Abstract: A shielding enclosure, for example an appliance sound enclosure comprises a base, a front shield and a top shield. The base is fixed onto a surface and has a back wall and pair of sidewalls connected to the back wall. The front shield is adapted to be rotatably mounted onto the base and is slidingly connected to the top shield by a pin-in-slot connection. The top shield is adapted to be rotatably mounted onto the base and is slidingly connected to the front shield by a pin-in-slot connection. The front and top shields have arcuate panels that, in combination with the rotation around the base, provide for an enclosure around an appliance.

Abstract: A humidifier includes a housing, a fan assembly, a wick assembly, a first humidity sensor, a second humidity sensor, and a controller. The housing has an air inlet, an air outlet, and a reservoir for holding water. The fan assembly creates an airflow through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The wick assembly is in fluid communication with the water in the reservoir and extends into the airflow within the housing for adding moisture to the airflow. The first humidity sensor measures an ambient air relative humidity and produces a first signal corresponding to the ambient air relative humidity. The second humidity sensor measures an outlet air humidity and produces a second signal corresponding to the outlet air humidity. The controller is in electrical communication with the first and second humidity sensors. The controller receives the first and second signals and performs calculations to produce an output signal.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of fluid flow pathways including fins. Closure bars associated with each of the layers have a core reinforcing portion. Each core reinforcing portion includes first and second reinforcing members with a modified flow passage between them. The example embodiments include modified flow passages with generally C-shaped cross sections. The reinforcing portions preferably extend toward a center of the heat exchanger core varying distances along the body of the core so that reinforcing material is concentrated near the ends of the core where deformation caused by heat stress is most likely to occur.

Abstract: A unitary blank of foldable material for forming a carton for containing an object during transport and storage, the blank having: a back panel, first side panel, a front panel, a second side panel, a lid, four bottom tabs, two one-piece support flaps, and two split support flaps. The two on-piece support flaps and two split support flaps form an internal support structure in the bottom of the carton formed by folding the unitary blank. Objects or small appliances positioned within the carton are secured in such a manner as to provide additional support and drop protection to the object or appliance. The carton is folded in such a way so as to add structural integrity to the final carton by the use of stabilizing flaps and an internal support structure. The carton is also designed so as to minimize the material used.

Abstract: A can opener for severing a lid from a can. The can opener includes a housing having a shape generally in the form of a semi-sphere. The housing has a semispherical shell and an opposing working face. A cutting mechanism is positioned on the working face for movement along a circumference of the lid to sever the lid from the can. A drive mechanism is mounted to the housing for moving the can opener relative to the can.

Abstract: An air sampling device and method is described, the air sampling device having a bag, an interior of the bag, a conduit coupled with the interior of the bag, the conduit generally being a duck-bill valve within the interior of the bag.

Abstract: The expense of a bearing employed at the interface of a yoke (22) and a propeller blade pin (14) in a variable pitch propeller assembly is reduced in a bearing construction (16) wherein a bearing race (48) includes a crowned surface (50) adapted to engage a slot (20) in the yoke (22) and having a profile (Pi) wherein the diameter at one side (88, 90) of the race (48) is less than the diameter at the opposite side (90, 88) of the race (48).

Abstract: A backup governing system for a variable pitch propeller, carried by the propeller hub which is hydraulically interposed between a main control for the propeller and a propeller blade moving, double acting piston, the backup governing system comprising a spool valve including a spool movable between a plurality of metering positions along with first and second opposing springs applying oppositely directed biasing forces to the valve member. A flyweight assembly is connected to the spool and applies a speed dependent valve positioning force to the spool in opposition to a first of the springs and in addition to the second of the springs. A piston valve is operatively associated with the second spring and operable to change the bias applied by the second spring to the spool.

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. A filter change 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.

Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. The fume hood provides a safe environment for the technician to work by enabling the fumes to stay contained in the fume hood under all working conditions. The air passes through the air chamber when the movable sash is positioned at a minimum height above the bottom of the fume hood.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly (PDA) includes AC and/or DC power modules and control modules that are installed within a chassis that is mounted to a vehicle, such as an aircraft. Each module includes a wiring harness connector and a control connector for attachment to a motherboard. A wiring harness is externally mounted to the chassis to provide a simplified connection for the wiring harness connector. The modules can be individually and selectively removed from the chassis for repair or replacement without having to remove the entire PDA from the aircraft. This is accomplished by simply removing the module from the chassis, thereby disconnecting the aircraft interface and motherboard connectors for the selected modules. Also, a common PDA can be utilized on different types of aircraft by installing desired modules within the chassis. Thus, the number and type of modules are selected to meet predetermined specifications for a specific aircraft and then installed within a PDA common to all aircraft.

Abstract: Mechanical interfaces in a backup governing system for a variable pitch propeller between stationary and rotatable propeller sections are avoided in a variable pitch propeller system that includes a backup governing system carried by the propeller hub which is hydraulically interposed between a main control for the propeller and a propeller blade moving, double acting piston. The system includes a spool valve including a spool movable between a plurality of metering positions along with first and second opposing springs applying oppositely directed biasing forces to the valve member. A flyweight assembly is connected to the spool and applies a speed dependent valve positioning force to the spool in opposition to a first of the springs and in addition to the second of the springs. A piston valve is operatively associated with the second spring and operable to change the bias applied by the second spring to the spool.

Abstract: A humidifier including a reservoir adapted for retaining liquid and an evaporative media supported in adsorbing contact with the liquid. A reservoir temperature sensor detects a temperature within the reservoir at a low liquid level and provides a reservoir temperature signal indicative thereof. An air inlet temperature sensor detects a temperature of air upstream from the evaporative media and provides an air inlet temperature signal indicative thereof. An air outlet temperature sensor detects a temperature of air downstream from the evaporative media and provides an air outlet temperature signal indicative thereof. A controller determines an operating condition of the humidifier based upon at least one of the reservoir temperature signal, the air inlet temperature signal, and the air outlet temperature signal.

Abstract: An air purifier including a housing supporting an air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow passage interconnecting the air inlet and the air outlet. The airflow passage is defined by a filtration chamber positioned upstream from a blower chamber and an ultraviolet light chamber. A blower assembly is supported within the blower chamber and includes a fan driven by a motor for forcing air through the air flow passage from the air inlet to the air outlet. A pre-filter and a main filter are removably supported within the air filtration chamber for entrapping particulates having a size of 0.3 microns and greater. An ultraviolet light source is positioned within the light chamber and is positioned proximate the air outlet. An outlet grille is supported proximate the air outlet and provides for the passage of air while substantially preventing the passage of ultraviolet light. The outlet grille includes a louver assembly including a plurality of blades defining a plurality of convoluted passages.

Abstract: Novel conjugates of glycosaminoglycans, particularly heparin and dermatan sulfate, and amine containing species and therapeutic uses thereof are described. In particular, mild methods of conjugating heparins to proteins, such as antithrombin III and heparin cofactor II, which provide covalent conjugates which retain maximal biological activity are described. Uses of these conjugates to prevent thrombogenesis, in particular in lung airways, such as found in infant and adult respiratory distress syndrome, and on surfaces in contact with blood are also described.

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.