Abstract: An articulated aerial platform system having a lift assembly including an upper parallelogram riser and a lower parallelogram riser. The upper and lower risers are raised and lowered by a single riser cylinder mounted between a base of the system and the upper riser. Relative pivoting motion of the upper and lower risers is controlled by a timing link interconnecting the upper and lower risers. A work platform mounted at the end of a jib pivotally connected to a telescoping boom pivotally connected to the upper riser is leveled for boom motion by operation of a master cylinder and slave cylinder arrangement. The slave cylinder is disposed in a generally vertical position. A jib cylinder actuating motion of the jib is connected across the diagonal of the jib.

Abstract: Packaging and method for transporting one or more gas generators. The gas generator is separated and insulated from walls of a sub-compartment. Side walls of the sub-compartment have apertures for passing heat and gas from the sub-compartment for dissipation thereof within a container in which the sub-compartment is contained. Passages are allowed in the container during closing thereof for release of heat and gas thereof.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is described that detects and indicates the quantity of cryogenic liquid in a Dewar container independent of the spatial orientation and physical motions acting on the Dewar container. The sensor apparatus comprises a first conductor, preferably positioned adjacent to the container inner shell wall and a second conductor comprising a plurality of axially spaced and concentric conductor bands mounted inside the container in a proximately spaced and a parallel relationship with respect to the first conductor. The second conductor bands divide the first conductor into zones that provide a plurality of distinct and separate capacitors. A computer measures the capacitance of each capacitor and compares the individual capacitance measurements to reference capacitance values corresponding to a known quantity of cryogenic fluid filled in the container at known angles of inclination. The sensor apparatus is also useful as a motion detector.

Abstract: A chemical oxygen or other gas generator which has a container composed of thermally-conductive and gas-impervious material which contains pyrotechnic material, the container being in heat transfer relation with a block of oxygen-producing material for transfer of heat from burning of the pyrotechnic material within the container directly to the block of oxygen-producing material for initiation of decomposition thereof. The container is sealingly attached to the casing so that all of the evolved gases from burning of the pyrotechnic material are segregated from the produced breathable oxygen. The evolved gases are vented from the oxygen generator so as to reduce the ignition chamber pressure and/or allow a greater amount of pyrotechnic material to be burned within the ignition chamber so that a sufficient amount of heat may be generated within the ignition chamber for application to the block of oxygen producing material for initiation of decomposition thereof.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is described that detects and indicates the volume of cryogenic liquid in a Dewar container independent of the spatial orientation and physical motions acting on the Dewar container. The sensor apparatus comprises a first conductor, preferably positioned adjacent to the container inner shell wall and a second conductor comprising a plurality of axially spaced and concentric endless conductor bands mounted inside the container in a proximately spaced and a parallel relationship with respect to the first conductor. The second conductor bands divide the first conductor into zones that provide a plurality of distinct and separate capacitors. A computer measures the capacitance of each capacitor and compares the individual capacitance measurements to reference capacitance values corresponding to a known volume of cryogenic fluid filled in the container at known angles of inclination.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is described that detects and indicates the quantity of cryogenic liquid in a Dewar container, independent of the spatial orientation and the physical motions acting on the container.

Abstract: An hydraulic drive system for driving a plurality of wheels of a vehicle. The drive system comprises an hydraulic fluid source, at least two motors for driving the vehicle wheels, a pump connected between the fluid source and the motors for drawing hydraulic fluid from the source and forcing the fluid to the motors, at least two flow restrictions, and at least two load-reaction compensators. Each of the motors drives at least one of the wheels at varying speeds in response to varying rates of fluid flow supplied to the motor from the fluid source. Each of the flow restrictions is positioned between the pump and at least one of the motors. Each restriction varies the rate of fluid flow to at least one of the motors in response to changes in fluid pressure upstream from the restriction. Each of the compensators is connected between the pump and at least one of the restrictions.

Abstract: A face mask for covering the nose and mouth of the wearer for supplying breathing gas thereto and a pair of strapless goggles which are easily and quickly donnable. The goggles are detachably attachable to the face mask by a tongue-and-groove connection wherein the tongue of the goggles is snapped into the face mask groove. Buttons are provided at the groove entrance for locking the tongue in the groove, the goggles being removable by depressing the buttons and sliding the tongue out over the depressed buttons. A face mask strap is coupled with hooks on the goggles frame for holding the goggles sealingly against the wearer's face. A vent is provided for supplying breathing gas to the goggles for venting thereof so as to prevent the entrance of smoke or disabling gases and to defog the lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a conditioned airflow inside a microenvironment using a portion of the breathing supply diverted to an ejector from a breathing respirator gas stream, is described. The respirator includes an expansion ejector and the microenvironment air or ambient air or both is flowed over and contacted with the ejector to condition the air by cooling and dehumidifying it. The conditioned airflow is set up by the ejector which expels a portion of the breathing gas stream into a venturi to create a low pressure zone for entraining the microenvironment air or ambient air. The conditioned airflow is then directed to the user's body to reduce user heat stress. Broadly, the air conditioning apparatus is useful with any housing for a controlled physical environment in which a person or group of people can endure surrounding inhospitable conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a conditioned airflow inside a microenvironment using a portion of the breathing gas supply diverted to an ejector from a breathing respirator gas stream, is described. The respirator, such as a liquified-gas type respirator, includes an endothermic heat exchanger, and the microenvironment air or ambient air or both is flowed over and contacted with the heat exchanger to condition the air by cooling and dehumidifying it. The conditioned airflow is set up by the ejector which expels a portion of the breathing gas stream into a venturi to create a low pressure zone for entraining the microenvironment air or ambient air. The conditioned airflow is then directed to the user's body to reduce user heat stress. Broadly, the air conditioning apparatus is useful with any housing for a controlled physical environment in which a person or group of people can endure surrounding inhospitable conditions.

Abstract: A temperature sensing apparatus (10) adapted for sensing the temperature of a food item or the environment in an oven includes a body (12) which encloses a chamber (38). The chamber houses an indicator (22) which is viewed through a frangible glass pane (34). Slight amounts of water vapor that infiltrate into the chamber during washing are vented when the apparatus is placed in a high temperature environment. A resilient member (70) having a lip portion (74) is normally in abutting relation with an outer case wall surface (48). When pressure builds in the chamber during heating due to rapid expansion of the water vapor, the pressure applied through an opening (40) acts against the lip portion of the resilient member. When the pressure rises to a sufficient level, it deforms the lip portion away from the adjacent wall surface whereby pressure is relieved to atmosphere. The pressure in the chamber is relieved before it reaches a level that may fracture the frangible glass pane or cause other damage.

Abstract: A motion responsive alarm system including a motion sensor having a housing with a rotatable disk therein, a slot in the disk and a ball bearing in the slot and being loosely confined within an annular chamber in the housing surrounding the disk. The disk contains a plurality of orifices which pass between an LED on one side of the disk and a phototransistor on the other. A signal from the phototransistor is sent to a triggering circuit by interrupting light transfer between the LED and the phototransistor. The circuit includes a novel oscillator having a duty cycle of 10% which drives the LED in the sensor. An alternate state device is coupled to the sensor and the oscillator for generating alternate state outputs only during sensing of motion. A one-shot circuit generates a motion pulse each time motion is sensed. A pulse interval timer and gate determine if the pulses are to be gated to a timer or blocked.

Abstract: An ozone generator includes an inner electrode formed of a mass of helical windings through which an elongate electrical conductor extends. The elongate conductor is preferably a metal strip having opposing rows of sawtooth projections extending outwardly from opposing side edges of the strip. The metal strip also preferably has a generally sinuous shape in longitudinal cross-section. An outer electrode is separated from the inner electrode by a dielectric tube. The inner and outer electrodes produce ozone gas using an electrical corona discharge in the presence of an oxygen containing gas. A second tube surrounds the first dielectric tube to capture ozone generated at the outer electrode. A pair of endcaps directs gas flow adjacent the outer conductor and through the inner conductor.

Abstract: A storage canister apparatus (10,110) particularly useful for housing a Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) device therein, is described. A first embodiment of the storage canister comprises a container (12) provided with a removable closure means in a vacuum sealed relationship therewith to prolong the useful life of the PBE device housed therein. The closure means is secured to the container by a gasket seal (44) such that a pulling force on a handle (64) causes the closure means to move with respect to the container to release a plug (44) provided in an inner cover (16) to thereby break the vacuum seal to access the PBE device. A second embodiment comprises a "peel top" closure means that is peeled from the container in response to a pulling force applied to a handle (156) to release the vacuum sealed relationship between a container (114) and the closure means to thereby access the PBE device housed therein.

Abstract: A circular steel blank (10) having a central opening (12) is first press formed into a frusto-conical shape and then subjected to a heat treating process to provide the unfinished spring with the requisite shape and hardness. The spring is then mounted in the electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus to remove material on one side using a first electrode. The spring is then electrically discharge machined on a second side with a second electrode. In this manner a Belleville spring with an exact machining tolerance can be manufactured.

Abstract: A continuous flow passenger oxygen dispensing unit of the type used on pressurized aircraft by passengers during decompression emergencies. The present invention includes an integrally reinforced reservoir bag with an easily connectable and detachable coupling member, further including an airflow channel designed to prevent sticking while being collapsed during storage.

Abstract: A rib protector is disclosed for protecting a player's torso while playing athletic events, such as football. The rib protector includes an pad having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A flexible belt is attached to the outer surface of the pad for securing the pad around the player's torso in a position in which the inner surface of the pad is adjacent the torso. A plurality of removable plates are attached to the belt for covering portions of the outer surface of the pad. The plates are constructed for receiving the impact of blows delivered to the rib protector and distributing the impact force to the pad. The plates are separate from one another and individually removable from the belt whereby a player using the rib protector may attach a selected number of plates to the belt.

Abstract: A temperature sensing apparatus (10) adapted for sensing the temperature of a food item in an oven includes a body (12) which encloses a chamber (34). The chamber houses an indicator (20) which is viewed through a glass pane (28). Slight amounts of water vapor that infiltrate into the chamber during washing are safely vented by a pressure relief valve (36) having a unitary body of resilient material. The check valve includes a membrane portion (40) with a diametrically extending slit (46) therethrough. The slit remains closed under most conditions. When pressure builds in the chamber during heating due to rapid expansion of infiltrated water vapor, the membrane portion deforms sufficiently to open the slit before the pressure reaches a level that may fracture the glass pane or cause other damage. When the pressure falls, the membrane portion returns to its initial position closing the slit.

Abstract: A gas flow check valve for a bottle filling device employs a piston received within a bore which is maintained at the bottom of the filling head vent tube. The piston has a head thereon which is interposed within the flow path of escaping gas during the filling operation. The escaping gas impinges upon the underside of the head and urges the same toward a sealing position. An opposite end of the piston extends downwardly into the bottle being filled. When the level of the beverage within the bottle reaches the bottom of the piston, the buoyancy of the piston, coupled with the forces of the escaping gas impinging upon the piston head urge the piston into sealing engagement, terminating the escape of gas and similarly terminating the inward flow of beverage or liquid, terminating the filling operation.

Abstract: A baseball or softball glove constructed to facilitate closure of the glove. The glove is designed readily to flex along a flex line extending up from the heel of the glove, generally midway between the sides of the glove, and through the ball-catching pocket of the glove. The heel of the glove has little or no padding at the flex line to facilitate closing of the glove along the flex line.