Abstract: A bracket for connecting a solenoid to a vehicle transmission includes a solenoid of the type that activates a valve for transmission fluid, and the solenoid includes an alignment member. The bracket includes a centerplate on which the solenoid can be mounted. The centerplate has alignment surfaces for receiving the alignment member of the solenoid to align the solenoid with respect to the bracket. An attachment appendage is detachably secured to the bracket, where the attachment appendage has an attachment opening to accommodate a fastener to secure the bracket to the transmission. The attachment appendage can be removed from the centerplate to allow the bracket to fit any one of a group of several vehicle transmissions.

Abstract: A device for aligning a motor shaft coupled to an input shaft supported by a bearing in a driven device, comprising a nut adapted for mounting on the driven device and a washer adapted for mounting on the bearing. The nut has an inner edge, an outer edge and a bottom surface having a concave spherical curvature. The washer has an upper surface with a convex spherical curvature corresponding to the concave spherical curvature of the nut. The spherical curvature of the washer has sufficient clearance for sliding against the spherical curvature of the nut. When the nut is mounted to the driven device and the washer is mounted to the bearing, the spherical surfaces of the nut and washer mate. The spherical surface of the washer can slide against the spherical surface of the nut to compensate for angular stresses on the shaft and maintain precise alignment of the motor shaft at all times. The invention also comprises a gearbox having the alignment device mounted therein.

Abstract: A security assembly for an article to be monitored has a housing to be mounted to an article to be monitored, a fastener that extends into the housing and that is capable of being secured to an article to be monitored to maintain the housing in an operative position on an article to be monitored, and a switch on the housing and having first and second states. The fastener is movable relative to the housing between first and second positions. The switch is in the first state with the fastener in the first position. The switch is changed from the first state into the second state as an incident of the fastener being moved from the first position into the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a condiment dispensing system for dispensing condiment and the like which includes a gas operated pump for moving condiment(s) from a condiment source to a delivery nozzle through a condiment conduit which includes a draw-back valve to prevent condiment buildup on the delivery nozzle. A gas-operated pump is controlled at the delivery nozzle to effect delivery of the condiment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring in real time the rotational or linear position, direction or velocity of a rotating or linear moving body, particularly an encoded optical disk or strip attached to such rotating or linear moving body. A position measurement pattern comprising a plurality of spaced apart rows of "lands" and "pits" are included on the encoded disk or strip. A position read head with a plurality of laser beams is positioned to reflect laser light off the position measurement pattern on the disk or strip. The relative spacing of the laser beams on the position read head is adjusted to a non-integral multiple of the spacing of the rows. Output signals from the position read head are generated according to reflected laser light from the position measurement pattern which is detected by the error read head. The output signals are converted to position, direction and velocity information.

Abstract: A system for automatically calibrating a semiconductor wafer handling robot so that the robot will move wafers into and out of precise locations within enclosures that form process stations or storage cassettes is disclosed. The system comprises a controller having memory and logic sections connected to a robot having an articulated arm that is movable in vertical (Z), horizontal (.theta.), and radial (R) directions and having a wafer retaining wand at the end of the arm. Dimensional characteristics of the robot wand and the enclosures are stored in the controller memory. Sensors are provided at each enclosure and/or the robot wand which are activated and provide signals to the controller that are relative to the wand position. The robot is programmed to execute a series of progressive movements at each enclosure location which are controlled by a combination of sensor response signals and the appropriate dimensional characteristics.

Abstract: A microvalve and microthruster are provided. Both include a housing with an interior in which an armature can travel and abut a valve seat to provide an electromagnetic valve. The armature acts as a valve body that is maintained in a or normally closed position by a permanent magnet, and is opened by interaction with a selectively activatable electromagnet. A microthruster is provided by fashioning the valve discharge as a nozzle, preferably of a material that is permanently and selectively magnetizable, so that the nozzle functions as the permanent magnet and which magnetism can be adjusted to assure proper opening and closing of the valve portion. The valve body is guided without any sliding fit mechanism and is suitable for controlling gas or liquid fluid flows.

Abstract: A distributed process control system drop for controlling the operation of an industrial process includes a first workstation or personal computer running industrial continuous process control software on an open architecture operating system and operable to analyze input information provided from the industrial process according to a predetermined set of rules and generate output information provided to the industrial process to control the operation thereof. A second workstation or personal computer connected with the first workstation via a non vendor-specific, international standards-based data highway normally runs in a backup mode and also runs the industrial process control software on an open architecture operating system to perform the same analysis as the first workstation and generate backup output information.

Abstract: A fryer for food products such as battered and breaded pieces of meat has a main conveyor with forward and return belt paths inside the fryer pan, the belt return dragging the pan bottom sweeping fines to one end for removal. A submerger conveyor prevents products from floating in the cooking oil which enters the fryer from above through oil inlet weirs. A plurality of weirs supply curtains of hot cooking oil in non-turbulent flow onto the food product covering the product as the product is conveyed on the main conveyor. The cooking oil is returned along defined lanes in the pan for reheating outside of the fryer. The food products are removed from the fryer in a cooked condition with the bread coatings intact.

Abstract: A method and composition for extinguishing fires using a plurality of firefighting agents wherein at least one of the agents has a distinctive visual coloration when thrown in a stream in the presence of the other agents; especially including for this purpose a dry chemical agent sufficiently colored that its presence can be detected when it is thrown together in a fluid stream with fluid and or foam.

Abstract: A sludge blanket level is determined in a waste water treatment clarifier using sonic pulse reflections. Additionally, using similar techniques, the clarity of the waste water is determined. A sonic pulse is directed into the waste water. Echos are generated as the pulse encounters the impedance mismatches indicative of changes in the density of the water. The echos are compensated for attenuation as a function of travel time through the water, energy lost due to prior peak reflections, and are processed to remove random signals using correlation techniques. A sludge blanket is selected from the compensated echo signal as a function of the size and location of echo peaks. Additionally, the clarity is determined as a flnction of the area under the echo signal between two points corresponding to predefined levels in the clarifier tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a remotely located audio-visual projector. In preferred embodiments, the invention enables connection of any selected one of a number of input devices (such as video cassette recorders or computers) to the projector so that a sequence of different input devices can be selected during a single presentation. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes removable rubberized keys for selecting individual ones of the input devices, and pre-printed transparent labels that are backlit to identify each selected input device. In some embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes a projector power status detection and indication subsystem which performs a calibration operation to determine one or more power threshold values and then uses each determined threshold value to determine the power status of the projector.

Abstract: The present invention provides shift mechanisms and methods of controlling a transmission. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a shift mechanism for use with a transmission includes a central axle defining a central axis; a master cylinder configured to increase the pressure of a liquid; and an eccentric assembly comprising a support member provided about the central axle and an eccentric mount coupled with the support member, the eccentric mount defining an eccentric axis and being in fluid communication with the master cylinder and configured to provide radial adjustment of the eccentric axis relative to the central axis providing adjustment of the gear ratio of the transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for counting small objects which is capable of accurately and reliably counting large numbers of small objects such as pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, and the like. The device employs linear pickup tubes radially affixed to a rotating collar wherein the tubes have a vacuum applied to them during a prescribed amount of rotation of the collar about a stationary axle. During the period for which a vacuum exists at the tip of a pickup tube, an object to be counted is caused to adhere to the tube end, and is transported into a discharge chute containing an object counter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing coins in a host machine including a coin validator, a switch and a processor. Coin validation and coin credit to a host machine are effectuated by generating an opto-emulation sequence. The occurrence of coins being stolen is minimized by an application of a temporary inhibit signal when the system determines that parity between the number of valid advance credit signals and a predetermined maximum setting is reached.

Abstract: An ornament, such as a menorah, is controlled by a microprocessor. The ornament has a LED circuit operably connected to a power supply circuit, and sensor capable of sending a signal to the microprocessor in response to external stimulus. The microprocessor controls whether a LED of the LED circuit emits light, and is capable of independently controlling a number of LEDs and responding to signals from a number of sensors.

Abstract: A bait station providing a holder for dispensing liquid bait in a refillable manner. The liquid bait is kept in a reservoir at the bottom of the bait station base. Fit into an open end of the base is an interior section comprised of two domes. The interior section fits into the base above the bait reservoir. A lid is secured over the end of the base. The dimensions of the domes are selected such that the domes contain the liquid bait if inverted and one dome contains the liquid bait held in half the reservoir. The access ports at the top of the base and between the domes provide access to the liquid bait. Refilling the station with liquid poison is effected either through a port in the lid of the bait station or by removal of the lid. Target insects enter the bait station through one or more access ports and then travel through an interior passageway to the liquid bait, which can be both an attractant and a poison.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to an apparatus for applying labels to hosiery, specifically sock stacks. The sock stack travels along a first conveyor and are deposited onto a second conveyor. The second conveyor carries the sock stack to a pair of rotatable clamps. The clamps hold the sock stack and stretch it. A pneumatic cylinder moves the pair of clamps upwardly into contact with an adhesive label. The socks are rotated 360 degrees drawing the label onto the sock stack to band the same.