Abstract: A self contained multiple dimming channel package includes a housing with a main power circuit board supported on its bottom wall and a control circuit board extending laterally and vertically to baffle air flow through the housing. A cross flow cooling fan forces air through an opening in the control board and across power switching modules and toroidal chokes mounted to the main board. Each power switching module includes a heat sink with fins parallel to the air flow, and the chokes are mounted in rows with their central openings aligned with the air flow. The power switching modules include circuits attached to the heat sinks with terminals releasably plugged into mating connectors on the main board. Circuit breaker switches are snapped into place in the housing. The front corners of the housing are provided with integral mounting bracket and handle members.

Abstract: An arrangement, and an associated system, in which an actuator is utilized to move a flap. Within the arrangement, an actuator conveys motive force from a motor to cause movement of the flap relative to a supporting structure. A tube of the arrangement is operatively connected to the actuator and movable relative to the support structure in response to motive force conveyed by the actuator. The tube is for operative connection to the flap and is for moving of the flap. The actuator is located radially within an envelope of the tube. Within the system, a controller controls the motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting an electric motor, which is adapted to drive an endless belt at a predetermined tension, to a stationary frame, includes a housing that is adapted to receive the motor. A drive shaft extends from the front end of the housing and is adapted to drive the belt. An elongated base mount is integrally formed on the outside surface of the housing and extends from the front of the housing for pivotally coupling the housing to the stationary frame. The base mount has a first end and a second end, and a bore which extends longitudinally at least partially through the base mount from the first end and the second end of the base mount. A substantially rigid tab is fixedly attached to the cylindrical housing at a substantially opposite side from the base mount. The tension on the belt is set by applying a biasing force on the tab to pivot the motor about the axis of the base mount.

Abstract: A method of constructing a section of an elongated dike comprises the following steps: First, an uninflated tube is positioned along an axis. Second, a strap is positioned at a first end along a second axis. Third, the strap is disposed subjacent to the first tube. The portion of the strap extending from the first tube defines a free portion of the strap. Fourth, the first tube is inflated with liquid. Fifth, a second tube is positioned parallel to and along side the first tube, opposite the first end of the strap. Sixth, the free portion of the strap Is disposed over the top of, down and subjacent the second tube and disposed over the top of the first tube. Seventh, the free portion of the strap is loosely coupled with a first buckle. Eighth, the second tube is inflated. Finally, the strap is tightened to secure the tubes together.

Abstract: An electrical safety monitor (20) includes a housing (50) with a display face (70) and a securing section (54) that connects with an electrical panel (62). Electrical circuitry (30) is contained in the housing (50). The electrical circuitry (30) communicates with electrical lines (L1, L2, L3, GND) of the panel (62), and defines high impedance electrical paths between pairs of electrical lines (L1, L2, L3, GND). Each high impedance path includes a positive light emitting diode (D1, D2, D3, D4) arranged to draw current from a line carrying a positive electrical energy potential and a negative light emitting diode (D5, D6, D7, D8) arranged to draw current from a line carrying a negative electrical energy potential relative to the positive electrical energy potential. The positive and negative light emitting diodes are disposed on the display face (70) of the housing (50). Each light emitting diode produces light responsive to current flow in a high impedance path that includes the light emitting diode.

Abstract: Computer software for and a method of calculating ring-wedge data from a digital image by performing a discrete Fourier transform of the digital image. A discrete autocorrelation, discrete cosine transform, and/or Hadamard transform is also preferably performed, together with providing the results to a neural network (most preferably a fully connected, three-layer, feed-forward neural network with sigmoidal activation functions) to perform pattern recognition on the data.

Abstract: A note stacker for a currency validator includes a stationary punch and movable rails having slots therein adapted for receiving the currency tendered thereto. The stationary punch comprises a top plate surface of the housing maintaining drive motors and gears of the stacker itself. The top plate is curved to accommodate the natural deflection of the bill as it is being stacked, and is provided with a durable frictional material along lateral edges thereof to prevent the bill from sliding or otherwise moving upon the surface of the curved plate. A leading edge of the curved plate is provided with serrations or teeth which, in conjunction with a shutter fixed to the movable rails, serves to defeat strings or other retrieval elements.

Abstract: The combination of a portable device and a security system. The security system has a first holding portion and a second holding portion spaced from the first holding portion. The first and second holding portions are movable relative to each other to selectively change a spacing distance between the first and second holding portions. The first and second holding portions captively engage the portable device with the first and second holding portions in an engaged state and are movable relative to each other from the engaged state to a release state. A setting mechanism can be selectively placed in a secured state and an unsecured state. The setting mechanism in the secured state causes the first and second holding portions to be maintained relative to each other in the engaged state. The setting mechanism in the unsecured state allows the first and second holding elements to be moved relative to each other from the engaged state into the release state. An access assembly has first and second states.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding two cameras on a single mount for stereo graphic imaging with controls for: (a) the synchronous convergence of the optical line of focus of both cameras at a single point at a desired distance; (b) the adjustment of the position of the image focal plane in one camera with respect to the image focal plane in the other camera such that the two cameras are correctly focused on the same image; (c) the adjustment of the spacing between the two cameras such as to mimic the average distance between human eyes; and (d) adjustment of the two cameras such that the two cameras, while being converged, rotate around the same image (nodal) point.

Abstract: A device on a network having multiple units of programmable industrial equipment includes a control handle connected to a controller for a unit of the programmable equipment and a shared operating unit selectively connected to the control handle for controlling the unit of programmable industrial equipment through the controller. Further, the shared operating unit is adapted to connect to the network for communicating with each unit of programmable equipment on the network.

Abstract: A broadband telecommunication network (such as a cable television distribution system) includes a plurality of switching units (such as taps) controlling subscriber access to the network. The switching units are controlled from a central location (such as a head end) using minimal network transmission medium power. A repeating sequence of switching unit control messages is sent from the central location across the network. Each of the messages is addressed to an individual one of the switching units. Each switching unit is periodically powered up from a low power sleep state to a higher power operational wake state in synchronization with a corresponding one of the control messages being sent from the central location. After a switching unit's corresponding control message is processed, the switching unit is returned to the lower power sleep state.

Abstract: A material disposal system ideally suited for use in container filling operations and includes a cover member and a hopper having a lower door operable relative to the hopper by pneumatic or other actuating means for opening and closing the passage disposed above a drum or other container to be filled. The cover member and hopper are fixedly attached to each other. The cover member forms a seal around the inside of the container opening such that air and other gases escaping from the container by the filling or other material handling operation are directed through filter means which separate airborne particulates therefrom. The material disposal system is adaptable for covering and sealing a wide variety of containers. The filter means is adaptable for filtering a wide variety of materials and particulate sizes for removal of noxious gases, vapors and other airborne effluents.

Abstract: A lock with sensor comprises a housing defining a chamber and a latch mechanism located within the chamber of the housing. The latch mechanism is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position wherein the latch mechanism is substantially within the housing and an extended position wherein the latch mechanism extends at least partially outside of the housing. A sensor mechanism is provided and has a fixed switch portion located within the chamber and a movable switch activator portion, the switch activator portion being mounted so as to move with the latch mechanism and thereby activate and deactivate the switch portion respectively.

Abstract: Supervisor apparatus for running an integrated operation on a plurality of applications distributed on networked stations, the apparatus comprising: an evaluating unit for receiving and evaluating output from at least two stations including a first station and at least one other station, and an operating unit for sending selected commands to a first application running on said first station, said commands being selectable according to rules, said rules specifying a dependency of a command to be sent to said first station upon an evaluation of output from said at least one other station. The apparatus is useful for carrying out integrated functionality or regressive testing of multi-station single or multiple processes.

Abstract: A 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 and a sliding lock plate that is slidably engaged with the base plate. Both the base plate and the sliding lock plate have openings. Also included in the invention is a semi-cylindrical rotator that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic hand. The semi-cylindrical rotator has slots configured to receive the sliding lock plate and is coupled to the base plate in a manner that allows the sliding lock plate to lock into the slots.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting an unwanted electrical path between a reference potential and at least one of: a) a floating power source, b) a first power conductor coupled to a first terminal of the power source, and c) a second power conductor coupled to a second terminal of the power source. The system comprises an impedance network electrically coupled to the first and second power conductors and having an output terminal for providing a first voltage signal with respect to the reference potential, and an amplifier circuit responsive to the first voltage signal and to a reference voltage for generating an amplified signal indicative of the existence of the unwanted electrical path when the difference between the first voltage signal and the reference voltage exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus provides quick-connect coupling between a fluid source such as a condiment source and a pump. In specific embodiments, the coupling apparatus comprises a tube, and a fluid source connector coupled to an end of the tube and configured to releasably connect to the fluid source. A quick-connect coupler is coupled to another end of the tube and is configured to releasably connect to the pump inlet fitting of the pump. The quick-connect coupler includes a spring-loaded member being biased by a spring toward a locked position to lock the quick-connect coupler to the pump inlet fitting and being movable to a release position to release the quick-connect coupler from the pump inlet fitting. The quick-connect feature conveniently allows the pump to be easily and quickly disconnected from the dispensing system for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: A self contained multiple dimming channel package includes a housing with a main power circuit board supported on its bottom wall and a control circuit board extending laterally and vertically to baffle air flow through the housing. A cross flow cooling fan forces air through an opening in the control board and across power switching modules and toroidal chokes mounted to the main board. Each power switching module includes a heat sink with fins parallel to the air flow, and the chokes are mounted in rows with their central openings aligned with the air flow. The power switching modules include circuits attached to the heat sinks with terminals releasably plugged into mating connectors on the main board. Circuit breaker switches are snapped into place in the housing. The front corners of the housing are provided with integral mounting bracket and handle members.

Abstract: A fire fighting fluid proportioning system and method including a fire fighting fluid conduit in fluid communication with a fire fighting fluid regulating valve and a venturi, the venturi in fluid communication with a valve source of fire fighting foam concentrate, and having a pilot valve connected directly or indirectly to the regulating valve and the concentrate source valve and adapted to adjust, directly or indirectly, the regulating valve and the source valve in response to a sensed indicia of fire fighting fluid pressure in the conduit.