Abstract: A variable flow rate expansion valve designed for in-line installation in a fluid conveying conduit such as between the high pressure condenser and lower pressure evaporator of a refrigeration system includes an integrally defined restrictor disc and a closure disc for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve. The restrictor disc has a first set of flow apertures and the closure disc a second set of flow apertures. The closure disc is rotatably coupled to the fixed restrictor device in a plane parallel to the plane of the restrictor disc and perpendicular to refrigerant flow. A manual, calibrated, incrementally adjustable actuator permits the positioning of the closure disc with respect to the restrictor disc so as to permit the flow of refrigerant through the valve to be manually adjusted, by a chnage in the registry of the apertures in the closure and restrictor discs, in accordance with varying operating conditions and requirements.

Abstract: An optically variable device for use on security documents to deter unauthorized reproduction is provided which contains a warning message that is not readily apparent to an observer but that reproduces as a visible warning message when copied. The device comprises a pattern of light reflecting surfaces which comprise a reflection diffraction grating having a plurality of grooves that vary in orientation and blaze angle. In an alternative embodiment, a machine-readable optically variable device is provided in which the pattern of specularly light-reflecting surfaces produces a machine-readable message in response to light impinging on the device.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the braking with optimized stability of a vehicle train is disclosed. The vehicle train comprises at least two individual vehicles, one of the individual vehicles supporting the individual vehicle. The process comprises supplying energy to the brakes of the vehicles, thereby actuating the brakes and producing an actual force between the vehicles, and measuring the actual-value horizontal and vertical components (F.sub.hact, F.sub.vact) of the actual force (F.sub.act) acting between the supporting and supported vehicle. A desired-value horizontal force component (F.sub.hdes) of the force is determined by multiplying the actual-value vertical component (F.sub.vact) by the ratio of the actual-value train deceleration (b) to the earth's acceleration (g). The desired-value horizontal force component (F.sub.hdes) is then compared with the actual-value force horizontal component (F.sub.hact). The energy supplied to the brakes is adjusted so that F.sub.

Abstract: A process for making melamine-formaldehyde microcapsules in an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of a water miscible or water soluble organic solvent is provided. The aqueous solution is prepared and a water insoluble melamine-formaldehyde pre-condensate is dissolved therein by adjusting the temperature and organic solvent concentration of the aqueous solution such that the melamine-formaldehyde pre-condensate is barely soluble therein. A substance to be encapsulated, preferably an oily solution containing a dyestuff precursor, is dispersed into the aqueous solution to form an emulsion, the melamine-formaldehyde pre-condensate being insoluble in the substance to be encapsulated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a trim strip with a first and second outer heat settable layer molding bonded to a base with an adhesive attaching member. The method includes heating liquid heat settable materials to be bonded to a hard base with an adhesive member at very low pressures to form a trim strip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a trim strip with an outer heat settable layer bonded to a core. The method includes heating a liquid heat settable material to be bonded to a core having a desired configuration at very low pressures to form a trim strip.

Abstract: A vehicle glass run channel comprises a pair of elongated members which are joined in a mitered corner at the intersection of the vehicle door header and vertical pillar. The elongated members are secured together and reinforced by a corner insert. The corner insert has a generally U-shaped body providing an inner and outer leg joined by a web. Generally horizontally extending inner and outer wings extend respectively from the inner and outer leg and generally vertically disposed inner and outer wings extend respectively from the inner and outer legs. The wings slidably fit within corresponding internal (channels) formed in legs of the glass run header channel and glass run vertical channel.

Abstract: A surgical drive comprises a main panel and a "critical zone" panel secured thereto. A fenestration is formed by cutting through the "critical zone" panel. The main panel is a light weight fabric having a relatively high coefficient of friction. The "critical zone" panel comprises a barrier panel lying against the main panel and an outwardly facing absorbent panel, having an irregular surface. The critical "critical zone" panel is folded to form troughs for capturing liquid incident to a surgical procedure. Corner constructions close the ends of the troughs.

Abstract: A suspension system for a component of an air conditioning system adapted for mounting the air conditioning system to a support surface. The suspension system is designed for use with an air conditioning system component that is mounted on spaced apart support rails. The suspension system is integrated into the support rail and eliminates the need for a self contained suspension system that must have specially designed mounting points for attachment to the support rails. The integrated design provides for resistance to lateral loads and facilitates the interchange and replacement of suspension system components. The suspension system comprises a spring for absorbing motion occurring between the air conditioning system component and the support surface. The spring has a first end and a second end, and defines a spring axis extending between the two ends. A receptacle is formed integral to a respective one of the support rails for supporting the first end of the spring.

Abstract: A fenestrated surgical drape includes a "critical zone" panel surrounding the fenestration. The "critical zone" panel comprises an upper absorbent panel and underlying, upper and lower barrier panels. The absorbent layer and upper barrier panel are joined as a first sub-assembly. The lower barrier panel and the main panel of the drape are joined as a second sub-assembly. The sub-assemblies are joined by stitching marginally of the fenestration. The first sub-assembly is then joined to the lower barrier panel by stitching marginally of its outer periphery. The marginal edge portions of the "critical zone" panel are folded inwardly to form liquid receiving troughs along the side and end edges of the "critical zone" panel. These troughs intersect at the corners of the "critical zone" panel. Further folded portions of the "critical zone" panel close the intersecting ends of the troughs. Snap fastener elements hold the marginal portions of the "critical zone" in these folded relations.

Abstract: An indoor air quality sensor designed to be utilized in a zone of a building to control the ventilation of the zone and the method of effecting such control. The sensor comprises a first sensor for sensing a selected leading indicator of contamination in the zone and providing an output signal representative thereof and at least one additional sensor for sensing at least one selected secondary indicator of contamination in the zone and providing an output signal representative thereof. A processor, utilized for generating an output signal representative of the indoor air quality in the zone, receives the output signals from the first sensor and the least one additional sensor and generates the output signal representative of the indoor air quality in the zone by influencing the output of the first sensor by an amount that is a function of the output signal of the least one additional sensor.

Abstract: An ignitor assembly for a gas combusting power furnace especially designed for both durability and ease of replacement. The ignitor assembly includes a generally elongated ignitor element and a tubular sleeve for slideably, removably mounting the ignitor element generally perpendicular to the burner plate assembly of the furnace. A retaining clip snapably holds the ignitor element within the sleeve. The transverse mounting of the ignitor relative to the burner plate places the ignitor element tip within the combustion plenum, but keeps the lead-in wires of the ignitor on the noncombustion side of the burner plate. The unique mounting arrangement of the ignitor assembly provides maintenance access to the ignitor element without the need to disassemble the burner assembly.

Abstract: A data communication controller having a memory access control unit characterized by a symmetrical access port architecture. The memory access control unit allows both a host processor and the medium access control (MAC) unit of the data communication controller to transparently access a single-port data packet buffer memory while operating at full specified operating speed and without interference between simultaneous memory access requests. The memory access control unit arbitrates asynchronous memory access requests from both the host processor and the medium access control unit, while permitting each of these processors unlimited access to the single-port buffer memory as if it alone had the full memory available to itself at all times. The above capabilities are achieved using automatic address incrementation and data-byte prefetching operations, without requiring the use of a port processor or additional internal data buses.

Abstract: A hierarchical control system including a central receiver; a first communications medium operably connecting the central receiver to at least one controller; and a controller operably connected to the central receiver by the first communications medium. The system also includes a sensor for sensing conditions; a second communication medium; and a transmitter for transmitting the sensed conditions from the sensor to the central receiver via the second communications medium. The central receiver also includes receiver for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and a transmitter for retransmitting the transmissions on the first communications medium.