Abstract: A message system having a wall with opposite first and second sides. The wall has at least one of (a) a mirrored surface which is capable of producing a discernible, reflective image of an object placed at the first side of the wall, and (b) a blocking surface which substantially obstructs viewing of an object at the second side of the wall through the wall from the first side of the wall. The message system further includes a message generator capable of making a message viewable from the first side of the wall through at least a part of the wall.

Abstract: A flame detector and burner fuel valve control has an ultraviolet sensitive, cold cathode, gas discharge tube in a DC quench circuit. In the presence of a flame, the circuit generates a pulse signal at a frequency related to the intensity of radiation from the flame. The pulse signal from a contaminated tube is at a higher frequency. A frequency discriminator circuit distinguishes between a flame responsive signal and a contaminated tube signal and controls the burner fuel valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating data from field devices to data acquisition systems. In at least some exemplary embodiments, a remote process or field controller may obtain data, and send the data to a data cache only if the data has changed from previously sent data. The data acquisition system may poll the data cache for data. Having the remote process controller send only data that has changed allows the communication channel between the data caching system and the remote process controller to have a bandwidth or throughput lower than what may be needed to support the polling of the data acquisition system.

Abstract: Determining a hierarchical structure, possibly for delivery to an asset management system. Some exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising receiving a message originated by a data acquisition system and destined for a remote process controller (the receiving by a message router), using content of the message to determine a hierarchical structure of a system between the data acquisition system and the remote process controller, forwarding the message by the message router, and passing information related to the hierarchical structure to an asset management system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mixing apparatus for mixing a flowable material comprises a first body having a first mating surface and a plurality of first cavities formed on the first mating surface. The plurality of first cavities are arranged along a first path to provide a variation in depth measured from the first mating surface. A second body has a second mating surface configured to mate with the first mating surface of the first body. The second body includes a plurality of second cavities formed on the second mating surface. The plurality of second cavities are arranged along a second path to provide a variation in depth measured from the second mating surface. The first mating surface of the first body is mated with the second mating surface of the second body to align the first path with the second path. The first cavities fluidicly communicates with the second cavities to form an internal flow path from an inlet through the first cavities and second cavities to an outlet.

Abstract: A retractable sensing assembly having a housing, a sensor connectable to an article to be monitored, a conductive element operatively connected to the sensor and a mechanical cable. The sensor has a secured state and an unsecured state. The conductive element is selectively extendable from and retractable into the housing. The conductive element includes at least one conductive wire through which the state of the sensor can be detected. The mechanical cable is connected to the sensor and is connectable at an anchoring location so that movement of the sensor is confined by the mechanical cable relative to an anchoring location to which the mechanical cable is connected.

Abstract: An induction motor system comprising an induction motor, equipped with a heat recovery and water pumping apparatus and an apparatus for controlling the electrical efficiency and resulting heat generation of the induction motor. The motor is adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC signal. The controlling apparatus includes a switching device, user controls and optional inputs. The switching device is connected in series with the motor and is operative in either a high impedance state wherein significant current flow through the motor is prevented or a low impedance state wherein current flow through the motor is substantially undisturbed. The user controls provide motor operational input signals. The optional inputs provide setpoint and sensed water temperature input signals.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises a substrate having an array of pressure sensors and a membrane overlying the substrate. The membrane includes physical parameters which vary with position. The membrane may include discontinuous regions and protrusions which affect the way in which forces on the membrane are distributed to the substrate. A pressure sensor may also include a controller for receiving pressure information from the substrate, with a signal processor being programmed to localize the depressed region or regions of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a bed occupant monitoring system comprising a pressure sensitive member attached to a support member for supporting a bed occupant, the pressure sensitive member comprising a plurality of pressure sensors. Each of the pressure sensors is configured to provide a reflected wave energy pressure signal by reflecting incident wave energy with an intensity which varies with a pressure applied to the sensor. A pair of fibres are coupled to each pressure sensor, each pair of fibres comprising an input fibre and an output fibre. The fibres are coupled to interface electronics comprising a wave energy source coupled to the input fibre of each of the pairs of fibres for providing the applied light energy, and, a wave energy detector coupled to the output fibre of each of the pairs of fibres for converting the scattered light energy into an electrical signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a rotary sauce dispensing apparatus for applying a sauce on a receiving surface such as a pizza dough. In one embodiment, an apparatus for dispensing a sauce on a receiving surface comprises a rotating table configured to support and rotate the receiving surface thereon around an axis generally perpendicular to the receiving surface for receiving the sauce. A sauce dispensing member has a dispensing outlet disposed above the rotating table to dispense the sauce on the receiving surface disposed on the rotating table. The sauce dispensing member is movable between an edge position above an outer edge of the receiving surface and a center position above a center of the receiving surface. A controller is coupled with the sauce dispensing member and configured to control a speed of movement of the sauce dispensing member between the edge position and the center position to form a layer of sauce on the receiving surface.

Abstract: An AC synchronous motor, also known as a stepper motor, uses its magnetics and drive coils to produce both motion and excitation for sets of position sensing coils. Each drive phase is equipped with one or more sensing coils, which may be differentially wound, with the coils configured to act as secondaries of a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). The primary of the so-formed LVDT is the motor drive winding. The outputs from these coils are fed to a microprocessor or DSP through an internal or external A/D converter. The microprocessor or DSP decodes the measured voltages using resolver strategies to produce a position measurement. An alternate mode of operation uses these same coils to form a variable reluctance resolver. This alternative mode of operation could be used for sensing coarse position while the motor drive is not energized.

Abstract: A floor marking system includes a floor having a predetermined location intended for use of a predetermined character, the predetermined location being marked with impinging light. The floor marking system also includes a lighting unit having a light source for marking light onto the floor at a predetermined location. A patterning device is disposed between the light source and the floor, and is configured and arranged to mark at least one of a graphic pattern and a color onto the floor at the predetermined location with the impinging light. The at least one of the graphic pattern and the color marked on the floor by the lighting unit and the patterning device forms an indicator, and the indicator corresponds to the character of use of the floor at the predetermined location.

Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus for control of fluid flow that has a housing having a valve body with a first port and a second port that extend through the housing. In one embodiment the valve actuating apparatus also has a toggle valve assembly that includes an armature, at least one sealing surface connected to the armature, and a spring biasing the armature to a first position where the sealing surface closes the first port. The valve actuating apparatus further includes a solenoid assembly with an electromagnetic coil and a pole piece having a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is shorter than the second, and the first leg and the armature define an air gap when the armature is in the first position. The electromagnetic coil creates a magnetic field in the pole piece when it is electrically energized to attract the armature toward the first leg to a second position where the air gap is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a flowable product. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a dispenser housing having a product outlet extending from the dispenser housing to dispense the flowable product from the product package; and a bellows pump having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, and bellows disposed between the pump inlet and the pump outlet. The pump outlet is coupled to the product outlet of the dispenser housing. The pump inlet is configured to be coupled to the product package outlet of the product package. An actuation lever is coupled with the bellows pump. The actuation lever protrudes to an exterior of the dispensing housing and being movable to compress the bellows of the bellows pump in a compressed position and expand the bellows of the bellows pump in an extended position to pump the product from the product package to the product outlet.

Abstract: A water treatment system includes a cylindrical water filter having a cylindrical exit passageway. A plurality of spheres are formed from a predetermined water treatment chemical agent. The spheres are positioned at spaced apart locations along substantially the entire length of the exit passageway of the cylindrical water filter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to camera mounting systems and, in particular, a universal camera mount apparatus incorporating a security device for use in theft prevention. The apparatus comprises an electronic anti-theft assembly in combination with a universally mountable mounting member. The universally mountable mounting member may then be secured to a camera by a fastener threaded into the camera's pre-existing tripod mount hole, for monitoring by the security device. As the majority of cameras manufactured incorporate tripod mounting holes, the mounting member may be used with the majority of today's cameras, regardless of shape, by providing alternative apertures for mounting in at least two intersecting directions of orientation.

Abstract: A fire fighting nozzle for extinguishing industrial scale fires including improved automatic pressure regulating features, enhanced educting features including central and peripheral channeling for foam concentrate, and combining with a capacity to throw dry chemical. Improved pressure regulating features include a double acting baffle and preferably a relief valve.

Abstract: A method for determining the nature of a ground fault in a floating direct voltage load powering context includes measuring the load voltage and the current at a nominal balance point, both before and after closing a circuit to the load. The fault resistance and the fault voltage are determined as the solution to an equation in two unknowns given the conditions before and after application of load voltage or at least precharge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating window regulators of the type having a reversible electric motor connected to a slide/carrier plate by means of cables. The apparatus comprises a first transducer such as a piezoelectric accelerometer or a laser for generating a first signal quantity related to periodic noise produced by the motor during operation thereof, a second transducer such as a piezoelectric accelerometer for producing a second signal quantity representing transient noise produced by irregularities in the slide/carrier plate assembly during travel of the carrier plate along the slide, and a processor for decoding the first and second waveforms and using data derived therefrom as a basis for identifying unacceptably noisy window regulator assemblies. The method comprises placing the window regulators on a test fixture, operating the window regulator with a simulated glass load, and generating and processing the first and second signal quantities as described above.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring material winding between spools. The apparatus includes spindels for positioning first and second spools in a co-planar arrangement with parallel axes of rotation. With the material initially secured to the base of a first spool with tape, a winding mechanism is energized to turn the spools. When the first spool is filled, a first sheave directs the incoming material to the second spool which is rotated at the rate of material supply. A tape applicator is then directed to apply a section of tape over the material, pressing it against the base of the second spool. A small wire is included on the base of the tape being applied. The applicator force on the wire against the material is designed to be sufficient to sever the material, separating the material on the first spool from the material being wound on the second.