Abstract: A long life, low maintenance and low energy consumption-lighting device (15) for connection with an electrical socket within a housing of an exit sign comprises a string (35, 35, 60) of series connected light emitting diodes (38) connected in a circuit comprising a capacitor (55) for limiting the current flow through the light emitting diodes (38) and a resistor (40) to limit the surge current through the light emitting diodes (38). The resistor (40), capacitor (55) and light emitting diodes (38) are connected to the socket by one of several different standard light bulb bases (20), and are housed within a hollow translucent or transparent tube connected to the base (20). A surge suppression device (59), such as a TRANSZORB, may be connected in parallel with the resistor (40), capacitor (55) and light emitting diodes (38) to provide line transient protection for protecting the light emitting diodes (38) in response to transient voltage spikes.

Abstract: A ground fault detection scheme uniquely incorporated within a distributed intelligence, fire alarm and detection system, such that detection is achieved with location identification. The modules (and transponders) of the system collaborate with the loop controller in performing ground fault operations to determine precise existing ground conditions at the module locations.

Abstract: A bi-directional door for the elderly and handicapped which comprises a support assembly mounted to a floor, a swing gate pivotally mounted about a support shaft in the support assembly, and a controller assembly located within the support assembly. A first bevel gear at the base of the swing gate is positioned for rotation about the support shaft. A second bevel gear, which is controlled by the controller assembly, is coupled to the first bevel gear at a 90 degree angle. Accordingly, when the swing gate is opened and released, the controller assembly controls the rotation of the first and second bevel gears such that the swing gate returns back to a home position at a predetermined rate. In addition, the support assembly includes various ways for adjusting and fine tuning the angular position of the bi-directional door in the support assembly.

Abstract: A spliced conveyer belt assembly having a belt which includes: first and second belt ends; a load carrying ply which is coextensive with the full length of the belt; first and second reinforcing plies spaced from the load carrying ply, the first and second reinforcing plies being disposed adjacent to the first and second belt ends, respectively; and a hinged joint having a plurality of first belt end fasteners and second belt end fasteners, each belt end fastener including first and second apertured plates disposed respectively adjacent to the respective sides of the belt at the respective first and second belt ends, and a bight capable of connecting the first apertured plate to second apertured plate; at least one securing device which is capable of extending through the apertures in the first and second apertured plates and through the belt; and a hinge pin extending through the bights of the first and second belt end fasteners.

Abstract: There is provided a hybrid rotary control valve for use on existing rotary concentric control valve, or ball valve, platforms. In particular, the hybrid rotary control valve comprises a concentric valve chamber, adjustable valve seat, eccentric control valve plug, and retainer. In addition, a flexible seal or ring is situated between the adjustable valve seat and retainer to provide adjustable positioning of the adjustable valve seat when installed about a flow channel of the valve chamber and dynamic adjusting of the adjustable valve seat when engaged and disengaged by the eccentric control valve plug. Further, the adjustable valve seat includes an orifice that is offset from the center axis of the valve seat. By rotating the position of the valve seat, the flow characteristic of the control valve may be adjusted in an economical and efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filler tubes and, more particularly, to fuel filler tubes and methods of attaching them to automobile fuel tanks. The fuel filler tube of the present invention includes an inlet tube, a retainer member, sealing means and a fuel tank having a downwardly extending diameter portion. The retainer is disposed over the downwardly extending diameter portion and adhered to the tank. The inlet tube is then inserted into the fuel tank aperture until the inlet tubes annular flange engages the fuel tank's annular lip. A crimping tool is then inserted through the axial bore of the inlet tube and a plurality of bearings contained on the crimping tool are forced radially outwardly to thereby crimp the inlet tube and downwardly extending diameter portion together. The retainer member includes a plurality of recessed areas for hosting the expanded inlet tube and tank portions.

Abstract: A steady bearing on a mixer shaft in a vessel supported from the walls of the vessel by a plurality of pairs of parallel struts which are pivotably mounted at their ends in fixed parallel clevises, the inner clevises being included in a bearing support subassembly and the outer clevises being attached to the vessel wall. The struts and clevises define a plurality of supportive parallelogram structures. The steady bearing is free to slide axially along the mixer shaft. As the vessel expands or contracts in response to changes in internal pressure or temperature as required by process conditions, the shape of the parallelogram structures is free to change to lengthen or shorten the parallelogram diagonals, and in response the steady bearing moves to a new position along the shaft. Radial support of the bearing is maintained at all axial positions assumed by the bearing.

Abstract: The improved steady bearing contains a trap at the distal end of a mixer shaft in a vessel whereby the steady bearing is isolated from materials being mixed. The steady bearing is preferably a dry-running ceramic ball bearing assembly. A hood on the mixer shaft defines a cavity open downward in communication with the interior of the vessel within which cavity the steady bearing is disposed. The cavity is provided with a process fluid, preferably a gas, at a pressure equal to or greater than the hydrostatic pressure of the materials being mixed outside the hood, whereby the materials are excluded from the hood and therefore are prevented from coming into contact with the steady bearing.

Abstract: A mixer assembly including a driven hollow quill having first and second conical portions in an axial bore and being adapted to receive and mate with a mixer shaft assembly including a mixer shaft having a conical chamfer to mate with the first conical portion and a quill shaft disposed on and removable from the end of the mixer shaft. The quill shaft has a threaded aperture which cooperates with a jack screw rotatably mounted within the quill bore to draw the conical chamfer into preloaded centered relationship with the first conical portion of the quill bore. A tapered sleeve lodged between the mixer shaft and the second conical portion of the quill bore distributes radial loads on the shaft over a large area of the quill, thereby preventing damage to the shaft and quill. A seal assembly on the mixer shaft isolates the housing from the interior of the vessel. The seal is readily removed for replacement. First, the tapered sleeve is released from the second conical portion.

Abstract: An electrical connector for use in connecting a substantially flat cable to an outlet box which comprises a connector body having a rectangular or square box configuration. The connector body comprises a top portion having a first tab portion disposed about the front edge of the top portion for connecting the electrical connector to an outlet box; a first side wall connected to the top portion; a second side wall also connected to the top portion; a bottom portion having a second tab portion disposed about the front edge of the bottom portion for connecting the electrical connector to the outlet box; and a rear end having a through-hole therein is connected to both the top and bottom portions; and a saddle and screw for concurrently securing the cable disposed within the connector body and securing the connector body to the outlet box.

Abstract: A gate valve apparatus which includes a housing having a passageway defined therein for a fluent material, a generally planar gate, and apparatus for supporting the gate within the housing. The apparatus for supporting allows movement of the gate in opposed first and second directions that are generally parallel to the generally planar gate. The apparatus also includes an annular seal carried on the housing around the perimeter of the passageway and apparatus for moving the gate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the generally planar gate. The apparatus for moving includes a first and second shafts, the shafts have a first and second axial portions that is disposed in eccentric relationship to other axial portions of the shaft, a roller is carried on each of these eccentric portions. A roller including a bearing allowing free rotational movement is carried on each of these eccentric axial portions.

Abstract: There is provided a method for joining the buss wires of a pair of flexible cables by splicing and encapsulating the ends of the cables together. This method involves the splicing of the two cables together by stripping oppositely disposed ends of the two cables such that the buss wires are left exposed. The exposed wires are inserted into respective ends of a connector tube formed of a material having a similar melting point, tensile strength and electrical conductivity properties to the buss wires disposed therein. Both ends of the connector tube are then welded to the oppositely disposed buss wires. Thereafter, the welded wires are encapsulated within an polymer encapsulation layer which overlaps with portions of the flexible sheath that had not been stripped. The polymer encapsulation layer is preferably one which exhibits a similar melting point and tensile strength to the flexible polymer sheath.

Abstract: A lighting device (32) is provided to illuminate indicia (18) of an EXIT sign (10) having a sign housing (12) defining an enclosure (22) therein and having a primary electrical power source. The lighting device is provided with a reflector (40) having a shallow V-shaped contour (43,44,45) defining a centrally located valley in the reflector and a source of illumination (42) positioned in the valley of the reflector and powered by the primary power source, the source of illumination including two rows of LEDs (65), each row having a plurality of LEDs, and the rows being separated from one another and positioned on either side of the valley. The LEDs are positioned on either side of the valley (44,45) a sufficient distance from the valley to illuminate the edges of the sign parallel to the valley while preventing areas within the valley from having dark and/or unilluminated spots. The rows of LEDs are mounted on opposite edges of a printed circuit board (70) positioned in the valley of the reflector.

Abstract: In a lighting fixture such as an exit sign, a light emitting diode lighting device is provided for mating engagement with an electrical socket of the lighting fixture. The light emitting diode device has a plurality of light emitting diodes recessed in a U-shaped channel for directing light through a diffuser into a desired illumination pattern.

Abstract: A rotatably driveable enhanced-flow impeller system is provided for pumping at least one liquid in a tank through an outlet port thereof. A radial flow impeller has a first impeller face disposed proximate the bottom of the tank and proximate or extending into an inlet port for liquids in the tank bottom. The radial flow impeller has a plurality of blades with radially outermost blade tips terminating along a blade terminating circle. Disposed adjacent a second opposing face of the radial flow impeller is a radial flow extension plate which preferably extends radially outwardly along the second face by a radial distance beyond the blade terminating circle. The radial flow extension plate may be fixedly attached to the second impeller face.

Abstract: A regenerative turbine pump apparatus which includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a generally circular impeller having a circumference and a geometric axis. The impeller is mounted for rotation within the housing about the geometric axis and has first and second generally circular faces. At least the first generally circular face has a plurality of vanes extending from the circumference generally toward the geometric axis. Each of the vanes has generally planar mutually parallel side walls disposed in oblique relationship to a tangent to the impeller proximate to the intersection of the vane and the circumference. Adjacent vanes about the circumference each being separated by a slot extending from the circumference and extending to a substantially rectilinear line, the substantially rectilinear lines collectively define a plurality of steps around the impeller.

Abstract: A convertible antenna system for enabling immediate installation of an antenna for continuing the broadcasting of conventional signals in the currently available channel ranges, but which allows for eventual convertibility to HDTV (high definition television) operation. Thus, field convertibility adjustments or modifications are made to the initially installed system after the point in time at which a channel has been assigned for HDTV broadcasting. Such channel assignment is in one of a number of possible frequency spectrum locations such as a channel adjacent to the conventional broadcast channel, or a significantly removed VHF channel, or even a UHF channel. The field adjustments can simply involve coupling or decoupling lines and associated components, or can include replacing an antenna portion.

Abstract: A rotatably driveable enhanced-flow impeller system has a radial flow impeller with a first impeller face disposed proximate the bottom of the tank and proximate or extending into an inlet port for liquids in the tank bottom. The radial flow impeller has a plurality of blades with radially outermost blade tips terminating along a blade terminating circle. The blades and inlet port are contoured to reduce shear stress on the liquids. Disposed adjacent a second opposing face of the radial flow impeller is a radial flow extension plate which preferably extends radially outwardly along the second face by a radial distance beyond the blade terminating circle. The radial flow extension plate may be fixedly attached to the second impeller face.

Abstract: A mounting seat for an optical element is decoupled from a surrounding annulus that fixes the mount in place in an optical system. The annulus can be one of a plurality of annuli that are interconnected to surround and enclose a coaxial array of optical elements. The decoupling is accomplished by three flexible fingers extending inward from the annulus to a seat for the optical element, which can be mounted either directly on the flexible fingers or on a concentric seating ring supported by the fingers. The flexible elements can be formed integrally with an annulus by cutting slots in its inner perimeter. The flexible elements are structured relative to the lens elements they support so that natural frequencies of vibration of the lens elements are higher than the frequencies of external vibration.

Abstract: A dynamic light scattering analyzer which comprises: a sample cell which comprises a cell housing and a cell chamber, the cell chamber being formed within the cell housing such that the cell chamber is exposed to a membrane which is capable of retaining within the cell chamber the particles of a sample introduced into the cell chamber while allowing a liquid carrier to diffuse across the membrane in and out of the cell chamber; a light source; an optical waveguide which is capable of exposing the particles to a light source and which is capable of receiving the light scattered from the particles within the cell chamber and the light reflected from the waveguide-solution interface; a photodetector which is capable of detecting the light scattered from the particles within the cell chamber and the light reflected from the waveguide-solution interface; and a pump for controlling the flow rate and concentration of the carrier liquid which contacts the membrane.