Abstract: A security assembly for an article to be monitored. The security assembly has a plate assembly with a first surface facing in a first direction for placement against one surface on an article to be monitored and a second surface facing transversely to the first direction for placement against another surface on an article to be monitored. A fastener maintains the security assembly operatively connected to an article to be monitored.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting system connected to an AC voltage source providing a first AC voltage is disclosed. A converter circuit connected to the AC voltage source converts the first AC voltage to a DC voltage. An oscillator circuit receives the DC voltage and produces a second AC voltage. The oscillator circuit includes a series resonant circuit and a removable installed fluorescent lamp. The series resonant circuit includes a resonant capacitor and a resonant conductor in series. The lamp has first and second elements and is connected in parallel with the resonant capacitor of the series resonant circuit such that lighting current runs between the first and second elements. The second element is connected in series with the resonant capacitor and the resonant inductor and acts as a switching element. When the lamp is removed from the system, the absence of the switching element creates an open circuit between the resonant capacitor and the resonant inductor such that the oscillator circuit does not operate.

Abstract: A variable voltage power supply in which multiple, independent, variable voltage direct current power supply circuits are connected in parallel to a single secondary transformer winding without simultaneously loading the transformer secondary. Each power supply circuit is controlled by a logic circuit that gates a power FET which, in turn, delivers current to a storage capacitor from a full wave rectifier on the transformer secondary winding. By controlling when the FET is "on" in relation to the AC input waveform, the voltage to which the storage capacitor is charged can be regulated and simultaneous loading of the transformer secondary eliminated.

Abstract: A security assembly for an article to be monitored, which security assembly includes a housing to be secured to a first surface facing in a first direction on an article to be monitored, a stabilizing element defining a shoulder to abut to a surface on the article to be monitored that faces transversely to the first direction, and at least one fastener that maintains the housing and stabilizing element in an operative position on an article to be monitored.

Abstract: The invention is illustrated by two embodiments of an aircraft landing gear manual release assembly each comprising a sequential main gear mechanism (MGM) for sequential release of port and starboard main door uplocks (MDU) followed by release of port and starboard main gear uplocks (MGU) and a sequential nose gear mechanism (NGM) for sequential release of a nose door uplock (NDU) followed by release of a nose gear uplock (NGU). The assemblies are characterized by a single control handle actuator (CHA) for movement from a gear stowed position to a gear deployed position for sequential actuation of the main gear mechanism (MGM) followed by actuation of the nose gear mechanism (NGM) through cable assemblies (20 or 120) and (22 or 122). The single control handle actuator (CHA) includes a single control handle (30 or 130) and a first support bracket (31 or 131) movably supporting the control handle (30 or 130) and a lost motion member (32 or 132) movably supported by the first support bracket (31 or 131).

Abstract: The invention is a linear guide system having a flexure that absorbs internal stresses in the system while still maintaining sufficient rigidity required for a precise linear guide system. These internal stresses may be caused by thermal expansion of components, misalignment of guide rails or vibration of components during operation. The guide system comprises at least two parallel extending guides supported by a base. Slidably attached to the guides are a plurality of pucks or sliders. In addition, the system includes at least one movable slide plate positioned above the pucks by two sets of vertical supports. The first set of vertical supports fix the slide plate to the pucks in both a horizontal and vertical direction while the second set of vertical supports fix the slide plate to the pucks in only the vertical direction. Finally, the guide system includes at least one flexure, consisting of a thin metal plate.

Abstract: A spring module having a shaft movable in first and second directions and a biasing element for urging the shaft into a normal position upon loss of power. The spring module also includes motion limiting means for limiting the deenergization of the biasing element and a speed reduction apparatus intercoupling the motion limiting means and the shaft. The biasing element is energized upon movement of the shaft in the second direction and deenergized by shaft movement in the first direction. Similarly, the motion limiting means are coupled to the shaft for movement in third and fourth directions. The speed reduction apparatus moves the motion limiting means at a slower rate in the third and fourth directions than the shaft moves in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A rail car indexer that provides a continuous transfer of the rail car bogeys from one dog to the next without ramming into the rail car axles in either the forward or rearward directions. The rail car indexer includes two parallel linearly offset progressor each of which has a barney and dog attached thereto. A center balance and back pressure bypass valve are used to control the raising of the dogs and to insure that the dogs remain in their lowered position until the proper progressor is ready to begin pulling on the rail car bogey axle. Sensors and a photo eye emitter and receiver coordinate the extension, retraction and transfer of an axle between the progressors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locator/monitor capable of locating a boring tool and monitoring the progress of the tool for control purposes. The locator/monitor may be used in expedited locating methodology and straightforward calibration techniques of the present invention. A durable and cost effective pitch sensor is also provided by the present invention. In addition, the present invention provides a slotted transmitter housing formed of an electrically conductive material, where the magnetic field generated by the transmitter is capable of penetrating to the surface.

Abstract: An improved plug-in power module for providing a controlled amount of electrical power to one or more remote lighting fixtures or other load is disclosed, the module being configured to sense a ground fault or other current imbalance at the load and, in response, both to trigger the module's circuit breaker to open and to report the occurrence of such a ground fault to a central location. The power module achieves these important functions without adding unduly to the module's complexity or size.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locator/monitor capable of locating a boring tool and monitoring the progress of the tool for control purposes. The locator/monitor may be used in expedited locating methodology and straightforward calibration techniques of the present invention. A durable and cost effective pitch sensor is also provided by the present invention. In addition, the present invention provides a slotted transmitter housing formed of an electrically conductive material, where the magnetic field generated by the transmitter is capable of penetrating to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door operating system for controlling the movement of a door, the system having a motor with a motor shaft for providing rotational energy to the system and a gear chain assembly for receiving the rotational energy from the motor shaft and applying the received rotational energy to the door to move the door, comprising a sprocket rotatably mounted on the gear chain assembly for rotation around an axis of the gear chain assembly and fixedly coupled to the motor shaft for receiving and transmitting the rotational energy from the motor shaft; a drive pin fixedly disposed on the sprocket for rotational movement around the axis of the gear chain assembly as the sprocket rotates around the axis; a rotational energy receiving extension rotatably mounted on the gear chain assembly and drivingly coupled to the door for moving the door; a drive dog fixedly disposed on the energy receiving extension for rotational movement around the axis of the gear chain assembly as the energy receiv

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 is valveless to thus prevent splatter of the delivered condiment due to entrained gas. A gas-operated pump is controlled at the delivery nozzle to effect delivery of the condiment.

Abstract: An automated bagging apparatus for use in the hosiery industry which tightens the bag around the hosiery articles prior to sealing to eliminate any extra bag space. This tightening effect is accomplished by holding the articles in place while extending the bag from the articles. The bag, while extended is sealed and trimmed prior to moving the sealed bag onto a conveyor belt for further handling.

Abstract: A positive displacement flow meter includes a pair of smooth oval shaped rotors mounted to a pair of spaced apart rotatable shafts contained within a sealed housing. The rotatable shafts penetrate the measuring chamber and have a pair of toothed, oval shaped timing gears located in a separate gear cavity chamber which are responsible for synchronizing and maintaining the relative orientation of the smooth faced rotors with respect to one another. The fluid that is being metered forms seals between the rotating surfaces of the rotors, as well as between the rotors and the wall of rotor chamber, thus the inlet and outlet plenums are physically isolated and are consequently not in direct communication at any point during the rotation cycle of the rotors. Thus, each rotation of the rotors results in the transport of a precise and known volume of fluid from the inlet plenum to the outlet plenum.

Abstract: An improved mixing passage in a foam fire fighting nozzle, the nozzle having a barrel with a first inlet to receive liquid under pressure and a second inlet to receive additive fluid and having a discharge end for discharging liquid and additive fluid. The additive fluid is communicated from the second inlet to the barrel discharge through a channel and a baffle is structured with said channel to provide a flow path for additive fluid through the baffle. The baffle cooperates with barrel wall portions to shape a relatively smooth annular liquid stream having a cross sectional area that diminishes to a minimum proximate the nozzle discharge. A mixing plate is affixed to the nozzle downstream of the baffle, the mixing plate being adapted together with the baffle to define a mixing passage in which additive distributes itself around 360.degree. and exits into a portion of the shaped liquid stream at the point of minimum cross sectional area.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the speed of rotation of the rotor of a brushless DC motor wherein means are provided for shifting both the on and off angle of motor excitation in opposite senses to thereby widen or narrow the pulse of energization to motor winding(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a locator/monitor capable of locating a boring tool and monitoring the progress of the tool for control purposes. The locator/monitor may be used in expedited locating methodology and straightforward calibration techniques of the present invention. A durable and cost effective pitch sensor is also provided by the present invention. In addition, the present invention provides a slotted transmitter housing formed of an electrically conductive material, where the magnetic field generated by the transmitter is capable of penetrating to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directional drilling to recover hydrocarbons, thermal energy, or the like, by using coiled tubing while the well is under pressure so that high density drilling fluids to control the subsurface pressures during drilling are not required. Snubbing apparatus and methods which maintain control of the bore hole pressure throughout the drilling operation are used, thus permitting the use of fresh water as a combination hydraulic fluid to operate a downhole motor and cool the bit, and to flush cuttings from the bore hole. The apparatus uses a down hole assembly including a bit driven by a motor, preferably hydraulic, which is located in a bent housing. A steering tool capable of indicating the angle and azimuth of inclination of the housing is carried by the motor housing and is connected to surface instrumentation by an electrical cable extending through the coiled tubing.