Abstract: A method and system for determining the airflow through an air preconditioning module having a sensible and/or latent energy transfer matrix having a pre-established relationship between airflow and pressure drop. The air preconditioning module processes an inlet air stream so that it becomes a uniformly distributed (and preferably substantially laminar) outlet air stream leaving the energy transfer matrix of the preconditioning module. The pressure differential between the inlet air stream and the outlet air stream is determined and translated into an airflow value based on the pre-established relationship between airflow and pressure drop through the energy transfer matrix of the air preconditioning module.

Abstract: Packaging assembly intended for the extemporaneous preparation of suspensions or solutions of a solid active product in a liquid product, the active product having been freeze-dried and being contained in a flask A, and the liquid product being contained in a flask B closed by a dropper (30), a connection member (16) enabling to put in communication the two flasks for the purpose, in a first step, to cause the liquid product to pass from flask B into flask A containing the solid product, then, in a second step, to reverse the assembly and aspirate into flask B the suspension or solution thus formed. Flask A containing the active product is closed by an elastic stopper (10) having a central perforation (12) closed by a perforable operculum (14) which is perforated by the dropper when the flasks are put in communication by means of the connection member.

Abstract: A personal surveillance system having a video camera and an audio microphone in a single package sufficiently small to be worn as a badge, lapel pin, or similarly small accessory. The audio/video package is coupled to a transmitter for transmitting an audio and video signal to a remote station. The remote station comprises a video cassette recorder responsive to a signal for recording that is generated on a continuous basis by the audio/video package in a signal band that is filtered before recording.

Abstract: A test fixture (10) for mounting electrical circuit boards (CB, CB') and placing a plurality of test locations of the circuit board in electrical engagement with respective probe test pins (16) of an array of such pins has a cam mechanism (22) mounted in an integrally formed modular frame (20) of an upper assembly (12). The upper assembly (12) is pivotably mounted on a lower base assembly (14) and latched thereto by a latch assembly (28). A circuit board to be tested is placed over an array of longitudinally depressable pins (16), the upper assembly (28) pivoted to a closed position and latched by latch mechanism (28). Handle (22k) attached to the cam assembly (22) is then rotated causing blocks (22f) to slide in rectilinear track (22e) of slide plate (22c) while translating rotary motion of the cams members (22g) to a vertical motion of a pusher plate (30) attached to the slide plates (22c).

Abstract: Desiccant-coated substrates, regeneratable rotary dehumidification wheels and other devices for gas (e.g., air) treatment using those substrates, and processes for making them are disclosed. The substrates may have coatings in thicknesses of from about 2 to about 10 mils containing particles of one or more adsorbent desiccants and an organic water-based binder. The desiccant particles retain a high fraction of their original adsorption capacity because the pores of the desiccant particles contain a pore-clearing agent prior to the binder setting and the pore-clearing agent leaves the pores during the manufacturing process to prevent the binder from blocking the pores. In preferred embodiments a mixture of different desiccants is used and a particle suspending agent keeps the particles well-mixed so that the desiccant particles in the coated substrate will be as well-mixed as possible. The suspending agent may also function as the pore-clearing agent.

Abstract: A continuous dense phase conveying method and apparatus, for conveying large quantities of dry bulk material through a material conveying pipe, feed particulate material into the conveying pipe and supply a quantity of low pressure gas into the pipe to force particulate material to move therealong. A gas pressure within the conveying pipe is monitored. When this monitored pressure reaches a predetermined gas pressure level, a quantity of high pressure gas is supplied to the conveying pipe to force the particulate material to move continuously therealong.

Abstract: Desiccant-coated substrates, regeneratable rotary dehumidification wheels and other devices for gas (e.g., air) treatment using those substrates, and processes for making them are disclosed. The substrates may have coatings in thicknesses of from about 2 to about 10 mils containing particles of one or more adsorbent desiccants and an organic water-based binder. The desiccant particles retain a high fraction of their original adsorption capacity because the pores of the desiccant particles contain a pore-clearing agent prior to the binder setting and the pore-clearing agent leaves the pores during the manufacturing process to prevent the binder from blocking the pores. In preferred embodiments a mixture of different desiccants is used and a particle suspending agent keeps the particles well-mixed so that the desiccant particles in the coated substrate will be as well-mixed as possible. The suspending agent may also function as the pore-clearing agent.

Abstract: A desiccant composition having a moderate Langmuir Type 1 moisture adsorption isotherm with a separation factor of from 0.05 to 0.13 is disclosed. The composition contains silica gel, a modified 13.times. molecular sieve (modified by replacing at least 20% of the sodium cations with other metallic cations, e.g., potassium cations), and desirably a hydrophobic adsorbent (desirably a hydrophobic molecular sieve). The composition may be used as the desiccant in a rotary regeneratable dehumidification wheel, thereby significantly enhancing dehumidification performance and simultaneously removing a significant proportion of the airborne pollutants typically contained in indoor and outdoor air.

Abstract: The Improved Wheel is suitable for use on lawn mowers, trash containers, toy wagons and other similar devices. The Improved Wheel is formed in a two step manufacturing process. In the first step, a quantity of hubs are injection molded from a thermoplastic or a thermoset plastic. Two opposing interlocking hubs are used in the manufacture of each wheel. The hubs provide additional strength and improved wear characteristics to the wheel. In the second manufacturing step, a pair of opposing interlocking hubs are placed in the open mold of a conventional blow molding machine. The parison, which is preferably an elastomer, is then extruded between the two open halves of the mold. The two halves of the mold close and capture the parison between the two interlocking hubs in the mold cavity forming a web which radiates from the central bore of the hubs. The remainder of the parison is inflated to form a tube around the exterior of the hubs.

Abstract: An assembly in-situ preparation of suspensions and solutions of an active, solid, product in a liquid product, each of the products being separately contained in a hermetic flask, with connecting means permitting the placing in communication of the two flasks, which means consists of a single piece (1) molded of plastic material with an upper portion (2) internally threaded for coupling with the neck of the flask (7) containing the liquid and a lower portion (3) capping the neck of the flask containing the solid product, the molded connecting piece is closed by a sealed elastomer stopper and an inner shoulder hooking over one or several small collars on the neck.

Abstract: A grease trap construction comprising a housing having an inlet to receive waste water containing grease and foreign material and having an outlet. An air conduit having a plurality of outlet ports spaced along its length is located in the lower end of the housing and is connected to a source of air under pressure, so that air will be discharged through the ports into contact with the waste water. The waste water within the housing is heated by an electric heating element which is immersed in the waste water and the heating element is controlled by a thermostat to maintain the temperature of the waste water within a given range. An aqueous composition containing a mixture of enzymes and bacterial spores is introduced into the housing into contact with the waste water.

Abstract: A suspendable folder is disclosed having a front panel and a back panel with their bottom edges and a segment of each of their lateral edges secured to one another. A segment of each pair of lateral edges secured to one another is defined by two points, the first of which is near the bottom edge of each panel. The second, upper point is spaced from the first point by a distance preferably selected from the range of approximately one half to two thirds the height of the back panel. At or near the second upper point, a circular radius cut is provided to assist in distributing tearing forces across a large area of both the front panel and back panel. At least one transverse score line is also provided above the radius cut in the front panel to permit easier opening and closing of the folder without tearing.

Abstract: A comprehensive turbine engine monitoring and recording system includes an electronics unit which may be engine mounted, and which contains at least a nonvolatile memory and a data-processor, for use with a remote unit suitable for either cockpit mounting or for accessing by a ground portable unit which may include an additional data-processor and display and/or printer units. Raw input data is supplied to the electronics unit, and this input information may include engine and outside air temperature, torque, engine speed, vibration, altitude and airspeed data, for examples. Exceedance data relative to the operation of the aircraft above pre-defined limits of temperature, torque and speed are recorded, with the details of each exceedance being permanently stored.

Abstract: A sensible and latent heat exchange media comprises a gas permeable matrix. The gas permeable matrix provides passageways therethrough through which an air stream can flow through the sensible and latent heat exchange media. The gas permeable matrix is formed of a sensible heat exchange material that is capable of absorbing sensible heat from a warm air stream and releasing the absorbed sensible heat into a cool air stream as the air streams flow through the sensible and latent heat exchange media. A layer of a coating composition comprising a molecular sieve is applied to at least a portion of the surface of the sensible heat exchange material.

Abstract: When helicopters are accomplishing certain special maneuvers such as powered descent, or the like involving low "g" conditions, the helicopter blades may teeter excessively with respect to the mast, and under severe conditions, the mast may shear. To sense such low "g" conditions, which may be dangerous, an accelerometer is mounted on the helicopter frame close to the center of gravity of the helicopter and is coupled to data processing circuitry which classifies the low-g conditions in bands or levels of severity, recording the duration of exceedances in which the low-g conditions are below predetermined levels, and issues warning signals to the helicopter pilot through the helicopter intercom system and a suitable warning light.

Abstract: A metal plunger tip for use in aluminum die casting operations includes a cylindrical body having an axially extending cavity therein and a shank of smaller diameter extending axially from the body for connection to a control rod. The plunger tip has at least one outwardly-facing safety indicator surface located at which a point intermediate the inside and outside diameters of the body, for the purpose of indicating the extent to which the outer surface of the body can be machined without reducing the wall thickness to an unsafe dimension.

Abstract: A thermocouple system has been nicknamed the "Binocular" thermocouple assembly because the terminal housing has a configuration similar to a pair of binoculars, with the chromel and alumel terminals mounted in spaced circular openings in the terminal housing. A thermocouple probe extends outwardly from the terminal housing, and is provided with two peripheral grooves, into one of which the terminal housing is secured by swaging. The second groove in the thermocouple probe is spaced away from the terminal housing by a short distance along the probe, and a washer is securely swaged into this second groove. A nut having external threads is mounted between the terminal housing and the washer for securing the thermocouple probe to its sensing location, for example, mounted adjacent a turbine engine.

Abstract: A control system for a jet or turbine aircraft includes a electrical pressure sensor of the type which does not include interconnected mechanical linkages, such as capacitive transducers, and which are therefore stable over a wide range of temperature and other adverse conditions. The pressure sensor is coupled to detect the pressure resulting from the operation of the aircraft engine. The system detects departures from normal operating conditions, such as a flameout of the aircraft engine, and restores the aircraft engine to normal operating conditions by reignition, by operating the starter motor, or other similar steps. Controllable hysteresis may be introduced into the system to determine both the pressure at which the control action is initiated and a different pressure where it is stopped. The system may operate in conjunction with pressure metering and other aircraft systems without hysteresis.

Abstract: A turbine engine monitoring and recording system includes an engine mounted unit which contains at least a non-volatile memory and a data-processor, and a remote unit suitable for either cockpit mounting or for accessing by a ground portable unit including an additional data-processor and a display unit. Thermocouples and other sensors mounted on the engine supply raw data to the engine mounted electronics unit, and this input information includes temperature data. Elevated over-temperature levels are segregated and the time during which the engine is within each of the over-temperature bands is measured, and is recorded in a non-volatile, electronically alterable memory which is periodically updated during operation of the aircraft. The number of starts is also counted and stored, and the total running time of the engine is also recorded.