Abstract: A switching system includes a microcontroller that provides a powering signal to a solid state switch, such as a field effect transistor (FET). A powering signal from the microcontroller preferably is amplified using a charge pump to triple the magnitude of the signal from the microcontroller to provide a sufficient voltage to operate the gate of the FET. The microcontroller preferably provides the powering signal at least several cycles during a selected time period on a repeated, cyclical basis. During times when the controller is not providing the powering signal to operate the gate of the FET, the controller is free to perform other functions. Various other features, including over current monitoring are disclosed.
Abstract: A mixer stand for supporting a mixer includes a base member, a turntable mounted for rotation on the base member, a bowl supported on the turntable, a pedestal extending generally upwardly from the base member, and a pivot head pivotally connected to an upper portion of the pedestal for receiving the mixer. A first locking mechanism is operably associated with the pivot head and the pedestal for locking the pivot head in an upright operative position and/or a tilted position. A second locking mechanism is operably associated with the pivot head and the mixer for releasably locking the mixer onto the pivot head.
Abstract: A system and method for controlling carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions emanating from a gas source includes a CO2 sorbent bed containing a regenerable sorbent. Exhaust gases flow through the CO2 sorbent bed before being released into the atmosphere. The CO2 sorbent bed traps CO2 contained within the exhaust gas to control the amount of CO2 finally exhausted to the atmosphere. At least two CO2 sorbent beds are used such that while one is absorbing CO2 from the gas stream another is being regenerated. The CO2 sorbent bed is regenerated to release the trapped CO2 for disposal or use in other processes. The CO2 sorbent beds are cycled between absorbing CO2 and regenerating to optimize absorption of CO2.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 16, 2002
Date of Patent:
June 29, 2004
Assignee:
Hamilton Sundstrand
Inventors:
Timothy A. Nalette, William Papale, Tom Filburn
Abstract: A propeller de-icing system (20) includes heaters (30, 32) associated with propeller blades (22, 24). A controller (34) uses ambient temperature information from a sensor (36), for example. The heaters (30, 32) preferably comprise a material having a known coefficient of resistivity. The controller (34) utilizes the coefficient of resistivity information and determines the temperature of the heaters based upon determining the resistance of the heaters. With the inventive system, the heater control is based upon the ambient temperature and a determination of the desired heater resistance corresponding to a desired heater temperature.
Abstract: A food processor has a main body (10) with a base member (12) extending laterally. A bowl (16) sits on the base member (12) and a one-piece drive shaft (18) extends up through the bowl. A hollow lid (32) fits on the bowl (16) and the upper part of the drive shaft (18) is positioned in the lid space. A chopping or S blade (26) fits on the lower part of the drive shaft (18) is positioned in the lid space. A chopping or S blade (26) fits on the lower part of the shaft. A slicer shredder disc (40) and a displacement disc (46), can be positioned at the upper part of the shaft. Access to a delivery chute (36) on the lid is provided by a removable gate (50). The only removable parts of the food processor are the S blade, the slicer/shredder disc, the displacement disc and the removable gate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 2002
Date of Patent:
June 15, 2004
Assignee:
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
Inventors:
Martin Brady, Jeffrey T. Mauch, Brian J. O'Flynn, Brian P. Williams
Abstract: An APU system includes a gas turbine engine having a low pressure spool, a high pressure spool and an electrical generator. The electrical generator is driven by the high pressure spool which is governed to a constant speed. Conversely, the low pressure spool is not governed at all, but is allowed to seek a speed that balances the power developed by the low pressure turbine (LPT) and power absorbed by the low pressure compressor (LPC). A step increase/decrease in electrical power demand is met with a step increase/decrease in fuel flow, which results in an overshoot/undershoot of the new equilibrium turbine inlet temperature TIT. The TIT returns to the new equilibrium when the LP spool has achieved it's new shaft speed and new equilibrium power balance. The HP Spool and generator maintain essentially constant speed and frequency, while the LP Spool responds to restore equilibrium.
Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 4, 2003
Publication date:
April 29, 2004
Applicant:
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
Inventors:
Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
Abstract: A high-power electrodynamic machine has a relatively elongated rotor. In a preferred generator embodiment, a rotor having a winding formed integral therewith is integral to a hollow shaft mounted within a stator having a plurality of windings. The shaft has an axial end region with an inlet for a cooling fluid. The rotor winding is disposed in apposition to one of the stator windings. The rotor comprises a plurality of laminations. At least one pair of adjacent laminations has periodic slots. The slotted laminations are sandwiched between laminations without slots such that the slots in the adjacent laminations form a continuous, zigzag, generally radial outward passageway for the cooling fluid. The outlet of the passageway is arranged to discharge the fluid onto the winding to provide relatively even cooling along the entire length of the rotor without significantly reducing structural integrity.
Abstract: The invention relates to a method of tamper proofing a transport vessel such as a railroad car, a cargo truck or an ocean container. The transport vessel has a portion, such as an opening or a fitting, with multiple locations at risk of tampering. The portion of the transport vessel is covered with a pliable cover to cover the multiple locations. The cover is then sealed over the portion with a tamper proof seal in a manner effective to prevent removal of the cover, and to prevent access to the locations without tampering with the seal or the cover.
Abstract: An evaporative humidifier including a base removably supporting a water tray for holding a quantity of water. A blower assembly and a water tank are removably supported by the base above the water tray. The blower assembly includes a housing and a fan disposed intermediate a pair of air inlets and an air exhaust outlet. A cylindrically shaped wick filter is supported by the water tray and extends upwardly into the housing. The wick filter includes a cylindrical side wall and opposing open upper and lower ends. The fan is driven by a motor mounted inside the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlets, through the cylindrical side walls of the wick filter, and then through the open upper end of the wick filter and out of the housing through the air exhaust outlet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 17, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 6, 2004
Assignee:
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
Inventors:
Patrick T. Mulvaney, Michael E. Smith, Anthony V. Cruz
Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 4, 2002
Date of Patent:
March 30, 2004
Assignee:
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
Inventors:
Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland