Abstract: A mechanism used for locking a valve that provides positive control of the valve lock to prevent the valve from changing position unintentionally. The positive locking valve control device preferably comprises a push-pull rod having a toothed configuration that is engaged at different positions by a spring mechanism on the valve locking device in order to hold the push-pull rod and thereby the valve securely in place. To adjust the opening of the valve, the push-pull rod can be rotated by some predefined amount (such as 90 degrees) clockwise or counter-clockwise. This rotation frees the locking spring on the valve locking device from the teeth aligning it with a side of the push-pull rod thereby permitting linear movement of the rod to cause a corresponding adjustment in valve position. The rod is then “pushed in” or “pulled out” to adjust the size of the valve opening until the desired flow through the valve is obtained.

Abstract: A hinge construction for pivotably connecting a pair of members together, such as for connecting the access cover of a power inlet box used in connecting an auxiliary generator to the electrical system of a building. The construction includes a mounting member including a knuckle fixed to the power inlet box. An access member includes a pair of spaced apart, pivot lugs disposed one on each side of the knuckle for movement between a closed position in which the access cover engages the mounting member to prevent access to the power inlet box, and an open position for providing access to the power inlet box. A hinge pin passes through aligned apertures in the mounting member knuckle and the access cover lugs, and forms a rotational axis about which the access cover pivots. A torsion spring surrounds the hinge pin and has a first end retained in the mounting member knuckle and a second end disposed outside the access cover lugs.

Abstract: A fluid cutting tool and method for perforating or severing tubular members from inside. The tool is especially suited for use with a rotational drive system, such as a downhole motor, to separate downhole structures, such as stuck production tubing. The cutting tool preferably takes the form of an elongate metal body with an open first end connectable to the end of a downhole motor. The downhole end of the tool may be conical. A fluid conduit within the body of the tool communicates with the fluid channel in the downhole motor. Ports in the sides of the tool body direct jets of cutting fluid out the side of the tool. The tool attached to the motor is fed downhole until the tool is at the desired location in the well. Then the motor is operated to rotate the tool while cutting fluid is pumped through it. This causes the jets of fluid to be directed at the inner surface of the production tubing (or other tubular structure). This process is continued until the tubing is perforated or severed, as needed.

Abstract: The combination of an article to be monitored and a security system. The article to be monitored has a first component and a second component projecting angularly from the first component. The security system has a base and a cover movable guidingly relative to the base between first and second positions. The cover has a first opening through which the second component projects. The cover defines a receptacle for the first component with the second component projecting through the first opening. The cover has an entry opening which allows a) the second component to be selectively projected through and withdrawn from the first opening and b) the first component to be selectively placed in and removed from the receptacle with the cover in the first position. The base and cover cooperatively prevent c) the second component from being withdrawn from the first opening and d) the first component from being removed from the receptacle with the cover in the second position.

Abstract: A process for cooking food products, such as battered and breaded pieces of meat, with hot oil by placing the products on a conveyor and passing them through a plurality of descending hot oil curtains to enrobe and cook the products. The cooking oil is supplied from above through oil inlet weirs in a smooth curtain with the flow volume and temperature being controlled. The cooking oil is returned for reheating and the products are removed from the conveyor in a cooked condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a process which is low-cost, simple to use, reliable and long-lived and will effectively monitor the moisture condition of a volume of soil. In accordance with the invention, a light transmitting rod is placed into the soil so that its lower end is within the soil and its upper end is visible from outside the soil volume. The lower end of the rod is beveled to reflect light entering the rod from its upper end back toward the upper end.

Abstract: A control system and apparatus for controlling waterjet-driven marine vessels is disclosed. Some aspects allow for generation of a plurality of actuator control signals from a single vessel control signal, such as those provided by vessel control apparatus. A control stick embodiment provides a control apparatus that comprises a shaft moveable in at least one degree of freedom to provide the vessel control signals. Some aspects allow for an intuitive direct movement of the vessel in correspondence to movements of the control apparatus. Yet other aspects allow for locking out on or more degrees of freedom while other degrees of freedom and not locked out.

Abstract: A telephone switch in which communication between tasks controlling the switch hardware and the timing of those tasks, including the timing of repeating tasks, is controlled through a mail system in which mail messages are sent between tasks that may be running on separate microprocessors. The mail messages specify the destination task, the function that the task is to perform and any desired delay before the mail is to be delivered to the destination task. Repeating tasks send mail to themselves each time they repeat, specifying in the mail message the task to be repeated and the desired delay interval. A mail task holds the mail for the specified delay interval before it is delivered, and receipt of a mail message causes the task to run.

Abstract: The specification discloses a controller housing that utilizes card guides that may be installed and removed without the use of tools. Various arrangements of the controller housing with and without the card guides allows for the controller housing to accept electronic circuit cards of varying sizes. Thus, if a manufacturer desires to increase the number of points on an input/output card, for example, those additional points need not necessarily be contained in a card having the same form factor. Instead, the manufacturer may provide a larger form factor card and that card may be inserted into the controller housing by appropriately adjusting the location of the card guide within the particular opening into which the new card is to be inserted.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system is disclosed which is freely configurable with a plurality of peripheral input devices. The system includes a general purpose computer having a communications port for receiving and/or transmitting data. An electronic interface is coupled to the communications port and readily connectable to the plurality of peripheral input devices for communicating data between the plurality of input devices and the computer. The plurality of peripheral input devices can be selectively connected and disconnected from the electronic interface, the electronic interface maintaining a continuous dialogue with the computer during the connection and disconnection of the input devices.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a system and method for identifying and communicating with a plurality of transponders which are at the same time in the same interrogation field. The system is based on an interrogator which sends interrogation bursts in a periodical manner, and transponders which send the response back with a random delay related to the end-of-burst event. The system is primarily suitable for passive (no additional power supply) transponders, but can also be used for active transponders.

Abstract: A scaled quadrature pulse output signal is generated for representing direction and volume in predetermined increments of the flow of a liquid or a gas through a meter. An unscaled pulse signal is received from a meter. A scaling factor is applied to each unscaled pulse signal for accurately representing an increment of volume. The increments are sequentially added or subtracted to/from one another (depending upon flow direction) and a scaled quadrature output signal is provided for indicating the direction of flow and the volume of flow in predetermined increments.

Abstract: A generator transfer switching system having a multi-position generator transfer switch that enables a homeowner or user to manually select a group of circuits from among a number of pre-selected groups of circuits for transfer from utility company service to a standby generator via a single cam-operated switch. The multi-position generator transfer switch is comprised of a contact block having multiple stages with a shaft and a handle to turn the shaft. Each stage contains electrical contacts and cams operably connected to the contacts. The cams are mounted on a shaft running through the center of the block and connected at one end to a handle. The handle can be manually turned to switch a group of selected household circuits from the utility company service to an electric generator service. The switch eliminates the potential for electrical back feed from either the utility company to the generator or from the generator to the utility company.

Abstract: The increasing use of vehicles powered completely or in part by electric motors has created a need for measuring high currents in an inexpensive, reliable and convenient manner for digital motor control. Because the operating voltages of traction motors may be high, it is desirable that the motor current sensors be noncontacting. High-current sensors are commercially available, but tend to be large and costly. According to an aspect of the invention, a noncontacting current sensor having a rated capacity significantly less than the motor (or other) current to be measured is coupled to an electrical conductor for sensing the current in that conductor. The electrical conductor is paralleled by one or more additional similar conductors, so that only a fraction or portion of the current to be measured flows through the conductor associated with the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting condensate which forms inside an exhaust system. The exhaust system comprises an exhaust side in which condensate may be formed, a suction side, and an exhaust fan between the exhaust side and the suction side and coupled to each of the exhaust side and the suction side to form a conduit through which gaseous fluid may be conveyed. A hollow tube having a first open end and a second open end is provided. The first end is coupled to the exhaust side and the second end is coupled to the suction side so that the hollow tube communicates between the exhaust side and the suction side in a manner bypassing the exhaust fan. A means exists inside the exhaust side for diverting condensate away from the exhaust fan apparatus. The means is positioned to channel condensate into the first open end of the hollow tube.

Abstract: Cooking and simultaneously forming a tostada or taco product in a cooking oil bath by inserting a pliable tortilla between adjacent molds when opened in a clamshell action, then closing the molds and conveying them through an oil bath and then opening the molds and removing the product. While cooking, the product is captured in the space between adjacent molds and permitted to cook into the desired shape. An interchange of conveyor carried molds is disclosed whereby the cooking equipment may process different product sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A watchdog monitor coupled to a device bus includes in at least one executable software the ability to produce, during each frame interval, a strobe addressing a predetermined number to the monitor. The monitor responds to the interrupt and to lack of arrival of the correct predetermined number by generating a fault flag. The monitor also runs an internal counter which is reset at each interrupt signal; the count of the internal counter exceeds a threshold count if an interrupt fails to arrive. Such a timed failure results in setting of a frame fault flag. The monitor further runs an internal clock independent of the system clock. A further missing pulse detector initiates a counter at each monitor clock pulse, and raises a flag if the monitor clock counter counts a duration exceeding the monitor inter-clock-pulse interval.

Abstract: A band is provided for effecting body temperature changes, locally as well as core body temperature changes. The band includes a shell containing and easily replaced thermal insert filled with a high thermal capacity substance, and may also include thermal insulation, a radiant barrier, or an insulating airs space in order to increase thermal efficiency. The band may be strapped or otherwise attached to a user's body, preferably inside the forearms, directly over the wrists, where core body temperature changes may be effected.

Abstract: A valve manifold having a manifold body with a first face, an opposed, substantially planar second face, and a peripheral wall, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first drain port, and a second drain port being formed in the first face, a first outlet and a second outlet being formed in the second face, there being a first, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the first outlet and the second outlet, a second, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the first inlet and the first outlet, a third, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between said first drain port and said first outlet, a fourth, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the second inlet and the second outlet, a fifth, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the second drain port and the second outlet, flow paths opening into the outlets sloping away from said second face.