Abstract: A shear orifice valve including a valve body, a torque motor mounted on the valve body, fluid inlet ducts in the valve body, a plurality of first opposed metering orifices in the valve body in communication with the first fluid duct, a plurality of second opposed metering orifices in the valve body in communication with the second fluid duct, an armature in the torque motor, a metering arm having first and second faces on opposite sides thereof coupled to the armature with the first and second faces located between the first and second opposed metering orifices, and a third fluid duct in the valve body for either receiving fluid simultaneously from the first orifices in response to movement of the metering arm in a first direction or for conducting fluid simultaneously to the second orifices in response to movement of the metering arm in a second direction.

Abstract: A method apparatus for constructing an oxygen sensor in a layered construction including an anode element, a cathode element and an intermediate electrolyte-retentive insulator, wherein the layered anode element has a central flat metallic plate with two narrower outer plates bound against respective surfaces of the plate by an electrical conductor wrap, and the cathode element is uniformly compressed toward the anode along an elongate length by elongated support struts.

Abstract: A tire fill valve having pressure relief and tire fill fluid gas flow limiting characteristics for use in filling tires to a predetermined pressure form a large flow capacity gas source delivering fill gas at a substantially greater pressure. Gases utilized typically are air or nitrogen. The valve of the invention is wheel mounted intermediate the gas pressurizing source and the tire gas valve inlet. Tire fill gas from a high pressure high capacity source passes through a flow limiting orifice having a positive closure or shutoff member and passes through a pressure sensitive chamber as it enters the tire. Chamber pressure is sensed by a spring loaded valve disk controlling relief or venting orifices. When fill pressure in the pressure sensing chamber exceeds a pre-determined value established by the valve disk area and valve disk springs, the disk lifts allowing the venting of the fill gas.

Abstract: A surveillance camera system including a base plate, a truncated cone, a rotation ring spaced from the base of the truncated cone, a camera mounting assembly which readily mounts within the rotation ring, and a dome which rotates with the camera assembly and is easily engaged into position against spring-biased rollers. The system is a unique and novel combination of electrical and electromechanical components providing for ready access of all components in the event of servicing. The system will accept any suitable surveillance camera, and is readily adaptable with any surveillance camera of the appropriate size. An alternative embodiment illustrates a completely rotatable surveillance camera system which can be suspended from a standard.

Abstract: A fiber sampler has a flat collection surface and a carriage movable toward the surface to press a mass of fiber placed on the surface. The carriage, which includes a foraminous plate parallel to the collection surface, is pressed against the fiber with a predetermined pressure kept constant from one sample to the next with the pressure applied, a rake composed of parallel needles spaced rearwardly from a deflection bar is passed across the top of the foraminous plate to extract sample fibers from the portion of fiber extending through the plate holes. At the end of rake travel, the fibers are held between a fixed stop plate on the carriage and a back plate movable with the needles. A pinch clamp assembly is provided which can be lowered to grip the fibers collected on the needles.

Abstract: A fluid module for a fluid control apparatus which has an internal fluid operated diaphragm which will permit the manifolding of several modules together. Each of the modules is of the same configuration and is interconnected to a common main fluid supply source. The modular units are plugged together using couplings with the main fluid source piped only to one device with an internal fluid passage delivering the fluid to all of the modular units. The modular units can be connected in a series or parallel combination with respect to signalling fluids. The modular units eliminate the cost of interconnecting different units at a variety of locations with different couplings as well as independently supplying each unit with a supply fluid.

Abstract: A lamp includes one or more LED's which illuminate respective portions of a refractive lens element whose incident surface preferably includes portions of hyperboloids which translate the LEDs' emitted rays into substantially parallel beams within the lens element. The lens element's exit surface is preferably an array of facets configured to provide a desired beam spread pattern, allowing precise tailoring of the resultant output beam pattern. The plurality of facets also allows a larger area on the lamp to appear to viewers to be uniformly illuminated, thus providing full target size definition at a decreased cost and with reduced power consumption.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based sequencer for a multiple boiler heating system which allows the plural boilers to operate in a base load mode whereby one or more boilers can be made to operate at their optimum operating points and as the heating demand changes, a swing boiler accommodates the change, leaving the other(s) at their Preferred Load value until the swing boiler can no longer satisfy the demand change. At this point, the sequencer adjusts the base load level away from the preferred load set-point.

Abstract: A main feedback system regulates an output parameter of interest, such as velocity, versus a given range of load parameters, such as torque and inertia. An element feedback system rapidly adjusts an in-series-path zero to frequency track (cancel) a varying load-caused pole--including in-range variations of 100:1. Since zero-setting is inverse to an adjusted resistance required, a 100:1 zero range causes a highly non-linear resistance transmission, affecting the element loop's gain but not that of the main control feedback loop. By introducing a variable resistance of the same value as used in the main feedback system as a divider in the element feedback loop only, the element loop gain is made substantially constant over the entire pole-tracking range, and the element loop's bandwidth is made substantially constant over the same range, and thus rendering the dynamic response substantially constant over the same range.

Abstract: An alarm system remotely detects a sensor being attached to or detached from a product. The sensor has a secured state and an unsecured state. The sensor is in the secured state when attached to the product and in the unsecured state when detached from the product. The sensor includes an indicator for indicating the state of the sensor. A detector electrically connected to the sensor determines the state of the sensor. The detector provides a control signal in response to the state of the sensor. The control signal controls the indicator. An alarm is electrically connected to the detector and is responsive to the control signal for indicating the state of the sensor.

Abstract: Cushion to provide tripodal support at the three gait points of the human foot to alleviate pedal dysfunction and associated leg discomfort resulting from pregnancy, obesity, spinal deformity and the like. The cushion comprises support cushions positioned at points corresponding to the locations of the posterior calcaneus, the calcaneal-cuboid region and the base of the first metatarsal bone of a human foot. The support cushions are made of polymeric foam having a density greater than that of a surrounding insole and are positioned to form an obtuse triangle of support that directs the forces generated by walking across the foot so as to provide a near functionally perfect gait. The cushions may be separately adhered to the sock lining within a shoe or formed as part of an insole for temporary or permanent placement in incorporation as part of a shoe construction.

Abstract: Cooking process and apparatus is provided for cooking food products in a continuous manner whereby the moisture formed during the process of cooking is removed from the cooking oil and the time-temperature profile within the cooker along the cooking path may be adapted to substantially conform to a linear or nonlinear curve. The apparatus provides a novel process for cooking specialty snack foods having harder bite and/or lowered oil content.

Abstract: Rooms in a building each have a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC), a room control unit having a temperature controller, and various sensors. The control unit monitors the presence of persons in the room, determines the season, sets back the temperature in an empty room by a variable amount which the HVAC can restore in a given time, and restores the temperature to the previous user request when the user returns but to a standard temperature if the user has newly checked in. An outside hallway panel briefly displays, when interrogated by a maid, a person's presence. By monitoring maid requests, door status and maid activity, the unit indicates on a room map whether the room is being cleaned, clean, or ready to rent. By establishing the heat loss/gain (lg) factor of a room with the HVAC off and comparing it with the time to heat or cool the room, HVAC failures are determined. By comparing a room's lg factor with those of its neighbors, room environment failures are determined.

Abstract: Solenoid valve employing a loosely mounted rubber insert in a confining recess of the plunger for sealing an inlet port during closed condition of the valve. In case of adherence at the sealing surface of the inlet port with the rubber insert, initial acceleration of the plunger establishes an inertia impact to effectively break the bond, even at extremely low temperature.

Abstract: A controller is disclosed which uses pulse width ("PWM") and pulse frequency ("PFM") modulated signals to control a variable to a desired value, the PWM and PFM signals generated through calculation of the difference between the variable and the desired value and then by routing either the PWM or the PFM to the final control element or elements, thereby performing the functions of a proportional and integral controller. Derivative action is also disclosed by differentiating the difference, after filtering, and using the relationship between the difference and the differential to determine the routing of the output signal to the final control element or elements.

Abstract: A garment anti-theft device for captively receiving at least one clothes hanger of the type having a hook with a free distal end for receiving a support arm of a garment rack to suspend the hanger therefrom. The garment anti-theft device includes a body having at least one opening therein of a size large enough to receive a free distal end of a hook of a hanger introduced by movement of the hanger free end in a first direction into the opening. A cover is attached to the body for movement selectively between an open position and a securing position. The cover, in its position, allows the free distal end of the hanger to be directed in a first direction into the body opening so that the hanger is supported in an operative position on at least one of the support arm on a clothes rack and the body and out of the opening by movement of the free distal end of the hanger oppositely to the first direction.

Abstract: A system for measuring gas permeability of membranes under precise temperature and humidity controls, by the use of a gas detector made from a single metallic block, wherein the gas flow passages are virtually entirely confined within the metallic block, and a temperature control passage is provided in the block for stabilizing temperature of the block and the passages therein, at any predetermined temperature. The detector device also includes passages for forming into liquid reservoirs, for providing a controllable relative humidity by passing the test gases through the mubidifier passages.

Abstract: A simplified magnetic resolver for measurement of rotary or linear position which comprises a permanent magnet rotor and two pairs of sensing coils. The resolver produces sine and cosine outputs compatible with known resolver-to-digital converters.

Abstract: The electrical motor protector includes a housing being constructed of an electrical conductive material and having a first electrical contact disposed therein. Within the housing, a movable cantilever assembly is disposed and carries a second electrical contact thereon. Upon malfunction or overheating of the motor, the motor protector will break electrical connection between the first and second contacts to thereby interrupt electrical current to the motor, to render the motor inoperative.The cantilever assembly will be responsive to temperature wherein overheating of the motor will act to break the electrical connection between the first and second contacts, after which the motor will have a chance to cool before electrical connection is remade. The cantilever assembly includes first and second cantilevers which act in conjunction with one another to increase the cycle time of the device as well as providing a variety of other benefits and advantages.

Abstract: A cable lock for securing a cable having a shoulder thereon is provided having a housing and at least one opening in the housing, the opening being dimensioned to receive the cable shoulder therethrough. A cover is mounted for selective movement relative to the housing between a position permitting passage of the cable through the opening to a position preventing passage of the cable through the opening. A tumbler having a movable shaft operatively associated therewith, the shafting being movable independent of the cover is operatively associated with the cover for providing the selective movement of the cover.