Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an electrical appliance coupled with an output terminus and configured to operate in response to an alternating input signal, such as input AC power. The apparatus comprises a reference signal generator for receiving the input signal and generating a reference signal (either V.sub.RAMP or V.sub.CONTROL) in response to the input signal, and a control circuit for controlling connection of the input signal to the output terminus in response to the reference signal and to a user-defined set-point signal. The control circuit is coupled with the reference signal generator and with a set-point terminal. The set-point terminal receives the set-point signal and the control circuit controls connection of the input signal with the output terminus in response to a predetermined relationship between the reference signal and the set-point signal; the apparatus is capable of generating a modified periodically interrupted AC power output based on an AC power input.

Abstract: An eight-way joystick control system is disclosed. The joystick comprises a control shaft having a handle end adapted for grasping and deflection of the control shaft by a user, and pivot defining a fixed point about which the control shaft is deflected at the handle end by the user. The control shaft has a central neutral position and eight control sector positions spaced radially around the neutral position. An indicator is included that produces a distinctive electrical signal when the control shaft is in each of the control sector positions. A control structure defines a deflection limit of the control shaft in an octagon shaped deflection pattern with eight corners. Each corner corresponds to one of the eight control sector positions such that when the control shaft is deflected into any one of the eight corners the control shaft is positioned in the corresponding control sector position.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) comprising a drive wheel (20) having a plurality of gear teeth (18) and rotatably supported by a drive wheel housing (12) and a driven wheel (16) having a plurality of gear teeth (18) and rotatably supported by a driven wheel housing (14) which is spaced from the drive wheel housing (12). A motion transmitting core element (30), comprising a flexible cable (31) having first and second ends (32 and 34) and a wire (36) wrapped helically about the cable (31) in spaced convolutions, is entrained about the wheels (16 and 20) and is in meshing engagement with the gear teeth (18) for transmitting rotational movement between the wheels (16 and 20). A connector interconnects the first and second ends (32 and 34) of the core element (30) for maintaining the core element (30) entrained about the wheels (16 and 20) regardless of the orientation of the core element (30) as the core element (30) passes through the housings (12 and 14).

Abstract: An imminent icing condition enunciator employs an infrared sensor with a focusing element to receive ambient infrared energy from a surface, particularly a road surface, and the output of the sensor is processed to provide an indication of imminent icing to the operator of, for example, an automobile or other vehicle. The device is suitably mounted to a vehicle, within a mirror enclosure so as to provide an unobstructed view of the roadway surface.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing method for revealing surface and through defects in materials and articles. The method comprises filling up defects with a volatile penetrant, applying indicator material to a surface to be tested, removing the indicator material from the surface and registrating defects according to the presence color spots, shapes and dimensions which are functions of shapes and dimensions of real defects. The indicator material comprises a gas-permeable base with applied sulfonephthalein indicator in the range of 10.sup.-4 to 10.sup.-3 grams per 1 cubic centimeter of the base.

Abstract: A pulse density signaling input/output (PDSIO) scheme is implemented to provide a two-way, two-wire hybrid analog/digital communications system. PDSIO signals are sent as logic pulses from a "master" port to one or more "slave" ports over a twisted pair. From one to a predetermined maximum number of logic pulses are transmitted over two wires at baseband by a master port during a defined period. The modulation used by the master port is pulse density modulation at base band so that the transmitted signal appears to be a d.c. logic signal. The pulses transmitted to the slave port are also used to power the slave port. The slave port communicates with the master port over the same two wires using a pulsed current modulation that multiplexes data on the pulse signals from the master port.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an adhesive coated tape on a core mounted on a mandrel, includes a mounting frame having mounted thereon an adhesive tape supply roller, a rewind roller, an idler roller mounted between the supply and rewind rollers such that the adhesive tape on the idler roller can be sandwiched between the idler roller and mandrel and transferred to the mandrel with the carrier layer being wound on the rewind roller, a motor for rotating the rewind roller, and a knife assembly pivotally mounted thereon adjacent the idler roller for cutting the adhesive layer extending between the supply roller and mandrel after the adhesive layer has been transferred to the mandrel; two link arms pivotally connecting the mounting frame about a pivot shaft secured to a main frame; a piston-cylinder assembly for pivotally moving the mounting frame about the link arms and relative to the mandrel such that the adhesive tape around the idler roller can be transferred to the mandrel; and a cam plate for pivotally moving

Abstract: A sock processing apparatus provides devices for folding, trimming, stacking, and compressing socks. The method provides folding socks by tucking them into a slot in a plate, closing a pair of rollers beneath the plate upon the socks, and thereafter pulling the socks through the slot under roller compression. The socks then move to a trimming station, where they are held in place while a trimmer removes excess threads. The socks are then stacked and moved to a compression station for compression prior to packaging.

Abstract: A brushless, direct current, permanent magnet motor is disclosed, which comprises a stator and a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis in the stator. The stator has a plurality of stator teeth separated by axial interpolar teeth slots. Two pairs of ferrite ceramic magnets, formed as arc segments of equal circumferential length and axially constant radial thickness, are mounted on the rotor. Leading and trailing margins of each magnet are magnetized with a longitudinally varying magnetization strength or gradient while the central portion of each magnet is uniformly magnetized. This process produces axially alternating areas of low and high magnetization, which simultaneously cross each interpolar teeth slot upon rotor rotation to minimize cogging. An air gap of axially uniform width and the constant magnet thickness provides a constant reluctance path radially through the air gap and margins of the magnets.

Abstract: A retractor assembly for a seat belt system includes a magnetically actuated locking mechanism to selectively prevent extension of the seat belt. The retractor assembly includes a spring loaded spindle about which the seat belt may be wrapped and selectively extended. A ratchet wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth is secured to the spindle for rotational movement therewith to control the rotation of the spindle and, thus, the extension of the belt from the retractor assembly. A locking mechanism is provided for controlling the rotation of the ratchet wheel for this purpose. The locking mechanism includes a pawl which is selectively movable between an engaged position, wherein rotation of the ratchet wheel in the extension direction is prevented, and a disengaged position, wherein rotation of the ratchet wheel in the belt extension direction is permitted. The locking mechanism further includes a magnetic actuator for controlling the movement of the pawl between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A high reliability instrument system includes means for applying a test condition to the instrument and for determining whether the instrument properly responds to the test condition, and means for inhibiting the generation of an instrument output in response to such testing. This provides verification that most of the instrument system components, but not the system output, are properly functioning. The system further includes means for overriding the output-inhibiting function when it is desired to test the entire instrument system including the system output. The instrument system may include a gap-type ultrasonic instrument, with the test condition comprising a pulse applied to one crystal, the effects of which are detected at the other crystal to determine sensor integrity. The system is preferably configured as a two-wire on-off instrument system, in which application of the test condition at a transmitter is controlled by signals applied to the two-wire signal loop at a remote receiver.

Abstract: The railroad power switch operates from the energy stored in a hydraulic accumulator. A pump charges the accumulator and keeps it charged. A power cylinder acts on the moveable rail of a railroad switch through this hydraulic energy. The energy opens the switch, closes it, and stabilizes it during train trailing through the switch. A spring pack supplements this hydraulic energy in stabilizing the switch.

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 Integrated controller for a commercial vehicle air conditioning system according to the present invention includes a central control unit in communication with a high-pressure switch or sensor, a low-pressure switch or sensor, and an evaporator thermostat. The central control unit includes outputs that control the air conditioning system compressor and fan according to the conditions detected by the high pressure switcher sensor, the low pressure switch or sensor, and the evaporator thermostat.

Abstract: A load center has an enclosure provided with a back wall and a swingable access door, a bus panel secured within the enclosure and a plurality of circuit breakers mounted to the bus panel for switching power between an electrical utility and an auxiliary power source. The load center includes an input receptacle for receiving a plug connector of the auxiliary power source and transferring auxiliary power to the bus panel and the circuit breakers. A pair of watt meters are connected to the input receptacle for monitoring the power transferred from the auxiliary power source. A mounting framework incorporates the input receptacle and the watt meters within the enclosure on the back wall.

Abstract: A flow control device to control the rate of flow of granular material or the like therethrough has a valved inlet to control the ingress of material into the flow control device. A flowmeter is downstream of the valved inlet to receive the material and detect the rate of flow thereof. The material travels along a generally steep path between the valved inlet and the flowmeter. The flowmeter includes a guide to collect the material into a generally coherent stream and redirect the stream from the generally steep path to a generally horizontal path. A controller is responsive to the flowmeter and controls the valved inlet so that the rate of flow of material through the flow control device is at or near to a desired rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aiming a vehicle headlight to a standard image pattern includes a frame movable relative to the vehicle. A housing carried on a vertically adjustable housing includes a lens focusing a headlight beam onto a reflective screen which reflects the beam image to a camera. A control compares the digitized image output from the camera with a standard image pattern and generates a correlation factor based on the difference between the reflected image and a standard image. Based on the difference, the control generates output signals to an adjustment device engagable with the headlight mounting frame to adjust the position of the mounting frame to reduce the difference to zero.

Abstract: A thermal relief valve for a gas cylinder has a body with an inner wall defining a passageway for flow of fluid between inlet and outlet. A piston within the bore moves between a first position arresting flow from inlet to outlet, and a second position permitting flow from inlet to outlet. A restricting assembly for arresting movement of the piston towards the second position includes a thermal sensitive element of suitable eutectic material at the bore inner wall, with protrusions defining a first camming surface, and two or more restricting elements defining a second camming surface positioned to engage the first camming surface.

Abstract: A control valve is provided for a water conditioning system having a mineral tank. The control valve includes a housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The housing defines a chamber located between the upper and lower body portions. The upper body portion includes a first upper port, a second upper port, and a third upper port. The lower body portion includes a first lower port, second lower port, and a third lower port which provide fluid communication with the tank. A cylindrical disk is located within the chamber and is selectively rotatable about a central axis. The disk includes an upper face having a generally centrally located aperture and a peripherally located aperture. The disk also includes a spaced apart lower face having a first peripherally located aperture and a second peripherally located aperture. A first fluid passage extends through the disk between the centrally located aperture in the upper face and the first peripherally located aperture in the lower face.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled automatic transfer switch is provided with an improved voltage sensing scheme which utilizes an open-delta transformer and a control routine for determining voltage level or phase loss. The invention requires only two transformers for sensing three-phase power. An actuator protection feature is also provided to limit the duration of power applied to and to protect the actuator solenoids on the automatic transfer switch. Also provided are improved diagnostic annunciation features which provide specific information regarding switch position and sensing element and/or actuator malfunction.