Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber for applying a force to a moving member so as to decelerate the member. The present invention provides a cylindrical outer tube having a plurality of circular, angular grooves formed in the inner surface of the tube. A cylindrical inner tube is rotatably disposed within the outer tube. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube and is engageable with the moving member. The piston moves between a compressed position and an extended position. The inner tube has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and fluidly communicatable with the grooves in the outer tube. A screw thread is formed in the outer surface of the inner tube and is fluidly communicatable with the grooves in the outer tube. The inner tube and the outer tube rotate with respect to each other to adjust the level of fluid communication between the rearward end and the forward end of the shock absorber to adjust the level of force applied to the moving member.

Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus for providing proportional control of a fluid flow that includes a housing having a valve body with an inlet port and an outlet port. In one embodiment, the valve actuating apparatus also has a valve assembly including an armature, a movable fluid control member, and at least one spring biasing the armature into contact with the fluid control member. The valve actuating apparatus further includes a solenoid assembly having an electromagnetic coil and a pole piece. The pole piece and the armature define a gap that changes proportionally with the amount of current flowing through the electromagnetic coil. Fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port may proportionally increase or decreases as the gap increases or decreases. The valve actuating apparatus may further include a valve seat. The fluid control member may be in contact with the valve seat to inhibit fluid flow through the apparatus when the electromagnetic coil is not energized.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a sauce containing particulates which is configured to reduce clogging of the nozzle by the particulates. In one embodiment, a dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle body having a nozzle cavity with a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet. The nozzle inlet has a bore-shape cross section. The nozzle outlet is longitudinal in shape with a length substantially larger than a width. The nozzle cavity extends from the nozzle inlet to the nozzle outlet in a flow direction and has a cross-sectional area which is substantially constant extending from the nozzle inlet along the flow direction to the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: A redundant clock module provides a highly reliable fixed clock reference output. This clock reference output is based on at least two internal reference oscillators that are monitored and eliminated from use if they are not operating or within tolerance requirements. The redundant clock module comprises at least two oscillators, detection circuitry, switching circuitry and control circuitry. If a primary oscillator fails or is out of tolerance, the redundant clock module will detect the failure or out of tolerance condition and switch to a secondary working and in tolerance oscillator to take over primary timing functions of an end user application. The redundant clock module provides a slow and seamless transition between oscillator switching to assure no significant phase shift or runt pulses will affect the end user application.

Abstract: The cantilever mounted rotary brush conveyor belt cleaner is mounted on one side of a conveyor apparatus, with the rotary brush extending beneath the head pulley and the return strand of the belt to remove foreign material adhering to the belt. The unit includes a shaft and a rotary brush mounted on the shaft, with a bearing support assembly supporting one end of the shaft and with the other end being unsupported. A frame assembly has a mounting plate which is fixed to the support or frame of the conveyor. The frame has a mounting plate with a rectangular opening therein through which the shaft and the rotary brush extends. The bearing support assembly is located on and abuts one of the surfaces of the mounting plate, with the rotary brush being located opposite the other surface of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling ride through of an induction motor by detecting a power loss from a power supply connected to the induction motor, disconnecting the induction motor from the power supply, monitoring a line voltage of the power supply, monitoring a back emf voltage generated by the induction motor and monitoring a phase differential between the line voltage and the back emf voltage. It is determined whether the monitored voltages are within a predetermined voltage limit and the phase differential is within a predetermined phase limit and the power supply is re-connected to the induction motor in response to the monitored voltages being within the predetermined voltage limit and the monitored phase differential being within the predetermined phase limit.

Abstract: A fluid-flow system includes a first plurality of substantially identical plate-like blocks. Each block has at least two fluid-flow through-passages extending between its front face and its back face. The blocks are connected to each other along their edge surfaces. A fluid component is affixed to the front face of each of the blocks, with its ports aligned and in fluid communication with the respective fluid-flow through-passages of the block to which it is affixed. A second plurality of fluid-flow block-interconnection tubes external to the blocks are affixed to the back face of a first block and to the back face of a second block. A first end of the fluid-flow block-interconnection tube is in fluid communication with one of the fluid-flow through-passages on the first block, and a second end of the fluid-flow block-interconnection tube is in fluid communication with one of the fluid-flow through-passages on the second block.

Abstract: A purge system operable to remove lubricant from a liquid refrigerant material removed from an evaporator of a mechanical refrigeration system. The contaminated liquid refrigerant is delivered to the purge system by gravity and the separated lubricant is returned to the compressor sump by force from a pressurized fluid. Refrigerant vapor is separated from the contaminated liquid refrigerant by heating and returned to the evaporator of the mechanical refrigeration system.

Abstract: A field replaceable sensor module. The field replaceable sensor module of this invention comprises a housing, the housing being configured such that the housing is capable of being ready connected and disconnected to a multipurpose device and including one or more input ports, and one or more electrical interface connectors, one or more sensors operatively connected to the one or more input ports and attached to a surface of the housing, an electrical subsystem capable of receiving one or more signals from the one or more sensors and capable of providing one or more digitized output signals, and a computer readable memory having data stored therein, the data comprising sensor calibration data.

Abstract: A union for connecting two tubular members. The first tubular member has an external flange, and the second tubular member has a set of external threads. An annular nut surrounds the first tubular member. The nut has an internal flange that surrounds the first tubular member, and a set of threads to engage the threads of the second tubular member. Arcuate segments are circumferentially mated between the internal flange of the nut and the external flange of the first tubular member. A flat conical surface on the inner side of the segment comes into contact with a flat conical surface on the outer side of the external flange. Curved conical surfaces tangentially align with and extend from the flat conical surfaces on the segment and the external flange. Cylindrical surfaces tangentially align and join the curved conical surfaces on the segment and the tubular member.

Abstract: A uniform heat dissipating and cooling heat sink for increasing conductive cooling at locations where conductive cooling and temperature differential is reduced. The heat sink includes a base having a variable thickness with a maximum thickness at the interior thereof and a plurality of fins upstanding from the base with adjacent fins separated by a flow channel having diverging sides.

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: An electrical connection between a power source and a threaded aperture in a power device is made by means of a terminal lug and a bolt. In order to measure the current, a second electrical path is made in parallel with the bolted connection, and current in the second path is sensed. The bolt may carry the main current, or an insulating spacer may be used which prevents significant current flow in the bolt. In one embodiment, the parallel current path extends through a conductor arrangement including additional lugs through which the bolt passes, and in another arrangement the parallel path extends through traces of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A shutter section includes a stack of circular plates independently rotatable in a nest formed as a laminar formation of rings. The plates have central openings defining a light path. Four central plates in the stack are shutter guide plates with radial guide slots slideably holding shutter blades. Two outer pairs of plates are shutter drive plates connected by cams to the shutter blades. Simultaneous rotation of a shutter guide plate and associated shutter drive plate causes rotation of an associated shutter blade around the light path. Rotation of a shutter drive plate while the associated shutter guide plate is stationary causes the cam to move the associated shutter blade radially. The nest is enclosed by end plates. A motor section has motors driving pinions to rotate the circular plates. The circular plates, rings pinions and shutter blades are made of sheet metal.

Abstract: Current sensing resistors are connected directly to output terminals of MOSFETs forming the series switching stage of a PWM sinewave dimmer. An analog sensed current signal is coupled through an EMI resistant current link to comparators that provide an overcurrent indication in response to an overcurrent condition. A logic circuit overrides PWM control signals from a programmable controller, and operates drivers to render the series switching stage nonconductive and to render a clamp switching stage conductive until after the end of the current PWM duty cycle power on segment. The logic circuit sends an overcurrent signal through an optocoupler to an input of the programmable controller. The input of the controller is polled at a clock frequency for overcurrent signals and if the count exceeds a limit in any half cycle, or a maximum sum in sixteen half cycles of the AC supply, the series switching stage is rendered nonconductive and the clamp switching stage is rendered conductive pending a reset signal.

Abstract: A combination distributor purge valve unit for a turbine engine has a pilot air section, a fuel section, a distributor section and a purge air section. A spool moves along a spool axis to control flow through six sets of radially arranged removable fill nozzles and fixed outlet orifices in the distributor section. The spool moves from its initial position in which the distributor outlets are in communication with the inlet to the purge air section and closed off from the inlet to the fuel section so that high temperature purge air can forced passed the downstream side of the spool and into the nozzles in the combustion can of the turbine engine to eliminate coking in these areas. The spool moves against a biasing spring under the force of a pilot air driven actuator piston and the force of the pressurized fuel so that fuel can flow, initially through the fill nozzles and then the outlet orifices, to the combustion can.

Abstract: A theatrical luminaire for entertainment and architectural applications includes a lamp socket accessible from the exterior of the luminaire housing. A lamp includes a base, a bulb on one side of the base and a handle on the other side. The handle is grasped to insert the lamp into the socket. When the base is mounted in the socket, the bulb extends through the socket into the luminaire and the handle remains accessible at the exterior of the luminaire. The lamp is mounted with a one-handed push and turn motion, and contacts on wings of the base engage socket contacts as the lamp is turned to its final position. The socket is mounted on a support that is adjustable relative to the luminaire housing to preserve the correct lamp positioning when the lamp is replaced.

Abstract: A follower apparatus mounted on a track running parallel to an axis of rotation of a spool. The apparatus has a base with a roller mounted thereon and having an axis of rotation parallel to the rotational axis of the spool, the roller providing support and guidance to the material being wound. A pulley is rotatably mounted to receive material from the roller and redirect the direction of material traveled. Light beams and detection apparatus are positioned to detect material excursions to pre-determined off center portions of the roller. The follower positioning apparatus responds to signals detecting the material by repositioning the follower to place the material back on to a center zone of the roller.

Abstract: A latch device for a cover member includes a box body having at least of a pair of walls and an upside opening, a cover member that is mounted on the box body to enable the upside opening to be opened and closed, a handle member mounted on the cover member such that the handle member may rotate. The handle member includes a pair of claws formed at both ends of the cover member; and latch holes formed in the walls of the box body such that the pair of claws are engaged with the latch holes.

Abstract: A lasso for securing an object to be monitored. The lasso has a flexible cord with a length and first and second free ends, and a connector having a body with at least one opening therethrough. The portion of the flexible cord between the first and second free ends is directed through the at least one opening so that the connector and the portion of the flexible cord define a closed first loop with an effective diameter. The portion of the flexible cord is configurable to be generally U-shaped with a base and first and second legs which each project through the at least one opening. At least one of the first and second legs is movable relative to the fitting so that the effective diameter of the closed first loop is variable. The first free end of the flexible cord is directed through the closed first loop so as to define a closed second loop with an effective diameter that is variable by selectively oppositely moving the flexible cord through the closed first loop.