Abstract: Improved construction of Flat Glass Plasma Display Panel of the type having planar conductors transversely oriented relative to elongated gas channels wherein dielectric separation exists between the planar conductors and gas channels, including preferred relationship between conductor spacing and channel depth, and joining of conductor pairs to facilitate external electrical connections to all conductors.

Abstract: A decorative hanging, electrostatically adherent to wall and ceiling surfaces comprises a doubly charged, irradiated and crosslinked insulative plastic foam.

Abstract: A method of desulfurizing boiler flue gas by intimate contact thereof with dry particles of a reactant or absorbent, such as hydrated lime, preferably with recirculation of the flue gas and entrained reactant or absorbent particles. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the method comprises an upstanding conduit defining a vertical gas flow path in communication with a source of SO.sub.2 --and particulate-laden flue gas, a conveyor for introducing a dry reactant or absorbent into the gas flow path, and a rotatable slinger mounted within the gas flow path for uniformly distributing the reactant or absorbent thereacross.

Abstract: A switch device (10, 10') which is responsive to various pressures is disclosed. The device (10, 10') includes a housing (18, 18') and plurality of switches (102, 104, 106, 168, 170, 172). A flexible diaphragm (40, 40') is supported external of the housing (18, 18') and has a first face adapted to face a pressure source and a second face facing an external wall (56, 56') of the housing (18, 18'). A plurality of first magnets (46, 48, 50, 182, 184, 186) are connected to the diaphragm at different locations thereon. A plurality of second magnets (108, 110, 112, 174, 176, 178) are supported in the housing and are each connected to one of the switches for activating a respective switch. Each of the second magnets is disposed adjacent one of the first magnets to form a plurality of pairs of first and second magnets whereby the motion of one of the first magnets of one of said pairs causes the second magnet of said last-mentioned pair to move and activate one of the switches to which it is connected.

Abstract: A charge amplifier having minimum offset voltage such as for use in processing a signal from a capacitive transducer. The amplifier is arranged to minimize the offset voltage and drift. The amplifier is arranged to be reset to zero upon application of supply voltage thereto, and the resetting circuit is arranged to reset the amplifier automatically during an adjustable interval after application of the supply voltage. The charge amplifier is further compensated for temperature variation and is arranged at minimum offset voltage notwithstanding strong background noise.The amplifier is arranged to have a drift of no more than a fraction of a millivolt per second. The amplifier circuit includes an improved switching arrangement and may utilize a second amplifier circuit for effecting temperature compensation.

Abstract: An electronic thermostat includes digital electronic apparatus for simulating heat anticipation so that in operation, the temperature of the room being heated or cooled does not exhibit excessive overshoot. A sensor generates a signal representative of temperature in the room. In a preferred embodiment, the system compares the temperature signal with a composite set point signal. The composite set point signal is generated by a data processor to effect the following system characteristics: (1) when the temperature signal remains constant and is equal to the set point, the system can cycle approximately six times an hour with a fifty percent duty cycle; (2) a relatively small change in temperature or set point will modify the duty cycle substantially; and (3) if the temperature and set point signals differ by more than a predetermined amount, the system will lock on or off, depending on which is greater.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a fuel ignition system having pilot and main valves in which the energization of the operate windings of the pilot and main valves, which are connected in series, is controlled by a silicon controlled rectifier. The SCR is enabled at the start of each ignition cycle by trigger pulses provided by a pulse generating circuit and when enabled, the SCR provides a shunt circuit path around the main valve winding permitting the pilot valve winding to be energized at its operating level effecting pilot valve operation and preventing the main valve from operating. When a pilot flame is provided, a capacitor of a flame sensing network is charged by flame rectified current, generating an inhibit signal for the pulse generating circuit which causes the SCR to be cut off, interrupting the shunt path to allow the main valve winding to be energized, effecting main valve operation.

Abstract: A process for preparing french fried potatoes for freezing and subsequent finish frying to resemble closely french fried potatoes prepared directly from fresh potatoes, in which after completion of the preliminary potato treatment steps of peeling, trimming, cutting into french fry size strips, and washing, the strips are then treated with hot oil for a brief period, and that step is repeated following at least one treatment of the potato strips to a hot, (300.degree. to 400.degree. F.) high velocity process vapor of high moisture content (60 to 65%) and following a final oil treatment, exposing the strips to a hot, dry process vapor for reducing the gross weight about 30%. This process produces a pre-fried potato product with an oil content of about 3 to 7%.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a prefabricated knockdown clean room which may be readily assembled without tools in a minimum of time. The apparatus includes a plurality of building segments which cooperate with each other in assembled relationship and certain of such segments include means for moving air under pressure through a filter media which removes substantially all micro-organisms from the air within the apparatus to supply Class 100 air to a restricted area.

Abstract: An adapter circuit for retrofitting an oil burner control system with a flue damper includes a source of energy in circuit with the thermostat for energizing the damper motor in response to a call for heat to open the damper. A first relay in the adapter circuit includes a pair of contacts for simulating the operation of the thermostat contacts. When the damper is open, this relay is energized, and its contacts close, simulating the operation of the thermostat after the damper is opened, to energize the burner control circuit, thereby energizing the burner motor and ignition. A second relay in the adapter circuit senses whether the burner motor is energized; and when the burner motor is de-energized, this relay initiates a time delay after which the adapter circuit closes the damper.

Abstract: A vacuum operated sewage system includes a static pressure sensor establishing a trigger signal at a selected first level in a standpipe. The sensor is connected upstream of a discharge control valve and actuates a trigger and timer controller at the selected sensed pressure to establish flow for a predetermined period. A separate air admission control is provided to separately actuate the timer controller if the vacuum level in the sewage flow line drops below a selected level, to thereby reset the system vacuum pressure. The air admission control includes a level trigger valve operable to actuate the controller. A by-pass pressure sensing valve has an input connected to sense line pressure and holds the trigger valve in standby until the line pressure drops below a selected vacuum pressure. A resettable fluid timer is also connected to the level trigger valve and is charged under normal pressure system conditions.

Abstract: A motor overheating protection circuit includes an enabling circuit which responds to a trigger signal provided by a reset circuit upon application of power to the protection circuit to enable a motor drive circuit to effect energization of the motor. A temperature sensing circuit provides a control signal indicative of the temperature of the motor, and should the control signal exceed the set point of a threshold detecting circuit of the enabling circuit, indicative of overheating of the motor, the enabling circuit inhibits the motor drive circuit deenergizing the motor. Once the motor has been deenergized as the result of an overheating condition, the reset circuit maintains the enabling circuit locked out until the protection circuit is deactivated and then reactivated.

Abstract: A switch mechanism includes a fixed contact bar on which two or more contacts may be mounted. A movable contact is associated with each of the fixed contacts. Two independent toggle mechanisms are provided, each responsive to a different pressure-responsive displacement actuator for selectively actuating one or more of the movable contacts. In one embodiment having two normally open and one normally closed set of contacts, one toggle mechanism is connected by a sliding yoke to the movable contacts of one normally open set and the normally closed set, and the other toggle mechanism is connected by a second, independent sliding yoke to the movable contacts of the other normally open set and the normally closed set. Hence the normally closed contacts (which may be used to de-energize a compressor motor) are opened if either pressure limit is exceeded, but only the normally open set is disclosed which is associated with the tripped toggle mechanism. This may be used to indicate an alarm.

Abstract: A mixed air conditioning controller is formed as a factory assembled and adjusted unit in a compact housing, with simple and direct input/output field connectors. Various temperature and humidity input devices are field connected to produce a sequenced control of the air dampers and mechanical cooling and heating devices, as well as auxiliary devices. The controller includes a primary input related to room demand, an outside air temperature input, with an interlocked control to the damper, a fan status input, a minimum air supply control and a by-pass switch having a low limit input. The logic network connecting the input/output includes pneumatic switching, pressure selecting and comparing devices of a diaphragm-controlled-orifice construction connected to function as fluidic repeaters, pressure regulating valves and pressure isolating and switching devices. The controller includes a conditioning channel and a damper channel.

Abstract: An air pollutant and/or fire combustion sensing apparatus includes a charged insulating sensing electrode layer establishing an electric field as the result of electric dipoles and/or electric monopoles in or on the sensing layer. The layer has a high surface and bulk resistivity. The layer has a minimal water absorption at environmental humidities. The electric field of the sensing layer creates electrostatic sensing reactions with the gaseous products of combustion and environmental pollution and produces an amplification of the charge detection characteristic to alter the charge of the electrode. In a capacitive sensor, the sensing layer is mounted within and in spaced relation to a ground shield member. The sensing layer is thereby exposed and produces a sensitive capacitive detector for sensing of a wide spectrum of combustion products and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for inaccuracy between a pair of aligned shafts attached to a slide assembly for a linear reciprocating carriage. This comprises pillow blocks mounted to the carriage and held in place by the use of intermeshing gibs. These gibs are so situated as to provide a tolerance between them, which permits the respective pillow blocks to move between the gibs to compensate for misalignment of the shafts.

Abstract: Heating, ventilating and air conditioning control systems commonly use pneumatic actuators. A digital logic control has first and second output ports applied to control the actuator through dual channels, including an air supply channel and an air exhaust channel. Various sensed and related input signals are processed by the logic device and generate control signals at the control signal ports. Each channel includes an electrically controlled switch unit having an electrical operator and a pneumatic switch for controlling the flow to and from the pneumatic actuator. The switch may take the form of an electromagnetically actuated flow valve opening and closing a flow path from a supply or exhaust to the pneumatic actuator or, in the case of the supply channel, the form of a small electrically operated pump unit. The actuation of the actuator is controlled either on a time or frequency basis to set the actuator in the proper position.

Abstract: An arrangement for a direct ignition type fuel ignition system includes a capacitive timing network which enables a flame relay to operate during a trial for ignition interval, energizing a fuel valve to supply fuel to a burner for ignition, and a flame sensing circuit which causes the flame relay and the fuel valve to be maintained operated only if a flame is sensed before the end of the trial for ignition interval. In the absence of a flame, a diode, back biased by the timing signal, decouples the flame sensing circuit from the timing network. When a flame is established, a further diode, back biased by a control signal provided by the flame sensing circuit, decouples the timing network from the flame sensing circuit. In an embodiment wherein the charging time of a capacitor defines the trial for ignition interval, a fast reset circuit provides rapid discharge of the timing capacitor when power is removed from the timing network.

Abstract: A vacuum operated sewage system includes a static pressure sensor establishing a trigger signal at a selected first level in a standpipe. The sensor is connected upstream of a discharge control valve and actuates a trigger and timer controller at the selected sensed pressure to establish low for a predetermined period. A suitable time delay capacitor in the controller prevents transient signal actuation. A system pressure interlock senses the vacuum level of the system to disable the timer controller if system pressure is below a selected level. The interlock may include a pressure level control valve connected to bleed the capacitor and disable the timer controller. A system pressure sensing valve in parallel with the level control valve decouples the latter as long as the system level is above the selected minimum and thereby permits normal controller operation.

Abstract: As a improved way of effecting fast valving of turbines of power system steam-electric generating units for the purpose of improving the stability of power transmission over transmission circuits to which their generators make connection, when stability is threatened by line faults and certain other stability endangering events, the heretofore employed and/or advocated practice of automatically closing intercept valves at fastest available closing speed in response to a fast valving signal, and thereafter automatically fully reopening them in a matter of seconds, is modified by providing to reopen the valves only partially to and thereafter retain them at a preset partially open position.For best results the process of what can be termed sustained partial reopening is so effected as to result in its completion within a fraction of a second following the peak of the first forward swing of the generator rotor.