of fluids flowing through pipes or other conduits is disclosed. The optical system is comprised of a means for delivering two beams through a window in the wall of the pipe, focused to two points aligned along an axis of the pipe and separated by a known distance, and means for detecting light that is scattered by particles carried in the fluid stream through a second window, that is disposed on the opposite side of the pipe. By measuring the time delay between detected signals, the velocity of the fluid can be determined. The delivered light beams are focused in a shallow cone of light and are blocked by an obstruction disposed behind the second window. The scattered light passes through an aperture behind the second window that surrounds the obscuration, and is focused on to a detector surface.

Abstract: Heat tracing of an elongate, thermally-insulated substrate is effected by means of one or more elongate, constant wattage electric heaters mounted in thermal contact therewith beneath the thermal insulation. A metal conduit is mounted on the substrate and extends away therefrom out through the thermal insulation. The or each heater extends from the substrate through the conduit and is connected to a source of electric power within an external junction box. By this arrangement, the heat developed along the length of the constant wattage heater as it passes through the thermal insulation of the substrate can be dissipated safely through the body of the conductive conduit.

Abstract: A multi-axis wrist device is provided for use with a prosthetic limb. The wrist device includes a base plate that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic limb. A cross piece, having first and second axes, can be coupled to the base plate. A prosthetic attachment can be coupled to the cross piece. The cross piece can enable a user to simultaneously flex the prosthetic attachment in two different axes. A first and second torsional spring can be coupled to the first and second axes, respectively, to enable the prosthetic attachment to be biased toward a center point.

Abstract: The combination of a portable article, a first support, and at least one connecting element for maintaining the portable article in a secured state relative to the first support. The at least one connecting element has at least one arm which overlies a portion of the portable article. At least a portion of the at least one connecting element at least one of a) is made from a hardened metal material, b) has a stepped configuration, and c) has a shaped non-flat surface so as to be resistant to bending in a manner to allow the portable article to be released from the secured state.

Abstract: A multi-channel valve uses a single drive motor to translate a single actuator assembly coupling multiple pintle valves for metering the same amount of media through each channel. The actuator assembly includes a swivel base mounting two or more clevis and nut arrangements coupled to the pintles. The actuator assembly translates the pintles the same distance. The clevis and nut joints can pivot and slide with respect to the swivel base to provide four degrees of freedom between the pintles to significantly reduce binding or side loading on one or both pintles. A stop cushioning assembly is provided to prevent jamming at the interface of the actuator assembly and a motor driven drive assembly.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a portable article. The system has a housing, a detectable signal generator on the housing, a detection circuit on the housing, and a jumper element having first and second ends. The jumper element has a) an operative state wherein the first and second jumper element ends are electrically connected to the detection circuit at first and second locations and the jumper element defines a conductive path electrically connecting between the first and second locations on the detection circuit and b) a disabled state. In the disabled state, one of i) the first end of the jumper element is disconnected from the detection circuit at the first location ii) the second end of the jumper element is disconnected from the detection circuit at the second location and iii) the jumper element is severed between the first and second ends, so that the conductive path between the first and second locations is interrupted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time.

Abstract: A combplate closes the terminal ends of a continuous belt transport system having grooved carrier plates. The combplate has a plurality of protrusions and a communications board. The plurality of spaced apart projections are located along the one lateral edge with a portion thereof extending forward of the one lateral edge, shaped to align with and pass between the carrier plate grooves, and provided with a detector that senses a break in its integrity and a circuit for communicating its status externally. The communications board is in electrical contact with each of the projections for repeatedly monitoring the status of each projection to detect a break in a projection's integrity.