Abstract: A product testing system comprises a housing with at least one opening therein, the housing having an internal, environmentally controlled chamber. Products to be tested are mounted to a product carrier. The latter is carried, in turn, by a product carrier transfer assembly. By means of the vehicle and transfer assembly, the product carrier may be oriented to be received within the housing opening with the products exposed to the environmentally controlled internal housing chamber. In one embodiment, the vehicle traverses a path adjacent one or more housings, and the product carrier transfer assembly rotates, elevates and laterally moves the product carrier to position it in an opening in the housing.

Abstract: A fiber treatment oven is disclosed in which hot gas is flowed parallel to and between fiber pathways within the oven to reduce deflection and breakage of fibers and to reduce end-to-end temperature variations in the oven. Hot gas is emitted centrally of the oven and flows toward ends of the oven. Preferably, an additional, generally tubular stream of hot gas is emitted centrally of the oven and generally surrounds and envelopes the fiber pathways to reduce side-to-side temperature variations.

Abstract: An improvement in microwave processing units having a turntable disposed with a processing cavity, the improvement comprising tilting the processing cavity and establishing a cross-polarized energy field therein.

Abstract: A gas analyzer calibration apparatus. The apparatus operably connects between a monitored gaseous environment and a gas analyzer. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump for drawing test gases from the monitored environment through the apparatus and through the analyzer. A fluidic gate selectively allows or impedes the flow of test gases to the analyzer and provides calibration gases to the analyzer at the analyzer's demand rate, and may be heated to prevent the condensation of hot test gases flowing therethrough. The fluidic gate will pass both span calibration gases and zero calibration gases, as desired. A vacuum breaker provides atmospheric gases for use as a zero calibration gas.

Abstract: An oven having an electrical resistance heater and a heat exchanger to maintain a constant temperature in an oven chamber cavity. The heat exchanger is internal to the body of the oven and adjacent to the oven chamber cavity. Air is the exchange medium in the heat exchanger to achieve a balanced, cooling effect through direct air exhaust and also to achieve zero environment effect. An inert gas may be introduced into the oven chamber cavity during the heating process to reduce oxidation. Outside air may also be introduced into the oven during the heating process. Electrical circuitry provides for controlling the temperature range of the oven, for generating a signal for servo motor control of a damper in the heat exchanger, and a high limit temperature controller to disable the electrical resistance heater when an over temperature condition is reached.

Abstract: A gas monitor system to monitor combustable or flammable gases present in the exhaust flue of the monitored equipment and to adjust the damper on a real time basis as the system is operated to continuously adjust the concentration of combustible or flammable gases in the monitored equipment. The system also includes self-check calibration circuitry to regularly check that the system is in calibration and that the sensor element in the exhaust has not suffered from a sensitivity decrease. Calibration gas is fed to the sensor on a regular basis. If the calibration circuitry does not complete a proper timing cycle, the system is disabled indicating that the instrument is out of calibration or the sensor is defective.

Abstract: A convection oven of the rack type for treating goods, e.g., baking bread, including a rotating duct which sequentially delivers heated air to a series of ducts which distribute the heated air across the oven chamber according to a flow pattern which provides uniform treatment of the goods while maintaining the goods and the rack stationary with respect to the oven chamber.